Big the Musical starring Jay McGuinness to transfer into Dominion for Limited period

It has just been confirmed that Big the Musical is to transfer to the Dominion Theatre in the West End for a limited 9 week period from 6th  September to 2nd November prior to White Christmas opening there on 16th November. There  will be  gala night to support Make-A-Wish on 17 September.

Based on the hit 1988 film of the same name starring Tom Hanks, the musical  follows Josh who is a 12 year-old boy trapped in an adult's body. It has songs by David Shire and Richard Maltby and book by John Wiedman.

Directed and choreographed by Morgan Young, the West End show will again star  Jay McGuinness as Josh - who originated the part in Plymouth -  with further casting to be confirmed. Ex Wanted boy band member McGuinness won Strictly Come Dancing in 2015 and is currently appearing in Rip It Up at the Garrick Theatre.

The production, which originally ran at Theatre Royal Plymouth, will have design and costume design by Simon Higlett, associate choreography by Helen Rymer, musical supervision by Stuart Morley, lighting design by Tim Lutkin, video design by Ian Galloway, and sound design by Terry Jardine and Avgoustos Psillas.

Buy pre-sale tickets by ringing 0345 2007892 or visiting the Dominion Box Office in Person for Big the Musical. Tickets go on general sale on 2nd April

Bianca del Rio taking over from Shane Richie in Everybody's Talking About Jamie

RuPaul's Drag Race Winner comic Bianca Del Rio is joining  the cast of Everybody's Talking About Jamie at the Apollo Theatre taking  over the role of Hugo/Loco from Shane Richie from May 6th for eight weeks.

Bianca Del Rio is the season six winner of the hit TV series RuPaul's Drag Race. The entertainer once known as Roy Haylock started  on the New Orleans nightclub circuit and has since become a drag superstar with over  1.7M followers on Instagram, earning awards including NewNowNext's Best New Television Personality, performing sold-out shows around the world and gaining critical acclaim from The New York Times, .

Full cast announced for Nick Winston's revival of Cats

Casting has just been announced for Kilworth House Theatre's  revival of Cats, which is directed and choreographed by Nick Winston, and runs at the  Leicestershire outdoor venue from 23 July to 1 September.

Emma Hatton (Evita) will star as Grizabella, alongside Jeremy Secomb (Sweeney Todd) as Old Deuteronomy, Alastair Postlethwaite (Swan Lake) as Mr Mistoffolees and Sasha Woodward (The Greatest Dancer) as Victoria. They will be joined by  Helen Anker/Jellyorum, Sophie Camble/Demeter, Adrian Grove/Gus & Bustopher Jones, Matthew Malthouse/Skimbleshanks, Sam Murphy/Munkustrap, Oliver Ormson/Rum Tum Tugger, Djalenga Scott/Bombalarina, Lauren Hall/Cassandra, Aaron Jenkins/Macavity & Ademetus, Matt Jones/Mungojerrrie, Kate Kenrick/Electra, Rebecca Lisewski/Jennyanydots, David McIntosh/Alonzo & Rumpus, Aimee Moore/Rumpleteazer, Luke Redmore/Coriocopat, Beth Relf/Jemima, India Thornton/Tamtomile, Jack Warren/Carbucketty and Sasha Woodward.

The brand new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's show has  design by Philip Witcomb, lighting by Jason Taylor, sound by Chris Whybrow, musical direction by Francis Goodhand and casting by Anne Vosser.

Buy tickets for Cats at Kilworth House

Full cast change announced for Tina the Musical from 15th April

The full cast change for Tina the Musical  with effect from15th April has just been announced: Nkeki Obi-Melekwe and Ashley Zhangazha will join the cast as Tina and Ike Turner 

(Aisha Jawando will play the role of Tina at some performances) and the rest of the cast will include Irene-Myrtle Forrester as Tina's Grandmother GG, Howard Gossington as Record Producer Phil Spector and Lyricist Terry Britten.

Francesca Jackson continues to play Ike and Tina's manager Rhonda Graam, Jammy Kasongo will play Tina's father Richard Bullock and Tina's first love Raymond Hill, Edward Bourne will play record company marketing manager Erwin Bach and Oscar Batterham will play Tina's manager Roger Davies. Maria Omakinwa joins the company to play the role of Tina's mother Zelma until 22 June 2019, when Madeline Appiah will rejoin the company in that role. 

Ensemble members are Daniella Bowen, Chloe Chambers, Joelle Dyson, Lejaun Sheppard, Kibong Tanji, Jayme-Lee Zanoncelli, Cameron Bernard Jones who also plays Tina's son Craig and Ashlee Irish who plays Tina's son Ronnie and Joseph Richardson, and swings Gavin Alex, Derek Aidoo, Joshua Da Costa, Amandla Elynah, Hannah Jay-Allan, Angela Marie Hurst, Leisha Mollyneaux and Samuel J. Weir.

The children's cast are Athea Andi, 11 years old from Richmond upon Thames, Navaeah Hoath, 11 years old from Bromley and Fayth Ifil, 11 years old from Swindon, who share the role of Young Anna Mae. Perola Da Cunha, 11 years old from Hackney, Jasmine Djazel, 9 years old from Wandsworth and Teri Ofon, 12 years old from Surrey, who share the role of Young Alline. Romell Barrocks-Bedeau, 9 years old from Lamberth, Riotafari Gardner, 8 years old from Brent and Myles Grant, 8 years old from Hertfordshire, and who share the role of Young Craig.

Mamma Mia! Celebrates 20 years in London with new booking period and ticket lottery

On 6th April it is the  20th anniversary of the  West End production of Mamma Mia! which in way of a celebration has announced an extension until March 2020 and a new daily ticketing lottery for April.

A new booking period, from Monday 16 September 2019 to Saturday 7 March 2020, will open at 10.00am on Wednesday 3 April 2019.

To celebrate the musical's 20th anniversary, the producers  will be offering 20 tickets for £20 on the day of performance for every performance throughout April 2019, either via the TodayTix app or todaytix.com (https://www.todaytix.com/x/london) or in person at the Novello Theatre Box Office.

Line up announced for 2019 West End Proms in London and Scarborough

The 2019 West End Proms line-up includes John Owen-Jones (Les Misérables), Ben Forster (Phantom of the Opera), Rachel John (Hamilton), Jon Robyns (Hamilton), Jodie Steele (Heathers), Jamie Muscato (Heathers), Lauren Samuels (Romantics Anonymous), Dan Brocklebank (Corrie and winner of Winner of ITV's All Star Musicals) and Marisha Wallace (Waitress). During the evening West End stars will perform songs from iconic musicals including Les Misérables, The Greatest Showman, Dear Evan Hansen and Wicked.

It will Feature an evening of live music accompanied  a 32-piece orchestra at London's Greenwich Music Time Festival on Thursday 4 July, as well as Scarborough's Open Air Theatre on Friday 5 July.

Director Peter Taylor said: "This is the first time we're bringing West End Proms to London and Scarborough and it's going to be an incredible evening. This is more than a concert; it's a show worthy of the West End and Broadway."

Buy tickets for the West End Proms 

Full details of 2019 Olivier Awards for Musical Theatre

The guests, performers and presenters at this year's Olivier Awards have now been announced. The winners will be  announced on Sunday 7th April,  at the Royal Albert Hall hosted by Jason Manford. Those attending the event include Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, Danny Dyer, Sally Field, Paapa Essiedu, Gloria Estefan, Judy Kuhn, Wendell Pierce, Bill Pullman, Art Malik, Andy Nyman, Kelsey Grammer, Tom Hiddleston, Zawe Ashton, Charlie Cox, Ashley Shaw, Joanne Clifton and Kevin Clifton.

Presenters will also include Jack McBrayer, Katharine McPhee, Ruthie Henshall, Harriet Scott, the Mamma Mia! 'Dynamos', Jade Anouka, Ncuti Gatwa, Thea Sharrock, Wunmi Mosaku, Arthur Darvill, Beverley Knight, Danielle de Niese, Layton Williams, Pasek and Paul and Shane Richie.

There will be  performances from casts from  The Lion King and Mamma Mia! -  both of which are celebrating 20 years in the West End - as well as a number of award-nominated shows including Caroline, Or Change, Come From Away, Company, Fun Home, The King And I, Six and Tina – The Tina Turner Musical.

Beverley Knight will perform during the In Memoriam section of the show.

The full list of categories and nominations which include musical theatre nominees are listed below.

BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MUSICAL - Jonathan Bailey, Company, Clive Carter, Come, Richard Fleeshman, Company, Robert Hands, Come From Away.

BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MUSICAL - Patti LuPone, Company, Ruthie Ann Miles, The King and I , "The Queens" - Aimie Atkinson, Alexia McIntosh, Millie O'Connell, Natalie Paris, Maiya Quansah-Breed and Jarneia Richard-Noel - for Six, Rachel Tucker, Come From Away.

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSIC - Come From Away - Book, Music and Lyrics: David Hein and Irene Sankoff; Music Supervisor, Arrangements: Ian Eisendrath; Orchestrations: August Eriksmoen; Musical Director/UK Music Supervisor: Alan Berry; and the band of Come From Away at Phoenix Theatre, Fun Home - Composer: Jeanine Tesori; Lyricist/Bookwriter: Lisa Kron at Young Vic, The Inheritance - Composer: Paul Englishby at Young Vic and Noël Coward Theatre, A Monster Calls - Original music composed by Benji Bower and performed live by Benji with Will Bower (The Bower Brothers) at The Old Vic, Six - Original score, orchestrations and vocal arrangements: Toby Marlow, Lucy Moss, Tom Curran and Joe Beighton at Arts Theatre

BEST NEW DANCE PRODUCTION - 16 A Room/Solo Echo/Bill by Ballet British Columbia at Sadler's Wells, Blkdog by Botis Seva at Sadler's Wells, Playlist (Track 1, 2) by William Forsythe for English National Ballet at Sadler's Wells. The Unknown Soldier by Alastair Marriott for The Royal Ballet at Royal Opera House

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN DANCE - Akram Khan for his performance in Xenos at Sadler's Wells, John Macfarlane for his design of Swan Lake at Royal Opera House, Dimitris Papaioannou for his choreography of The Great Tamer at Sadler's Wells

BEST THEATRE CHOREOGRAPHER - Kelly Devine for Come From Away, Christopher Gattelli based on original choreography by Jerome Robbins for The King And I , Carrie-Anne Ingrouille for Six , Liam Steel for Company.

BEST MUSICAL REVIVAL - Caroline, Or Change, Company,  The King And I

BEST ACTOR IN A MUSICAL - Marc Antolin for Little Shop Of Horrors, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith for Tina - The Tina Turner Musical , Zubin Varla for Fun Home , Ken Watanabe for The King And I 

BEST ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL - Sharon D Clarke for Caroline, Or Change , Rosalie Craig for Company , Kelli O'Hara for The King And I , Adrienne Warren for Tina - The Tina Turner Musical.

AWARD FOR BEST LIGHTING DESIGN, Neil Austin for Company , Howell Binkley for Come From Away , Jon Clark for The Inheritance,  Lee Curran for Summer And Smoke.

BEST SOUND DESIGN - Paul Arditti and Christopher Reid for The Inheritance at Young Vic and Noël Coward Theatre, Mike Beer for A Monster Calls at The Old Vic, Carolyn Downing for Summer And Smoke at Almeida Theatre and Duke of York's Theatre, Gareth Owen for Come From Away at Phoenix Theatre, Nick Powell for The Lehman Trilogy at National Theatre - Lyttelton

BEST COSTUME DESIGN - Fly Davis for Caroline, Or Change, Anna Fleischle for Home, I'm Darling, Gabriella Slade for Six  Catherine Zuber for The King And I

AWARD FOR BEST SET DESIGN - Bunny Christie for Company, Bob Crowley for The Inheritance, Es Devlin for The Lehman Trilogy, Anna Fleischle for Home, I'm Darling

SIR PETER HALL AWARD FOR BEST DIRECTOR - Christopher Ashley for Come From Away, Stephen Daldry for The Inheritance, Marianne Elliott for Company, Rebecca Frecknall for Summer And Smoke, Sam Mendes for The Lehman Trilogy.


BEST NEW MUSICAL - Come From Away, Fun Home , Six  and Tina - The Tina Turner Musical a

Jeremy Jordan in concert at Cadogan Hall

Following sell out concerts in 2016 and 2018, Broadway and TV star Jeremy Jordan is back performing in  London on  Friday 25th, Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th October 2019 at Cadogan Hall, for just four shows.

Jeremy  earned Tony, Grammy and Drama Desk nominations for starring as Jack Kelly in the hit Broadway musical, Newsies, reprising the role in Disney's 2016 film release of the show. Also on Broadway he starred as 'Tony' in the most recent Broadway revival of West Side Story; originated the role of 'Clyde Barrow' in Bonnie & Clyde, for which he won the Theatre World Award; and was featured in Rock of Ages.

Buy tickets for Jeremy Jordan in Concert

Janie Dee and Phil Daniels lead workshop cast of new Happy Prince musical based on Oscar Wilde's fairy story

The new Happy Prince musical based on Oscar Wilde's iconic children's fairy story  is to be workshopped at The Place in King's Cross on 3rd and 4th  May. 

With music, lyrics and direction by Hal Cazalet and book and movement direction by Michael Barry,
The showcase will have lighting by David Howe and choreography by Hurdley and Archer, the piece is set in an unpleasant  1920s laundry house located in a town where a despotic mayor drives the citizens into bankruptcy and ruin. Drawing parallels to the world today, walls are being built to divide societies, so the Statue of a Prince, trapped behind the walls of his own palace, must win over the heart of a Swallow to save his people. The Prince is troubled by the poverty and suffering surrounding him. He persuades the Swallow to become his messenger and distribute his treasures to the townspeople who are most in need. In a race against time, and as the Swallow gradually removes his sapphire eyes and his gold leaf, outwardly the statue looks dull and shabby but the Prince is inwardly renewed and freed of his torment.

Appearing in the three showcase performances will be Janie Dee (Follies) as Mrs Bentley , Phil Daniels (A Very Very Very Dark Matter) as the Mayor, Sophia Hurdley (New Adventures company member) as eh Swallow and Sam Archer (Wise Children) as the Prince with  David Burt, Louis Gaunt, Sammy Graham, Jessica Pardoe, Edwin Ray, Ronald Samm, Cilla Silvia, Gemma Wardle and Alfie Wickham.

Cazalet said: The Happy Prince is a fairy tale for today and as Oscar Wilde intended, for both adults and children alike. I can't help but feel that the Wildean themes of greed and corruption set against the redeeming power of love and sacrifice are every bit as relevant and urgent in our present world, as when Wilde wrote the story in 1888.

Faye Tozer to join cast of Everybody's Talking About Jamie

Steps star and Strictly Come Dancing finalist Faye Tozer is  joining the West End cast of Everybody's Talking About Jamie playing Miss Hedge for a limited season from 6th May until 3rd August.
 

The show originally opened at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre in 2017 and has music from Dan Gillespie Sells and book and lyrics from Tom MacRae. It is currently in its second year in the West End booking until Saturday 25th January 2020, with current star Layton Williams confirmed to be playing lead character Jamie New until that date.
 

Faye Tozer said:I am extremely proud to be joining this ground-breaking, award winning production which is so fresh and current on the West End scene.

Faye Tozer is a singer-songwriter, dancer and stage actress who is best known for being a member of the Brit Award winning pop band Steps. Steps have sold over 20 million records worldwide and performed sold out arena tours. Faye began her theatre career in 2004 starring in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Tell Me on a Sunday. Other theatre credits include Saucy Jack and the Space Vixens (The Venue Theatre, London), Tailor Made Man (The Arts Theatre, London) and UK tours of Love Shack, Me & My Girl, Dial M for Murder, Over the Rainbow, Rhinestone Mondays, Singin' in the Rain and The Naked Truth. She was most recently seen on television in the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing, where she made it to the 2018 finals with her dance partner Giovanni Pernice.

Faye will join current cast members: Layton Williams (Jamie New), Alex Anstey (Laika Virgin), Luke Baker (Dean Paxton), Courtney Bowman (Fatimah), Marvyn Charles (Swing), Marlon G Day (Dad), Momar Diagne, Zahra Jones (Becca), James Gillan (Tray Sophisticay), Ryan Hughes (Mickey), Daniel Jacob (Sandra Bollock), Melissa Jacques, Emily Kenwright (Vicki), Sejal Keshwala (Ray), Luke Latchman (Sayid), Jordan Laviniere (Cy), Rebecca McKinnis (Margaret New), Harriet Payne (Bex), Rachel Price (Swing), Sabrina Sandhu (Pritti Pasha), Biancha Szynal (Swing), Adam Taylor (Swing) and Ziggy Tyler Taylor (Levi).

Release date announced for Spielberg's West Side Story movie

Further casting has been announced for Steven Spielberg's West Side Story film, which is expected to begin shooting this summer with a release date  of December 18, 2020

According to Deadline, joining the previously announced two leads Ansel Elgort and Rachel Zegler in the film will be  Corey Stoll (Ant-Man and Midnight in Paris) as the fearsome Lieutenant Schrank and three-time Tony-nominee Brian dʼArcy James as iconic Officer Krupke who was the original King George in Hamilton on Broadway.

They  join Ariana DeBose (Anita), David Alvarez (Bernardo), Rita Moreno (Valentina) and Josh Andrés Rivera (Chino).

Set in 1950s New York, the classic musical tells of the gang rivalry between the New York Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks. It is loosely based on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, and features classic numbers including "I Feel Pretty", "Something's Coming", "America", "Cool" and "Tonight". It has music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and conception and choreography by Jerome Robbins.

The original film came out in 1961 and starred Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, Rita Moreno and George Chakiris. It went on to win ten Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

Jac Yarrow to play Joseph at Palladium

Arts Educational School's Jac Yarrow,  will play the tile role in the new West End production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat joining  the already cast Sheridan Smith as the Narrator and Jason Donovan as Pharoah. Lloyd Webber and Rice had already told producer Michael Harrison,  that they wanted a 20-year-old ‘new discovery’ to play Joseph in Dreamcoat.

Jac is just 21 years old and comes from the village of Creigiau, near Cardiff. He came to everyone's attention when he stood out playing the lead role in Newsies at ArtsEd.  He has been given special dispensation by the College to begin rehearsing Joseph a month before his graduation date in June.  He was told he had won the role on his 21st birthday saying This is more than I can ever imagine. Let alone for my first job straight out of college, and to be working with Sheridan and Jason. It’ll be like a getting a masterclass.

White Christmas starring Danny Mac and Dan Burton playing at Dominion Theatre over Christmas

Jamie Wilson, Mark Goucher, Gavin Kalin and Kevin McCollum are delighted to present the spectacular new Made at Curve production of Irving Berlin’s WHITE CHRISTMAS at London’s Dominion Theatre for a strictly limited season from 16th November 2019-4th January  2020 directed by Curve Artistic Director Nikolai Foster and choreography by two-time Olivier Award-winning choreographer Stephen Mear (Mary Poppins).

It will again star Danny Mac (Bob Wallace) his  theatre credits include Joe Gillis in the recent tour of Sunset Boulevard, Gabey in On The Town at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and the West End productions of Wicked and Legally Blonde. He captured the nation’s hearts and received overwhelming support during his incredible time on BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing, making it all the way to the final. He is shortly to appear in the tour of Amelie the Musical and Dan Burton as Phil Davis was nominated for an Olivier for his performance as Tulsa in Gypsy at the Savoy Theatre. His other West End credits include Jersey Boys, The Pajama Game, Chicago, Legally Blonde, Betty Blue Eyes and Guys and Dolls at the Royal Albert Hall. More casting news to follow soon.

The musical, with book by David Ives and Paul Blake, is based on the 1954 film of the same name and features the iconic Irving Berlin song "White Christmas". It tells of two veterans who form a showbiz duo in the wake of the Second World War.

The show has choreography by Stephen Mear with set design by Michael Taylor and costume design by Diego Pitarch. Musical supervision is by Stephen Brooker, lighting design by Mark Henderson and sound design by Tom Marshall. Orchestrations are by Larry Blank with new musical arrangements by Jason Carr.

A timeless romantic comedy to warm hearts of all ages, White Christmas features the classic songs Blue Skies, Sisters and the most famous festive song of all… White Christmas.

Tickets on sale 21st March at noon  



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Kym Marsh, Tam Ryan & Shaun Williamson appearing in Elf Arena tour this Christmas

The West End and Broadway musical Elf will again embark on a  limited arena tour this year running at:

• Liverpool M&S Bank Arena   7-8 December
• Glasgow SSE Hydro 14-15 December 
• Wembley SSE Arena 21-22 December 
•  Dublin 3Arena 28-29 December

Appearing in the 2019 stadium tour will be Kym Marsh/Buddy's girlfriend Jovie, Tam Ryan/ reprising the role of Buddy and Shaun Williamson as Buddy's dad Walter Hobbs. The cast also features Father Christmas, and a dozen cirque stars, in a cast of 100.

This unique production has three stages, so you are always close to the action, with a giant 30 foot-tall Christmas tree that the audience get to decorate, a flying sleigh, and high octane stunts. In case you miss anything, there are enormous TV screens relaying the action that also show amazing CGI scenery.

Buddy’s dad Walter Hobbs

Read more: https://metro.co.uk/2019/03/14/coronation-streets-kym-marsh-announces-first-role-post-michelle-connor-with-barry-from-eastenders-8898585/?ito=cbshare
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MetroUK | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MetroUK/as Budy's Dad Walter Hobbbs.

Buddy’s dad Walter Hobbs

Read more: https://metro.co.uk/2019/03/14/coronation-streets-kym-marsh-announces-first-role-post-michelle-connor-with-barry-from-eastenders-8898585/?ito=cbshare
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MetroUK | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MetroUK/The production will feature a 70-foot wide stage, with some scenes taking place around and above the audience. 

Based on the iconic film of the same name, the musical first ran in 2010 on Broadway, directed by Casey Nicholaw. It has a book written by Bob Martin and Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers and Hairspray) and an original score by Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin. Elf had its West End premiere at the Dominion Theatre in 2015, starring Ben Forster as Buddy. Last year's arena tour starred David Essex and Martine McCutcheon.

Buy tickets for Elf the Musical Arena Tour  

Danny Mac joins cast for the UK premiere of Amélie the Musical

Danny Mac is to play daydreamer Nino Quincampoix in the tour of Amelie the musical   which  previews from 11th April at the watermill Theatre in Newbury. Mac will play the role from 22nd  May on tour, while Chris Jared will play the part during the Watermill Theatre performances from 11th April to 18th May.

The rest of the cast joining him and join Audrey Brisson includes Oliver Grant as Lucien / Mysterious Man, Samuel Morgan-Grahame as Joseph / Fluffy, Sioned Saunders as Gina, Johnson Willis as Collignon / Dufayel, Caolan McCarthy as Hippolito / Elton John, Faoileann Cunningham as Georgette / Sylvia, Kate Robson-Stuart as Suzanne, Josh Sneesby as Blind Beggar / Gnome, Jez Unwin as Raphael / Bretodeau and Rachel Dawson as Andamine / Philomene.

Full cast announced for tour of Priscilla Queen of the Desert

Full casting has just been announced for he new tour of Priscilla Queen of the Desert which is due to kick off in  September.

 As previously revealed Joe McFadden has been cast in the lead as Tick/Mitzi, and hew ill be joined by with Miles Western as Bernadette and Nick Hayes as Adam/Felicia. They are joined by Daniel Fletcher (Bob), Miranda Wilford (Marion), Kevin Yates (Miss Understanding), Jacqui Sanchez (Cynthia). The Divas will be played by Nikki Bentley,Claudia Kariuki, Rosie Glossop and the cast is completed by Jak Allen-Anderson, Natalie Chua, Emma Crossley, Jordan Cunningham, Martin Harding, Justin-Lee Jones, Nell Martin and Edwin Ray.

Tour of Dolly Parton's 9 to 5 Musical announced

Following the huge success of 9 to 5 THE MUSICAL at London's Savoy Theatre , the producers of the show have announced that a second production  will visit  11 cities throughout the UK and Ireland, opening at the Alexandra Theatre Birmingham on 6th September 2019. Casting is to be announced soon.

The London production of the show is currently booking until 31 August 2019 and stars Caroline Sheen (until 23 March), Amber Davies, Natalie McQueen, Bonnie Langford and Brian Conley. Louise Redknapp is to join the cast from 25 March to 29 June.

Parton said: "I am beyond thrilled to the response from across the pond to 9 to 5 The Musical. The overwhelmingly positive fan reaction to this universal story tickles every rhinestone on my body! I can't wait for more people throughout the UK and Ireland to enjoy it and sing along".

Petula Clark and Joseph Millson join Mary Poppins cast

The latest casting news  on Mary Poppins at the Prince Edward Theatre is that Petula Clark is returning to London's West End this autumn after an absence of  22 years  to play the Bird Woman who sings the iconic Sherman Brothers song  "Feed the Birds". Cameron Mackintosh has also hinted that she will be doing "something extra" in the show.

Joseph Millson  joins the cast as Mr. Banks, the banker father of Jane and Michael  who undergoes a big  adjustment during Mary's stay in his home.

Clark starred as Maria von Trapp in The Sound of Music in the West End in 1981 and Candida by George Bernard Shaw in 1983. Her other theatre credits  include Sunset Boulevard, Blood Brothers and Someone Like You.

Millson's extensive theatre credits include Apologia at Trafalgar Studios, The Rover for the Royal Shakespeare Company, Mr Foote's Other Leg at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, Macbeth at Shakespeare's Globe, Much Ado About Nothing, King John and the Spanish Golden Age Season for the RSC/West End, Rocket to the Moon, Pillars of the Community and Every Good Boy Deserves Favour for the National Theatre, Love Never Dies at the Adelphi Theatre and The Priory for The Royal Court Theatre. Most  recent television work includes Catch 22, Grantchester, Ransom, Banished, 24 Live Another Day, as well as regular roles in The Last Kingdom, Campus, Holby City and The Sarah Jane Adventures. His film credits include Casino Royale, I Give It A Year, All The Devils Men, Dragonheart Vengeance, Angel Has Fallen, No Vacancies, Burning Men, Tango One, The Dead 2 and Devil's Bridge.

Other casting news previously announced is that Zizi Strallen will be playing the title tole and Charlie Stemp is Bert.

Hugh Jackman to star in the The Music Man on Broadway

It has been confirmed that Hugh Jackman will return to Broadway on October 22nd , 2020 to play Harold Hill in a revival of Meredith Willson’s “The Music Man.” It will be his first musical theatre stage role in more than a decade when he won a a Tony Award for best actor in “The Boy From Oz,”

Jackman will play con man Harold Hill, a role made famous on screen and stage by the late Robert Preston. The show follows Hill’s latest scheme, that finds him posing as the head of boys’ marching band (76 Trombones). Scott Rudin will produce the revival.

Jackman’s recent film roles include the smash hit “The Greatest Showman,” Jean Valjean in "Les Miserables" as well as the Gary Hart biopic “The Front Runner.” His other credits include “Logan,” “The Prestige,” and “The Fountain.” On stage, Jackman appeared on Broadway in the plays “A Steady Rain” and “The River.” He is currently touring the world in his one-man stage show which comes to the UK in May   singing songs from “The Boy From Oz,” “The Greatest Showman” and other musicals.

Jason Donovan to play Pharoah in Joseph at the Palladium

Breaking news this morning is that Jason Donovan is playing the role of Pharoah in the 50th Anniversary production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the London Palladium this summer for an 11 week run. The re-imagined, brand new production  will play a strictly limited season from 27th June until 8th September.(Press Night: Thursday 11 July).

He is returning to the production 28 years after he played Joseph at the same venue.  As previously announced, Sheridan Smith is the Narrator.

Carrie Hope Fletcher, Rachel Tucker and Tyrone Huntley special guests An Evening with Jason Robert Brown.

Sunday Encounters at the Haymarket season continues with An Evening with Jason Robert Brown and Special Guests at 7:00 pm on 31st March

Tony Award-winning composer-lyricist Jason Robert Brown returns to London for the first time in a year with an electrifying show full of high-wire piano playing, impassioned singing and the emotional rollercoasters of his songs both classic and brand-new, including many from his legendary musicals and his new solo album, How We React and How We Recover, featuring a powerhouse trio of musicians.

Special guest vocalists include Carrie Hope Fletcher, who recently starred at Theatre Royal Haymarket in Heathers; Olivier nominee Rachel Tucker, star of Come From Away; and Tyrone Huntley, Olivier nominee for Jesus Christ Superstar, will join Jason as special guests.

Buy tickets for An Evening with Jason Robert Brown and Special Guests

Tim Howar and Louise Dearman starring in The Music of Bond UK Autumn tour 2019

The Music of Bond celebrates the world’s most famous secret agent with a concert of iconic theme music and songs. Acknowledging what has become a soundtrack of classic British film music from over five decades, the programme will include legendary opening numbers from movies including : ‘From Russia With Love’, ‘Goldfinger’, ‘Thunderball’, ‘Diamonds Are Forever’, ‘Live and Let Die’, ‘The Man With The Golden Gun’, ‘The Spy Who Loved Me’, ‘Moonraker’, ‘For Your Eyes Only’, ‘A View To A Kill’, ‘Casino Royale’, ‘Skyfall’ and ‘Spectre’.

 The London Concert Orchestra, conducted by John Rigby, will be joined on stage by  guest singers Tim Howar and Louise Dearman to present a performance recognisable to generations of film fans.

Tim is the co-lead singer of Mike + The Mechanics and his West End credits include Phantom Of The Opera, Chess, Peggy Sue Got Married and Rock Of Ages.

British musical theatre actress Louise Dearman is widely known through her London shows and national tours as well as performances in the UK and international concert arena. Her West End credits include  playing Elphaba and Glinda in Wicked, Guys and Dolls and Grease.

Tickets are now on sale for The Music of Bond at the following venues
 
Saturday 28 September 7.30pm - Royal Festival Hall, London
Friday 18 October 7.30pm - The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
Saturday 19 October 7.30pm - Usher Hall, Edinburgh
Sunday 20 October 3.00pm - Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow
Friday 25 October 7.30pm - Fairfield Halls, Croydon
Thursday 31 October 7.30pm - St David's Hall, Cardiff
Sunday 3 November 3.00pm - De Montfort Hall, Leicester
Sunday 10 November 3.00pm - Symphony Hall, Birmingham

Full casting announced for tour of The King and I

The Lincoln Center Theater’s production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The King and I which ended its record-breaking sold-out season at the London Palladium in September is going on tour next year kicking off at Manchester Opera House on  26th April. Jose Llana (who was in the production on Broadway) will play the King, alongside Annalene Beechey (who understudied for Kelli O'Hara in the West End) as Anna.

Cezarah Bonner (Miss Saigon) will play the role of Lady Thiang, alongside Kavin Panmeechao and Kamm Kunaree who will play the young lovers, Lun Tha and Tuptim.Also joining the cast will be Kok-Hwa Lie in the role of Kralahome and Aaron Teoh Guan Ti as Prince Chulalongkorn. Philip Bulcock will take on the dual roles of Captain Orton and Sir Edward Ramsay and William M Lee will play Phra Alack. The female ensemble will include Yuki Abe, Miiya Alexandra, Aiko Kato, Misa Koide, Ela Lisondra, Yuki Ozeki, Ena Yamaguchi and Sian Yeo. The male ensemble will include Iroy Abesamis, Cletus Chan, Steven Hardcastle, Eu Jin Hwang, Jesse Milligan, Prem Rai and Joaquin Pedro Valdes. The Swings will be Rachel Jayne Picar, Nick Len, Jasmine Leung and Samuel How.

Cast announced for tour of Let It Be: A Celebration Of The Music Of The Beatles

Let It Be: A Celebration Of The Music Of The Beatles is back with a series of new tour dates. This year marks 50 years since The Beatles took those infamous steps across the pedestrian crossing outside EMI’s Abbey Road Studios in London, which went on to become one of the most famous album covers of all time.

The acclaimed concert, which features an Let It Be Part II reunion concert, proved such a hit with audiences and critics alike when it was premiered last year and a sell out European Tour, that it is now returning for a new UK Tour through Spring 2019.

The cast will comprise Emanuele Angeletti (Paul McCartney); John Brosnan (George Harrison); and Ben Cullingworth (Ringo Starr) all resuming their respective roles from the previous tour. Richard Jordan as John Lennon completes the Fab Four line-up. The band will be joined on stage throughout the tour by musical director Michael Bramwell on keyboards.

Emanuele Angeletti (Paul McCartney) was part of the original cast to open Let It Be in London’s West End in 2012. He has played Paul McCartney in various productions for 17 years. After playing guitar right-handed, he then taught himself to play left-handed just like Paul McCartney. Manny is from Civita Castellana, near Rome, and is still based in Italy. He also starred in the lead role of Macca – The Concert in 2017 and 2018.

John Brosnan (George Harrison) is also part of the original cast who opened Let It Be in the West End (2012) and on New York’s Broadway (2013), which he classes as real highlights. The Irish/Australian is now London based. John has performed Beatles’ music with major symphony orchestras across the world.

Ben Cullingworth (Ringo Starr)  A self-confessed Beatles’ fan, Ben previously appeared in Let It Be between 2013 and 2015, before rejoining the show again last year to appear in the updated production. His theatre credits also include The Sessions, Million Dollar Quarter, and 20th Century Boy. Ben is from Market Harborough, Leicestershire.

Richard Jordan (John Lennon)  professional musician Richard has performed in Beatles bands for 17 years. He is delighted to step into the role of John Lennon. Richard has performed all over the UK, including many times at Liverpool’s Cavern Club. His favourite Beatles era was the early 1960s, the rock ‘n’ roll days. Richard is from Redcar in the North East and has family links to Glasgow.

Michael Bramwell (keyboards) studied piano at the London College of Music and has performed, recorded and toured internationally as a pianist and keyboard player. He was Associate Musical Director for We Will Rock You in Germany, and also regularly performed in the London production. He has been part of the Let It Be cast since the show opened in 2012. Michael is from South London.

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Lesley Joseph to join new cast in tour of Calendar Girls Musical

Best known for playing Dorian in the TV sitcom Birds of a Feather Lesley Joseph is joining the  Calendar Girls musical UK and Ireland tour later this year.   She recently appeared in Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein in the West End and is due to play Miss Hannigain the tour of Annie from 24th September-23rd November.

She previously appeared as Chris in the non-musical version of the show, also penned by Firth. And will now play Jessie joining a new cast featuring Sarah Jane Buckley (Blood Brothers) as Annie, Sue Devaney (Dinnerladies) as Cora, Julia Hills (Broadchurch) as Ruth, Judy Holt (Cold Feet) as Marie and Lisa Maxwell (Hollyoaks) as Celia. 

The new cast will begin performances in Southend on 23rd  April, and Joseph will stay with the production until 10th  August, when Ruth Madoc returns.

Heathers Musical heading back in London then off on tour

It  has been confirmed that Heathers the Musical will return to London for a new run, before going out on tour. The musical's producer Paul Taylor-Mills said: "We will be doing it again. It will go to London . We don't know when but it will be back."

The UK premiere of the hit musical opened at The Other Palace before transferring to Theatre Royal Haymarket in September 2018 It  starred Carrie Hope Fletcher as Veronica Sawyer alongside Jodie Steele, T'Shan Williams and Sophie Isaacs as the three titular Heathers.

Pretty Woman the Musical set for London opening in 2020

Pretty Woman composer/singer Bryan Adams has just told the Press Association that  the musical will be opening in the West End next winter. Adams said "It’s all set in motion now to  open in the UK in 2020. .It's going to Germany this year  opening in Hamburg in September and then  London in 2020 I'm excited about it."

PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL, has original music and lyrics by Grammy Award winner Bryan Adams and his longtime songwriting partner Jim Vallance, a book by Garry Marshall and the film's screenwriter J.F. Lawton, with direction and choreography by two-time Tony Award winner Jerry Mitchell. It began performances at Broadway's Nederlander Theatre on  July 20th, 2018 and currently stars the UK's Samantha Barks and Andy Karl as Vivian and Edward (the roles played by Julia Roberts and Richard Gere in the film).

Based on one of the most beloved romantic comedies of all time, this modern spin on Cinderella is the story of Vivian, a spirited diamond in the rough who dreams of a better life. A star-crossed meeting with Edward, a shrewd corporate raider from New York who is lost in Hollywood, turns a simple business deal into a week of romance and a journey of self-discovery for both Vivian and Edward. This contemporary theatrical take on the iconic love story will sweep a new generation off their feet and make them believe in the power of "Happily Ever After."

Glenn Close to star in Sunset Boulevard movie

Glenn Close is to  star in her Tony-winning role of Norma Desmond in a film adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Sunset Boulevard, which is set to begin shooting this October. Rob Ashford will direct the film with a screenplay written by Tom MacRae (Everybody's Talking About Jamie).

Based on Billy Wilder's classic Academy Award-winning film, Andrew Lloyd Webber's Tony Award-winning Best Musical SUNSET BOULEVARD features a  book and lyrics by Don Black and Christopher Hampton.

Sheridan Smith to star as narrator in 50th Anniversary production of Joseph at the Palladium

Breaking news from Baz in today's Mail is that Sheridan Smith is to star as the narrator in the 50th Anniversary production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the London Palladium this summer for an 11 week run  from 27th June until 8th September (press night 11th July ). The re-imagined, brand new production will be directed Laurence O'Connor with  JoAnn M Hunter providing choreography and  set and costume design by Morgan Large.

Sheridan can remember her parents saving up so she could go on a school trip to see Phillip Schofield play Joseph at the Palladium 

and is said to be excited by planned comedic changes saying:  “For me it’s the most nostalgic show.” 

Sheridan Smith is returning to the West End for the first time in three years having  earned Olivier Awards for her turns in Legally Blonde: The Musical and Flare Path, with nominated performances in Little Shop of Horrors and Funny Girl. Her other stage credits include Into the Woods, The Taming of the Shrew, A Midsummer Night's Dream and Tinderbox: a Revenge Comedy. She is shortly starring opposite Stephen Merchant in a new BBC drama The Barking Murders

Additional casting will be announced at a later date.