Sky Arts Freeview to feature Matthew Bourne's Romeo and Juliet, Hamilton: One Show To Broadway, Billy Elliot: the Musical, The Wiz Live! and The Sound of Music Live! over next week

Sky Arts has revealed further programming on its Freeview channel for theatre fans.

On New Year's Day you can see Matthew Bourne's Romeo and Juliet at 12.20 pm, together with the documentary  Fiddler: A Miracle of Miracles  a 09.55 am about  the iconic stage show. 

On January 2nd, Hamilton: One Show To Broadway behind-the-scenes will be available T 10:00 AM

On Sunday 3rd January Billy Elliot: the Musical is on  30th December  at 9:00 pm and again at on 3rd January at  12.15am, plus The Wiz Live! will be shown today at 9:00 pm and repeated on the 3rd at 11:00am, while the National Theatre's Jane Eyre will be available at 9.00 pm on that day.

Jesus Christ Superstar will be shown AT 10.00 PM on 4th January, while on the 5th The Sound of Music Live! is repeated. at 9.00 pm

News on planned reopening dates for Mary Poppins, Les Miserables, Phantom and The Book of Mormon

News of  West End Musicals planned 2021 opening dates:.

Mary Poppins has performances planned to start on 22nd May 2021 Tickets go on sale 20th December.

Les Misérables is planned to re-open at the Sondheim Theatre on Saturday 29th May once the Government has withdrawn social distancing and reached Stage 5 allowing full capacity audiences.

Previews of The Phantom of the Opera with Killian Donnelly in the title role are planned for 5th June , subject to social distancing measures being lifted. LW Theatres have already carried out extensive building work inside Her Majesty’s Theatre during the shutdown.

The West End production of The Book of Mormon is planning to reopen on 12th July 2021

Release date and featured performers on original cast recording of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella

The original cast recording of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella release date has been revealed as 16th April 2021

Listed as featured performers on the  recording are Sarah Brightman (The Phantom of the Opera), Helen George (Call The Midwife), Laura Baldwin (Waitress), Georgina Castle (9 to 5 the Musical), Sam Robinson (We Will Rock You), Gloria Onitiri (Hadestown), Adam Lambert (Queen + Adam Lambert) and Todrick Hall (Kinky Boots).They join the previously announced Carrie Hope Fletcher, Victoria Hamilton-Barritt and Ivano Turco.

The world premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber's new musical adaptation of Cinderella with a contemporary twist is  due begin performances at London's Gillian Lynne Theatre on Wednesday 7th April 2021, with previews from 19th March 2021

I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change musical with all star cast streamed production announced

A new digital production of Joe DiPietro and Jimmy Roberts' hit off-Broadway show I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change will be streamed from 28th-30th January 2021

It will star Trevor Dion Nicholas (Hamilton, Aladdin), Brenda Edwards (The X Factor, We Will Rock You), Alice Fearn (Wicked, Come From Away) and Oliver Tompsett (Kinky Boots, & Juliet)

The production has orchestrations by Doug Katsaros, direction by Kirk Jameson and musical direction by Nick Barstow.

The clever and witty musical revue is about the pitfalls and joys of romantic relationships played over 5,000 performances off-Broadway and has been produced all over the world but this virtual production is the first of its kind. Following the highs and lows of first dates, first loves, marriages, babies, in-laws, and growing old together, this hilarious and poignant show pays tribute to those who have loved and lost and to those who have dared to ask someone out on a date.

 The recommended age range is 16 plus, with some scenes of sexual nature and some strong language.

Tickets are on sale now via the London Coliseum website.

KINKY BOOTS MUSICAL TO BE STREAMED ONLINE FOR FREE this weekend

Kinky Boots The Musical, filmed live at the Adelphi Theatre, will be streamed online as part of The Shows Must Go On! YouTube channel for free from this Friday at 7:00 pm GMT for 48 hours. 

 
Starring Matt Henry as Lola and Killian Donnelly as Charlie Price. With songs from Grammy and Tony award winning pop icon Cyndi Lauper, book by legendary Broadway playwright Harvey Fierstein (La Cage Aux Folles), and direction and choreography by Jerry Mitchell (Legally Blonde, Hairspray), the musical is based on the film written by Geoff Deane and Tim Firth.

 

Charlie is a factory owner struggling to save his family business. Lola is a fabulous entertainer with a wildly exciting idea. With a little compassion and a lot of understanding, this unexpected pair learns to embrace their differences and create a line of sturdy stilettos unlike any the world has ever seen.

Click here for the link to watch Kinky Boots

Come From Away specially adapted staged concert.

The Producers of the multi award winning  Come From Away are  presenting  a specially adapted staged concert at London's  Phoenix Theatre from   Wednesday 10 February – Saturday 27 February 2021 (Monday to Saturday at 7.30pm/Wednesday Matinee performance on the 17 February at 2.30pm/Saturday matinee performances at 2.30pm. (There will also be an invited dress rehearsal performance of the concert, which will be free for key workers to attend on 10 February at 2.30pm Details on how to apply for free tickets to this performance will be announced in January 2021)

The international hit musical celebrated sold-out, record-breaking engagements on Broadway, in Canada, in Australia, on a 60-city North American Tour and recently opened in Sweden.

 

Come From Away: The Concert will star Jenna Boyd (Beulah and others), Tarinn Callender (Bob and others), James Doherty (Claude and others), Mary Doherty (Bonnie and others), Mark Dugdale (Kevin T/Garth and others), Alice Fearn (Beverley/Annette and others), Kate Graham (Diane and others), Alasdair Harvey (Nick/Doug and others), Jonathan Andrew Hume (Kevin J/Ali and others), Harry Morrison (Oz and others),Emma Salvo (Janice and others), and Cat Simmons (Hannah and others), with Ricardo Castro, Stuart Hickey,Sorelle Marsh, Alexander McMorran, Micha Richardson, Jennifer Tierney and Matthew Whennell-Clark.

Buy tickets for Come From Away Staged Concert

 

The Grinch musical starring Matthew Morrison confirmed for 20th December

The Grinch musical  from the Troubadour Theatre in Wembley, will air on Sky One on 20th  December starring  Matthew Morrison in the title role alongside Denis O'Hare as old Max, Booboo Stewart as young Max and Amelia Minto as Cindy-Lou Who. 

Also in the cast are  Ako Mitchell, Amy Ellen Richardson, Claire Machin, Gary Wilmot, Joseph Prouse, Lisa Mathieson, Billy Nevers, Genevieve Nicole, Bobbie Little, Callum Train, Kirsty Ingram, Idriss Kargbo, Rebecca Louis, Joe Allen, Francesca Mills, Kanon Narumi, Chantelle Tonoleti, Tafari Edwards, Alfie Murray, Erin Rushidi, Bebe Massey, Kayleen Nguema, Lyla Toplass and Louie Gray.

The Grinch Musical! has book and lyrics by Tim Mason and music by Mel Marvin and featuring the hit songs "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" and "Welcome Christmas".

Ivano Turco cast as Prince Sebastian in ALW Cinderella

Andrew Lloyd Webber has just announced that newcomer Ivano Turco has been cast as Prince Sebastian in his new musical Cinderella which is scheduled to have its first preview on 30th April 2021 with an opening night on 19th May at the  Gillian Lynne Theatre  

Turco , a graduate of Urdang Academy in Islington,  will make his West End debut in the role.  He was due to appear in West Side Story at the Royal Exchange Manchester, but the run was cancelled due to the pandemic. He is  a Zimbabwe-born dancer who  went to his first audition back in July for an ensemble part. After getting through the first rounds, he performed in front of Lloyd Webber - who asked him to stay for further auditions and  was plucked from obscurity to play a lead role in the show.

Speaking about Turco, Lloyd Webber said: “I’m overjoyed to introduce Ivano Turco as our Prince Sebastian in Cinderella. I’m convinced audiences will fall in love with him, as we did. Straight out of college, Ivano initially came in to audition as a dancer but has a natural acting talent, a wonderful voice and an innate charm and warmth and from the day we met I just knew I’d found our Prince!”

Also starring Carrie Hope Fletcher in the titular role and Victoria Hamilton-Barritt as the Stepmother, Cinderella has music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by David Zippel and a book by Emerald Fennell.Cinderella will be directed by Laurence Connor, with choreography by JoAnn Hunter. 

You can hear him sing the second track Only You, Lonely You – from the forthcoming album from the show.

Tickets now on sale for Phantom opening in London in June starring Killian Donnelly

Andrew Lloyd Webber and Cameron Mackintosh have  announced the return of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA to Her Majesty’s Theatre in London. Performances are scheduled to begin on 5th June 2021, assuming that government audience restrictions are lifted.

The new  production will star double Olivier Award nominee, Killian Donnelly as The Phantom. He  played the title role in what impresario Cameron Mackintosh called 'a completely new version' of the  original, which was 'tried out' at the Curve in Leicester back in February. 

 

Killian Donnelly will perform Music Of The Night on It Takes Two on BBC2 tonight ahead of Strictly Musicals tomorrow. Andrew Lloyd Webber will also be on the show.

 

Cameron Mackintosh said:  there were some 'very spectacular sequences' created by the late Maria Bjornson for the original Andrew Lloyd Webber Phantom that were never used, such as 'a horse that she dreamt of', which will now feature in the show. And there will be a brand new chandelier.

 

He added: We're still in the hands of the Government's ever-changing rules and regulations,but the Phantom will be fully non-distanced. We're doing all this, predicated on the fact that we are going to be playing to full capacity — otherwise we couldn't possibly afford to do it.

 

Tickets are now on sale  with more news to follow.

 

Leicester Curve to stream Sunset Boulevard in Concert with Ria Jones and Danny Mac later this month

Leicester Curve is  to stream a captured performance of Sunset Boulevard between Tuesday 22nd  December and Saturday 9th  January (tickets will cost from £20) with up to three different performance times daily. Tickets are on sale now via the Curve's website.

A captured performance will be streamed or audiences in the UK while the show's live run has been cancelled With  concert staging will see the  stalls cleared of seats to accommodate the  socially distanced 16-piece orchestra.

Set over a turbulent New Year’s Eve in 1940s Hollywood, Sunset Boulevard is a compelling story of romance and obsession. Directed by Nikolai Foster, the performance will see Ria Jones reprise her role as silent-screen goddess Norma Desmond, with Danny Mac returning as penniless screen writer Joe Gillis.  

The show will also star  Molly Lynch as Betty Schaefer, Adam Pearce as Max Von Mayerling, Dougie Carter as Artie Green and Carl Sanderson as Cecil B DeMille. The Sunset Boulevard company also includes Benjamin Chambers, Owen Chaponda, Joanna Goodwin, Kristoffer Hellström, James Meunier, Gemma Naylor, Joanna O'Hare, Jessica Paul, Sam Peggs and Barney Wilkinson.

42nd Street Streaming on YouTube this weekend

42nd Street will be streamed for free on YouTube this weekend  from Friday 4th December at 7.30pm GMT. It will be available for 48 hours.

The show opened in March 2017 at Theatre Royal Drury Lane and ran until January 2019.  42nd Street focuses on the efforts of famous director Julian Marsh to mount a successful stage production of a musical extravaganza during the Great Depression. It is the timeless and inspiring tale of small town girl Peggy Sawyer's rise from the chorus line to Broadway star.

42nd Street is full of classic hit songs including "Lullaby of Broadway", "We're in the Money", "Shuffle Off To Buffalo", "Keep Young and Beautiful" and "I Only Have Eyes For You" as well as the title number.

The cast includes Bonnie Langford playing Dorothy Brock, the tough Broadway star who fractures her ankle on the eve of the opening night. Clare Halse (Marjorie May in Gypsy) plays ingénue Peggy Sawyer — who is plucked from the chorus line to take over from the injured Dorothy and Tom Lister (Carl King in Emmerdale, Calamity Jane and The Water Babies) is Julian Marsh the demanding director racing against time to put on the fictional show titled Pretty Lady with  Philip Bertioli as Billy Lawlor.

The 60-strong cast features Jasna Ivir (Maggie Jones), Christopher Howell (Bert Barry), Matthew Goodgame (Pat Denning), Graeme Henderson (Andy Lee), Bruce Montague (Abner Dillon), Mark McKerracher (Mac/ Doc / Thug), Emma Caffrey (Annie), Ella Martine (Lorraine), Clare Rickard (Phyllis) and Paul Knight (Oscar).

Click here for the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGsGmceTg9w






 

Samantha Barks, Sheridan Smith and Marisha Wallace perform at Royal Variety Show in Blackpool

Jason Manford presented this year's Royal Variety  show as it returned to Blackpool `s Opera House in the Winter Gardens Complex last night - hosting  a virtual ceremony because of  the COVID-19 pandemic.It returned to the North after nine years, with the show taking place in London every year since 2011.

Sheridan Smith transformed into Cilla Black -  she played the star in the 2014 ITV hit series, wearing  a stunning  green gown with draped sleeves as she gave a sensational performance. 

Les Miserables star Samantha Barks transformed into Elsa as she performed in Frozen The Musical, which she is starring in when it opens at the Theatre Royal Druty Lane is in London's  West End next April.

The show also featured  a phenomenal performance from West End sensation Marisha Wallace who is soon to appear in Hairspray the Musical at the London Coliseum with Michael Ball.

Captain Sir Thomas Moore, who raised  more than £32million for NHS Charities Together, also joined Michael Ball for an exclusive performance

The Royal Variety Performance will be screened on ITV on December 8th.

Full casting and booking info for all male Pirates of Penzance

Casting has just been announced for the West End run of  Sasha Regan's all male The Pirates of Penzance.

Audiences will be socially distanced for the show which is playing at London's Palace Theatre on Saturday 12th  December and Sunday 13th  December at 7pm   

The cast includes  Oliver Savile (Pirate King), Tom Senior (Frederic) Marc Akinfolarin (Sergeant of Police), Michael Burgen (Samuel), David McKechnie (Major General), Alan Richardson (Mabel), Lee Greenaway (Connie), Dominic Harbison (Kate), Sam Kipling (Edith), Richard Russell Edwards (Isabel) and Leon Craig (Ruth) with ensemble members James Chidzey,  Tom Duern ,  Joel Elferink, Matthew Facchino,,  Daniel Miles and Benjamin Vivian-Jones.

The show is produced by Regan De Wynter. and based on Gilbert and Sullivan's classic operetta. It  has previously run at the Union Theatre, Wilton's Music Hall, Rose Theatre Kingston and in Australia during a major tour. Directed by Sasha Regan with choreography by Lizzi Gee, design by Robyn Wilson-Owen, musical direction by Richard Baker, associate choreographer by Lee Greenaway and lighting design by Ben Bull t

Tickets are on sale now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sam Tutty , Emily Redpath and Sir Derek Jacobi to star in a filmed version of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

Sam Tutty (Dear Evan Hansen) and Emily Redpath are to star in a filmed version of William Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet. Sir Derek Jacobi is to play the Narrator.

Award-winning actor Tutty made his professional stage debut  in Dear Evan Hansen last autumn, while Redpath graduated from Mountview in 2019 and has since appeared Spilt Milk's P**n Flakes.

They are joined by  screen and stage performers including They are joined by Brandon Bassir (Mercutio), Daniel Bowerbank (Benvolio), Jonny Labey (Paris), Vinta Morgan (Friar), Lucy Tregear (Nurse), Sylvester Akinrolabu (Tybalt), Marc Ozall (Montague), Jessica Murrain (Prince), Helen Anker (Capulet), Timmy Driscoll (Sam), Tats Nyazika (Greg), Ollie Tennant (Balthasar) and Iskandar Eaton (Ike).

The film is set to be released in 2021. It will be directed by Nick Evans with assistant direction by Gwenan Bain, editing by Ryan Metcalfe, production design by Jamie Osborne for Preevue, costume design by Natasha Bowles, lighting design by Elliot Smith and  visual effects by Preevue

A release date is yet to be announced, with producers Ryan Metcalfe and Simon Gordon saying today: During a time when it has not been possible to produce shows in venues, this first of its kind production uses ground-breaking technology to film a high production value theatrical performance without the cast and creative team ever stepping foot inside a theatre. We are excited about the future of this technology and the creative possibilities it presents

 

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Sheridan Smith to become a judge on ITV's Starstruck

The multi-talented  Sheridan Smith is reportedly set to become a judge on Stars In Their Eyes when the  show returns to ITV next year as the series "Starstruck" after a  huge revamp

Starstruck is a new take on telly classic Stars In Their Eyes and will see the public living out their dreams on stage as their idols,a source told The Sun.  They added: Sheridan is the perfect fit for the show as one of the judges. Her job will be to critique the acts and then give them advice after they have performed.

Stars In Their Eyes last aired in December 2006 with contestants undergoing a transformation before morphing into their favourite singers and impersonating them on the stage.

It is hoped filming will begin in May next year after it suffered a setback due to Covid-19.

Sarah Brightman: A Christmas Symphony livestream concert in December

The Phantom of the Opera, Aspects of Love, and Cats star Sarah Brightman is to live-stream a A Christmas Symphony concert for the first time  with Andrew Lloyd Webber and Aled Jones  on December 20th 7:30 pm GMT/ UK/Ireland & Europe plus  North America, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea  in a variety of time zones. The concert will be broadcast  from the historic Christ Church Spitalfields in London.

Brightman will perform festive tunes , which will also feature Phantom composer Andrew Lloyd Webber for a special performance of "Christmas Dream", a song written by Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. She will also be joined by Aled Jones and the famous chant choir Gregorian. 

The concert will be in partnership with The Global Food Banking Network, providing relief for those in need during the winter season.

"A Christmas Symphony" Concert Event Trailer

Tickets are on sale now  for Sarah Brightman: A Christmas Symphony with the stream accessible to ticket holders for 48 hours after the event

An American in Paris being streamed as part of The Shows Must Go On! this weekend

An American in Paris will be streamed as part of YouTube channel's "Tony Award Winners Season" series this weekend from 7:00 pm GMT from Friday 27th November for 48 hours 

The recording is the first of the season and will star Robert Fairchild as Jerry Mulligan and Leanne Cope as Lise Dassin Haydn Oakley as Henri Baurel, Zoë Rainey as Milo Davenport, David Seadon-Young as Adam Hochberg and Jane Asher as Madame Baurel plus   a company of over 50 actors, dancers and musicians

Set in Paris after the Second World War, Jerry Mulligan is an American GI striving to make it as a painter in a city suddenly bursting with hope and possibility. Following a chance encounter with a beautiful young dancer named Lise Dassin , the streets of Paris become the backdrop to a romance of art, friendship and love.

It features many of George and Ira Gershwin’s most popular and timeless numbers , including I Got Rhythm, ’S Wonderful and They Can’t Take That Away From Me, Concerto in F and An American in Paris. .

Click on this link to see the show will be available from 7pm GMT from 27 November for 48 hours.

Megan Mullally and Robert Lindsay to lead Kathleen Marshall production of Anything Goes at the Barbican in May

A new UK production of Anything Goes from Tony-winner Kathleen Marshall  will open at the Barbican in the autumn with performances  scheduled to run from 8 May - 22 Aug. 2021.  It will be an entirely reimagined take on Marshall's  Tony award winning  2011 Broadway production of the Cole Porter classic "tailor made" for her stars.

Megan Mullally (best known for playing Karen Walker in Will & Grace) will make her London musical theatre debut as Reno Sweeney in the production . She has appeared in Broadway productions of Grease and Young Frankenstein, with London performances with her band Supreme Music Program at the Vaudeville Theatre in 2010.

West End star Robert Lindsay is set to star opposite Mullally as Moonface Martin. His many musical theare credits include  appearing  in London's Savoy Theatre  in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels as well as winning Tony and Olivier Awards for his performances in Me and My Girl and Becket.

Further casting  is to be announced with rehearsals set to begin in March.

The iconic musical  has a book by Guy Bolton and P G Wodehouse, with music and lyrics by Cole Porter. 

Cole Porter’s , multi-award winning musical comedy, transports you to the magical age of tap dancing and high society.When Billy Crocker discovers that his heart’s desire, debutante heiress Hope Harcourt is engaged to an English aristocrat, he stows away aboard the S.S. American to win her back. Aided by a string of eccentric passengers on board the luxurious transatlantic liner, can this web of love be untangled before they reach Southampton?

Musical standards  include “You're the Top," "Blow, Gabriel, Blow," "It's De-Lovely," "I Get A Kick Out of You," and "Anything Goes.”

The creative team for the show includes Tony award winning set designer Derek McLane, lighting designer Neil Austin, sound designer Simon Baker, and music supervisor Stephen Ridley.

 You can buy tickets from 10:00 am today for Anything Goes at the Barbican

Rosalie Craig , Cedric Neal , Arthur Darvil, Hadley Fraser and Lucie Jones to appear in new concert series Monday Night at the Apollo

Tickets are now on sale for  Monday Night at the Apollo which is  a new concert series with some  leading  stage stars performing live and discussing their careers.

It will commence on l1th January and then take place on subsequent Monday evenings including 25th January and 8th February at the Apollo Theatre. A portion of profits from ticket sales will support Acting for Others.

Appearing in the first concert on 11th January will be Rosalie Craig (Company, City of Angels), Cedric Neal (Chess, Motown the Musical, Back to the Future), Arthur Darvil (Once, Sweet Charity), Hadley Fraser (Les Misérables, City of Angels) and Lucie Jones (Waitress, Rent).

 Performers for subsequent concerts (scheduled for 25th January and 8th February) are to be announced.

Hosted by Greg Barnett (Miss Littlewood), the evening will have musical direction by George Dyer, and is produced by Greg Barnett and Hugh Summers for Wild Mountain Productions Ltd.
 

Buy tickets for Monday Night  at the Apollo

New jukebox musical Falling Stars starring Peter Polycarpou and Sally Ann Triplett to be streamed online this month

Peter Polycarpou (Man of La Mancha, London Coliseum; City of Angels; Donmar Warehouse; Birds of a Feather) and Sally Ann Triplett (Finding Neverland, Broadway; Viva Forever, Piccadilly Theatre; EastEnders) unite in the new musical Falling Stars. 

Conceived and written by Polycarpou, the song cycle is an homage to the composers, collaborators, and publishers of the 1920s, who created some of the greatest music of all time.

The new jukebox musical  was forced to postpone its November run at the Union Theatre,  but you can now see a filmed version of the piece  online from Sunday 22 to Sunday 29 November. The musical  will still be presented at the Union Theatre from 9 to 10 January 2021 and pays homage to composers, collaborators and publishers from the 1920s.

Directed by Michael Strasssen (Billy) with musical direction and arrangement by Mark Dickman, associate direction by Paul Nicholas Dyke, lighting design by Andrew Exeter and production design by Jean Grey. 

Buy tickets for Falling Stars at the Union Theatre

 

Streaming link for Falling Stars 

 

 

 

OTI MABUSE: I AM HERE at London Coliseum in June followed by short tour

Reigning Champion of Strictly Come Dancing and the Greatest Dancer  OTI MABUSE is performing a night of electrifying choreography joined by some of the world’s greatest dancers and the West End’s finest singers and musicians at the London Coliseum at 7:00 pm on 14th June 2021 and at Stoke Regent Theatre on 23rd Apil and Oxford New Theatre on 1st May.

OTI MABUSE – I AM HERE is a whistle stop celebration of the influences and inspirations that took her on a journey from growing up in South Africa to following her dream. This explosive night of dance features spectacular jives, pumping sambas and South Africa’s exhilarating Kwaito

Buy tickets foR  OTI MABUSE: I AM HERE AT the Coliseum

Buy tickets for  OTI MABUSE: I AM HERE at Stoke Regent Theatre

 Buy tickets for  OTI MABUSE: I AM HERE at Oxford New Theatre

  

Jason Robert Brown's Songs for a New World to transfer to the Vaudeville Theatre for limited run

Producers Lambert Jackson have just  announced that their production of Jason Robert Brown's Songs for a New World will transfer to the Vaudeville Theatre for a strictly limited run from  5th February to 7th March next year.

This follows on frp,  the show's huge success at The London Palladium in early October when it was the first musical to be performed on a West End stage since the Covid-19 pandemic began.


The cast has been confirmed as David Hunter (Waitress, Once), Rachel John (Hamilton, Memphis), Cedric Neal (Jesus Christ Superstar, Motown), Rachel Tucker (Wicked, Come From Away), and newcomer Shem Omari James.

The production will be directed by Séimí Campbell (who also directed the critically acclaimed London Palladium production) with musical direction by Josh Winstone, musical supervision by Adam Hoskins, lighting design by Jack Knowles, sound design by Jonny Dickie of Robins Audio and design consultancy by Madeleine Girling. 

 Buy tickets Jason Robert Brown's Songs for a New World

The Show Must Go On! concerts rescheduled to January 2021

The Show Must Go On! charity concert series,  has postponed its  dates later this month in response to the November lockdown and  will now play at London's Palace Theatre from 20-24 January 2021 with customers being contacted about the exchange of their tickets.

With all profits going to Acting For Others and The Fleabag Support Fund, the concert will be a collection of cast performances from long-running shows including Dear Evan Hansen, Tina, The Prince of Egypt, Mamma Mia! and Les Misérables.

The concert will be directed by Luke Sheppard and Anna Fox with set design by Soutra Gilmour, lighting design by Neil Austin and Howard Hudson, video design by Finn Ross and Fray Studio, sound design by Adam Fisher and musical supervision and conduction by Stephen Brooker.

Tickets for The Show Must Go On!

Disney's new tour of Beauty and the Beast announces opening dates

Disney's  new tour  of Beauty and the Beast has announced   its first dates and, is  set to open on May 25, 2021 at Curve Leicester, where it will run for five weeks.

It will then move on to Bord Gáis Energy Theatre where it will begin performances June 8. Performances at the Bristol Hippodrome will begin August 12, followed by Liverpool Empire on September 23, and Edinburgh Playhouse beginning October 21.

The original creative team from the Broadway production is currently  updating the staging including a new tap routine for "Be Our Guest" and an update to Belle's iconic costume! According to new reports, the princess will no longer sport an apron as part of her look. There will also be a trimmed down runtime, as well as new sets.  Casting is currently underway.

Jason Manford & Jodie Prenger to star in Sleeping Beauty Panto in Manchester

QDOS pantomimes  have just announced  that Jason Manford is making his panto debut as Muddles leading the cast of the Sleeping Beauty at Manchester Opera House from 12th December to 3rd January.- 

He will be joined by  comic legend Billy Pearce as King Billy, musical theatre leading lady Jodie Prenger as the Enchantress and Eric Potts as the Queen with tickets now on sale

Fantastic all star line up announced for Kings of Broadway Concert

The socially distanced Kings of Broadway concert celebrating the  work of Jule Styne, Jerry Herman and Stephen Sondheim will be performed at London's Palace Theatre on Wednesday 9th December at 7.30 pm with tickets on sale now.

First performed  in 2015 and then captured online earlier this year, many of the Kings of Broadway online concert stars are  returning to recreate their performances with some exciting new additions.

The show has a fantastic cast in place with Michael Colbourne, Deborah Crowe, Jordan Lee Davies, Janie Dee, Elliott Griffiths, Emma Kingston, Nadim Naaman, Fiona O'Carroll, Jamie Parker, Damian Humbley, Ana Richardson, Jenna Russell, Lucy Schaufer, Caroline Sheen, Laura Tebbutt, Lee Thomas, Michael Xavier and Alex Young returning from the original company.

Joining them will be Tracie Bennett, Jason Carr, Danielle Fiamanya, Soophia Foroughi, Hadley Fraser, Siubhan Harrison, Harrison Knights, Bonnie Langford, Carl Man, Trevor Dion Nicholas, Sharon Phull, Zizi Strallen, Sally Ann Triplett, Kayi Ushe and Tosh Wanogho- Maud

The company will come together at the end of the evening for a special performance of iconic number "Sunday" from Sunday In the Park With George. The piece is accompanied by Alex Parker with sound design by Paul Smith.The venue will adhere to strict social distancing rules with specialised seating, one-way-systems, hand sanitiser, temperature scans and more.

Buy tickets for Kings of Broadway

Andrew Lincoln to play Scrooge In Old Vic In Camera A Christmas Carol

The Old Vic has just announced  Live at the Old Vic: In Camera   Charles Dickens’  A Christmas Carol  to be performed live from their auditorium and streamed to homes across the world between 12th–24th December

 Andrew Lincoln (The Walking Dead, Love Actually, Teachers) will star as Ebenezer Scrooge . Joining him will be Melissa Allan/Little Fan, Rosanna Bates/Jess, John Dagleish/Bob Cratchit, Tim van Eyken/Nicholas, Sam Lathwood/Ferdy,  Eugene McCoy/Fred,  Myra McFadyen/Ghost of Christmas Past, Gloria Obianyo/Beller Maria Omakinwa/Mrs Cratchit, Clive Rowe/Fezziwig, Samuel Townsend/Young Ebenezer/George, Golda Rosheuvel/ Ghost of Christmas Present/Mrs Fezziwig and Michael Rouse/Father/Marley With Tiny Times Rayhaan Kufuor-Gra/Lara Mehmet/ Lenny Rush and Eleanor Stollery 

All performances will offer audio description and captioning.

PRIORITY BOOKING FROM 03 NOV GENERAL BOOKING FROM 09 NOV

Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cinderella reschedules opening date to end of April 2021

Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cinderella has set a rescheduled opening date  at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, and is now scheduled to have its first preview a month later on 30th April 2021 with an opening night on 19th May. Ticket holders will be contacted regarding their booking, with tickets for new dates on sale now.

Lloyd Webber said: "50 years ago I couldn't get Jesus Christ Superstar on stage as nobody wanted to produce it, so it appeared on record first. It's so strange to find history repeating itself half a century later with the album of the complete score of my new Cinderella. I can't get Cinderella on stage because I'm not allowed to, so I have gone back to my roots and recorded the album first."

The album was recorded in  March 2020 via remote collaboration as well as socially distanced studio sessions. It will be released as a full album before it premieres on stage, with a date expected in early 2021. Cast members and guest artists are still to be announced. 

You can listen here to the first number "Bad Cinderella"

All star concert version of Hair to be staged at The London Palladium in November

The Turbine Theatre concert production of Hair is to run for two performances at The London Palladium for one night only at  5:00pm and 8.45pm on 16th  November, followed by two nights at the Southampton Mayflower on  19th-20th November.  

It will be  directed by Arlene Phillips with musical direction by Katy Richardson, design by David Shields, lighting design by Andrew Exeter, and sound design by Dan Samson. It has book and lyrics by Gerome Ragni and James Rado with music by Galt MacDermot.

Appearing in the show are Aimie Atkinson (Pretty Woman, SIX), Matt Croke (Aladdin, Funny Girl), Lucie Jones (Waitress, Legally Blonde), Luke Bayer (Everybody's Talking About Jamie), Jordan Luke Gage (Bat Out Of Hell, & Juliet), Grace Mouat (SIX and & Juliet) Nicole Raquel Dennis (Dear Evan Hansen, Waitress) and Layton Williams (Everyone's Talking About Jamie, Rent).

The piece  tells the story of a group of anti-war, politically active, long-haired hippies in the 1960s wih classic numbers including" Good Morning, Star Shine", "Let the Sunshine In" and "Aquarius".

Buy tickets for Hair at the  London Palladium

Turbine Theatre to present adult pantomime Cinderella: A Socially Distanced Ball

The Turbine Theatre is to reopen with an adults-only panto, Cinderella: A Socially Distanced Ball running  from 26th November to 23rd  December, with tickets on sale now. It is the venue's first ever adult pantomime, with an age rating of 18+

The show has been written  by Jodie Prenger and Neil Hurst, with direction by Lizzy Connolly.

It will feature an all-star cast with Oscar Conlon-Morrey and Scott Paige (Ugly Sisters), Rufus Hound (Buttons), Debbie Kurup (Prince Charming),  Sean Parkins (a Fairy) and Daisy Wood-Davis (Cinderella).

The show will mark the reopening of the Battersea theatre, which has been closed since March after initially opening its doors in autumn 2019. It ran an outdoor jetty season on the Thames last month.

Buy tickets for Cinderella: A Socially Distanced Ball

JERSEY BOYS returns to London Spring 2021

The Tony Award-winning Musical, Jersey Boys is due  back to London this spring, aiming to begin performances on  April 14th, 2021 at the newly refurbished Trafalgar Theatre. The first preview is  still to be confirmed as the producers are waiting until social distancing restrictions are lifted before beginning performances. New dates for the production will be announced if restrictions aren't lifted by spring.

Jersey Boys has won 21 Major awards worldwide, including the 2008 Olivier Award for best new musical. It tells the story of the remarkable rise to stardom of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons who are one of the most successful bands in pop music history.

They wrote their own songs, with their own sounds and sold 175 million records worldwide - all before they were 30! Four boys from the wrong side of the tracks in New Jersey form a group and invent their own unique sound to eventually find a place in Rock & Roll Hall of Fame selling 100 million records worldwide.

This show features many of the band's worldwide hits including: “Beggin’”, “Can’t Take my Eyes Off You”, “Oh What a Night”, “Walk Lie a Man”, “Bye, Bye Baby – Baby Goodbye”, "Sherry" and “Big Girl’s Don’t Cry” – to name but a few!

Casting will be announced at a later date. Buy tickets for Jersey Boys 

Ambassador Theatre Group announce pantos in Manchester, Bristol and Milton Keynes

Ambassador Theatre Group have just announced  that three more 2020 pantomimes  will be presented across England in Bristol Hippodrome, Manchester Opera House and Milton Keynes Theatre with casts  and full safety information to be announced.

Robin Hood will play at Bristol Hippodrome  from 18th December to 10th January, while Sleeping Beauty will run at two venues: Manchester Opera House from 12th December to 3rd January  and   Milton Keynes Theatre  from 19th December to 10th January.

The shows are to be supported by the National Lottery, allowing the productions to be financially viable with socially distanced seating. 

Presale dates for ATG TheatreCard members and anyone who originally purchased tickets to 2020-21 pantomimes in these venues:

Milton Keynes: 10:00 am Tuesday 3rd November.

Bristol and Manchester: 10:00 am Wednesday 4th November.

General sale for all venues will open at 10am on Friday 6th November

 

 

Just announced: Amazing line up of West End stars Supporting Virtual Animal Adoption Event

West End Woofs is  the UK’s first virtual dog and  cat adoption event, co-hosted by theatre icons Elaine Paige and Bernadette Peters. It has just been announced that  the following stars from the world of theatre and entertainment are confirmed to take part:

Michael Ball, John Barrowman, Tracie Bennett, Kerry Ellis, Maria Friedman, Alexander Hanson, Ruthie Henshall, Craig Revel Horwood, Bonnie Langford, Robert Lindsay, Matt Lucas, Lulu, Clarke Peters, Charlie Stemp, SIX Queens: Natalie Paris, Aimie Atkinson, Renee Lamb, Twiggy, Michael Xavier and James Dreyfus

In 1998, Bernadette Peters and Mary Tyler Moore co-founded Broadway Barks, the annual star-studded dog and cat adoption event benefiting New York City animal shelters and rescue centres. Featuring a cast of adorable dogs and cats, and the Broadway actors who love them, the event helps many of these New York City animals find permanent homes.

Bernadette is now helping to launch the first ever UK  West End Woofs, with a virtual event co-hosted by her good friend Elaine Paige, featuring a whole host of beloved West End performers and other well-known faces. Stealing the show however, will be the wonderful dogs and cats of the UK who are looking for their forever homes.

The event will be live streamed at 7:00pm on Monday 9th November on www.broadway.com

New West End concert production of Roles We'll Never Play now on sale

A new West End concert production of Roles We'll Never Play will take place at the Apollo Theatre on Sunday 6th December at 6.30pm and 7th December  at 7.30pm. It will feature West End performers singing roles they'd never normally be able to take on.

Directed by Sasha Regan and produced by Tom Duern with musical direction by Flynn Sturgeon and hosting by Carl Mullaney, the concert will be performed with full Covid compliancy rules as set out by venue owners Nimax. The full cast will include  Kelly Agbowu (Les Misérables / Waitress), Laura Baldwin (Waitress, Eugenius!), Pearce Barron (Hairspray), Luke Bayer (Soho Cinders / Everybody's Talking About Jamie), Courtney Bowman (Six / Everybody's Talking About Jamie), Lauren Byrne (Six / Beautiful), Mary-Jean Caldwell (Les Misérables), Lloyd Daniels (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat / The X Factor), Nicole Raquel Dennis (Dreamgirls / Waitress), Tom Duern (Gretel / Pirates Of Penzance), Matt Facchino (Sweeney Todd / Pirates Of Penzance), Alice Fearn (Come From Away / Wicked), Chris Howell (Hairspray / Wicked), Idriss Kargbo (Wicked / Five Guys Named Moe), and Caroline Kay (The Space Between / The Clockmakers Daughter). 

Also featuring are Josie Kemp (Les Misérables) Renée Lamb (Be More Chill / Six), Michael Mather (Soho Cinders / Mythic), Rhianne-Louise McCaulsky (Tina The Musical / Bat Out Of Hell), Billy Nevers (JCS / & Juliet), Trevor Dion Nicholas (Hamilton / Aladdin), Eve Norris (Be More Chill / Bat Out Of Hell), Oliver Ormson (Frozen / The Addams Family), Natalie May Paris (Six), Maiya Quansah-Breed (Rent / Six), Alan Richardson (Chicago / Pirates Of Penzance), Lauren Soley (Les Misérables) Danielle Steers (Six / Bat Out Of Hell) and Rodney Vubya (Evita / Tina The Musical). There will  be two graduates as a featured ensemble – Karen Wilkinson (Mountview) and Markus Sodergren (ArtsEd)

Buy tickets for Roles We'll Never Play 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Everybody's Talking About Jamie returning to the Apollo Theatre with a six-month run beginning November 28th

The  West End musical Everybody's Talking About Jamie is making its West End return next month with a full cast and orchestra - and Covid-19 secure in all areas  - at the Apollo Theatre with  a six-month run  from  November 28th 2020-February 28th 2021 and extend as demand warrants.

Changes have been made to the show's staging to 'reflect a new Covid world' including the ensemble members playing school kids wearing masks.The full  cast includes  Noah Thomas as Jamie and Melissa Jacques as his mum Margaret, Sejal Keshwala as Ray, Hiba Elchikhe as Pritti Pasha, Gillian Ford as Miss Hedge and  Phil Nichol will play Loco Chanelle (taking over from Rufus Hound, who has committed to Dancing On Ice).

With Alexander Archer (Mickey), Zion Battles (Levi), Ebony Clarke (Swing), Marlon G. Day (Jamie's Dad), James Gillan (Tray Sophisticay), Zahra Jones (Becca), Emily Kenwright (Vicki), Keenan Knight (Sayid), Jordan Laviniere (Cy), Garry Lee (Sandra Bollock), Brian James Leys (understudy), David O'Reilly (Laika Virgin), Harriet Payne (Bex), Jordan Ricketts (Dean Paxton), Rachel Seiran (Fatimah) and Joe Wolstenholme (Swing).

Tickets for the limited return go on sale today 

The tour of Everybody's Talking About Jamie is due to start in January next year st Wolverhampton

David Walliams and Sheridan Smith in twisted take on Jack and The Beanstalk

David Walliams and Sheridan Smith are teaming  up again for a different  take on Jack and The Beanstalk in the new series of After Ever After, which reveals the not-so-rosy future of the story’s characters once the love has ended.  Joining them in the cast is Inbetweeners Blake Harrison, who will play the dodgy dealer who sold Jack the infamous beans in the first place. 

Sheridan will star as The Woman With No Name, who stakes her reputation on being the best giant slayer in the land, while David plays the Giant. 

The reimagining will see the very concussed giant surviving his great fall from the beanstalk, trying  to recruit his enemy Jack  to get back home away from the angry villagers.

Speaking of the new show, David said: ‘I often wondered what happened to Jack after ever after, so I decided to write a sequel because I can’t stop writing books! ‘This is a star-studded festive treat – a comedy sequel to one of the best loved English fairy tales. I am delighted to be playing the Giant, alongside some of the biggest names in British TV.’

Sheridan added: ‘This is a brilliantly funny piece and I’m so excited to be working with David again. ‘My part is a really fun part and like every baddie, she gets her comeuppance in the end! ‘After the year we’ve had it’s the perfect story for Christmas that the whole family can enjoy together.’

Will publish TV broadcast details when they are released.

An evening with Kevin and Joanne Clifton

Strictly Come Dancing Champion siblings, KEVIN and JOANNE CLIFTON present  ‘An Evening with Kevin & Joanne Clifton’.

Due to scheduling, this is the only opportunity for you  to catch the successful brother and sister duo in London presenting an evening of song, performing  some of your favourite Ballroom and Latin dances plus  dancing memories at the Palace Theatre London on 1st December 2020 at 7.30pm

This production is suitable for a socially distanced audience and is being created and toured with the audience, theatre staff, cast and crew safety at the forefront.

Kevin Clifton said : "Although we all miss performing and producing live shows and it is great to be able to get back on stage, we know people's health and safety is paramount. Myself, Joanne and our producers feel a responsibility to the theatre industry to help rebuild audience confidence, so that one day theatres will be full again."

Buy tickets for An Evening with Kevin & Joanne Clifton (Please note you will be contacted by the venue 48 hours before the performance with instructions on how to check-in and retrieve your e-ticket)

Chichester Festival Theatre announce Autumn 2020 Programme

Chichester Festival Theatre have just announced they will present an autumn season of socially distanced shows in its main space from next month. The season will feature musical events including:

On 1 November at 3;00pm and 7:00 pm, the theatre will celebrate the 90th birthday of Stephen Sondheim with a special concert led by artistic director Daniel Evans. Appearing in the concert,will be Gabrielle Brooks, Clive Rowe, Hannah Waddingham and Jenna Russell. Proceeds from this fundraising concert will support Chichester Festival Theatre's work with vulnerable young people.

Patricia Routledge, Sheila Hancock and Michael Ball will be talking to  writer Edward Seckerson about their lives and careers on Wednesdays from 11 to 25 November.

Also in November, will be concerts from soprano Kate Royal, award-winning actor Henry Goodman and pianist Lucy Parham, while Joe Stilgoe will present his intimate solo show. 

Musical comedy duo Frisky and Mannish will perform for one evening on 12 November, while on the subsequent two days Le Gateau Chocolat and Jonny Woo wcelebrate their favourite shows in A Night at the Musicals. 

From 30 November to 3 December, Daniel Evans, Rebecca Caine and Rebecca Trehearn  & special guests will perform A Merry Little Christmas Celebration launching the yuletide season with  a series of festive concerts of music, poems and prose.

Anna Ledwich will present a brand new version of Pinocchio, directed by Dale Rooks from 12 to 31 December.With music and orchestrations by Tom Brady, Pinocchio will have set design by Simon Higlett, costumes by Ryan Dawson Laight, lighting by James Whiteside, musical direction by Colin Billing, sound by Gregory Clarke and movement by Lauren Grant. 

Friends priority online booking for Autumn 2020 opens 30th September; general online booking opening on 2nd October at 9am.

Magic Radio and Magic at the Musicals featuring John Owen Jones, Trevor Dion Nicholas, Ruthie Henshall and Nicole Raquel Dennis

On September 17, Magic Radio will bring together over 70 leading figures from across the musicals industry at the London Palladium  to shine a spotlight on theatre at a time when its very existence is under threat. Produced by Magic together with TBI Media there will be a special three-hour show airing  on Magic Radio and Magic at the Musicals at 7pm on Wednesday 23rd Sepetember on digital radio, the Magic app, online or via your smart speaker.

There will  interviews throughout the day with  West End stars recording exclusive ‘live’ performances from supporting musicals including MAMMA MIA!; Dreamgirls; Disney’s: The Lion King; &Juliet.  11 performances in all will be recorded, uniquely with a live, 23-piece orchestra, comprising some of the West End’s finest musicians, together with members of the London Musical Theatre Orchestra with  Musical Director Jon Ranger.

Nicole Raquel Dennis ( Dreamgirls and Dear Evan Hansen) will be talking to performers about  what it’s like to be back on stage again. Ruthie Henshall will be conducting interviews with some of the industry's  leading producers including Judy Craymer (producer of Mamma Mia); Rebecca Kane (CEO LW Theatres) and Sonia Friedman (multi-award-winning producer of shows including Dreamgirls, Harry Potter, Book Of Mormon) who will give a voice to the leading creatives, producers, composers, artists and musicians who are currently facing financial hardship. 

John Owen Jones will host round tables with creatives from both on-stage and behind the curtain including Trevor Dion Nicholas, (Aladdin and Hamilton) and Kenny Wax,(producer of SIX The Musical).

Six Musical to transfer to Lyric Theatre for a socially distanced 11-week run from 14th November

The Tudor girl-band concert Six is set to be first musical to reopen in West End with  a simultaneous run at  Salford Lowry

Created by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss when they were undergraduates at Cambridge University, Six ran at the Arts theatre in London from September 2018 to March of this year when venues closed due to the coronavirus outbreak. It will now move temporarily to the larger Lyric Theatre in Shaftesbury Avenue for a socially distanced 11-week run from 14th  November to 31st January 2021 where it will perform 9 shows a week. 

 

Capacity has been reduced to comply with COVID-19 Secure guidelines for social distancing plus robust risk mitigation. In addition to hand sanitation, face coverings and track and trace, other measures will include contactless tickets, temperature testing and the deep clean and sanitation of the theatre.

Simultaneously the tour of SIX  will resume performances in the Lyric Theatre at the Lowry in Salford from Friday November 27 for a 6-week Christmas season until 10th  January 2021 (tickets now on sale)

SIX will return to the Arts Theatre in March 2021 subject to the lifting of social distancing, and ‘Get Up, Stand Up!  The Bob Marley Musical’ opens at the Lyric. 

Tickets for SIX at the LYRIC THEATRE will go on sale at 8:00 am Friday 18 September