RIP Theatre Producer Duncan C Weldon

Theatres across London will be dimming their lights at 19:00 tonight (31st January) in memory of the British theatre producer Duncan C Weldon, who died on Wednesday aged 77.

Before this evening’s performances begin, lights will be dimmed for one minute as a tribute by the theatre industry and audience members to the producer and former administrator, whose  career spanned over 40 years, beginning as a Royal Shakespeare Theatre photographer at age 19.

With his business partner Paul Elliott, Weldon was famous for attracting some of the world’s biggest actors to perform in prestigious West End theatres, producing hundreds of plays and pantomimes in London and around the UK. He served as Artistic Director of Theatre Royal Haymarket for 20 years (where he presented 63 consecutive plays), and as Director of Chichester Festival Theatre. Weldon received a Special Recognition Olivier Award in 2018.

The tradition of dimming theatre lights has long been performed in the West End to pay respects to theatre’s most renowned contributors.

Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake to be broadcast in cinemas this May

Matthew Bourne's award-winning production of Swan Lake is be broadcast in UK cinemas from 21st May.

Bourne's  revival of Tchaikovsky's ballet is famous for replacing the female ensemble with male dancers as the swans and is currently touring the UK  with direction and choreography by Bourne, set and costumes by Lez Brotherston, lighting by Paule Constable and sound design by Ken Hampton. It continues to tour until 21 July 2019.
 

Since it was first staged at Sadler's Wells in 1995, the piece has won over 30 international awards including three Tonys and an Olivier Award.

Speaking about the screenings, Bourne said: "I'm thrilled that this brand-new production of my Swan Lake will be in cinemas across the UK from 21 May. It has become a modern classic much beloved by the British public and throughout the world. Its popularity has never been greater and several generations of audiences have been inspired and moved by its universal story of love and acceptance."

Casting announced for Little Miss Sunshine Premiere

Casting has been announced for the London premiere of the  musical adaptation of the off-Broadway hit musical Little Miss Sunshine comedy drama  which runs at the Arcola Theatre in London from 21st March for seven weeks  before embarking on a UK tour in May. Casting news for the tour to follow shortly.

It will star  Laura Pitt-Pulford (Flowers for Mrs Harris) as Sheryl, the matriarch of the eccentric Hoover family,  Gary Wilmot  (Snow White at The Palladium) as Grandpa (the role that won Alan Arkin an Academy award), Gabriel Vick (Promises) as Sheryl's husband Richard, Paul Keating (Kenny Morgan) as Sheryl's brother Frank and Sev Keoshgerian (The Musical of Musicals (The Musical)) as Sheryl's son Dwayne.

The role of Olive will be shared by Sophie Hartley Booth, Evie Gibson and Lily Mae Denman. Ian Carlyle will play Larry/Buddy, Imelda Warren-Green will play Linda/Miss California and Matthew McDonald will play Joshua Rose/Kirby. 

Completing the cast are the 'Mean Girls' who will be performed by Chloe Raphael, Ava Hurley, Ellicia Simondwood, Elodie Salmon, Summer Pelley, Ava Masters, Josselyn Ospina Escobar, Saffia Richards and Yvie Bent.

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Message in a Bottle: new West End dance production created by Sting and Kate Prince

Sadler's Wells are in collaboration with Universal Music to present a new dance production entitled Message In A Bottle set to the music of Sting, with choreography by Kate Prince. The show will combine hip-hop dance and music to tell a story of three parted siblings who go on their own adventures. It will include the songs  "Every Breath You Take", "Roxanne", "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" and "Fields of Gold" composed by Sting and feature members of Prince's company ZooNation, with national auditions being held to find the full cast.

Prince, whose credits include 2018 musical Sylvia and choreography for Everybody's Talking About Jamie, said: I mentioned the idea in passing to Alistair Spalding, who has been supporting my career and ZooNation for 15 years. Pretty soon I found myself nervously entering the lobby of a swanky London hotel to pitch the idea to Sting himself. Much to my complete surprise but complete delight, it is actually happening!

Sting said: It's an intriguing idea to align my songs and music with the work of a successful and highly esteemed choreographer of Kate's standing. I witnessed one of the first workshops and was very excited by the potential.It's always interesting when someone from another field offers a fresh and unexpected perspective on your work and I'm so looking forward to seeing the piece.

Message In A Bottle is being co-produced with the Birmingham Hippodrome and Salford Lowry premiering at the Peacock Theatre  on 6th February 2020  and  running until 21 March before embarking on a UK and international tour.

Bujy tickets for Message in a Bottle

Lesley Joseph announced as third Miss Hannigan on Annie Tour

Michael Harrison and David Ian have just  announced that Lesley Joseph will play Miss Hannigan in their new tour  of Annie the musical.  She will join two other actors who are also playing the role in different stages of the tour:  Anita Dobson will play her  from 2 February – 27 April  with Craig Revel Horwood taking over from 30 April – 6 July  and Lesley Joseph playing  the role at the end of the tour from 24th September-23rd November.

Lesley Joseph returns to role of ‘Miss Hannigan’ having played the part  in 2015/16. She is best known for playing Dorien Green in the  successful sitcom Birds of a Feather alongside Pauline Quirke and Linda Robson. They recorded over 100 episodes over a period of nine years and returned to our screens in 2014 for a further three series. Lesley most recently appeared as Frau Blucher in the West End production of the Mel Brooks musical Young Frankenstein for which she received an Olivier Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical. Her other theatre credits include Miss Hannigan in Annie at the Victoria Palace in London  and also on national tour as well as the touring productions of Calendar Girls and Thoroughly Modern Millie.

They will be joined by Alex Bourne as ‘Oliver Warbucks’, Richard Meek as ‘Rooster’, Jenny Gayner as ‘Lily’ and Carolyn Maitland as ‘Grace Farrell’. The title role of ‘Annie’ is shared by Faye Katsande, Ava Smith and Freya Yates who are joined by three teams of young performers playing the girls in Miss Hannigan’s orphanage.

Completing the cast will be Michael Anderson, Thomas Audibert, Andy Barke, Caroline Bateson, Daisy Boyles, Blaise Colangelo, Gary Davis, Ashleigh Graham, George Rae, Anne Smith, India Thornton, Matt Trevorrow, Amy West and Samuel Wilson Freeman.

Everybody's Talking About Jamie to tour

A UK tour  has been announced for hit musical Everybody's Talking About Jamie. The tour will commence in 2020, with casting details, dates and venues to be announced.

The musical is based on the documentary Jamie: Drag Queen in 16: Jamie New is sixteen and lives on a council estate in Sheffield. Jamie doesn't quite fit in. Jamie is terrified about the future. Jamie is going to be a sensation.

Supported by his brilliant loving mum and surrounded by his friends, Jamie overcomes prejudice, beats the bullies and steps out of the darkness, into the spotlight.

The show recently celebrated its 500th performance in the West End where it is booking until 28 September 2019. It has been adapted into a major film with shooting expected to begin in spring of this year. 

The London show  will welcome a new cast  this evening including  Layton Williams in the title  role with Shane Richie as Hugo/Loco Channelle, Hayley Tamaddon as Miss Hedge, Sejal Keshwala as Ray and Sabrina Sandhu as Pritti Pasha. Rebecca McKinnis continues as Jamie's Mum, Margaret.

Lea Salonga concert tour rescheduled to later in the year due to injury

Lea Salonga has announced that her  UK concert Tour which was due to take place in February has been rescheduled for July of this year, due to a leg injury leg injury she sustained during a ski trip in Japan. Any previously purchased tickets will still be valid, and she advises anyone with questions to contact their point of purchase. 

She announced on Instagram:  the   UK tour rescheduled to July 2019!!! Your tickets for February are totally valid. If you have any questions, kindly contact your point of purchase. Thank you!!! 

You can find the new dates here

Robbie Williams & Guy Chambers writing score for Musical Adaptation of David Walliams' The Boy in the Dress at RSC

The Royal Shakespeare's new season has been announced, with David Walliams' children's book, The Boy in the Dress being turned into a musical with music and lyrics from Robbie Williams and Guy Chambers and book by Mark Ravenhill. Greg Doran, artistic director of the company, will direct the show which will beginpreviews at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon on Friday 8th November before opening on 27thNovember and running until 21st March 2020.

The Boy in the Dress is the first book by best selling children's author Walliams with illustrations by Quentin Blake.and tells the story of Dennis, a twelve-year-old boy who is his football team's striker but  wants to wear a dress to school. He enjoys cross-dressing, charting  the reactions of his family and friends.

Williams and Chambers said: "We're beyond excited to be working with the RSC on our first musical theatre collaboration. We are both big fans of David's books, so when he approached us about writing the soundtrack to a new musical version of The Boy in the Dress for the RSC, we were genuinely delighted. There's a real freshness, cheekiness and heart to David's writing which we've worked really hard to capture in the music."

Menier's Fiddler on the Roof moving to Playhouse Theatre from 21st March

Trevor Nunn’s sold out revival of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF which is running  at the Menier until 9th March is transferring into the Playhouse Theatre where it opens on 21st March and is currently booking until 15h June.  The theatre will be specially transformed into an immersive space, matching the staging at the Menier.

It will again star  Andy Nyman and  Judy Kuhn with full casting for the West End production to be confirmed.

 Buy tickets for Fiddler on the Roof at the Playhouse Theatre 

Cassidy Janson and Oliver Tompsett join Miriam-Teak Lee in new Shakespearean-inspired musical &Juliet

Updated 8th February: with tickets now on presale for  Manchester and London more casting news has been announced: Cassidy Janson, will play Anne Hathaway with Oliver Tompsett cast as her husband William Shakespeare Melanie La Barrie is the  Nurse,  Jordan-Luke Gage is Romeo with Tim Mehendran and ensemble members Arun Blair-Mangat,   Jocasta Almgill, Josh Baker, Alishia-Marie Blake, Ivan De Freitas, Rhian Duncan, Danielle Fiamanya, Kieran Lai, Nathan Lorainey-Dineen, Jaye Marshall, Grace Mouat, Antoine Murray-Straughan,Kerri Norville, Christopher Parkinson, Dillon Scott-Lewis, Kirstie Skivington and Alex Tranter.
 

Cassidy Janson who played Carole King in Beautiful, said that in & Juliet, Hathaway starts writing Juliet’s story as if she hadn’t died. She said ‘There are little twists and turns in the re-telling, and it’s very comedy based,’ taking Juliet off on adventures that see her to Paris. Janson will  sing the big Max Martin ballad That’s The Way It Is (a hit for Celine Dion) plus  a couple of duets

 Miriam-Teak Lee is to star in & Juliet:   a new Shakespearean-inspired musical  featuring the songs of Swedish-born songwriter and producer Max Martin.  The musical fantasises about Juliet’s life if she hadn’t taken poison with  Romeo and starts previews at the Shaftesbury Theatre on November 2nd  with a  try-out  run at the Opera House, Manchester, from September 10th - October 12th.

Martin is behind a list of chart-topping singles including Baby One More Time for Britney Spears; Love Me Like You Do for Ellie Goulding; Send My Love by Adele and It’s My Life for Bon Jovi which are due to  be performed in & Juliet.

The show, written by David West Read, will feature Shakespeare and wife Anne Hathaway among the characters. Director  Luke Sheppard, the 32-year-old (who directed Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hit  In The Heights) told Baz Bamigboye. Romeo is not a big part of Act 1. Juliet’s only had one lover, so what does a young girl get up to? She leaves Verona and goes to Paris in search of adventure. Her nurse is part of that journey. Martin’s song catalogue felt like an actual way of extending the show’s narrative.

Miriam-Teak Lee's credits include  Drew McOnie’s production of On The Town, she was part of the original cast of Hamilton at the Victoria Palace when she  understudied the three Schuyler sisters (Angelica, Eliza and Peggy), and during her 12-month run got to perform all of them.

Patti Lupone and Dame Judi Dench first performers in Sunday Encounters at the Haymarket

The Broadway star Patti LuPone is currently playing Joanne in the Stephen Sondheim's Company   at the Gielgud until March 30th. But before leaving the UK she will launch Sunday Encounters at the Haymarket, a series of special events at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. developed by producers at Fane Productions

LuPone will be in conversation with broadcaster Edward Seckerson on the evening of March 10th.  A week later there’s an afternoon show planned called  Gosh, It’s Judi Dench in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital featuring the award-winning actress in conversation with Gyles Brandreth .

Other Sunday Encounters at the Haymarket will feature actor Charles Dance; singer Kerry Ellis; composer Jason Robert Brown,  Anne Reid is to interview Derek Jacobi and Patricia Routledge talks about a Life in Muical thetre on 5th May, writer Michael Morpurgo, Misha Glenny, Carlos Acosta and Mike Parkinson Jr and Simon Schama.

The Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year event will also come to the Haymarket his year.

LuPone commented: "I'm excited to launch the Fane Productions Sunday Encounters at the Haymarket season at the stunning Theatre Royal Haymarket. To appear at a theatre with such a rich theatrical history is a very happy way to end my time in London after several wonderful months in the West End with Company."

Dench said: "We had a lot of fun the last time we did this, so I'm looking forward to being with Gyles again, to being back at the beautiful Theatre Royal, Haymarket, and to supporting the Great Ormond Street Hospital."

Tickets are now available from the Theatre Royal Haymarket or 020 7930 8800.

Mary Poppins Musical has already made £2.5M from ticket presales

Baz in today's Mail is reporting that ticket sales for the new Mary Poppins musical are close to £2.5 million which was taken in just three days from presale  bookings. Tickes  for the show which starts previews  at the Prince Edward Theatre on October 23rd (opening night 13th November)  go on sale to the general public  on Monday 28th January at 10:00.

The show stars Zizi Strallen as the nanny who uses her special  magic to help the Banks family in Cherry Tree Lane, with  Charlie Stemp as Bert the chimney sweep.

MARY POPPINS is one of the biggest stage musical successes to emerge from London or New York in recent years. Worldwide, the six productions of the show have grossed over $521 million, welcomed over 7 million guests and cumulatively run for over 12 years. The musical is the winner of 36 major theatre awards around the globe, including Tony, Olivier and Evening Standard awards.It received its worldwide premiere in London at the Prince Edward Theatre  in December 2004 where it enjoyed a successful three year run followed by an extensive  acclaimed UK tour.

Joe McFadden to star in new tour of Priscilla

Joe McFadden is  to star as Tick/Mitzi in the new tour of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert which  is being produced by Jason Donovan, Mark Goucher, Gavin Kalin and Matthew Gale and will open at Dartford Orchard Theatre in September.

McFadden's most recent stage appearance is House on Cold Hill and he won BBC's Strictly Come Dancing in 2017 with partner Katya Jones.  His other acting credits include Torch Song Trilogy at the Menier Chocolate Factory, Rent in the West End and She Loves Me at Chichester Festival Theatre.

He commented: "I'm over the moon to be taking on this new and exciting challenge in a musical that I have been a massive fan of for such a long time. I'm looking forward to working with this wonderful production team, including Jason whose guidance I feel especially lucky to have given his previous experience with the production. I can't wait to take the Priscilla bus on the road and have a bonzer time making the role my own!"

HYMN: Sarah Brightman In Concert at Royal Albert Hall for one night only

Soprano Sarah Brightman is returning to London for one night only for the first time since 2004 with her new world tour. HYMN: Sarah Brightman In Concert at the Royal Albert Hall at 7:30pm on  Monday 11th November.  Buy tickets which go on general sale to at 10:00 am on  Friday 25th January

Brightman began her HYMN world tour in South America in November 2018 and includes 125 shows across five continents throughout 2019. Sarah  says fans should, "expect the unexpected!". On coming home to perform, she says, "It's been a long time since I performed in London and I'm so excited to bring this beautiful new show back home to you and perform new songs and of course many favourites. To me, HYMN suggests joy and a feeling of hope and light - something familiar and secure, like home".

Sarah last headlined the Royal Albert Hall over 20 years ago, in 1997 and is returning for a very special night, accompanied by her band, a full orchestra, choir and special guests to be announced in the coming months.

John Barrowman announces Fabulous Concert Tour

John Barrowman  will embark on a 12-date  Fabulous tour of  England, Scotland, and Wales celebrating his 30 years on stage and screen with favourite songs and fabulous stories from his life and career. this summer opening at London’s Savoy Theatre on Sunday June 16th. 

John is a singer, actor, dancer, presenter, judge and author. Most recently, UK audiences delighted in supporting him as he made the final three in ITV’s I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here 2018.

Speaking about the tour he said: I can’t believe it’s been 30 years from my West End debut in Anything Goes to my Australian jungle adventures in I’m A Celebrity, and there’s been lots of fabulousness in between. I’m thrilled to celebrate this amazing milestone with my FABULOUS tour. I’m looking forward to meeting fans and sharing some of my favourite moments with you all.

Tickets  go on presale on 22nd January and general sale on Wednesday, January 23rd

   

Line up of West End stars announced for new Night Caps intimate solo concerts at the Other Palace in February

The Night Caps concert series has just been announced for MT FEST UK which is  two-week festival of new musical theatre being Presented by Paul Taylor-Mills at The Other Palace from Monday 11th-Saturday 23rd February 2019

Night Caps are informal and intimate solo concerts which will take place in the Studio at the Other Palace nightly throughout the festival, presenting the audience with an opportunity to get to know some of the country’s most eminent musical theatre stars through the songs that shaped them, songs they might never get to sing, and songs from new works.

The  lineup features Nathan Amzi, Luke Bayer, Louise Dearman, Victoria Hamilton-Barritt, Evelyn Hoskins, Rob Houchen, Sophie Isaacs, Emma Kingston, Claudia Kariuki, Jordan Luke Gage, Laura Pitt-Pulford and Tosh Wanogho-Maud.

The concerts all take place at 9:00 pm with the following schedule. 

• Monday 11 February: Tosh Wanogho-Maud
• Tuesday 12 February:Evelyn Hoskins
• Wednesday 13 February: Sophie Isaacs
• Thursday 14 February:Luke Bayer
• Friday 15 February: Louise Dearman
• Saturday 16 February: Rob Houchen
• Monday 18 February:Victoria Hamilton-Barritt
• Tuesday 19 February: Claudia Kariuki
• Wednesday 20 February: Laura Pitt-Pulford
• Thursday 21 February:    Emma Kingston,
• Friday 22 February: Nathan Amzi
• Saturday 23 February:Jordan Luke Gage

Nathan Amzi’s West End credits include Heathers (Haymarket Theatre), Aladdin (Price Edward Theatre) and Urinetown (Apollo Theatre). Luke Bayer is currently appearing as Alternate Jamie in Everyone’s Talking About Jamie (Apollo Theatre). Louise Dearman is best known as the only actress to have played both Glinda and Elphaba in Wicked (Apollo Victoria Theatre). Victoria Hamilton-Barritt has recently been seen in Murder Ballad (Arts Theatre), for which she received and Olivier Award nomination, and In The Heights (King’s Cross Theatre). Evelyn Hoskins has starred as the title role in Carrie The Musical (Southwark Playhouse) and Liesl in ITV’s The Sound of Music Live. Rob Houchen returns to The Other Palace having starred as Eugene in Eugenius!. Sophie Isaacs most recently starred as Heather McNamara in Heathers The Musical (The Other Palace and Haymarket Theatre). Emma Kingston most recently played the Evita in the Evita International Tour. Other roles include Vanessa in In The Heights (Southwark Playhouse and King’s Cross Theatre). Claudia Kariuki is currently appearing in School of Rock (New London Theatre), with other recent credits including Ragtime (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre) and Hairspray (UK & Ireland tour). Jordan Luke Gage has just completed his run starring as Strat in Bat Out Of Hell (Dominion Theatre). Laura Pitt-Pulford recently appeared in Flowers for Mrs Harris (Chichester Festival Theatre) and was Olivier Award nominated for Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre). Tosh Wanogho-Maud recently starred as Jimmy in Dreamgirls, with other West End credits including Show Boat and The Book of Mormon.

MT Fest UK is a two-week festival of new musical theatre at The Other Palace from Monday 11 to Saturday 23 February 2019. The festival will present new work by both emerging and established writers, as well as programming talks and concerts from some of the most celebrated performers, writers and producers currently working in musical theatre. All tickets to events and performances will be between £10-15 Further events and casting details will be announced over the coming weeks.

Tickets for all Night Caps concerts go on sale on Monday 21 January at 12.00 noon

Open auditions announced for Hamilton London

The West End production of Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical Hamilton has just announced open auditions. You are requested to register by sending a current photo, showreel  and CV to hamiltoncasting@camack.co.uk or by post. Auditions will be held over the next few months with recalls in the spring/summer.

They are looking for males and females in their 20s and 30s from all ethnic backgrounds as well as  singers who can rap or hip-hop dancers, with rehearsals starting in September 2019 and  the contract ending November 2020.

Reflecting Miranda's core requirement for the cast of the show to be ethnically diverse, the audition notice says: While artists of all ethnicities will be considered for the production, it is an intrinsic requirement of the show for the majority of the company to reflect a range of BAME backgrounds.

More casting news for Spielbergs West Side Story movie

Steven Spielberg and Tony Kushner’s new  film adaptation of West Side Story has found its Sharks in some familiar stage names. Ariana DeBose, who earned a Tony nomination as Donna Summer in Summer on Broadway will play Anita, while Billy Elliot Tony winner David Alvarez and Hamilton tour alum josh Andrés Rivera will take on the roles of Bernardo and Chino.

According to Deadline 17-year-old newcomer Rachel Zegler from New Jersey, will  take on the coveted role of Maria following a nationwide search covering more than 30K actors.. She will star opposite the previously reported Ansel Elgort as Tony.

The cast will also include Rita Moreno, who won an Oscar for her performance as Anita in the 1962 film based on the classic musical. The stage and screen legend is set to play Valentina,  a reconceived and expanded version of the character of Doc, the owner of the corner store in which Tony works.

The film is expected to begin filming this summer and will feature choreography by Justin Peck.

Director Spielberg and casting director Cindy Tolan set out to find a cast that included members of both the Puerto Rican and larger Latinx communities (DeBose and Rivera have Puerto Rican backgrounds; Alvarez and Zegler are Cuban- and Colombian-American, respectively). Spielberg said:  I’m so happy that we’ve assembled a cast that reflects the astonishing depth of talent in America’s multifaceted Hispanic community-

Bernadette Peters UK Concert Tour dates

Three-time Tony recipient Bernadette Peters, most recently on Broadway in the Tony-winning revival of Hello, Dolly!, has announced a host of 2019 concert dates, including four appearances in the UK  beginning June 10 at the Lyceum Theatre in London

•  June 12 -  Edinburgh Usher Hall 
•  June 14 -  Birmingham Symphony Hall,
•  June 16 -  Salford Lowry 
• June 18 - Milton Keynes Theatre

The stage and screen star will perform selections from her award-winning Broadway outings, including tunes from Sunday in the Park with George, Into the Woods, and Hello, Dolly!, as well as additional theatre tunes and standards.

Broadway legend and Tony Award-winning actress Bernadette Peters  received her seventh Tony Award nomination for her electrifying portrayal of Momma Rose in Sam Mendes' record-breaking Broadway revival of Gypsy as well as both the Tony Award and Drama Desk Award for her critically-acclaimed performance in Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Song and Dance. Peters also received Tony nominations for her work in the 1992 musical The Goodbye Girl; Stephen Sondheim's Pulitzer Prize-winning musical Sunday in the Park With George; the Jerry Herman/Gower Champion ode to the movies, Mack and Mabel; and the Leonard Bernstein/Comden and Green musical On The Town. In addition to these honors, Peters earned a Drama Desk nomination for her memorable portrayal of the Witch in Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods.

Peters has also appeared 17 films including The Jerk with Steve Martin, The Longest Yard with Burt Reynolds, Silent Movie with Mel Brooks, Annie with Carol Burnett, Pink Cadillac with Clint Eastwood, Slaves of New York with Mercedes Ruehl, Woody Allen's Alice with Mia Farrow, Impromptu with Hugh Grant and Mandy Patinkin, and most recently, It Runs in the Family, starring opposite Kirk and Michael Douglas.

Caroline Sheen to cover Louise Redknapp role in Dolly Parton's 9 to 5

West End leading lady Caroline Sheen has stepped into the breach to take on the role of Violet Newstead in Dolly Parton's  9 to 5 Musical which opens at the Savoy Theatre on 28th March. She will play the part until the end of March (final date TBC) when Louise Redknapp is expected to have recovered from her recent injuries and able to join the show. 

The show will be in good hands until her return with Welsh actress Caroline, having previously starred in a number of musicals including Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Les Miserables and The Witches of Eastwick.

The Barricade Boys new concert tour just announced

Direct from London’s West End and Broadway, The Barricade Boys are back on the road FROM 14 FEBRUARY TO 20 JULY 2019 with their critically acclaimed national tour featuring fabulous harmonies, incredible vocals,  good looks and charm, The Barricade Boys showcase the UK’s finest male voices from the world’s longest running musical – Les Misérables.

The Barricade Boys perform the world’s greatest show tunes and  a celebrate music from some of the most iconic names in the music industry, from powerful ballads and beautiful operatic arias to some of the best pop, rock and swing numbers of all time.

 After sell-out performances in London’s West End, an appearance on Broadway and a host of international dates, this exceptional group are once again taking their spectacular live show around the country, as well as across the pond to the USA (in April).

The Barricade Boys have played nearly every major role in musical theatre from The Phantom of The Opera, Wicked and Billy Elliot to Jersey Boys, The Sound Of Music and of course Les Misérables. As seen on ITV’s ‘This Morning’ and ‘The Paul O’Grady Show’, The Barricade Boys have rightfully secured their place as the world’s leading musical theatre super group.

 The Barricade Boys were founded in 2016 by Scott Garnham (Nativity! The Musical, Billy Elliot The Musical, Made in Dagenham, Les Misérables) and Simon Schofield (title role in Oliver! London Palladium, Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Sound of Music, Doctor Doolitle, Les Misérables).

2019 Tour Dates:

Thursday 14th February          

Windsor, Theatre Royal

Book Tickets Here

Thursday 21st February           

Basingstoke, The Haymarket

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Friday 15th March

Paignton, Palace Theatre

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Saturday 16th March

Portsmouth, Kings Theatre

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Sunday 17th March

Birmingham, Alexandra Theatre

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Thursday 21st March

Walsall, Forest Arts Centre

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Friday 22nd March

Runcorn, The Brindley

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Saturday 23rd March

Consett, The Empire

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Sunday 24th March

Blackburn, King George’s Hall

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Sunday 7^th April

Florida, USA, Aventura PAC

Monday 8^th & Tuesday 9^th April

Florida, USA, Crest Theater

Friday 12^th April

New York (Brooklyn) Kingsborough College

Saturday 13^th April

New York (Long Island) Tiles Center

Sunday 14^th April

New York (Queensborough) Community College

Saturday 20th April

Doncaster, The Dome

Book Tickets Here

Wednesday 1st May

Radlett, Radlett Centre

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Friday 3rd May

Coventry, Belgrade Theatre

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Saturday 4th May

York, Grand Opera House

On Sale Soon

Sunday 5th May

Darlington, The Hippodrome

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Tuesday 14th May

Colchester, Mercury Theatre

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Saturday 18th May

Southend, Palace Theatre

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Sunday 19th May

Surrey. Dorking Halls

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Friday 24th May

Aylesbury. Waterside Theatre On Sale Soon

Saturday 25th May

Retford, Majestic Theatre

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Sunday 26th May

Bolton, Albert Halls On Sale Soon

Saturday 1^st June

Bromley, Churchill Theatre On Sale Soon

Wednesday 6th June

Poole, Lighthouse Theatre

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Friday 7^th June

Winchester, Theatre Royal On Sale Soon

Thursday 13^th June

Chesham, Elgiva Theatre On Sale Soon

Friday 14th June

Brecon, Theatr Brycheiniog

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Saturday 15th June

Malvern, Malvern Theatres On Sale Soon

Thursday 20th June

Hastings, White Rock Theatre

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Thursday 27^th June

Hertford, Hertford Theatre On Sale Soon

Saturday 20th July

Grimsby, Auditorium

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Ramin Karimloo to appear in BBC's Holby City

The BBC Press Office has confirmed West End and Broadway leading man Ramin Karimloo is joining the cast of BBC One's Holby City this spring, playing new consultant Kian Madani, who is the arch nemesis of Jac Naylor from their days at medical school.

Kian is also linked to someone in the ED which could lead to some exciting storylines involving Casualty too. Ramin is thrilled to be joining the cast, especially during such a historic year saying:  It’s really exciting to be joining the Holby City family during their 20th anniversary Kian is a dynamic and exciting character and I’m thrilled to be playing him. I’m really looking forward to working with Holby’s incredible cast and creatives.

Karimloo is in the UK at the moment with his new concert From Now On which he is touring  in January with his acclaimed Broadgrass Band.

Dates when his episodes are airing to follow.

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New tour of Disney's The Lion King to open in Bristol in September

Disney's The Lion King is to embark on a new UK and Ireland tour later this year , to coincide with 20 years of it being in the West End.

Beginning at the Bristol Hippodrome in September, the show will visit  Edinburgh Playhouse in December, with further venues to be announced.Tickets for Bristol go on sale in February and in March for Edinburgh.

The Lion King premiered in London in October 1999 at the Lyceum Theatre and is now the sixth longest-running West End musical of all time. To celebrate 20 years in London more events are still to be announced.

Dr Dolittle Tour to close early at the end of January

The UK tour of  the new stage production of the musical Doctor Dolittle is to close early now playing its final performance at Oxford New Theatre on 26th January. It had been scheduled to run until November 2019.

Directed by Christopher Renshaw, the show stars Mark Williams and first opened at Churchill Theatre, Bromley on 9th November The musical has book, music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and is based on the 1967 movie of the same name starring Rex Harrison, and the children's stories by Hugh Lofting. The tour formed part of the 50th-anniversary celebrations of the film.

The show's production company Music and Lyrics has cited lower than anticipated advance ticket sales for the reason to cancel the tour.

Chair Robert Sanderson said: "Music and Lyrics was established to create work of scale and imagination for regional presenting venues and over eight years it has met with a high degree of success. On this occasion, Doctor Dolittle has not secured the same degree of support and, sadly, members of the consortium have had no alternative but to foreshorten the planned tour.I would like to thank all those involved in creating this breathtaking production, which has been enjoyed by audiences and critics alike. There is still time to see the production in Oxford between 15 and 26 January."

Ticket holders for the cancelled leg of the tour are advised to contact their point of purchase.

Full cast announced for new tour of Annie starring Anita Dobson and Craig Revel Horwood

Michael Harrison and David Ian have announced full casting for the new UK tour the musical “ANNIE” which opens at Manchester Opera House on  2nd February 2019. Joining the previously announced Anita Dobson and Craig Revel Horwood who both star as ‘Miss Hannigan’ (Anita  from 2 February – 27 April 2019 and Craig from 30 April – 6 July 2019) will be Alex Bourne as ‘Oliver Warbucks’, Richard Meek as ‘Rooster’, Jenny Gayner as ‘Lily’ and Carolyn Maitland as ‘Grace Farrell’. The title role of ‘Annie’ is shared by Faye Katsande, Ava Smith and Freya Yates who are joined by three teams of young performers playing the girls in Miss Hannigan’s orphanage.

 Completing the cast will be Michael Anderson, Thomas Audibert, Andy Barke, Caroline Bateson, Daisy Boyles, Blaise Colangelo, Gary Davis, Ashleigh Graham, George Rae, Anne Smith, India Thornton, Matt Trevorrow, Amy West and Samuel Wilson Freeman.  

Alex Bourne reprises his performance as ‘Oliver Warbucks’ after playing the role in this  production of “Annie” in the West End, Toronto and on the 2015/16 tour. His many other West End credits include ‘Danny’ in “Grease”, ‘The Beast’ in “Beauty and the Beast”, ‘Billy Flynn’ in “Chicago”, ‘Khashoggi’ in “We Will Rock You” and ‘Fred/Petruchio’ in “Kiss Me, Kate” for which he received an Olivier Award nomination for Best Actor in a Musical. His other credits include ‘Daryl Van Horne’ in “The Witches of Eastwick” and the Watermill Theatre, for which he received a TMA nomination for Best Actor, ‘Sam Michael’ in the national tour of “Mamma Mia!” and ‘Lex Hogan’ in “Eugenius!” at the Other Palace.

Richard Meek’s many credits include ‘Trevor Graydon’ in “Thoroughly Modern Millie”, ‘Brad’, ‘Eddie’ and ‘Dr Scott’ in “The Rocky Horror Show” and ‘Sir Galahad’ in “Spamalot”, all on national tour. He has also appeared as ‘Leo Bloom’ in the international tour of “The Producers” as well as ‘Dustin’ and ‘Greaseball’ in the 25th anniversary cast of “Starlight Express” in Bochum, Germany.

Jenny Gayner’s West End credits include ‘Miss Wilson’ in the original cast of “The Girls” at the Phoenix Theatre, ‘Hunyak’ in “Chicago” at the Adelphi, Cambridge and Garrick theatres and “Spamalot” at the Palace Theatre. Jenny has also appeared as ‘Lina Lamont’ in “Singin’ in the Rain” and ‘Brooke Windham’ in “Legally Blonde”, both at Kilworth House.

Carolyn Maitland reprises her performance as ‘Grace Farrell’ after playing the role in this production of “Annie” in Toronto. Her West End credits include ‘Ellen’ in “Miss Saigon” at the Prince Edward Theatre, ‘Marian’ in “The Woman in White” at the Charing Cross Theatre and “Groundhog Day” and “Kiss Me, Kate”, both at the Old Vic. Her other credits include ‘Molly’ in the national tour of “Ghost” and ‘Kathy Seldon’ in Singin’ in the Rain at Kilworth House.