Jason Derulo to play Rum Tum Tugger in Cats Movie

According to the Hollywood Reporter the latest addition to the stellar cast appearing in Cats the movie is multi-platinum singer-songwriter Jason Derulo who will make his feature acting debut  playing the Rum Tum Tugger, who is is portrayed as the rebel cat who cannot help but be difficult. He is never satisfied with what you give him and sets himself apart from others by trying to be different.

Tom Hooper is directing the all-star production, which already already has a  cast including Jennifer Hudson (Grizabella),  Ian McKellen (Gus the Theatre Cat), Judi Dench (Deuteronomy), Idris Elba (Macavity), Rebel Wilson (Jennyanydots), Taylor Swift, James Corden, and Royal Ballet principal dancers Steven McRae (Skimbleshanks) and Francesca Hayward (Victoria the white cat)

Production is due to begin next month for a December 20th 2019 release date.

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Madaleno Alberto completes cast for Aspects of Love at Southwark

Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment and Hope Mill Theatre have announced the full cast for the London transfer of their production of Aspects of Love to  Southwark Playhouse from 7th January-9th Februay 2019.

Madalena Alberto will play Giulietta Trapani completing the previously announced cast of Kelly Price (That Day We Sang, A Little Night Music - Olivier Award Nominee, 2010) in the role of Rose, Felix Mosse (The Rocky Horror Show) as Alex, Jerome Pradon (Jesus Christ Superstar, Pacific Overtures - Olivier Award Nominee, 2003) as George, Jack Churms, as Jerome/ensemble, Jason Kajdi (Our House, Assassins) as Hugo, Julia J Nagle (An American in Paris) as Elizabeth/ensemble, Minal Patel (The Secret Garden, Bend it Like Beckham) as Marcel,  Eleanor Walsh as Jenny/ensemble and Eleanor Jackson/ensemble

Madalena Alberto has played some of the most coveted roles in musical theatre, including Fantine in Les Misérables (Barbican and UK tour), Grizabella in Cats (London Palladium) and the title role in Evita (Dominion Theatre, UK and International tours). She is also an established solo artist and songwriter, performing regularly in concerts in London, Lisbon and Barcelona, and is a proud associate artist to Chaskis Theatre Company in London.

Directed by Jonathan O'Boyle (Rain Man, Hair and Pippin) this new, intimately reimagined production will play for a limited season from 7 January to 9 February 2019, with a national press night on Thursday 10 January. This will be the fourth London transfer from Hope Mill Theatre, following Yank!, Hair and Pippin, and the award-winning 50th anniversary production of Hair has recently announced a major UK tour in 2019.

Buy tickets for Aspects of Love

Laura Michelle Kelly back in London for one off solo concert

West End and Broadway star Laura Michelle Kelly is returning to London to perform a one off solo concert at Cadogan Hall at 6:30 pm on Sunday 24 February 2019.

Kelly won the 2005 Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical for playing Mary Poppins in the West End.  She spent a year and a half in New York playing Sylvia Llewelyn Davies in the Broadway production of Finding Neverland, starring opposite Matthew Morrison and Kelsey Grammer. Laura most  recently completed her run as Anna Leonowens in the national tour of The King and I.

Her other Broadway/New York credits include the Encores! production of Me And My Girl, reprising her role in Mary Poppins and the 2004 revival of Fiddler on the Roof. West End credits include: My Fair Lady (Eliza), Speed The Plow (Karen), Lord of the Rings: The Musical (Galadriel), Beauty and the Beast (Belle), Whistle Down the Wind (Swallow), Peter Pan (Wendy), Les Miserables (Eponine), Mamma Mia! (Sophie). Regional: The King and I (Anna) and South Pacific (Nellie).

On screen Laura has appeared in the Tim Burton movie Sweeney Todd as Lucy/Beggar Woman and in Goddess (2012 Cannes Film Festival); Laura’s album The Storm Inside was released in 2006 and she has taken part in numerous radio, TV, concert appearances including the Royal Albert Hall, Hampton Court Palace, Royal Opera House, Millennium Stadium, Buckingham Palace and performed for President Obama for the 4th of July celebration and for the nation’s televised event Broadway at the White House. She is also the recipient of the Voice of Musical Theatre Award.

 

She  said: "Coming back to London to sing in my own show is a big deal for me. I've already invited a few special guests to join me from some of the shows I've been a part of in the West End and I'm beyond excited to be performing with old friends. We are going to make it such a fun night!"

The concert,is produced by Club 11 London and Take Two Theatricals.

Buy tickets for Laura Michelle Kelly

Black Is The Color Of My Voice Nina Simone Musical

Following sell-out seasons in Shanghai, New York, Edinburgh and in London at Wilton’s Music Hall, the Fringe First award winner Apphia Campbell brings her acclaimed play with music Black Is The Color Of My Voice  which is inspired by the life of Nina Simone to the Trafalgar Studios for four weeks only from 5th February-2nd March      

On weekend evenings, Apphia will also perform Soul Sessions, a 50-minute cabaret inspired by Simone's music, after Black is the Color of My Voice (separate ticket purchase required)

The 70-minute play is written and performed by Apphia Campbell and directed by Arran Hawkins and Nate Jacobs. It is inspired by the life and civil rights activism of Nina Simone, who went from a young piano prodigy to jazz legend. It had its UK premiere at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2014, before touring to the St James Theatre, Wilton's Music Hall and the Oxford Playhouse.

Campbell's other work includes Woke, which won a Fringe First Award in Edinburgh in 2017 and won a Highly Commended award from Amnesty International.

Tickets for Black is the Color of My Voice and Soul Sessions are on sale now.

Rebel Wilson To Play Jennyanydots in CATS movie

Latest news on casting for Cats the Movie is that Rebel Wilson is playing the old Gumbie cat Jennyanydots who  has a nocturnal penchant for dancing, cooking, and teaching mice. She has a reputation for being lazy and  spends her days seeking out the warm and sunny spots where she sits, and sits, and sits, and sleeps as the hours tick by. But when the moon rises, she's alive and bakes and fries, and teaches the mice "knitting, crocheting and tatting."

The Pitch Perfect star was last seen in London's West End playing Miss Adelaide in Guys & Dolls. Wilson joins a stellar cast that includes Jennifer Hudson (Grizabella),  Ian McKellen (Gus the Theatre Cat), Judi Dench (Deuteronomy), Idris Elba (Macavity), Taylor Swift, James Corden, and Royal Ballet principal dancers Steven McRae (Skimbleshanks) and Francesca Hayward (Victoria the white cat).

The cast has been rehearsing with director Tom Hooper at Leavesden Studios in Hertfordshire for a December 20th, 2019 movie release

All star cast announced for premiere of new musical The Dreamers at Abbey Road Studios

The producers of the brand-new British musical “THE DREAMERS” are thrilled to announce four premiere performances  at the  Abbey Road Studios on Friday 7th December and Saturday 8th December at 2.00pm and 7.30pm.

At the outbreak of the First World War, a young and inexperienced officer, Reggie, is pushed into leadership by his rich and powerful father. On an ill-fated voyage to the battlefield, Reggie struggles to hold his unit together when a jealous and bitter recruit, Jack, stirs trouble amongst the men. Disaster strikes when their ship crashes, and amidst the chaos, Reggie and Jack are thrown together. Inspired by true events, “THE DREAMERS” is a testament to the power of comradeship in the face of adversity.

“THE DREAMERS” stars Will Carey (It’s Only Life), Earl Carpenter (Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera, Beauty and the Beast, Evita), Dougie Carter (Sunset Boulevard, Les Misérables), Zoe Doano (Miss Saigon, Les Misérables, Death Takes A Holiday), Col Farrell (Oh! What A Lovely War!, In Loving Memory, Young Chekov Trilogy), Phoebe Fildes (Once The Musical, The Mousetrap), Maria Graciano (Miss Saigon, Matilda The Musical, Wicked), Thomas Grant (Vanity Fair, Midsomer Murders), Tom Hier (Miss Saigon, Footloose, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat), Devon-Elise Johnson (Half A Sixpence, Titanic), Dean John-Wilson (Aladdin, The King and I), Craig Nash (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat), Sam O’Rourke (Half A Sixpence, Mrs Henderson Presents), Claire Parrish (Mary Poppins, Miss Saigon, Les Misérables), Leah Pinney (The Clockmaker’s Daughter), Charlotte Wakefield (Spring Awakening, The Sound of Music, Crazy For You, Mamma Mia!), Paul Wilkins (Les Misérables) and Annette Yeo (Love Never Dies, Les Misérables, Mamma Mia!, City of Angels, The Phantom of the Opera).

“THE DREAMERS” will mark the first time in history that a musical has been performed at Abbey Road Studios. The iconic Studio One, which has played host to the likes of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Stevie Wonder, Sting and U2, will be transformed into a theatre especially for this event. These performances are co-produced by Stars Foundation for Cerebral Palsy, and any profits from the event will go directly to the charity.

Created and written by James Beeny and Gina Georgio, “THE DREAMERS” is directed by Jean-Pierre Van Der Spuy, choreography by Lee Proud, set and costume design by Simon Wells, sound design by Andrew Josephs, lighting design by Tim Deiling, associate choreography by Joanne McShane and costume supervision by Mary Charlton.

Buy tickets for The Dreamers

Wicked releases 500,000 new tickets, extends booking period and announces extra shows

WICKED the musical has just announced the release of  500,000 new tickets and is now booking to Saturday 30th November 2019 at London's Apollo Victoria Theatre. A limited number of seats are also released daily for that day's performance(s) at 10:00am, in person at the Box Office only.
 

Also five extra shows have been added this Christmas all starting at 2.30pm on Monday 24th December, Thursday 27th December, Friday 28th December, Sunday 30th December 2018 and Thursday 3rd January 2019.

Further extra shows have also been added in 2019: Thursday 21 February, Thursday 18 April, Thursday 15 August, Thursday 29 August and Thursday 24 October 2019, all starting at 2.30pm.

More dates announced for tour of Les Miserables

Cameron Mackintosh has today announced  further dates for the UK and Ireland  tour of LES MISÉRABLES. 

In addition to the previously announced dates, the musical will also play Plymouth Theatre Royal (11 June – 6 July 2019), Bradford Alhambra (9 July – 10 August 2019), Liverpool Empire (9 – 26 October 2019) and Wales Millennium Centre Cardiff (26 November 2019 – 4 January 2020) with more to dates still to be announced. 

Tickets for the new dates go on sale at the end of this month

Book early as this UK and Ireland tour is set to sell out in many places before it opens. The Curve Leicester run sold out in record-breaking time, with last remaining seats in Dublin, Edinburgh and Manchester.

Kelsey Grammer to star in ENO's The Man of La Mancha

TV, film and theatre  star Kelsey Grammer (Broadway:  La Cage Aux Folles, Finding Neverland, London: Big Fish) is to  star as Don Quixote in an ENO concert production of the musical Man of La Mancha directed by Lonny Price. Australian-born lyric soprano Danielle De Niese has  been cast as country wench Aldonza, who becomes  Princess Dulcinea in the hallucinations of  Quixote.

The concert production of the musical, based on the classic tale of  Miguel de Cervantes’s Don Quixote, will be presented by the English National Opera running from  April 26th-June 8th, 2019. .

Considered one of the greatest musicals of all time, Man of La Mancha is famous for its inspiring story exploring the noble themes of idealism and courage in the face of despairand and memorable songs including  "I, Don Quixote (Man of La Mancha)", "Dulcinea", "It's All The Same" and the iconic anthem "The Impossible Dream".

Buy tickets for The Man of La Mancha 

Rob Brydon, Louise Dearman and Jess Gillam in Joe Stilgoe's Christmas at the Movies

Rob Brydon, Louise Dearman and Jess Gillam join Joe Stilgoe and his magnificent seven-piece band for a one night festive spectacular, Joe Stilgoe's Christmas at the Movies at the Lyric Theatre on Monday 10th December.  Highlights from the show will be broadcast on BBC Radio 2 at  2:00pm on Christmas Day.

Joe Stilgoe's brand new show, Christmas at the Movies adds his own original and stylish orchestrations to some of the most memorable moments in movie history making them uniquely unforgettable.

The  guests this Christmas, include West End  and international concert star, Louise Dearman (Wicked!, Guys & Dolls), award winning saxophonist, Jess Gillam (Classic Brit Award Winner 2018, BBC Proms 2018), and actor and comedian, Rob Brydon (Would I Lie to You?, Gavin and Stacey).
 

Christmas at the Movies takes the audience on a sleigh ride through  movies including It's A Wonderful Life,White Christmas, Home Alone and  Elf,

Tickets for Christmas at the Movies 

Kinky Boots London being filmed for future screening

The West End production of Kinky Boots is to be filmed at the end of this  month for future worldwide screening. The original cast members Killian Donnelly and Matt Henry will return to play the roles of Charlie and Lola  from Monday 26th -Wednesday 28th November  while the filming takes place. Both actors were nominated for an Olivier Award with Matt Henry winning  Best Actor in A Musical playing Lola.

The London show will close on 12 January 2019 after more than 1400 performances at the Adelphi Theatre.  Based on Tim Firth's 2005 film of the same name, the musical first ran on Broadway in 2012 with music and lyrics by Cyndi Lauper, book by Harvey Fierstein and direction and choreography by Jerry Mitchell.

Kinky Boots is also currently on a major UK tour through to November 2019

Details for the screening to be announced.

Principal casting for Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake at Sadler's Wells

New Adventures has announced casting for ‘The Swan’ and ‘The Prince’ in Matthew Bourne’s new production of his legendary “SWAN LAKE” at Sadler’s Wells from Tuesday 4 December 2018 to Sunday 27 January 2019.

The Royal Ballet’s newest Principal Dancer, Matthew Ball, will be joining New Adventures for the entire London season of Matthew Bourne’s “SWAN LAKE” at Sadler’s Wells in the role of ‘The Swan’. Matthew will be making his debut with New Adventures and will dance four performances each week during the eight-week season at Sadler’s Wells. This year he also made his debut as ‘Prince Siegfried’ in The Royal Ballet’s new production of “Swan Lake” at the Royal Opera House. Matthew Ball joins New Adventures star Will Bozier, who most recently danced to great acclaim as ‘Harry, the Pilot’, in Matthew Bourne’s “Cinderella” and former English National Ballet star Max Westwell who was also recently seen in the West End in “An American in Paris”. Will and Max are both making their debuts in the role of ‘The Swan’ and will perform throughout the UK and International tour.

Returning to the role of ‘The Prince’ are two much loved New Adventures stars, Liam Mower (recently wowing audiences as ‘The Angel’ in “Cinderella”) and Dominic North (acclaimed star of “Edward Scissorhands”, “The Car Man”, “Sleeping Beauty”, “The Red Shoes” and “Cinderella”). They are joined by New Adventures newcomer, 19 year old James Lovell, who is making his professional debut in this production.

The casting for the London season at Sadler’s Wells is:

Tuesday 4 December: Will Bozier as ‘The Swan’ and Dominic North as ‘The Prince’
Wednesday 5 December: Matthew Ball as ‘The Swan’ and Liam Mower as ‘The Prince’
Thursday 6 December: Matthew Ball as ‘The Swan’ and Liam Mower as ‘The Prince’
Friday 7 December: Max Westwell as ‘The Swan’ and Dominic North as ‘The Prince’
Saturday 8 December (mat): Matthew Ball as ‘The Swan’ and Liam Mower as ‘The Prince’
Saturday 8 December (eve): Max Westwell as ‘The Swan’ and Dominic North as ‘The Prince’
Sunday 9 December (mat): Will Bozier as ‘The Swan’ and Dominic North as ‘The Prince’
Sunday 9 December (eve): Matthew Ball as ‘The Swan’ and Liam Mower as ‘The Prince’

Monday 10 December: NO PERFORMANCE
Tuesday 11 December: Max Westwell as ‘The Swan’ and Dominic North as ‘The Prince’ Wednesday 12 December: Matthew Ball as ‘The Swan’ and Liam Mower as ‘The Prince’
Thursday 13 December: Will Bozier as ‘The Swan’ and Liam Mower as ‘The Prince’
Friday 14 December: Matthew Ball as ‘The Swan’ and Dominic North as ‘The Prince’
Saturday 15 December (mat): Will Bozier as ‘The Swan’ and Liam Mower as ‘The Prince’
Saturday 15 December (eve): Matthew Ball as ‘The Swan’ and Dominic North as ‘The Prince’
Sunday 16 December (mat): Max Westwell as ‘The Swan’ and Dominic North as ‘The Prince’
Sunday 16 December (eve): Matthew Ball as ‘The Swan’ and Liam Mower as ‘The Prince’

Monday 17 December: NO PERFORMANCE
Tuesday 18 December: Matthew Ball as ‘The Swan’ and Dominic North as ‘The Prince’
Wednesday 19 December: Matthew Ball as ‘The Swan’ and Liam Mower as ‘The Prince’
Thursday 20 December: Will Bozier as ‘The Swan’ and Dominic North as ‘The Prince’
Friday 21 December: Max Westwell as ‘The Swan’ and Liam Mower as ‘The Prince’
Saturday 22 December (mat): Matthew Ball as ‘The Swan’ and Liam Mower as ‘The Prince’
Saturday 22 December (eve): Max Westwell as ‘The Swan’ and Dominic North as ‘The Prince’
Sunday 23 December (mat): Matthew Ball as ‘The Swan’ and Dominic North as ‘The Prince’
Sunday 23 December (eve): Will Bozier as ‘The Swan’ and Liam Mower as ‘The Prince’

Monday 24 December: NO PERFORMANCE
Tuesday 25 December: NO PERFORMANCE
Wednesday 26 December: Matthew Ball as ‘The Swan’ and Dominic North as ‘The Prince’
Thursday 27 December (mat): Will Bozier as ‘The Swan’ and James Lovell as ‘The Prince’
Thursday 27 December (eve): Max Westwell as ‘The Swan’ and Dominic North as ‘The Prince’
Friday 28 December: Matthew Ball as ‘The Swan’ and Dominic North as ‘The Prince’
Saturday 29 December (mat): Will Bozier as ‘The Swan’ and Dominic North as ‘The Prince’
Saturday 29 December (eve): Matthew Ball as ‘The Swan’ and Liam Mower as ‘The Prince’
Sunday 30 December (mat): Max Westwell as ‘The Swan’ and Dominic North as ‘The Prince’
Sunday 30 December (eve): Matthew Ball as ‘The Swan’ and Liam Mower as ‘The Prince’

Monday 31 December: NO PERFORMANCE
Tuesday 1 January: Matthew Ball as ‘The Swan’ and Liam Mower as ‘The Prince’
Wednesday 2 January: Matthew Ball as ‘The Swan’ and Dominic North as ‘The Prince’
Thursday 3 January: Max Westwell as ‘The Swan’ and Dominic North as ‘The Prince’
Friday 4 January: Matthew Ball as ‘The Swan’ and Liam Mower as ‘The Prince’
Saturday 5 January (mat): Will Bozier as ‘The Swan’ and Dominic North as ‘The Prince’
Saturday 5 January (eve): Max Westwell as ‘The Swan’ and Dominic North as ‘The Prince’
Sunday 6 January (mat): Will Bozier as ‘The Swan’ and James Lovell as ‘The Prince’
Sunday 6 January (eve): Matthew Ball as ‘The Swan’ and Dominic North as ‘The Prince’

Monday 7 January: NO PERFORMANCE
Tuesday 8 January: Matthew Ball as ‘The Swan’ and Liam Mower as ‘The Prince’
Wednesday 9 January: Max Westwell as ‘The Swan’ and Dominic North as ‘The Prince’
Thursday 10 January: Matthew Ball as ‘The Swan’ and Liam Mower as ‘The Prince’
Friday 11 January: Will Bozier as ‘The Swan’ and Dominic North as ‘The Prince’
Saturday 12 January (mat): Max Westwell as ‘The Swan’ and Liam Mower as ‘The Prince’
Saturday 12 January (eve): Matthew Ball as ‘The Swan’ and Dominic North as ‘The Prince’
Sunday 13 January (mat): Will Bozier as ‘The Swan’ and James Lovell as ‘The Prince’
Sunday 13 January (eve): Matthew Ball as ‘The Swan’ and Dominic North as ‘The Prince’

Monday 14 January: NO PERFORMANCE
Tuesday 15 January: Max Westwell as ‘The Swan’ and Dominic North as ‘The Prince’
Wednesday 16 January: Matthew Ball as ‘The Swan’ and Dominic North as ‘The Prince’
Thursday 17 January: Will Bozier as ‘The Swan’ and James Lovell as ‘The Prince’
Friday 18 January: Matthew Ball as ‘The Swan’ and Dominic North as ‘The Prince’
Saturday 19 January (mat): Matthew Ball as ‘The Swan’ and Dominic North as ‘The Prince’
Saturday 19 January (eve): Will Bozier as ‘The Swan’ and James Lovell as ‘The Prince’
Sunday 20 January (mat): Max Westwell as ‘The Swan’ and James Lovell as ‘The Prince’
Sunday 20 January (eve): Matthew Ball as ‘The Swan’ and Dominic North as ‘The Prince’

Monday 21 January: NO PERFORMANCE
Tuesday 22 January: Matthew Ball as ‘The Swan’ and Dominic North as ‘The Prince’
Wednesday 23 January: Matthew Ball as ‘The Swan’ and Dominic North as ‘The Prince’
Thursday 24 January (mat): Will Bozier as ‘The Swan’ and James Lovell as ‘The Prince’
Thursday 24 January (eve): Max Westwell as ‘The Swan’ and Dominic North as ‘The Prince’
Friday 25 January: Matthew Ball as ‘The Swan’ and Liam Mower as ‘The Prince’
Saturday 26 January (mat): Max Westwell as ‘The Swan’ and Dominic North as ‘The Prince’
Saturday 26 January (eve): Will Bozier as ‘The Swan’ and Liam Mower as ‘The Prince’
Sunday 27 January (mat): Matthew Ball as ‘The Swan’ and Dominic North as ‘The Prince’