Misty extends run at Trafalgar Studios

Updated 29th September: Misty is to  extend its run at Trafalgar Studios, and will now continue through until 17th  November. Oscar nominated actor Daniel Kaluuya joined Kene and Anthony Welsh to announce the extension.

Arinzé Kene's Misty, which was sold out when it premiered at West London's  Bush Theatre earlier this year, is to transfer to London's Trafalgar Studios for six weeks only from 8 September to 20 October.

Misty will be directed by the Bush Theatre’s Omar Elerian. Through a blend of  music, poetry, drama and live art with an original music score which is performed live during the show, Arinzé Kene delivers an epic, heartfelt and playful exploration of creative freedom, set against a pulsing vision of modern London.

Kene is a playwright and actor, with credits including the Bob Dylan musical Girl From the North Country as well as The Pass opposite Russell Tovey and Been So Long opposite Michaela Coel. where he stars as Joe. His previous plays include Good Dog, which ran at Watford Palace Theatre last year.

Misty has direction by Omar Elerian, design by Rajha Shakiry, lighting by Jackie Shemesh, sound by Elena Peña, dramaturgy by Kirsty Housely, video design by Daniel Denton with music by Shiloh Coke and Adrian McLeod. The role of Little Girl will be played by Mya Napoleon / Rene Powell.

Buy tickets for Misty

More casting for Company starring Patti LuPone and Rosalie Craig

More casting news this morning for the gender swapped production  of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth's musical comedy COMPANY which Marianne Elliott will  direct at the Gielgud Theatre from September.

Actors joining the already cast Patti LuPone as acerbic Joanne, Rosalie Craig as Bobbi and Mel Giedroyc as Sarah include  boyfriends: Andy, PJ, and Theo played respectively, by Richard Fleeshman (Guys And Dolls, Ghost The Musical, Call The Midwife and Sting's The Last Ship); George Blagden (Louis XIV in Versailles) and Matthew Seadon-Young (Billy Elliot and Beautiful). (In previous productions the male  Bobby had a trio of girlfriends: April, Marta and Kathy). 

Fleeshman's Andy is a flight attendant who Stephen Sondheim said was  like a brilliant chorus line dancer. Not a huge amount upstairs but a beautiful body. Bobbi and Andy get to duet on one of Sondheim's most famous numbers, Barcelona.Seadon-Young's Theo is the beau who's a perfect match for Bobbi but he tells her he's marrying someone else.Blagden's PJ is a posh British guy living in New York, and gets to sing another favourite: Another Hundred People.

Richard Henders plays David who in past productions was in business. Now he's a house-husband while his wife Jenny played by Jennifer Saayeng (previously a stay-at-home spouse),  has now become the breadwinner .

Other casting includes Ben Lewis as Joanne's younger trophy husband (hedge-fund manager Larry); Gavin Spokes as Harry (married to Giedroyc's Sarah); and Ashley Campbell as Peter with more casting news still to come for the last three roles: Susan (or  Peter's partner) and Amy and Paul.

A few of the newly announced cast have had Sondheim experience. Matt Seadon-Young played Anthony in the ENO production of Sweeney Todd alongside Bryn Terfel and Emma Thompson, and was John Wilkes Booth in the Gate Theatre Dublin production of Assassins; Richard Henders was Olivier-nominated for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical for his role as Manjiro in the Donmar's Pacific Overtures;and Ben Lewis played Count Carl-Magnus Malcolm in the Sydney Opera House production of A Little Night Music and was in the 2012 Side By Side by Sondheim gala performance at the Theatre Royal, Sydney.

Tom Hooper film of Cats Musical to begin filming in London in November

Latest news on Tom Hooper's big screen adaptation of Cats the musical is confirmation from Working Title Films that the project is scheduled to begin production in the UK in November with the Royal Ballet's resident choreographer, Wayne McGregor joining the team and casting calls underway for ensemble members before rehearsals begin later in the summer.

Working Title is partnering with Universal Pictures on the film. They also worked with  Hooper on  another high-profile movie musical: 2012's Les Misérables.

The Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, based on T S Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, last played Broadway in a 2016 revival at the Neil Simon Theatre. The original Broadway production ran at the Winter Garden for nearly 18 years.

Lloyd Webber is currently working on new material for the film version, including a new song for Victoria.

Janie Dee, Danielle Hope, Ria Jones and Claire Sweeney - Don't Tell Me Not to Fly at Edinburgh Festival

Janie Dee, Danielle Hope, Ria Jones and Claire Sweeney - are performing at this year's Edinburgh Festival in the McEwan Hall from 4th-27th August. Each night as a different West End leading lady takes centre stage to perform songs from West End and Broadway musicals, iconic movies and modern pop classics.

Get up close and personal each evening with the  star, sharing the highs and lows of her life on and off stage while singing her favourite numbers, personal playlists and anecdotes from the wings accompanied by live piano and projections

4th-6th August – Janie Dee

Olivier, Evening Standard and WhatsOnStage Best Actress Nominee for Follies. Other credits include Linda, Hello Dolly!, Antony & Cleopatra, Much Ado About Nothing, Hand To God, The Seagull, Noises Off and Blithe Spirit.

7th-13th August – Claire Sweeney

TV and West End favourite, star of Crazy For You, Chicago, Legally Blonde, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Hairspray, Tell Me on a Sunday and Guys and Dolls with Patrick Swayze.


14th-20th August – Danielle Hope

Winner of BBC's Over The Rainbow, and star of The Wizard of Oz, Grease, Les Misérables, The Last Five Years, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and The Sound of Music.


21st-27th August – Ria Jones

Most recently seen as Norma Desmond in the acclaimed UK tour of Sunset Boulevard and known for lead roles in Evita, Cats, Les Misérables, NINE, A Little Night Music, Victor Victoria, Anything Goes, 42nd Street, Into The Woods and Jerry’s Girls.

Buy tickets for Don't Tell Me Not to Fly

Lauren Ward . Nathan Amzi , Caroline Sheen Luke Bayer and Natalie Douglas cast in London workshop of new musical Prom Queen

The Other Palace's Paul Taylor Mills is to direct a London workshop of new musical Prom Queen at The Other Palace on 2nd July ahead of a planned Broadway run.

The musical has a book by Kent Staines, music by Colleen Dauncey and lyrics by Akiva Romer-Segalwas. It was  first produced in 2016 at The Segal Centre for Performing Arts in Montreal and is based on the true story of Canadian teenager  Marc Hall, who takes his school board to court when they refuse to let him attend the prom with his boyfriend.

Cast in the workshop are Lauren Ward (Caroline, Or Change, Matilda), Nathan Amzi (In The Heights, Rock of Ages), Caroline Sheen (Mary Poppins, Les Misérables), Luke Bayer (Everybody's Talking About Jamie) and Natalie Douglas (The Beautiful Game) with Cameron Burt, Danielle Fiamanya, Ethan Scott, William May, Liam Gartland, Tom White, Frances Gilbert, Carine Gilbert, Lucy Smith, Emma Davies, Martha Kirby, Ben Addington, Matthew Runcom, Micheal Bowie, and students from The Guildford School of Acting.

Taylor-Mills said today: "I came across Prom Queen at The National Alliance for Musical Theatre Festival in New York last October. This real life story, exploring how we change outdated perceptions of gender and sexuality, is a familiar one that we're seeing in a lot of new musicals.I couldn't help but be completely taken by this contemporary score set against a relevant and important story and am so excited to be workshopping it at The Other Palace with this wonderful cast."

Tickets on sale soon for Prom Queen

Robert Lindsay playing Captain Hook in Peter Pan at Richmond Theatre

West End, TV and multi Olivier award winning star Robert Lindsay is making his pantomime debut this Christmas playing Captain Hook in Peter Pan at  Richmond Theatre which opens on 8th December. 

His impressive career  includes appearances with the Royal Shakespeare Company and in musical theatre, with TV roles including Wolfie Smith in Citizen Smith, leading role in Alan Bleasdale's dark comedy serial GBH, Captain Pellew in Hornblower, and Ben Harper in My Family. He has won a BAFTA, a Tony Award, and three Olivier Awards for his work.

Lindsay played the role of Bill Snibson in the 1984 London revival of Me and My Girl  which subsequently transferred to Broadway, earning Lindsay a Tony Award .Lindsay won his third Olivier award after he took over the role of Fagin during 1997 in Cameron Mackintosh's London revival of Oliver! at the London Palladium. His most recent West End musical theatre role was playing the lead in  a new musical adaptation of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.

Buy tickets for Peter Pan

First casting news for new tour of Rock of Ages

Dan Looney, Adam Paulden, Jason Haigh-Ellery, Selladoor Worldwide and Gavin Kalin have just  announced initial casting for the forthcoming UK and Ireland tour of ROCK OF AGES opening at The Churchill Theatre, Bromley on 20th September 2018. 

Kevin Kennedy will play ‘Dennis’, Zoe Birkett ‘Justice’, Jodie Steele ‘Sherrie’, Luke Walsh ‘Drew’, Lucas Rush ‘Lonny’, Andrew Carthy ‘Franz’, Vas Constanti ‘Hertz’ and Rhiannon Chesterman ‘Regina’ with further casting to be announced soon.

Kevin Kennedy is probably best known for his portrayal of ‘Curly Watts’ in “Coronation Street”. His West End theatre credits include ‘Amos’ in “Chicago” at the Adelphi Theatre and “We Will Rock You” at the Dominion Theatre. Kevin has played both ‘Caractacus Potts’ and ‘The Child Catcher’ in the hit musical “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang”, becoming the first actor to have played both roles. He has also appeared in the national tours of the musicals “The Rocky Horror Show”, “The Commitments” and most recently Kay Mellor’s “Fat Friends”.

Zoe Birkett is probably best known as the highest placing female contestant in ITV’s Pop Idol, 2002. She most recently appeared as ‘Rachel Marron’ in the UK tour of the “The Bodyguard The Musical”. She has also appeared in the West End productions of “Priscilla Queen of the Desert” and originated the female lead in “Thriller Live”. Her other theatre credits include the ‘Acid Queen’ in “Tommy” and ‘Maureen’ in “Rent”. She can currently be seen in Channel 5’s “Get a Holiday Body”.

Jodie Steele has appeared in the UK and International tour of “Wicked”, “War of the Worlds” in the West End at the Dominion Theatre, “Heathers the Musical” and “Myth”, both at The Other Palace, “Legally Blonde” at Kilworth House and the national tours of “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “Fame”.

Luke Walsh has appeared in many shows including “Boybands Forever” in Germany and ‘Caesar’ in “Antony and Cleopatra”, ‘Billy’ in “The Rabbit King” and “Smorgasbard”, all at Another Way Theatre. He has also appeared in the independent film “Don’t Let Go”.

Lucas Rush appeared as ‘St Jimmy’ in “American Idiot”, both in the West End and on tour. For this role he received a WhatsOnStage Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical. His West End credits include ‘Roger’ in “Grease” at the Piccadilly Theatre and “We Will Rock You” at the Dominion Theatre. He has also appeared in the World Arena Tour of “Jesus Christ Superstar”, ‘Joe Vegas’ in the national tour of “Fame” and most recently the national tour of “Thoroughly Modern Mille”.

Andrew Carthy has appeared in the West End productions of both “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and “Loserville”. His other credits include “Guys and Dolls” at Kilworth House, the UK tour of “The Wedding Singer” and “Wicked” in Germany.

Vas Constanti’s many West End credits include “In the Heights” at King’s Cross Theatre, “Miss Saigon” at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane and ‘Riff Raff’ in “The Rocky Horror Show” at the Duke of York’s Theatre. He has also appeared in the national tours of “Oklahoma!” and “Flashdance – The Musical”.

Rhiannon Chesterman was in the original cast of the musical “Mrs Henderson Presents” at the Theatre Royal Bath and then the Noel Coward theatre in the West End. Rhiannon has also appeared in the UK tours of “Grease” and “Hairspray”.

More casting announced for Follies at National next year

Further casting has been announced for Dominic Cooke's production of Follies, which returns to the National Theatre next year (opening night 14th February) after its Olivier Award-winning run at the theatre last year.

Replacing Imelda Staunton as Sally will be two-time Olivier Award-winner Joanna Riding, most recently seen in Romantics Anonymous and The Girls. Alexander Hanson (Stephen Ward) will play Ben, taking over from Philip Quast. Janie Dee and Peter Forbes reprise their roles with further casting to be announced.

Buy tickets for Follies 

Louise Dearman Ria Jones Alexia Khadime & Rachel Tucker There is Nothin’ Like a Dame Concert

There is Nothin’ Like a Dame is A celebration of 100 years of women in music theatre by four of the West End’s leading ladies being performed at the Cadogan Hall at 7:30 pm on Thursday 30 August 2018.

Louise Dearman, Ria Jones, Alexia Khadime and Rachel Tucker journey through the last century of musicals with their never-before-heard renditions of some of your favourite songs:  From Porter to Lloyd Webber, Hammerstein to Schwartz, hear these ultimate musical show-stoppers sung by some of the best actresses of our time.

Tickets for There is Nothin Like A Dame

Steph Parry to take over lead role of Dorothy Brock from Lulu in 42nd Street

Steph Parry is to take on the role of Dorothy Brock in the West End production of 42nd Street. The part is currently being played by Lulu who comes to the end of her limited engagement. Steph's first performance is on 9th July.

Parry, who already understudies Brock,  shot to fame last week and made the headlines  when she stepped up from understudy in one show to suddenly play the starring role in  Mamma Mia! just down the road, after the leading lady was forced off stage with an injury

Six Musical at the Arts Theatre extends run to October 14th

Updated 29th August: After selling over 10,000 tickets and earning 5-star reviews at this year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival, new  musical SIX which transfers to the Arts Theatre from  August 30 has extended its run by 3 weeks to Sunday October 14th.

 Final casting has just been  announced for the  West End premiere of new British musical SIX by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss at the Arts Theatre from Thursday 30 August - Sunday 23 September.

The SIX wives of Henry VIII finally take the mic to tell their tale, remixing 500 years of  her-storical heartbreak into a 75-minute celebration of sisterly sass-itude.Powered by an all-female band and with songs including Ex-Wives, Haus of Holbein and Don’t Lose Ur Head, this high-octane pop concert musical by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss is widely tipped to be one of the most exciting new West End shows of 2018.

• Jarneia Richard-Noel (Catherine Of Aragon) was in The Color Purple in Concert at  Cadogan Hall
• Millie O’Connell (Anne Boleyn) recently appeared in the UK tour of Thoroughly Modern Millie and was understudy Peggy Sawyer, 42nd Street, Theatre Du Chatelet, Paris;  
• Natalie Paris (Jane Seymour) was Louise in Sunday in the Park with George at the Menier  
  
• Alexia McIntosh (Anna Of Cleves) was Rosa, in Godiva Rocks at Belgrade Theatre; 
• Aimie Atkinson (Katherine Howard) was Daniela in In The Heights at Kings Cross Theatre and originated the lead role of Luisa in Zorro the Musical (UK Tour); 
• Maiya Quansah-Breed (Catherine Parr) has just graduated from Guildford School of Acting; 
• Grace Mouat  completes the cast as swing/dance captain, has also just graduated from GSA.

SIX is a co-production between Kenny Wax and Global Musicals. Wendy Barnes of Global Musicals said: “Kenny, Andy and I saw the previous production independently of each other but we were all immediately blown away by the funny, relevant humour and infectious score that these two young talents had created. We are proud to debut their first musical and begin an ambitious and exciting journey for the piece, which is particularly timely as we strive for female equality and empowerment. These women were so much more than history would have us believe.”

Directed by Lucy Moss & Jamie Armitage.  Choreographer Carrie-Anne Ingrouille. Set Design: Emma Bailey. Costume Design: Gabriella Slade. Lighting Design: Tim Deiling. Sound Design: Paul Gatehouse. Musical Supervisor: Joe Beighton. Orchestrations Tom Curran.

Buy tickets for SIX at the Arts Theatre

Matt Ford and Victoria Hamilton-Barritt in new tour of Simply Sinatra

In a new tour of Simply Sinatra, Matt Ford,  regarded as the finest big band singer in the UK and West End star and actress Victoria Hamilton-Barritt are joined by a  27-piece show band and ballroom champions Chris & Emma Burrell for an evening  of music, song and dance in a special tribute to the legendary entertainer.  The programme will include signature Sinatra songs : ‘Come Fly with Me’; ‘Somethin’ Stupid’, ‘The Lady Is A Tramp; ‘I’ve Got You Under My Skin’; ‘Fly Me to The Moon’; ‘Luck Be A Lady Tonight’; ‘Mack The Knife’; ‘Moon River’; ‘New York, New York’, and ‘My Way’.

Simply Sinatra 2018 tour dates:

Sat 3 Nov 7:30pm De Montfort Hall LEICESTER *
Sun 4 Nov 3:00pm The Bridgewater Hall MANCHESTER **
Fri 9 Nov 7:30pm Royal Festival Hall LONDON *
Sat 10 Nov 7:30pm Usher Hall EDINBURGH ***
Sun 18 Nov 3:00pm Symphony Hall BIRMINGHAM *
Fri 23 Nov 7:30pm Philharmonic Hall LIVERPOOL **
Sun 25 Nov 3:00pm Royal Concert Hall GLASGOW ***
Fri 30 Nov 7.30pm Royal & Derngate NORTHAMPTON *
Sun 9 Dec 3:00pm Royal Concert Hall NOTTINGHAM *

Accompanied by London Concert Orchestra Show Band */ Manchester Concert Orchestra Show Band **/Scottish Concert Orchestra Show Band ***

Buy tickets for Simply Sinatra

New Genie in Aladdin this summer

A new Genie will be taking up residency in Aladdin  this summer as Trevor Dion Nicholas temporarily leaves the West End  to take on the role of Genie for a leg of the US tour while Scott performs in the West End.

Michael James Scott, who currently plays the same role in the US touring production of the show, will play the role  at the Prince Edward Theatre between 17th August and 30th September.

Speaking of the announcement, Nicholas said: "Being presented with the chance to perform this phenomenal show as Genie in Pittsburgh is something I cannot pass up. In a city so close to where I grew up, having an audience full of family and friends, is another dream come true."

Scott returns to the West End for the first time in eight years after performing in the Broadway transfer of Hair at the Gielgud Theatre in 2010. Before performing in the touring production of Aladdin, he was the standby Genie in the original Broadway production in 2014 and originated the role in the Australian production.

Alexandra Burke cancels The Truth Is September Concert Tour

Alexandra Burke has cancelled her The Truth Is September Concert Tour. due to "scheduling issues." She was set to embark on a 13-date tour around the UK performing songs from her new album The Truth Is , after recently ending a stint playing Svetlana Sergievsky in the West End revival of Chess.

The X Factor winner took to Twitter last night to post a message telling fans  'I just got back from the UK after a few days away. I'm really sorry to announce that sadly I had to cancel The Truth Is tour in September. The timing just wasn't right. I'm really sorry to anyone who has been inconvenienced by this decision. I love performing more than anything and can't wait to reschedule more live shows in the future. There will be more news coming from me soon. Thank you for all your support and understanding.

Ticketholders should contact their point of sale for a refund.

Stephen Mear Directing and Choreographing semi staged version of Guys & Dolls in October

Two-time Olivier Award-winner Stephen Mear is directing  and choreographing a semi-staged version of the classic musical comedy, Guys and Dolls at The Royal Albert Hall on Friday and Saturday 19th & 20th October 2018 at 7:30 pm plus a Saturday matinee at 2:30 pm.
 

Join the Sky Masterson,  Miss Adelaide, Nathan Detroit and Sarah Brown for this unmissably feel-good show, presented by the Hall and Fiery Angel. Though songs from the show have been performed at the Hall by artists including Frank Sinatra, Liza Minnelli and Sammy Davis, Jr., this is the first time Guys and Dolls has ever been presented in its entirety at the venue Entertainment.

All-star casting will be announced soon, but the venue has confirmed the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra for the three shows in October, as well as musical director James McKeon, and designer Morgan Large.

Stephen Mear won Olivier Awards for his choreography on Mary Poppins (with Matthew Bourne) and Hello, Dolly!, with West End shows  including Singin’ in the Rain, Sweet Charity and the acclaimed revival of Gypsy, starring Imelda Staunton.

James McKeon’s credits include last year’s UK tour of Miss Saigon, Evita at the Adelphi Theatre, and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the London Palladium. He was also the organist at the famous 25th anniversary Phantom of the Opera concert at the Royal Albert Hall.

The work of acclaimed designer Morgan Large can currently be seen in Ruthless at the Arts Theatre, and Death Takes a Holiday at the Charing Cross Theatre. His previous credits include Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Novello Theatre), Othello (Sheffield Crucible) and Room on the Broom (worldwide).

Priority Booking for Friends & Patrons available on Thursday 14 June at 10:00 am and general  sale from 10:00am on Friday 15th June 2018 at www.royalalberthall.com

Kinky Boots to end its run at Adelphi on 12th January

The West End production of Kinky Boots will close at the end of its current booking period on 12 January 2019 after a successful run of more than 1400 performances at the Adelphi Theatre.

The cast has just undergone a change and now  features Oliver Tompsett as Charlie Price, Natalie McQueen as Lauren and Simon-Anthony Rhoden as Lola.

There is an extensive  Kinky Boots UK tour, which will kick off at Northampton  Royal and Derngate  on 19th September.

Cast announced for Spamilton at Menier Chocolate Factory

The cast has just been announced for Spamilton:An American Parody,  The Menier Chocolate Factory's summer musical running from 12th July-8th September. The company will include  Marc Akinfolarin, Sophie-Louise Dann, Jason Denton, Eddie Elliott, Damian Humbley, Liam Tamne and Julie Yammanee.

Marc Akinfolarin  previously appeared in Assassins and The Color Purple at the Menier. His other theatre credits include Spamalot (UK tour), Peter and The Starcatcher (Royal and Derngate, Northampton), Floyd Collins (Wilton's Music Hall), Sweeney Todd (English National Opera) & Porgy and Bess (Royal Danish Opera).

Sophie-Louise Dann previously appeared in both productions of Forbidden Broadway at the Menier. Her other theatre work includes The Girls (Olivier Award nomination), Bend it Like Beckham (both Phoenix Theatre), Oliver! (Grange Park Opera), Made in Dagenham (Adelphi Theatre), Closer than Ever (Jermyn Street Theatre) & Lend Me a Tenor (Gielgud Theatre – Oliver Award nomination).

Jason Denton’s theatre work includes School of Rock (New London Theatre), Showboat (New London and Sheffield Theatres), Save The Last Dance For Me (UK tour), Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Stephen Ward (both at the Aldwych), Hot Stuff, Hello Dolly! & Piaf (Curve Theatre, Leicester).

Eddie Elliott’s theatre work includes Motown (Shaftesbury Theatre), Dry Cleaned (Intermission Theatre), Cinderella (Hackney Empire), South Pacific (Barbican and UK tour), Five Guys Named Moe (Theatre at the Mill), We Will Rock You (UK tour), The Music Man (Chichester Festival Theatre) and The Lion King (Lyceum Theatre).

Damian Humbley returns to the Menier having appeared in Merrily We Roll Along (also Harold Pinter Theatre and Huntington Theatre Company, USA), Life of the Party (also TheatreWorks SV - Bay Theatre Award), Forbidden Broadway (also Vaudeville Theatre) and The Last 5 Years. His other theatre work includes Lend Me A Tenor (Gielgud Theatre), The Woman In White (Palace Theatre) & Fiddler on the Roof (Savoy Theatre).

Liam Tamne’s theatre work includes Working (Southwark Playhouse), The Rocky Horror Show (UK tour), The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty’s Theatre), Departure Lounge -- the Musical (Perfect Pitch), Hair (Gielgud Theatre), Hairspray (Shaftesbury Theatre) and Wicked (Apollo Victoria Theatre).

Julie Yammanee’s theatre credits include Lazarus (King’s Cross Theatre), Priscilla Queen of The Desert (international tour), Here Lies Love (National Theatre), Avenue Q (UK tour), The World Goes Round (Yellow Glass Theatre) and Rapunzel (Theatre Royal Stratford East).

Full Cast for West End Does Bond

Following their inaugural concert, The Magic of Animation, West End Does has announced the casting for West End Does: Bond, performed at the Leicester Square Theatre on 1st July by an impressive line up of West End stars including John Owen-Jones (Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables), Marisha Wallace (Dreamgirls), Rebecca Trehearn (Showboat), Tyrone Huntley (Jesus Christ Superstar), Oliver Saville (Wicked), Rob Houchen (Les Misérables), Claudia Kariuki (Wicked), Emma Lindars (Groundhog Day) and Jamie Lambert  from Collabro.

Supported by a Big Band led by musical director Ryan Mackenzie,  they will perform all your favourite classic theme songs from Bond movies over the years. Including hits by Sam Smith, Adele, Tom Jones, Shirley Bassey, Sir Paul McCartney, Carley Simon and Louis Armstrong.

Tickets for West End Does Bond 

Magic Mike Live extends booking period

With sales already exceeding the £4 million mark and very few seats left  in the first booking period,  Channing Tatum's  Magic Mike Live in London  has already announced a new six-month booking period for performances through October.

Conceived and co-directed by Channing Tatum, Magic Mike Live is a large-scale, live production show based on the hit films Magic Mike and Magic Mike XXL, which will open at at the Hippodrome Casino in London's Leicester Square on Wednesday 28 November 2018, following previews from 10 November. The new booking period will run from 30 April to 27 October 2019.

Full cast announced for new Martin Luther King Jr musical

Full casting has been announced for the concert staging of King, a musical about Martin Luther King Jr, at the Hackney Empire on 30th June and 1st July.

Joining the previously announced Cedric Neal as Martin Luther King Jr, Debbie Kurup as Coretta King and Sharon D Clarke as Alberta King, will be Alexander Hanson as John F Kennedy and Clive Carter as J Edgar Hoover.

They are joined by Carole Stennett as Rosa Parks, Adam J Bernard as Stokely Carmichael and Matt Dempsey as Robert Kennedy. Completing the company is Naana Agyei Ampadu, Daniel Bailey, John Barr, Angela Caesar, Raffaella Covino, Adrian Hansel, Olivia Hibbert, Sinead Long, Jo Servi and Johnathan Tweedie.

Marking the 50th anniversary year of the King's death, Martin Smith's musical  tells the story of King's marriage to Coretta Scott and their lives together fighting for the rights of African American people in the US. It will be directed by Susie McKenna in a co-production between Hackney Empire and the London Musical Theatre Orchestra. 

Buy tickets for King in Concert

Casting for UK tour of Matthew Bourne’s new production of “SWAN LAKE”.

New Adventures have just  announced casting for the UK tour of Matthew Bourne’s new production of his legendary “SWAN LAKE”.

The show will tour for 32 weeks throughout the UK and kick off at the Theatre Royal Plymouth on Saturday 22 September 2018, ahead of an eight-week Christmas season at Sadler’s Wells from Tuesday 4 December to Sunday 27 January 2019.  

Royal Ballet rising star, 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. He is currently making 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, currently dancing 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 tour.

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

‘The Queen’ will be performed by two long-time New Adventures favourites, Nicole Kabera and Katrina Lyndon both making their debuts in this role.

‘The Girlfriend’ will also be performed by Katrina Lyndon. She is joined by Freya Field and Carrie Willis who are both returning to the Swan Lake Company.

‘The Private Secretary’ will be played by long-time Company Principal Glenn Graham (recently seen as ‘Grischa’ in “The Red Shoes”) along with Max Westwell and Ashley-Jordon Packer.

Returning to New Adventures are Tom Broderick, PJ Hurst and Alex Sturman.

Making their debuts with New Adventures are: Nicole Alphonce, Leigh Alderson, Jonathan Luke Baker, Alistair Beattie, Benjamin Bazeley, Megan Cameron, João Castro, Zanna Cornelis, Kayla Collymore, Keenan Fletcher, Michaela Guibarra, Bryony Harrison, Nicholas Keegan, Shoko Ito, Courtney Liu, Jack Mitchell, Barnaby Quarendon, Jack William Parry, Sam Salter, Stan West and Milwhynne Williams. Also making their New Adventures debut are Andrew Ashton from Newcastle, Isaac Bowry from Glasgow and Harry Ondrak-Wright from Birmingham who all performed in the acclaimed New Adventures production of Lord of the Flies in 2014.

 Matthew Bourne said today “With the largest cast in our repertory, Swan Lake always gives us the opportunity to bring a wealth of new talent into the Company and I’m excited to welcome so many new dancers into the New Adventures family. I’m particularly thrilled to welcome cast members whose journey to this production came via our production of “Lord of the Flies” or through our “Swan School” which was designed to develop young talent for this company. My thanks also to Royal Ballet Director, Kevin O’Hare, who was as enthusiastic as I was about seeing Royal Ballet star, Matthew Ball, dance this role, and was instrumental in making that happen”.

Full cast announced for Nadim Naaman's Broken Wings Musical

Updated 20th July: Nikita Johal, who has just  played the lead role of Wendla in  "Spring Awakening" at Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre, is replacing Hiba Elchikhe (Princess Jasmine in the Australian production of Disney’s "Aladdin") as Selma. Hiba has withdrawn from the production for personal reasons.

The full cast is announced for the West End premiere of Broken Wings, a major new musical,  based on Lebanese-born poet Kahlil Gibran’s 1912 masterpiece. Broken Wings  will premiere as a semi-staged production with 9-piece orchestra, at the Theatre Royal Haymarket from August 1 - 4 (press night 2nd August)

New York City, 1923. An ageing Gibran narrates from his cold studio. Through poetry and music, he transports us back two decades and across continents, to turn-of-the-century Beirut. His eighteen-year-old self returns to The Middle East after five years in America, to complete his education and discover more of his heritage. He falls deeply in love with Selma Karamy, the daughter of family friend and hugely respected local businessman, Farris Karamy. However, Selma soon becomes betrothed to Mansour Bey Galib, nephew of the powerful Bishop Bulos Galib, who has one eye on the Karamy family fortune. Gibran and Selma fight to reconcile their love for one another, whilst navigating the rules, traditions and expectations that their society lays before them.

This moving new musical is written by Middle Eastern duo Nadim Naaman and Dana Al Fardan, and directed by Bronagh Lagan, with orchestrations by Joe Davison. What inspired the acclaimed author of The Prophet to write? What moved him to such profound philosophy in his later life? The events of Broken Wings highlight key issues of the time, yet the themes and debates raised remain increasingly relevant today, over a century later; the fight for gender equality, the freedom to love who we love, tradition versus modernity, wealth versus happiness, immigration and the importance of ‘home’.

Co-Writer Nadim Naaman leads the cast as the iconic Gibran, the show’s narrator. His co-stars are Hiba Elchikhe (Princess Jasmine in the Australian production of Disney’s Aladdin) as Selma Karamy and Rob Houchen (Marius in the West End production of Les Misérables and Titanic at Charing Cross Theatre) as Gibran’s teenage self.

Watch the video for 'Selma' sung by Rob Houchen

The rest of the cast features Adam Linstead (Old Deuteronomy in Cats at the London Palladium and International Tour) as Farris, Soophia Foroughi (Elena in Tiger Bay, Wales Millennium Centre and Lady of The Lake, Spamalot, English Theatre Frankfurt) as Mother, Nadeem Crowe (Doug/Mr.Spencer Williams in School of Rock at The Gillian Lynne Theatre and Sunset Boulevard, London Coliseum) as Karim, Irvine Iqbal (currently playing Sultan in the West End production of Disney’s Aladdin) as Bishop Bulos Galib and Sami Lamine (Laila:The Musical, West Yorkshire Playhouse and UK Tour) as Mansour Bey Galib  with Robert Hannouch (Godspell, UK Tour, Miracle on 34th Street, UK Tour), Nikita Johal (the lead role of Wendla in Spring Awakening, Hope Mill Theatre) and Lauren James Ray (Rebecca in Imagine This, Union Theatre and understudied and played both Glinda and Nessarose in the West End production of Wicked) as ensemble.

Tickets for Broken Wings 

Mark Williams cast in title role for Dr Dolittle Tour

According to today's Mail, Mark Williams has been cast as the eponymous doctor in the new tour of Doctor Dolittle which starts at he Chuichill Theatre in Bromley on  9th November

Mark Williams  is an actor, screenwriter and presenter who is probably best known as Arthur Weasley in the Harry Potter films, and as one of the stars of BBC's  The Fast Show. He also played Brian Williams in the BBC series Doctor Who, and Olaf Petersen in Red Dwarf. Most recently he has appeared as the title character in the BBC series Father Brown. Williams' previous theatre credits include Fanshen at the National Theatre, Doctor of Honour for Cheek by Jowl and Toast at the Royal Court.

Williams will play Dolittle in Bromley, Salford, Oxford, Wolverhampton, Newcastle, Hull, Aberdeen, Northampton, Nottingham and Sheffield with more castin gnews to follow.

This  new production of Leslie Bricusse's Doctor Dolittle is being produced by Music & Lyrics (The Addams Family, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Oklahoma!, Fiddler on the Roof, High Society and The King and I) late next year as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations of the original film starring Rex Harrison. The new version of the musical features stunning visual puppetry with a reworked book by Bricusse, music and lyrics by Bricusse and copies the 1967 movie of the same name based on the children's stories by Hugh Lofting.

Come From Away to open at Phoenix Theatre in 2019

According to Baz Bamigboye in today's  Mail, the Tony Award-winning musical Come From Away is heading for London's West End  in 2019 The Phoenix Theatre with an all-British cast.  Chicago the Musical is currently booking there until October.   Prior to the show's London run, it will play at Dublin's Abbey Theatre  from December 2018- January 2019.The official announcement of the show's West End run is set for Canada Day on 2nd July.

COME FROM AWAY is a true story which takes place  in the week following the September 11th attacks and is about what happened  when 38 planes were ordered to land unexpectedly in the small town of Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador, as part of Operation Yellow Ribbon. The characters in the musical are based on (and in most cases share the names of) real Gander residents as well as some of the 7,000 stranded travellers they housed and fed.

COME FROM AWAY features scenic design by Tony Award winner Beowulf Boritt, costume design by Tony Award nominee Toni-Leslie James, lighting design by two-time Tony Award winner Howell Binkley, sound design by Tony Award nominee and Outer Critics Circle Award winner Gareth Owen, orchestrations by Grammy and two-time Tony Award nominee August Eriksmoen, and music arrangements by Grammy Award nominee Ian Eisendrath.

The show continues to play to sold out audiences and features a book, music and lyrics by Grammy and two-time Tony Award nominees and Outer Critics Circle Award and Drama Desk Award winner Irene Sankoff & David Hein, direction by Tony Award winner and Outer Critics Circle Award winner Christopher Ashley, musical staging by two-time Tony Award nominee Kelly Devine, and music supervision by Grammy Award nominee Ian Eisendrath.

A "Best Musical" winner all across North America, the  musical has won the Tony Award for "Best Direction of a Musical" (Christopher Ashley), 5 Outer Critics Circle Awards (NYC) including "Outstanding New Broadway Musical," 3 Drama Desk Awards (NYC) including "Outstanding Musical," 4 Helen Hayes Awards (D.C.) including "Outstanding Production of a Musical," 4 Gypsy Rose Lee Awards (Seattle) including "Excellence in Production of a Musical," 6 San Diego Critics Circle Awards including "Outstanding New Musical," 3 Toronto Theatre Critics Awards including "Best New Musical," 3 Dora Awards (Toronto) including "Outstanding New Musical/Opera" and "Outstanding Production," and the 2017 Jon Kaplan Audience Choice Award (Toronto).

Rebecca Trehearn to join Marc Elliott in Sweet Charity

Olivier Award-winner Rebecca Trehearn will star in the musical Sweet Charity at Nottingham Playhouse  later this year. The show runs from Friday 31 August - Saturday 22 September 2018

Directed by Bill Buckhurst (Sweeney Todd in the West End and Off-Broadway)., Trehearn will star  alongside the previously announced Marc Elliot who will play Oscar.

Further casting has also been announced  including Amy Ellen Richardson as Nickie and Carly Mercedes Dyer as Helene, Danny Collins as Charlie and Carl Sanderson as Herman.

Carmen, Frenchy, Rosie, Elaine and Suzanne will be played by Cindy Belliot, Emmanuelle N'zuzi, Sinead Long, Jessica Buckby, and Emily Goodenough, respectively. They will be joined on stage by Shaq Taylor as Daddy, Louis Gaunt as Manfred and Leah West as Ursula.

With choreography by Alistair David, Cy Coleman's musical Sweet Charity is a Broadway classic which became an Oscar-nominated film starring Shirley MacLaine. This  musical comedy features stunning set-piece choreography and hits like Hey Big Spender, The Rhythm of Life and If My Friends Could See Me Now.

Buy tickets for Sweet Charity

Open auditions for tour of Les Miserables

Les Miserables have announced open auditions for UK and Ireland tour which stars Killian Donnelly as Jean Valjean and kicks off in November at Leicester Curve and currently runs until October 2019.
Author

The production is looki ng for  male and female performers, from 18 to 35, with excellent singing voices and acting skills for ensemble and lead roles.

Auditions will be held at Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff from 10:00am to 11:00am on 21st  June and Liverpool Empire Theatre from 10:00am to 1:001am on 25th  June, with recalls being held in London on 26th, 27th and 29th June.

Auditionees need to take a copy of their CV and prepared sheet music to sing, and must be eligible to work in the UK and available for a contract starting from 17 September 2018 for at least a year.

Running Order for Shows and performers at 2018 West End Live

Below is the West End Live! running order of shows and performers at this year's free show on Saturday 16 June and Sunday 17 June at London's Trafalgar Square. 

West End LIVE is the largest free event of its kind and now in its 14th year is produced and organised by Westminster City Council and Society of London Theatre (SOLT), with support from the Mayor of London, West End LIVE is an annual highlight of London's cultural calendar, with performances, photo opportunities, meet-and-greets, merchandise stalls, refreshments and singalongs attracting thousands of theatre fans across the weekend.

West End LIVE debuts include Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, Strictly Ballroom The Musical, Eugenius!, Brief Encounter, Little Shop Of Horrors, Chicago, Heathers The Musical, Kiss Me, Kate, Knights Of The Rose, Six, Circolombia and Madagascar - A Musical Adventure.

Saturday 16 JUNE 2018

    11.00am Everybody's Talking About Jamie
    11.15am Disney's Aladdin
    11.30am Motown The Musical
    11.40am Wicked
    11.50am Kinky Boots
    12.05pm Matilda The Musical
    12.10pm Bat Out of Hell the Musical
    12.25pm The Phantom of the Opera
    12.40pm Les Misérables
    12.55pm Tina - The Tina Turner Musical
    1.00pm Strictly Ballroom the Musical
    1.20pm Dreamgirls
    1.30pm Chicago
    1.45pm Mamma Mia!
    2.00pm Little Shop of Horrors
    2.05pm Thriller Live
    2.25pm Six
    2.35pm Kiss Me, Kate
    2.45pm Knights of the Rose
    3.05pm Eugenius!
    3.20pm Sylvia Young Theatre School
    3.30pm I Wish My Life Were Like A Musical
    3.45pm Nadine Benjamin
    4.00pm The West End Gospel Choir featuring Spirit Young Performers
    4.15pm Matt Cardle
    4.20pm Louise Dearman
    4.40pm Collabro
 

Sunday 17 JUNE

    12.00pm Disney's The Lion King
    12.10pm Matilda The Musical
    12.15pm Heathers The Musical
    12.35pm West End Kids
    12.45pm Brief Encounter
    12.55pm Circolombia
    1.10pm Tina - The Tina Turner Musical
    1.15pm Thriller Live
    1.40pm Knights of the Rose
    1.55pm Kiss Me, Kate
    2.05pm The Barricade Boys
    2.15pm A Spoonful of Sherman
    2.30pm Eugenius!
    2.45pm Madagascar The Musical
    2.55pm Ben Stock
    3.05pm Ida
    3.15pm I Wish My Life Were Like a Musical
    3.30pm Ferris & Milnes
    3.45pm Nadine Benjamin
    4.00pm Nathan Amzi, Trevor Dion Nicholas, Emma Kingston and Danielle Hope

Dreamgirls London to close in January with UK tour to follow

Dreamgirls Musical, which opened in December 2016 at the Savoy Theatre  is to give its final performance on Saturday 12th January 2019 completing a run of more than two years. Details of a UK tour are to follow.

Directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw, the piece tells the story of Eddie, Lorrell and Deena, a singing group from the '60s and is based on the true story of The Supremes.

Amber Riley originally starred as Effie White in the UK premiere, alongside Liisi Lafontaine as Deena and Ibinabo Jack as Lorrell. Moya Angela, Asmeret Ghebremichael, Brennyn Lark and Marisha Wallace all now star. The show won six Tony Awards as well as two Grammy Awards and Riley took home an Olivier and WhatsOnStage Award for her performance. .

The Original London Cast Recording of hit West End musical Dreamgirls is available via Sony Masterworks Broadway.

Casting announced for Give My Regards to Broadway new musical revue

Rebecca LaChance will star in ‘Give My Regards to Broadway’, a new musical revue celebrating New York’s greatest show tunes from 1902 – 1942, when it receives its World Premiere at Upstairs at the Gatehouse, Highgate Village from 17 July – 5 August 2018, with Press Night on 18th July 2018. It will also feature as part of the Camden Fringe Festival

LaChance starred as Carole King in the US Tour of ‘Beautiful: the Carole King Musical’, after previously appearing in the Broadway production. Other credits include playing Mabel opposite Michael Ball in Chichester Festival Theatre’s ‘Mack and Mabel’.Joining her will be Ben Lancaster, Albert Linsdell and Thea Butler.

The show will feature hit songs by composers such as George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern and Harold Arlen, taking the audience on a  musical journey, including some of the greatest melodies and lyrics of all time - full of dance, music and razzamatazz.

Fresh from his New York debut, the show will be directed by HarryBlumenau, with choreography by 2018 Offie Award Winner Chris Whittaker. Featuring all-new musical arrangements by Lawrence Michalowski, lighting design by Ali Hunter and casting by Debbie O’Brien. The show is produced
by Joseph Hodges.

Tickets are available from the box office at Upstairs at the Gatehouse on 020 8340 3488 or online
at  www.upstairsatthegatehouse.com/give-my-regards-to-broadway

Changes in Artistic Team at the Other Palace as Paul Taylor Mills steps down as Artistic Director

The Other Palace has just announced changes to its artistic team as Paul Taylor-Mills steps down as artistic director  and Chris Harper  joins the venue as director of programming

Paul Taylor-Mills relaunched the Victoria-based theatre with Andrew Lloyd Webber last year as a new musicals venue. He said in a statement: I've had the most wonderful couple of years working with Andrew... and establishing The Other Palace as one of the most important and dynamic venues in London for the new musical theatre scene.After spending the last couple of months being able to get my hands dirty on the producing of Heathers The Musical, I've reminded myself that this is where I get really excited and am keen to be able to focus my attentions on more of my independent projects.

Chris Harper – whose production company with Marianne Elliott, Elliott and Harper, is responsible for the recent production of Heisenberg and Stephen Sondheim and George Furth's upcoming musical comedy Company  starring Rosalie Craig and Patti Lupone – will join The Other Palace as director of programming, with Taylor-Mills taking on the new role of affiliate producer, with his first production being Heathers starring Carrie Hope Fletcher, opening later this month and Murder For Two" at Christmas. Harper will focus on building on the success of shows like "Big Fish" and "Eugenius".

Bob Eady remains as Chief Operating Officer.

The Other Palace will coninue to produce musicals and play host to shows from other producers with the Studio for developing new musicals. The Studio has hosted workshops of 26 new musicals, and cabaret nights as well as The Other Songs which has become a hub for songwriters to meet, play and showcase new writing to artists and record producers, as well as being a forum for composers to meet lyricists.

Thoroughly Modern Millie Tour starring Hayley Tamaddon cancelled

The tour of Thoroughly Modern Millie starring Hayley Tamaddon in the title role has been cancelled with immediate effect  due to poor ticket sales and financial difficulties. The show was supposed to be playing this week at the Bradford Alhambra and touring until August 2018

In a statement from the show’s production company, the producers have today said: We are extremely sorry to have to announce the cancellation of the UK tour of Thoroughly Modern Millie. This has been caused by lower ticket sales than expected, which in turn has put the company producing the show  in financial difficulties and they are no longer able to continue with the tour.   The show was wonderful, and received excellent  reviews as it toured the UK, but despite this, ticket sales were not strong enough to maintain the viability of the show.  Our hearts go out to the brilliant cast of the show, who sang and danced their hearts out to bring Thoroughly Modern Millie to audiences all over the country.  Sadly, and regretfully, the show is now cancelled.   We are extremely sorry for the inconvenience and disappointment this cancellation will cause everyone who was planning on seeing the show.

Ticketholders are advised to  refer back to their point of sale for a refund.

  

London Musical Theatre Orchestra's A Christmas Carol in concert back at Lyceum this year.

London Musical Theatre Orchestra is proud to announce that following the sell-out successes in 2016 and 2017, they are again returning to the Lyceum Theatre this year   on 10th and 17th December with their spectacular concert production of A Christmas Carol

With an all-star cast soon to be announced, and the 32-piece London Musical Theatre Orchestra in full festive swing the Charles Dickens' classic tale gets the full Broadway treatment by the award-winning team of Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin), Lynn Ahrens (Ragtime, Seussical) and Mike Ockrent (Crazy For You, Me and My Girl). 

This joyous tale  ran for ten years at New York's Madison Square Garden, where The New York Times called it "a tonic for adults, and for children a transfixing journey".

Buy tickets for A Christmas Carol

Ruthie Ann Miles' Involvement in London The King and I still unconfirmed

Ruthie Ann Miles  who tragically suffered the loss of her unborn child in May, months after her daughter was killed in a Brooklyn car crash, had been scheduled to reprise her award winning performance of Lady Thiang  in the West End revival of The King and I which opens at the London Palladium on 21st June

Despite an earlier report, her involvement remains unconfirmed. It was reported on May 31st that Naoko Mori would share the role of Lady Thiang with Miles.

The producers of the West End production have provided a statement today saying, “As has always been the case, our thoughts and concerns have only been for Ruthie and her family and to respect their privacy at this most difficult time.“ They add, “Reports suggesting Ruthie has made a decision regarding performing in London are inaccurate. We consider Ruthie a beloved member of The King & I family in the West End, and she is welcome to join the production at any point. However, to be clear, no such decision has been made at this time.”

Matt Terry to lead cast for tour of Madagascar - the Musical

Matt Terry – Winner of 2016’s X-Factor is  to play Alex The Lion in the brand-new  tour of Madagascar – The Musical which opens at New Wimbledon Theatre on 16 July. Matt  will not be performing on 28th Jul, 03 Aug, 04 Aug, 01 Sep and is cast until 25 December.  He is currently not scheduled to perform in venues for 2019.

Since winning X-Factor, Matt has  been recording music all over the world including Miami, LA and Scandinavia. After a top three  hit with Ed Sheeran penned winner’s single When Christmas Comes Around, he released his debut album ‘Trouble’ in November 2017. His first single from the album, Sucker For You has had nearly 60 million streams on Spotify. After Sucker For You, Matt went back to his Spanish childhood by featuring on Enrique Iglesias’s smash single, Subeme La Radio alongside Sean Paul.

Matt says; ‘I am so excited to be making my acting debut in the brand-new production, Madagascar – The Musical. It’s a childhood memory for all of us! I can’t wait to be playing the lead role of Alex and bringing him to life. Expect incredible costume, set and cast. And the music is immense! It will be an awesome night for everyone to enjoy. See you all there.’

Matt will be joined by a cast including Antoine Murray-Straughan/Marty,Timmika Ramsay/Gloria, Jamie Lee-Morgan/Melman, Shane McDaid, Laura Johnson/Kowalski / Foosa Leader, Jessica Niles/Private / Mort, Victoria Boden/Rico / Candy / Lynn Lemur, Jo Parsons/King Julien / Zeke, Matthew Pennington and Darren John/Offstage Swing.

Based on the smash DreamWorks animated motion picture, Madagascar – The Musical  follows all of your favourite crack-a-lackin’ friends as they escape from their home in New York’s Central Park Zoo and find themselves on an unexpected journey to the madcap world of King Julien’s Madagascar.

Alex the lion is the king of the urban jungle, the main attraction at New York's Central Park Zoo. He and his best friends – Marty the zebra, Melman the giraffe and Gloria the hippo – have spent their whole lives in blissful captivity before an admiring public and with regular meals provided for them. Not content to leave well enough alone, Marty lets his curiosity get the better of him and makes his escape – with the help of some prodigious penguins – to explore the world.

Channing Tatum's Magic Mike Live to open in London in November.

As showcased on the Britain's Got Talent final last night, Channing Tatum is opening a brand new production of Magic Mike Live at the Hippodrome Casino in London's Leicester Square from 28th November (following previews from 10th November).  It is currently booking until 28th April 2019. This follows  its Las Vegas opening a year ago.

Conceived and co-directed by Tatum, Magic Mike Live is a large-scale, live production show based on the hit films Magic Mike and Magic Mike XXL. The Theatre at the Hippodrome Casino is being transformed into an intimate, 325-seater space for the show which takes place Magic Mike's mythical Club Domina with a diverse group of artists from all over the world  performing  360º sexy dance routines  and acrobatics mixed with speciality  acts.   You can see the trailer for Magic Mike Live here.

Simon Thomas, CEO of The Hippodrome Casino said:"In so many ways Magic Mike Live is a perfect fit for us,"  "Since 1900, the venue has been delighting, shocking and reinventing the way London and its visitors are entertained. This is yet another example of how the Hippodrome resolutely refuses to stand still. As we prepare to close our theatre for a three-month, multi-million pound refurbishment, my senior management and our 730 employees look forward to joining all of London in giving Channing Tatum, the incredibly talented performers and his world-class production team, the warmest welcome the capital can muster."

The show has been hailed as "the modern strip show we deserve" by USA Today and celebrated as "the show that has everything you could ever want" by Glamour UK.

Magic Mike Live in London is co-directed by Channing Tatum and Alison Faulk, with Teresa Espinosa as associate director, and choreographed by Alison Faulk, Teresa Espinosa and Luke Broadlick. The Executive Producer is Vincent Marini with General Management by David Ian Productions. The production designer is Rachel O'Toole, with scenic design by Rob Bissinger and Anita LaScala (Arda Studio), Costume Design by Marina Toybina, lighting design by Philip Gladwell and video design by Luke Halls. Musical supervisor is Jack Rayner, with sound design by Nick Kourtides. Dreya Weber is aerial choreographer & aerial apparatus designer. Production management is by Simon Gooding and Matt Jones and casting is by Jason Styres CSA.

Buy tickets for Magic Mike Live

Magic Mike Live heading to London in November

Channing Tatum's Magic Mike Live  based on the hit 2012 film Magic Mike starring  Channing Tatum and Matthew McConaughey seems set to arrive in London in November
 

Posters currently on display on London's Underground say the show will be "on stage in London from November¨ naming a website that promises a  special announcement on this Sunday's Britain's Got Talent final.

The film, directed by Steven Soderbergh,  is loosely based on the experiences of Tatum and revolves around a 19 year-old who enters the world of male stripping. The live show takes place in Magic Mike's mythical nightclub, Club Domina, and  features strip and dance routines combined  with speciality acts.

More news to follow...

Casting for Aspects of Love revival at the Hope Mill Theatre

Casting has been announced for the forthcoming revival  of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Aspects of Love, which opens at Manchester's Hope Mill Theatre previewing from 5th-7th July and running from  7th July to 9th August.

The musical first opened in the West End in 1989, running until 1992, has been on a UK tour and was recently produced at the Menier Chocolate Factory. It was nominated for six Tony Awards when it premiered on Broadway in 1990.

Featuring the classic number "Love Changes Everything" which was a chart hit for Michael Ball  , the musical is based on the novel by David Garnett, with lyrics by Don Black and Charles Hart. It tells the story of passion and love across three generations of a family in 1940s France and Italy.

Cast in the revival are Kimberly Blake (Half a Sixpence) who plays Giulietta, Jason Kajdi (Our House), in the role of Hugo, Felix Mosse (The Rocky Horror Show) as Alex, Julia J Nagle (An American in Paris) as Elizabeth, Minal Patel (The Secret Garden) as Marcel, Jerome Pradon (Jesus Christ Superstar) as George and Kelly Price (A Little Night Music) in the role of Rose. Making their professional debuts in the production are Rosie Cava-Beale, Jack Churms and Eleanor Walsh .

The revival is directed by Jonathan O'Boyle (Pippin) with musical direction by Gareth Bretherton, set and costume design by Jason Denvir, choreography by Sam Spencer-Lane, lighting design by Aaron J Dootson and sound design by Calum Robinson.

Tickets for Aspects of Love at the Hope Mill Theatre