New Year UK search for children for new School of Rock Musical

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new School of Rock musical is currently smashing  Broadway Box Office records as a nationwide search is about to start in the UK for highly talented children required for the musical’s West End debut at the London Palladium in the spring of 2017.

Andrew Lloyd Webber said: “I had forgotten what it was to have this kind of hit. It is particularly great as we have no star names and we are witnessing personal triumphs for our brilliant kids and for Alex Brightman as Dewey, the role made famous by Jack Black. Now our team will begin searching across the UK for talented children to star in the West End transfer.”

While the Broadway production has roles for 13 child actors giving eight performances a week, UK performance regulations will require the show to carry at least three separate casts, providing opportunities for more than 39 talented children in total. Aside from singing, dancing and acting, a recorded announcement from Andrew Lloyd Webber before every performance guarantees that all of the actors, children and adults, are playing their own instruments.The search for the UK cast will begin in the New Year.

The musical is an adaptation of the 2003 hit film comedy which starred Jack Black as the failed rock star, Dewey Finn, who becomes a teacher and forms a band with his pupils. Lloyd Webber has composed an original score for his stage adaptation, with lyrics written by Glenn Slater, and a book written by Julian Fellowes.


We will publish details of the auditions as soon as they are available.

Burt Bacharach and Kyle Riabko BBCRadio 2

On 31st  December on BBC Radio 2 at 12:05 Paul Gambaccini talks to Burt Bacharach and Kyle Riabko about Close To You - Bacharach Reimagined , the stage show at  the Criterion which  Kyle conceived around Burt's amazing songbook.

Kyle performs some acoustic versions of songs from Close To You at the BBC Maida Vale studios and Burt discusses the show, his career and collaborations with Hal David, Cilla Black, Dionne Warwick, Dusty Springfield, Carole Bayer Sager, Herb Alpert, Elvis Costello, The Carpenters, Aretha Franklin, BJ Thomas, Michael McDonald and Patti LaBelle.

The Secret Life of Mary Poppins

The musical Mary Poppins is currently touring to great critical acclaim, but if you have seen the award winning film Saving Mr Banks starring Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks you will know something of the background to the making of the 1964 the Mary Poppins film which premiered in Hollywood to world acclaim. But PL Travers the author of the books loathed it.

A  Culture Show special on BBC2 on 27th December from 12:45pm is presented by Victoria Coren Mitchell and explores the dark and complex life of the writer. Her twenty year battle with Walt Disney, the strange adoption of her child (he was one of twins) and how the film version overshadowed her writings but made her rich. 

With contributions from Emma Thompson, Cameron Mackintosh and PL Travers's granddaughter

Alexander Armstrong A Year of Songs Live Concert Tour

Alexander Armstrong recently appeared in ITV's The Sound of Music Live! He is probably best known as a presenter of Pointless and BAFTA award winning duo Armstrong & Miller. He is now returning to his roots as a classically trained musician in his first major concert tour to launch his debut album, A Year of Songs. You can see him in  concert at the London Palladium on Friday 22nd January at 7:30 pm. 

Forty years after he became a choirboy, Alexander will be performing an eclectic mix of popular classics and favourites including  A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square, On Days Like These, A Stranger in Paradise and Londonderry Air.

Below are the tour dates and booking links for A Year of Songs Live!

• Sheffield City Hall: Monday 18th January - 0n sale on Thursday, 31 Dec  at 12:00 noon

• Edinburgh Playhouse:  Monday 1st February 2016

• Manchester Opera House Sunday 21st Febuary

More Casting news for Billy Elliott Tour

Annette McLaughlin, Martin Walsh and Scott Garnham,  will lead the touring production of the hit musical Billy Elliot, which kicks off at the Theatre Royal Plymouth on February 24.  The company also includes Phillip Aiden, Jonathan Alden, Leo Atkin, Tom Bainbridge, Deborah Bundy, Jack Butterworth, Luke Cinque-White, Donna Combe, Wayne Fitzsimmons, Nikki Gerrard, Abbie Louise Harris, Paul Hutton, Leon Kay, Charlie Martin, Kris Manuel, Barnaby Meredith, Daniel Page, Georgina Parkinson, Amy Rhiannon-Worth, Rachel Spurrell, Sebastian Sykes, Rafe Watts and Luke Zammit. The children of the first UK and Ireland tour will be announced in early 2016.

The West End production of Billy Elliot will close at the Victoria Palace in April after an 11year run.

McLaughlin (Mrs Wilkinson)has starred in MATILDA THE MUSICAL and ANYTHING GOES in the West End, as well as BRIEF ENCOUNTER on Broadway, plus Open Air Theatre's HENRY IV PART I, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM and CAMELOT.

Walsh (Dad)is known for his roles on the TV series CORONATION STREET, GAME OF THRONES, EMMERDALE, CITY CENTRAL and more.

Garnham (Tony) recently led the West End premiere of MADE IN DAGENHAM, as well as the regional World Premiere of HONK! and I CAN'T SING, LES MISERABLES, and [TITLE OF SHOW] in London.

JUST ANNOUNCED: tour of Kinks Musical Sunny Afternoon

Sonia Friedman Productions and Ambassador Theatre Group are delighted to announce an extensive  national tour of SUNNY AFTERNOON opening at  the Manchester Opera House on 19th August 2016 and touring into 2017.

Recipient of four awards at the 2015 Olivier Awards including Best New Musical and Outstanding Achievement in Music for Ray Davies. It features some of The Kinks’ best-loved songs, including You Really Got Me, Waterloo Sunset and Lola, SUNNY AFTERNOON tells the story of the early life of Ray Davies and the rise to stardom of The Kinks.

Click here for details of tickets which go on sale next week for  the tour of Sunny Afternoon

Andrew Lloyd Webber to acquire St James's Theatre for new musicals try out

After workshopping his new musical SCHOOL OF ROCK at New York's Gramercy Theatre, Andrew Lloyd Webber is keen to secure a permanent space in the UK to try out new musicals.

According to today's Mail, Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Group is close to acquiring the St James Theatre in Westminster saying "It would be great to have a space to try out shows in London," . Commenting on SCHOOL OF ROCK's Broadway run, he added: "I had slightly forgotten what it was like to have a hit in New York, I must say."

SCHOOL OF ROCK - THE MUSICAL just opened on Broadway and announced its opening at the London Palladium next  Autumn  followed by a tour across the U.S.

Ramin Karimloo, Lea Salonga, Jodie Prenger & Ruthie Henshall performing at Lytham Festival next year

The Lytham Festival is a seven-day live music event being held in Lancashire from August 1st-7th. Next year will  feature an all-star line-up of West End and Broadway stars for its Last Night of the Proms event on August 7th.

Already announced to appear are Ramin Karimloo, Lea Salonga, Jodie Prenger, Claire Sweeney, Ruthie Henshall, Lucie-Mae Sumer and singing troupe Collabro who will be joined by by the 60-piece Heart of England Symphony Orchestra.

On other nights, headliners will include The Village People, Earth Wind & Fire and the Bay City Rollers (August 5th) and Bryan Adams (August 6th).

The festival, founded in 2009, has previously featured such artists as Status Quo, Katherine Jenkins, Boyzone, Alfie Boe, Olly Murs, Jason Donovan, Marc Almond and Russell Watson

Tickets on sale  09:00 on Monday 14th December  for the Lytham Festival 

Billy Elliott to close at the Victoria Palace next April

Universal Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions have announced that after 4,600 performances, and with the Victoria Palace Theatre's previously announced refurbishment programme, the multi award-winning West End production of Billy Elliot the Musical will play its final performance  on 9th April 2016 as the production celebrates its eleventh birthday. The show has been seen to date by over 5.25 million people in London and nearly 11 million people worldwide, has grossed over $800 million worldwide and is the winner of over 80 theatre awards internationally.

There are plans for the  first UK and Ireland tour of Billy Elliott the musical has been announced, opening at the Theatre Royal Plymouth on 24th February 2016 viiting ten other venues  until May 2017.

There’s also hope Billy Elliot might return to London - perhaps in two or three years’ time. And although the stage show was the offspring of the 2000 movie written by Lee Hall  there is a desire to make a picture based on the musical.   Hall and Elton John, who wrote the music, and both are eager for this to happen.

Fellner, who runs Working Title films has confirmed that the Billy Elliot musical movie project was ‘chugging along on active development’. It’s three or four years away,’ Stephen Daldry insisted the new film would be wholly different from the 2001 one saying  ‘We’d probably look at the miners’ strike in more detail'.

An Evening With Ramin Karimloo - with special guest Hadley Fraser

West End and Broadway star Ramin Karimloo hgas just announced a special concert: An Evening With Ramin Karimloo - with special guest Hadley Fraser at Islington Assembly Hall, London on Wed 20th  Jan 2016, 19:00.  Tony-nominated Ramin Karimloo will be celebrating his career and music, and performing his favourite songs from the stage and his recordings.

Buy tickets for  An Evening With Ramin Karimloo - with special guest Hadley Fraser

Andrew Lloyd Webber's new School of Rock Musical headed for West End

Andrew Lloyd Webber has announced that following its triumphant Broadway opening  earlier this week,  the West End production of his new School of Rock – The Musical will open at the London Palladium in Autumn 2016. Dates to  be confirmed in the New Year with details of when the production will go on sale.

ALW said: “I am thrilled to announce that we are confirming a West End production of School of Rock – The Musical. We have had such a great time in the US staging the world premiere and now that we have opened on Broadway, I am delighted to be focussing on the next chapter in the show’s journey.”

Based on the smash hit 2003 film of the same title, School of Rock features music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyricist Glenn Slater and a book by Julian Fellowes. School of Rock – The Musical is directed by Laurence Connor with choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter, set and costume designs by Anna Louizos, lighting design by Natasha Katz, sound design by Mick Potter, music supervision by Ethan Popp and hair design by Josh Marquette.

As well as the London production, Lloyd Webber also announced that a National Company of School of Rock – The Musical will launch a US Tour in the Autumn of 2017, playing coast-to-coast engagements across America.

Down-on-his-luck wannabe rock star Dewey Finn poses as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school to make ends meet. When he discovers his students’ musical talents, he enlists his fifth-graders to form a rock group and conquer the Battle of the Bands.

Produced by Paramount Pictures, the 2003 film was directed by Richard Linklater and starred Jack Black in a career-defining performance and went on to gross more than $130 million worldwide.

Star studded line up for The Oliviers in Concert

Leading West End stars are celebrating 40 years of the Olivier Awards in a gala concert with the BBC Concert Orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London on Monday 25 January at 7.30pm

Previous Olivier Award winners Michael Ball, Katie Brayben, John Dagleish, Elaine Paige and Clive Rowe are in the  the star-studded cast joining previously announced award-winning cast members Daniel Evans and performer/director Maria Friedman. More artists will be announced in the New Year.

Katie Brayben has just completed a run playing the lead role in Beautiful - The Carole King Musical - a role that earned Katie her first Olivier Award in 2015, for Best Actress in a Musical.

John Dagleish won the Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical in 2015, for his performance in Sunny Afternoon, based on the music of The Kinks.

Daniel Evans has picked up two Olivier Awards for Best Actor in a Musical, both for productions of Sondheim musicals - the first in 2001 for the original London production of Sondheim’s Merrily We Roll Along, and another in 2007 for Sunday In The Park With George.

Maria Friedman made her directing debut in 2012 with the Menier Chocolate Factory’s Olivier Award-winning production of Merrily We Roll Along; and has since led a critically acclaimed production of High Society at The Old Vic. She is also a three-time Olivier Award winner, including winning two awards for Best Actress in a Musical - in 1997 for her performance in Passion, and in 2004 for playing Mother in Ragtime.

Elaine Paige won an Olivier Award in 1978 for Performance of the Year in a Musical, for playing Eva Perón in Evita; and has since had a thriving career in the West End, appearing in shows including Grease, Chess, Cats, Anything Goes and Sunset Boulevard. Elaine Paige on Sunday is broadcast every Sunday from 1-3pm on BBC Radio 2, celebrating the best music from Hollywood, Broadway and West End productions.

Clive Rowe won an Olivier Award in 1997 for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical, for his role as Nicely Nicely Johnson in the National Theatre revival of Guys and Dolls. One of his best known roles since was playing Duke in the CBBC drama The Story of Tracy Beaker.

The concert will be staged by Maria Friedman and Tim Jackson. The company will perform a selection of songs from celebrated musicals accompanied by the 70-strong BBC Concert Orchestra, conducted by Principal Conductor Keith Lockhart, alongside a 100-strong choir comprising of students from Arts Educational Schools London.  The BBC Concert Orchestra will also be performing at the 2016 Olivier Awards ceremony, taking place in April. 

Tickets for The Oliviers in Concert 

Original Sunny Afternoon Cast Members to perform Charity Concert

The original cast members from the Kinks' Musical Sunny Afternoon are reuniting for a one-night-only charity concert next year. All profits will be donated towards SeeAbility’s Children in Focus campaign which aims to change eye care for children with disabilities forever

The show will take place at  Richmond Theatre on Sunday 17th January 2016 at 7.30pm.

Three months after leaving the show,  John Dagleish, George Maguire, Ned Derrington and Adam Sopp will perform The Kinks’ greatest hits as well as some other live music.

Buy tickets for the show.

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Jamie Muscato to join Bend It Like Beckham

Jamie Campbbell Bower is leaving Bend it Like Beckham later this month and from 14th  December  Jamie Muscato joins the cast to play coach Joe alongside Natalie Dew as football crazy Jess and Lauren Samuels as Jules, a player with the Harriers local women’s football team. Sophie-Louise Dann plays the role of Paula with Jamal Andréas as Jess’ good friend Tony. Preeya Kalidas plays Pinky, Jess’ sister, with Tony Jayawardena and Natasha Jayetileke as her parents, Mr and Mrs Bhamra.

Jamie Muscato’s theatre credits include Sweeney Todd for Welsh National Opera, House of Mirrors and Hearts for the Arcola Theatre, Dogfight for Southwark Playhouse, The Light Princess for the National Theatre, Rock of Ages at the Shaftesbury Theatre, Blitz for the Theatre Royal Stratford East, Love Story at the Duchess Theatre, Les Miserables on tour internationally, Spring Awakening at the Lyric Hammersmith and Novello Theatres and Lift at the Trafalgar Studios.  His film credits include Les Miserables, The Euphoria of Drowning and Wild Oats.  On television his credits include Cilla and My Parents Are Aliens.

John Owen-Jones heading for Les Miserables on Broadway

Les Misérables will end its run at Broadway's  Imperial Theatre on September 4th next year  after over two-and-a-half years.

Alfie Boe who leads the current company as Jean Valjean,will play his final performance on February 28th. On March 1st John Owen-Jones (who played the role on Broadway in 2007 and is  playing the Phantom of the Opera in London's West End until 30th January ) will take over  and perform until the show's closing date.

The principal company also includes original 2014 revival cast member Will Swenson as Javert (standing in for an injured for Earl Carpenter), Montego Glover as Fantine, Gavin Lee as Thenardier, Rachel Izen as Madame Thenardier, Brennyn Lark as Eponine, Chris McCarrell as Marius, Alex Finke as Cosette and Wallace Smith as Enjolras. Hayden Tee assumes the role of Javert on January 29th .

Michael Ball joins line up for London Salutes Frank Concert

London Salutes Frank Centenary Concert to celebrate 100 years of Frank Sinatra is being performed at London Eventim Hammersmith Apollo on Sunday 13th December at 7:00 pm.  It features ‘Live From The Sands’ and ‘The Main Event’ performed in their entirety by a full orchestra and singers. The line-up will include special guest singers including Michael Ball with more names to be  announced soon .

Recreating the same Musical Arrangements used on these two albums, The Peter Long Orchestra & Singers Iain Mackenzie (from The Ronnie Scott’s Orchestra) & Jeff Hooper (Ex Sid Laurence)  will perform two of Frank Sinatra’s greatest live albums of all-time as Leo Green tells us the stories behind the songs and Mr Sinatra.

Featuring ‘Live From the Sands’ – Come Fly With Me, I’ve Got A Crush On You I’ve Got You Under My Skin, The Shadow Of Your Smile Street Of Dreams, One For My Baby, Fly Me To The Moon, One O’clock Jump, You Make Me Feel So Young, All Of Me, The September Of My Years, Get Me To The Church On Time,It Was A Very Good Year, Don’t Worry ’bout Me, Makin’ Whoopee, Where Or When Angel Eyes, My Kind Of Town

And ‘The Main Event Live From Madison Square Gardens’ – It Was a Very Good Year/All the Way/My Kind of Town, The Lady Is a Tramp, I Get a Kick Out of You, Let Me Try Again, Autumn in New York, I’ve Got You Under My Skin Bad, Bad Leroy Brown Angel Eyes, You Are the Sunshine of My Life The House I Live In, My Kind of Town My Way

Buy tickets for London Salutes Frank

Imelda Staunton's Gypsy heading for Broadway

The acclaimed West End run of GYPSY, starring the fabulous Imelda Staunton sadly closes on Sunday, but the good news is that the  show has been  filmed by the BBC for broadcast this Christmas (time and date TBA)

And more good new is that Baz Bamingboye reports in the UK Daily Mail this morning that Broadway could be next saying:  "We are actively pursuing and trying to work out the right way to go to New York with Imelda in Gypsy,' said Michael Harrison, who produced the show with David Ian. The Jonathan Kent production recouped its costs and made a profit for investors which (as we know) doesn't happen with every musical production."

He added that  Stephen Sondheim was sitting behind him  at the Savoy last Saturday and said it was 'beyond doubt' that Staunton's Rose was one of the best he has seen."

Half a Sixpence at Chichester next summer

Chichester Festival Theatre will be presenting a new George Stiles and Anthony Drewe production of the musical Half A Sixpence, next summer.

Based on the H G Wells novel Kipps: The Story Of A Simple Soul, it  tells the story of Arthur Kipps, an orphan who unexpectedly inherits a fortune, and climbs the social ladder before losing everything and realizing that you just can't buy happiness. It features a score by David Heneker (of Irma La Douce and Charlie Girl fame )and a book by Beverley Cross. Stiles and Drewe have written some new songs, with the  more famous Heneker numbers including Flash, Bang Wallop and If The Rain’s Got To Fall remaining.

Downton's Abbey's  Julian Fellowes has been writing a new text (he has also written the book for Stiles & Drewe's The Wind in the Willows will open at the Theatre Royal in Plymouth in   October 2016), and Rachel Kavanaugh will direct ans Andrew Wright  is the choreographer. Around the same time, at Chichester’s Minerva Theatre, Christopher Luscombe will direct the pair’s musical adaptation of Graham Greene’s novel Travels With My Aunt


Half a Sixpence was first produced in London's West End at the Cambridge Theatre in  March 1963, with Marti Webb playing Ann. It transferred to Broadway in 1965,  starring Tommy Steele with John Cleese playing Walsingham (the stockbroker from a respectable family who embezzles Kipps' fortune(.  Half a Sixpence was the last West End show to transfer successfully to New York before the late 1970s and early 1980s musicals of Andrew Lloyd Webber.

A 1967 film adaptation starring Steele, along with Julia Foster was choreographed by Gillian Lynne.

Darren Day to star In Priscilla Queen of the Desert at some venues

Darren Day will star as ‘Tick’ in the tour of  PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT in Woking from 15 27 February:  Plymouth from 9-14 May  and Llandudno from 16 -21 May. Duncan James and Jason Donovan are also playing the role  at certain venues.

Darren Day’s first theatre role was the title role in “Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”, both in the West End and on tour internationally. His other West End theatre credits include ‘Danny’ in “Grease”; ‘Don’ in “Summer Holiday” and ‘Tony’ in “Copacabana”.
On tour, he has played the title role in “Alfie”; ‘Billy Bigelow’ in “Carousel”; ‘Pip’ in “Great Expectations”; ‘Jesus’ in “Godspell”; ‘Frank N Furter’ in “The Rocky Horror Show”; ‘Cornelius’ in “Hello Dolly” and ‘Khashoggi’ in the Queen musical “We Will Rock You”. His TV credits include roles in “Holby”; “Crime Stories”; “Doctors”; “The Bill”; “Mile High” and “Hollyoaks”. He is also well-known as a television presenter for shows including “Just Kidding”; “Don’t Try This at Home”; “Clockwise”, “Teen Win Lose or Draw” and” You Bet!”. 

PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT THE MUSICAL currently stars Simon Green as ‘Bernadette’, Adam Bailey as ‘Felicia’ and Philip Childs as ‘Bob’. They are joined by: Richard Astbury; Rebecca Botterill; Matt Crandon; Peter Cumins; Amy Di Bartolomeo; Martin Harding; Lisa-Marie Holmes; Ricky Lee Loftus; Adam Lyons; Callum MacDonald; Laura Mansell; Catherine Mort; James Paul McAllister; Robin Mills; Craig Ryder; Naomi Slights and Julie Yammanee. 

The World Goes Round: Songs of Kander & Ebb starring Oliver Tompsett and Debbie Kurup to transfer

The World Goes Round: The Songs of Kander & Ebb starring Debbie Kurup & Oliver Tompsett transferring to St James Studio for a limited run between 2nd and 7th February 2016.

This Follows its run at the Pheasantry,  and nce again the show will star Debbie Kurup (Chicago/The Bodyguard) and Oliver Tompsett (Wicked/We Will Rock You). Who will be joined by  returning cast members Steffan Lloyd-Evans, Alexandra Da Silva and Sally Samad.

Kander and Ebb are best known for writing musicals such as Cabaret, Chicago, Fosse and The Scottsboro Boys.The World Goes Round  is conceived by Scott Ellis, Susan Stroman and David Thompson and is produced by Neil Eckersley with musical direction by Kris Rawlinson.

Tickets for The World Goes Round: The Songs of Kander & Ebb

Full cast announced for Disney's Aladdin

Casting has been announced for the  Broadway transfer of Disney's Aladdin. As previously announced leading the cast as Aladdin will be Dean John-Wilson whose theatre credits include in the UK tour of Sister Act, From Here to Eternity, Songs For a New World and the National Theatre's  Here Lies Love.

Starring as Jasmine will be former Sugababe Jade Ewen. Most recently seen in In The Heights. Her many theatre credits include The Lion King and Whistle Down The Wind.

They will be joined by Broadway cast member Trevor Dion Nicholas who will make his London stage debut as Genie, Don Gallagher (Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Sweeney Todd) as Jafar, Peter Howe, (originator of the role of Michael Wormwood in Matilda The Musical) as Iago, Irvine Iqbal (Bend It Like Beckham) as Sultan and Nathan Amzi (In The Heights) as Babka

The cast will be completed by Stephen Rahman-Hughes, Arran Anzani-Jones, Miles Barrow, Albey Brookes, Lauren Chia, Bianca Cordice, Leon Craig, Daniel de Bourg, Seng Henk Goh, Melanie Elizabeth, Kade Ferraiolo, Michelle Chantelle Hopewell, Fred Johanson, Mitch Leow, Oliver Lidert, Thierry Picaut, Alex Pinder, Briony Scarlett, Kyle Seeley, Sadie-Jean Shirley, Ricardo Spriggs, Katie Singh, Dawnita Smith, Marsha Songcome, Kayleigh Thadani and Jermaine Woods.

Casey Nicholaw directs and choreographs the show, which will replace Miss Saigon at the Prince Edwards Theatre which is transferring to Broadway and due to close on 27th  February next year.


Aladdin will open at the Prince Edward Theatre on Wednesday 15 June 2016, with previews from Friday 27 May.Tickets go on sale at 8:00 am today. 

Cast announced for tour of Footloose starring Gareth Gates

Footloose: The Musical  is set to  tour again  next year with Gareth Gates playing the role of Willard.

The show will be premiering at the Spa Bridlington in January before embarking on a major UKtour.

The full cast has just been announced with Maureen Nolan as Vi Moore and Luke Baker as Ren McCormack. They will be joined by Hannah Price as Ariel Moore, Nigel Lister as Reverend Shaw Moore, Nicky Swift as Ethel McCormack, Joanna Sawyer as Rusty, Matthew Tomlinson as Chuck, Natasha Brown as Wendy-Jo, Miracle Chance as Urleen and Scott Haining as Bickie with Lauren Storer, Natalie Morton-Graham, Luke Thornton and Alex Marshall.

In the Heights extends run again

Initially booking for a limited 4 week run, Tony Award-winning Broadway musical In The Heights has extended its run at King’s Cross Theatre for a second time, now booking for an additional 3 months until Sunday 10 April 2016. In The Heights returns to London following a critically acclaimed sell-out UK premiere at Southwark Playhouse in 2014.

 The first trailer is also released today (click here to view), featuring David Bedella (The Rocky Horror Show) as Kevin, Josie Benson (Sweeney Todd) as Camila, Vas Constanti (Flashdance) as Piragua Guy, Jade Ewen (Sugababes) as Vanessa, Lily Frazer (Cats) as Nina, Victoria Hamilton-Barritt (A Chorus Line) as Daniela, Sam Mackay (Wonder.land) as Usnavi, Antoine Murray-Straughan (Cats) as Graffiti Pete, Sarah Naudi as Carla, Eve Polycarpou (Mother Courage and Her Children) as Abuela, Joe Aaron Reid (Ghost, Broadway) as Benny and Cleve September (professional debut) as Sonny. The cast also includes Jocasta Almgill, Courtney-Mae Briggs, Michael Cortez, Gabriela Garcia, Reiss Hinds, Alexandra Sarmiento, Spin and Philippa Stefani.

Tickets for In The Heights

Nutcracker! The Musical Casting

Casting has recently been announced for the world premiere of NUTCRACKER! THE MUSICAL where Tchaikovsky’s melodies from the traditional  seasonal ballet have been reworked with a modern twist using Musical Theatre lyrics and orchestrations.  It will premiere in a four-week season at the Pleasance Theatre, Islington,  North London  from Tuesday 8th December to Sunday 3rd  January.

Nutcracker! The Musical has  music by Tchaikovsky, Book and lyrics by multiple Emmy Award-winning Nancy Holson, Arrangements Bruce Kiesling and Paul Rigano.  It will be directed by Ollie Fielding;  Musical Director Robert Hazle; Designer Eleanor Field; Choreographer Alejandro Postigo.

The cast includes: Maria Coyne (Marie) Her West End shows include Wicked (Ensemble, U/S Glinda and Nessarose). She has just played Anne in A Little Night Music and Esmerelda in The Legend of Notre Dame.

Kris Webb (Drosselmier) played Torvald in the musical A Doll’s House, Audrey II in Little Shop of Horrors and Fatty Arbuckle in ThomSoutherland’s  production of Mack and Mabel.

Jamie Birkett (Mouseyrinks) was named Best Female Performance in the Off West End Awards for Cross Purpose and has just beennominated again as Charlotte in A Little Night Music. Her other starring roles include Joanne in Rent, and Jubilee Climax in Saucy Jack and the Space Vixens.

Peter Nash (Christian Elias/The Nutcracker Prince) was Nathan in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.

Anne Marcuson (Dr Stahlbaum/Queen Wanda) was in the NT production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. She was Belinda in Thom Southerland’s production of Daisy Pulls It Off.

They are joined by : Henry Wyrley-Birch; Leigh Rhiannon Coggins; Samuel Haughton; Meg Matthews; Annabel Edwards; Helen Reuben; Matthew Ives; Ben Stacey and Matthieu Hauret.

Tickets for Nutracker! the Musical

Cast announced for revival of Loserville

Casting is announced for the revival of Loserville which has previews from 2nd December (opening 4th December)  at The Union Theatre, running to 20th December, 2015.

Loserville has Book, Music & Lyrics by Elliot Davis and James Bourne, and is directed by Michael Burgen, Choreography by Matt Krzan, Musical Direction by Dan Jarvis, Lighting Design by Tim Deiling and Produced by Sasha Regan.

It’s 1971. Michael Dork may be a computer geek but he’s invented something that could change the world. He’s also discovered girls: a prospect (almost) as exciting as his love of binary.
Holly is the girl: she has looks and brains and wants to be the first woman in space – well, this is 1971! But will she want Michael?
 Michael and his sci-fi obsessed, social-misfit friends, Lucas, Francis and Marvin are all set to change the course of history, fashion and dating – in no particular order, but just as soon as possible, especially the dating bit.

The cast includes:Joshua Wyatt (Matilda, West End) as Michael Dork: Holly-Anne Hull (Loserville, Union Theatre) as Holly Manson: Kate Leiper as Leia Dawkins:Shane Gibb as Lucas Lloyd: Max Panks as Marvin Camden: Gareth Evans as Francis Weir: James Sinclair as Eddie Arch: Leo Sene as Huey Phillips; Thomas Cotran as Wayne Pagoda; Kimberley Powell (Mamma Mia- International Tour) as Samantha Powden; Charlotte Reavey as Elaine Friend with  Christopher Tindai, Simon Gravino, James Wakeling, RemySweeney, Abby-Rose Bryant, Chantel Bellew, Sian Nathaniel-James, Katy Stephens. 

Tickets for Loserville

Just Announced: New 2016 Tour for Buddy The Musical

A new UK tour has been announced for the rock and roll musical Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, which will open in Harlow in August 2016.

The production originally opened in the West End in 1989 and enjoyed a successful 25th anniversary worldwide tour in 2013.

Buddy tells the tale of the musical icon's meteoric rise to fame and his final legendary performance at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa, before his tragic and untimely death at the age of 22.
The show features many of Buddy Holly's greatest hits, including "That'll Be The Day", "Peggy Sue", "Oh Boy" and "Rave On". Other songs include "Chantilly Lace" and "La Bamba".

Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story opens at Harlow Playhouse on 31st August ahead of a 14 week tour visiting Skegness, Chesterfield, Guildford, Watford, Portsmouth, High Wycombe, Hayes, Croydon, Swansea, Dartford, Bournemouth, Northampton, Crewe and Swindon.  Dates and booking links here.

Wicked! adds extra shows Over Christmas

Wicked! the musical has added four extra matinee shows this Christmas at London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre on Monday 21 December, Thursday 24 December, Monday 28 December and Thursday 31 December 2015, all at 2.30pm. 

All performances throughout the holiday season are in high demand: for  the  best current ticket availability choose 30 December at 7.30pm or 31 December at 2.30pm.

Verity Rushworth sharing role of Holly Golightly with Pixie Lott in Breakfast at Tiffany's tour

It has just been announced that Verity Rushworth will be sharing  the role of Holly Golightly with Pixie Lott on the UK Tour of Breakfast at Tiffany’s from 2nd May to 11th June 2016, appearing at His Majesty’s Aberdeen, Nottingham Theatre Royal, Theatre Royal Bath, Glasgow Theatre Royal, King’s Theatre Edinburgh and Wycombe Swan.

Verity Rushworth played the role of Donna Windsor in Emmerdale for 11 years, a role for which she won a British Soap Award this year.

Her theatre creditsw include Velma Kelly in Paul Kerryson’s production of Chicago (Leicester Curve), Grace Farrell in Nikolai Foster’s production of Annie (West Yorkshire Playhouse), Maria in Jeremy Sams’s production of The Sound of Music (national tour) and Penny Pingleton in Jack O’Brien’s production of Hairspray (Shaftesbury Theatre, London).
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Jesus Christ Superstar part of Regent's Park Open Air Theatre 2016 season

As part of its 2016 season, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre will stage its first Andrew Lloyd Webber musical: Jesus Christ Superstar which will run from July 15th (press night on July 21)   to August 27th. Artistic director Timothy Sheader will direct  the production with choreography by Drew McOnie and design by Tom Scutt. Jesus Christ Superstar has its
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Sheader said: “Jesus Christ Superstar is my personal favourite and it feels right for reimagining in that space. We will be very influenced by the original 70s film, which we all love.”

Bill Kenwright is currently touring the production until December.

 

Initial casting announced for Jackie the Musical

In the 1970s, Jackie magazine with its fashion, celebrity gossip and sage advice dolled out by Cathy and Claire - was the magazine of choice for a million teenagers a week.

When it printed its final edition in 1993, it was the end of an era.

The magazine is being turned into Jackie the musical, choreographed by former Strictly judge Arlene Phillips who will  work on an all-singing, all-dancing take on being a teenager in a world before the internet, mobile phones and ubiquitous celebrity.

Produced by Sally Wood (wife of Rolling Stone Ronnie). Written by Mike James and directed by Anna Linstrum,  Jackie: the Musical is based on the archives of the real Jackie using genuine problem pages, advice and storylines from the 1970s and 80s to recreate an era beloved by a generation of women, who bought 600,000 copies each week at the height of Jackie's powers. tells the story of a disillusioned 50 year old  recent divorcee (played by Janet Dibley) who rediscovers her lost joie de vivre in the magazine’s pages.Struggling with modern dating, she turns to her 15-year-old self and Jackie.

Janet Dibley plays 'Jackie'. She became a household name in the 1980s, co-starring with Nicholas Lyndhurst in ITV's primetime The Two of Us, playing 'Elaine Walker' for all four series. She went on to star as 'Lorna Cartwright' in Eastenders, Carol McGarry in four series of Kay Mellor's Fat Friends,Deborah Johnson' in The Chase and most recently as 'Chaz Moore', in Broadchurch. Janet joined the cast of the BBC soap Doctors in 2010 as series regular 'Dr Elaine Cassidy' a role she played for over two years, and which also saw her writing for the show. Her theatre roles include the 2014 tour of Kindertransport, Absent Friends and Could Be Any One of Us at Scarborough, 'Sarah' in Richard Eyre's National Theatre Production of Guys and Dolls and 'Julie Jordan' in Stephen Pimlott's Carousel at the Manchester Royal Exchange.

Graham Bickley plays 'John' and Nicholas Bailey plays 'Max'. Graham Bickley became a household name playing 'Joey Boswell' in Carla Lane's much loved BBC TV series Bread. He has starred in a host of hit West End musicals, including Les Misérables, Miss Saigon, Sunset Boulevard and Ragtime, for which received an Olivier Award nomination. He regularly appears with the BBC Concert Orchestra in concert halls across the country

Best known for his role as 'Anthony Trueman' in EastEnders, Nicholas Bailey was most recently seen on stage in the critically acclaimed production The Invisible at the Bush Theatre, London. Other television work includes Siblings and Doctors, whilst past credits include Anubis House, Miranda and Law & Order: UKwith

More casting news to follow.

 It  will feature  the music of then-favourite pop idols including Donny Osmond, David Cassidy and Marc Bolan.

Jackie the Musical had a well-received two week trial run in Dundee two years ago..  and is now due to go on tour next year. Below are the dates we have so far with more casting news and venues  (including Coventry, Bromley, Brighton, Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool and Glasgow) to be added to take it up until next November.

Gardyne Theatre, Dundee
11 and 12 March 2016

The Alhambra Theatre, Bradford
29 March- 02 April

King's Theatre, Edinburgh
12 - 16 April 2016

Perth Concert Hall
26 - 30 April 2016

New production of Jeff Wayne's The War of The Worlds at Dominion in February

Bill Kenwright is presenting a new production of Jeff Wayne's The War Of The Worlds  in London's West End for a limited  season at the Dominion Theatre from 8th  February (press night 17th  February) to 9th  April

Jeff Wayne, whose 1970s cult progressive rock score sold more than 15 million copies, making  it one of the best-selling musical albums of all time, will conduct the production that will feature some brand new music and an all-star cast, including a 3D holography Liam Neeson as the narrator.

Adapted from HG Wells' legendary novel, The War Of The Worlds tells the story of the invasion of Earth by ruthless, but highly intelligent, Martians who have machinery and weaponry of devastating capabilities and are bent on destroying the human race.

This new stage adaptation, which follows decades of arena tours where fans have gathered to hear the music played live, features the album's script by Doreen Wayne and lyrics by fellow original collaborators Gary Osbourne and Paul Vigrass.

Bob Thomas will direct  a cast to be announced  performing  alongside film star Neeson's futuristic hologram presence, video walls, the iconic Martian Fighting Machine and the promise of many more special effects.

Tickets for the War of the Worlds 

Casting announced for Tom Jones the Musical

Casting has just been announced for the new UK tour of Tom. A Story of Tom Jones. The Musical, which opens on 7th  March 2016 at Wales Millennium Centre.

The show, written by Mike James, tells the story of Tom Jones' rise to fame and features his greatest hits including "It's Not Unusual", "Delilah", "Green, Green Grass of Home", "What's New Pussycat" and more.

Tom Jones will be played by Welshman  Kit Orton, who most recently played Bill Sikes in Oliver! at the Watermill Theatre. His previous theatre credits include Dickens Abridged (Arts Theatre) and Spamalot (Harold Pinter Theatre)

Joining Orton are: Elin Phillips (All My Sons), Nicola Reynolds (Mametz), Phylip Harries (Little Shop of Horrors), Richard Corgan (Taming of the Shrew), Deborah Thomas (Snowbound), John McClarnon (The Commitments), Daniel Lloyd (Spring Awakening), Kieran Bailey (Sweet Charity), Tom Connor (Carnaby Street) and Nicola Bryan (Dreamboats & Petticoats)with  Tim Bonser (Mamma Mia!) who will perform the role of Tom Jones at certain performances.

Following its opening  in Cardiff, the show will embark on a UK tour to Edinburgh, Leicester, Aylesbury, Sheffield, Bradford, Bromley, Newcastle, Llandudno, Richmond, Salford and Birmingham. To book tickets for Tom click here

The Jersey Boys, Ronan Keating and Beverley Knight in The Magic of Christmas Concert

The cast of the hit West End musical, The Jersey Boys are the latest performers to join the line-up in The Magic of Christmas  at the London Palladium at 7:30 pm on Sunday 29th November.

This evening features artists performing their classic hits and  favourite Christmas songs. The Magic of Christmas will be hosted by Boyzone's Ronan Keating  with Best Male Brit Award winner James Morrison who returns following a four year hiatus, singer  and West End leading lady Beverley Knight (who is currently starring in Cats the Musical as Grizabella) , 80’s pop singer Kim Wilde, British country duo The Shires, London born singer Andreya Triana and Britain’s Got Talent finalists Jack Pack.  All will be accompanied by a 12 piece band.

Tickets for The Magic of Christmas 

Hadley Fraser Concert in January

West End Leading Man and Singer-Songwriter Hadley Fraser  is in Concert at Richmond's Orange Tree Theatre on 10th January next year. He recently released his debut EP “Just Let Go” featuring  beautiful acoustic tracks showcasing his  many musical talents and golden voice.

Hadley sings music from “Just Let Go”, more original material and a sprinkling of covers and surprises.

Tickets for Hadley Fraser Concert

Scott Garnham, Simon Bailey, Lizzy Connelly and Jodie Jacobs lead cast in Jest End

The  comedy musical show Jest End returns to Waterloo East Theatre  for a limited run from 24th November to 6th December 2015.


Created and directed by British composer Garry Lake ( Composer/Lyricist of Social Media Musical 'LIKE ME' ) Jest End continues to provide a fresh up to date comedy. The show will be choreographed by Rebecca Howell with musical direction by James Doughty.The line-up for this year’s show will include West End stars Scott Garnham, Simon Bailey, Lizzy Connelly and Jodie Jacobs.

Jest End is London’s answer to Forbidden Broadway. It is a satirical musical exploring and ‘exposing’ the hits, flops and gossip of Theatreland, featuring the latest and most popular musicals with a firmly tongue in cheek twist. The cast will be taking on musicals including Wicked, Bend It Like Beckham, Matilda, Billy Elliot, Guys and Dolls, Miss Saigon, Sunny Afternoon, The Phantom of the Opera and Jersey Boys.

Tickets for Jest End

Booking opens today for Ramin Karimloo Union Chapel Concert

West End and Broadway star Ramin Karimloo has been working in the States for some time, but he has just announced a one off UK Concert at the Union Chapel in Islington on 19th January 2016.

Fan Club Presale tickets go on sale today at 10:00 am

Ticketmaster Presale 10:00 am 5th November
General public on sale 10:00 6th November


Buy tickets for An Evening with  Ramin Karimloo

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

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

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

Sheridan Smith's Funny Girl to transfer to Savoy

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

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

Casting news for Aladdin

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Casting announced for Blues Brothers Xmas Special at Arts Theatre

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tickets for A Merry Christmas Cabaret

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A full list of winners is published below.

Best New Play

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

Best Performance in a Play

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

Best Supporting Performance

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

Best Musical Production

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

Best Performance in a Musical

• Imelda Staunton for GYPSY, a Chichester Festival Theatre production

Best Show for Children and Young People

• RUNNING WILD, a Chichester Festival Youth Theatre production

Best Director

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

Best Design

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

Best Touring Production

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

Achievement in Dance

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

Achievement in Opera

• Glyndebourne for an outstandingly well planned and performed season

The Renee Stepham Award for Best Presentation of Touring Theatre

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

Achievement in Marketing

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

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

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

Promotion of Diversity

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

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

• Newcastle Theatre Royal

The Stage Award for Outstanding Contribution to British Theatre

• Matthew Bourne OBE

Clothworkers’ Theatre Award

• York Theatre Royal

The Gielgud Award for Excellence in the Dramatic Arts

• Dame Eileen Atkins

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