School of Rock announces 2021 tour dates and venues

As previously announced,  Andrew Lloyd Webber's School of Rock will embark on UK and Ireland tour in 2021 following the end of its West End run on 1st March.

The tour dates and venues have been announced for  School of Rock which opens in Birmingham on 23rd February 2021. Tickets are starting to go on sale now with casting news to follow.

Based on the film of the same name starring Jack Black, the piece follows Dewey Finn, a teacher who poses as his best friend to get a job as a school teacher. Lloyd Webber, Julian Fellowes and Glenn Slater's musical opened on Broadway in 2015.

The piece has a book by Fellowes, and is directed by Laurence Connor (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat) with choreography by JoAnn M Hunter, set and costume designs by Anna Louizos, lighting design by Natasha Katz, sound design by Mick Potter, music supervision by John Rigby with Matt Smith as musical director.

Bat Out of Hell UK tour cast announced

The Bat Out of Hell UK tour cast has just been revealed with Rob Fowler and Sharon Sexton returning to the show as Sloane and Falco respectively.  They will be joined by Glenn Adamson (American Idiot) as Strat , with Martha Kirby (Grease) playing Raven with  Jordan Frazier (Nina Simone) as Zahara, Jonathan Bishop (Hamilton) as Jagwire, Killian Thomas Lefevre (Stranger Things Secret Cinema) as Tink, Alex Lodge (The Book of Mormon) as Ledoux and Kellie Gnauck (Evita) as Valkyrie.

Also in the cast are Emily Beth Harrington as Kwaidan, Amy Matthews as Vilmos, Rebecca Lafferty as Scherrzo, Samuel Pope as Hoffmann, Andy Prosser as Markevitch, Jack Heasman as Denym, James Chisholm as Dessasuite, Andrew Carthy as Hollander, Rob Maguire as Astroganger and Billie Hardy as Goddesilla. At certain performances, the role of Strat will be played by Samuel Pope.
 

The tour opens in Manchester in September and will hen visit The Alexandra Birmingham, New Wimbledon Theatre, New Theatre Oxford, Glasgow King's Theatre and Liverpool Empire ith further tour dates are to be announced.

Casting news on Little Shop of Horrors movie starring Billy Porter

According the the Hollywood Reporter. Chris Evans is in talks with Warner Brothers to play mad dentist Orin Scrivello in Greg Berlanti's (Riverdale, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina)) Little Shop of Horrors horror-musical-movie which first appeared as a film in 1986 starring Rick Moranis and Steve Martin.

With Billy Porter already signed up to play  the evil plant Audrey II, the producers  are also trying to persuade Scarlett Johansson (Evans' co-star from the Avengers films) to play the part of Audrey and Taron Egerton (star of Eddie the Eagle and Rocketman) rumuored for  Seymour.

Little Shop of Horrors follows meek florist Seymour, who works for  Skid Row Florists and falls in love with coworker Audrey. When you discover a unique fly trap type plant named Audrey II, Seymour can get more business for the ailing shop. But since the plant feeds on human blood which  grows more and more, Seymour must discover how to keep the plant happy, singing, and dancing through horror musical comedy.

The project is set to begin shooting this summer, with more casting news to follow.

Full tour cast and more dates for announced for Footloose to include Gareth Gates and Darren Day

Full casting plus eleven more venues have just been  announced for the new tour of Footloose opening at the New Wimbledon Theatre on the 24th April.

Darren Day (Summer Holiday) will play Reverend Moore  joining  the previously announced Gareth Gates as Willard for all dates until 26 September except 24 and 25 March, 29 to 6 April, 5 to 9 May, 13 to 17 May, 6 to 12 June and 10 to 15 August.

Also appearing in the show will be Geri Allen/Ethel/Betty/Coach, Holly Ashton/Vi Moore and Principal Clark, Jess Barker/Wendy-Jo, Ben Barrow/Wes/On Stage Swing, Alex Fobbester/Bickle, Josh Hawkins/Ren, Lucy Ireland/Off Stage Swing. Evie Rose Lane/Ariel, Ben Mabberley/Jeter/Cowboy Bob, Daniel Miles/Off Stage Swing, Tom Mussell/Chuck, Samantha Richards/Urleen, Dionne Ward Anderson/Rusty and Anna West Lake/Lulu/On Stage Swing.

Day said: "I'm truly happy and excited to be a part of this brilliant production. I was a teenager in the '80s, which is such an impressionable age for movies and music. This is one of the most iconic films and soundtracks from my teenage years. I can remember hearing "Footloose" on the radio for the first time and thinking… what a tune!"

Jenna Russell, Daniel Evans, Hannah Waddingham and Giles Terera in new Donmar Lates cabaret evenings

Daniel Evans and Jenna Russell, who  both won Olivier awards for their performances in Sunday In The Park With George in London and on Broadway, have joined forces  to produce a series of cabaret evenings called Donmar Lates.

Daniel and Jenna will be joined by special guests Hannah Waddingham and Giles Terera  performing their favourite songs from the world of musical theatre and beyond. They will be accompanied by a three-piece band led by Musical Director Theo Jamieson, whose recent credits include Everybody's Talking About Jamie and Funny Girl. 

Game Of Thrones’ Hannah Waddingham will play two nights at the Donmar Warehouse on  March 25th and 26th, at 9.15pm. while Giles Terera will do his sets on March 27th and 28th, at the same time.

Evans is now the artistic chief at Chichester Festival Theatre, while Russell is due to play Irene Molloy in Hello Dolly!  with  Imelda Staunton at the Adelphi in August. The twosome have curated songs with musical director Theo Jamieson for the cabaret evenings  including numbers from  Noel Coward, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Stephen Sondheim.

Tickets go on general sale on 11 March at 9:00 am

Giles Terera to star in new Sammy Davis Musical directed by Clarke Peters

It has just been announced Olivier Award-winner Giles Terera (Hamilton London) will play the title role in the new musical Sammy written by Oscar and Grammy Award winning composer, lyricist and playwright Leslie Bricusse. It will be directed by  Olivier Award-winning actor, singer, writer, and director, Clarke Peters

The new musical  open at the ⁦Lyric Hammersmith  from 28th July- 19th September  2020   in a year which will mark what would have been Sammy Davis Jr's 95th Birthday.Tickets are now on sale


Clarke Peter's vision for this modern re-imagining of Bricusse's original musical played a short season in San Diego . It will examine the life and  legacy of the 20th Century's greatest entertainer, Sammy David Jr via the  music of Leslie Bricusse (Sammy's collaborator and friend) with elements of projection and dance, 

SAMMY celebrates Sammy Davis Jr. as a phenomenal talent, a cultural pioneer, and a complicated man. He recorded more than 60 songs written by Leslie Bricusse, including his only No.1 hit, "The Candy Man." Mike Dixon will be the musical supervisor for the musical which will feature new work by Bricusse as well as numbers from the Bricusse and Anthony Newley songbook, including; "What Kind of Fool Am I?" "Feeling Good", "Who Can I Turn To?" and "The Candy Man Can".

First casting for Regent's Park new musical version of 101 Dalmatians

It has just been announced that KATE FLEETWOOD will play the outrageous villian Cruella de Vil  in  Regents Park's Open Air Theatre new musical version of 101 Dalmatians which  based on the book by Dodie Smith  famously adapted into a Disney film) as is running from 16th May to 21st  June.

Actress Kate Fleetwood was nominated for a Tony Award for her performance as Lady Macbeth in Chichester Festival Theatre's Macbeth, which transferred to the West End and Broadway. She was nominated for an Olivier Award for her performance as Julie in London Road at the National Theatre. She also appeared in Maria Friedman's staging of High Society at the Old Vic.

With a book by Zinnie Harris  and music and lyrics Douglas Hodge the production will be directed by Timothy Sheader, with puppetry designed and directed by Toby Olié. Also confirmed are Katrina Lindsay (set and costume designer), Liam Steel (choreographer), Sarah Travis (musical supervisor and orchestrator), Howard Hudson (lighting designer) and Tarek Merchant (musical director). 

Tickets are now on sale

Just announced: special guests on Michael Ball & Alfie Boe UK 2020 Back Together concert tour

Michael Ball and Alfie Boe have today announced special guests Johnny Mac and the Faithful and  Shaun Escoffery  as the  support acts on their new  2020 Back Together tour which opens in Glasgow on 22nd February

Celtic-folk and Americana band Johnny Mac and the Faithful will be joining them  for the first leg of the tour  at Glasgow, Aberdeen, Leeds and Manchester. Johnny Mac is better known in the music industry as John McLaughlin, the award-winning songwriter and producer who has written hits for artists including Westlife, Busted, Echo & The Bunnymen, Shane MacGowan, Sandi Thom and more recently Rod Stewart.

Shaun Escoffery will be the special guest for Nottingham, Birmingham, Cardiff, Bournemouth, Brighton and The O2 London show. He has been in the West End since he was a teenager in Chaka Khan's Mama, 'I Want to Sing'. He was nominated for an Olivier for The Donmar Warehouse's Parade and was the first black actor to play Enjolras in Les Misérables. Most recently  he been starring  as Mufasa in the Lion King for twelve years. He  will be performingmusic from his most recent album.

Six Musical open casting call for West End and touring productions

Six the musical has just announced an open casting call at the end of February for the London Arts Theatre  and touring productions

Inerested  performers should go to Pineapple Dance Studios in Covent Garden on Friday 28 February 2020 for a 930am sign in.

The casting call from Pearson Casting says the show is looking for performers who must be over 18 with "great contemporary voices" and "comedic instincts", with "gigging experience a plus". The auditions are for "all self-identifying female and non-binary performers, as long as they are comfortable playing female roles."After the initial dance auditions on 28th  February, singing auditions will take place  in March. 

The musical about the six wives of Henry VIII celebrated its first West End birthday recently, and has just opened for previews on Broadway.Six is currently booking at the Arts Theatre to 31 January  2021, with the  current tour scheduled to end in July selling out at venues  across the country.

Get Up, Stand Up! new Bob Marley musical to open in London next year

It has been announced that the New Bob Marley musical Get Up, Stand Up! is to open in the West End on  what would have been Marley's 76th birthday -  Saturday 6 February 2021  at the newly refurbished Lyric Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue.

Arinzé Kene (Misty, Girl from the North Country) will star in the new musical which is written by Lee Hall (Billy Eliott) and directed by Dominic Cooke (Follies, Hello, Dolly). It follows Marley's life as he became one of the greatest artists of the 20th century. Featuring some of Marley's iconic songs including "No Woman, No Cry", "Exodus", "3 Little Birds" and "Get Up Stand Up". Further casting and creative team is to be announced.

Marley's daughter Cedella said: "Our father's music means so much to so many people around the world, we're beyond thrilled to be able to bring it to both fans and new audiences alike in a new way led by the stellar team of Lee and Dominic, and starring the fantastic Arinzé.  As a family we feel that our father would be proud to know that his legacy is a source of creative inspiration and continues to bring people together."

Kene said: "I feel absolutely honoured to be able to take on this role. It is not only an honour to be able to spread Bob Marley's message further, but to get to be him for a little while is a lifelong dream come true. I grew up on his music and his mantra and he has been one of my role models since I was a child. I feel as if he's in my DNA. He's the man, I love him."

Tickets will go on sale on 21 April 2020.

First casting announced for tour of Bring It On

Selladoor Worldwide has just  announced that Amber Davies will star as ‘Campbell’ (the role played on Broadway by Taylor Louderman (Regina George in Mean Girls), alongside Louis Smith as ‘Cameron’ in the new  UK and Ireland tour of BRING IT ON THE MUSICAL which kicks off at Birmingham Hippodrome on 2nd June 2020. Further casting news to follow.

Winner of ITV’s Love Island in 2017, Amber Davies made her professional stage debut in 2019  as ‘Judy Bernly’ in Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5 The Musical at the Savoy Theatre and subsequently on the UK tour.  Whilst training at Urdang Academy, her credits included ‘Campbell’ in “Bring It On The Musical” and ‘Downing’ in “My Favourite Year”.

 Four-time gymnastic Olympic medallist Louis Smith  won the first British gymnastic medal in 100 years at the Beijing Olympics. Following his success at the London 2012 Olympic Games Louis later won that year’s BBC Strictly Come Dancing, before going on to win the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special in 2014.  On stage he has appeared in “Rip It Up” in both the West End and on tour. 

Cheer-royalty and newly crowned Squad Captain, Campbell, should be embarking on her most cheertastic senior year at Truman High School. When she’s forced to move to the neighbouring hard-knock Jackson High, Campbell fears her life is over.  But an unlikely friendship catapults Campbell back into contention with a powerhouse squad and the fire to achieve the impossible.

Inspired by the 2000 film of the same name, BRING IT ON THE MUSICAL features an original score by the multi award winning creator of “Hamilton”, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Pulitzer Prize winning Tom Kitt, composer of “Next To Normal”. The book is written by the Tony Award winning writer of “Avenue Q”, Jeff Whitty and the lyrics are by both Lin-Manuel Miranda and writer of the stage adaptation of “High Fidelity”, Amanda Green.

BRING IT ON THE MUSICAL takes audiences on a high-flying, energy-fuelled journey which tackles friendship, jealousy, betrayal and forgiveness – wrapped up in explosive choreography and tricks.

Carrie Hope Fletcher to play Cinderella in Andrew Lloyd Webber's new musical

Producers have announced today that Carrie Hope Fletcher will play Cinderella in Andrew Lloyd Webber's  new production at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, with performances beginning on Friday 28th August (Press Night: Wednesday 23rd September), Tickets will go on General Sale on Friday 20th March.

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Carrie Hope Fletcher has starred in Heathers (Theatre Royal Haymarket), The Addams Family (UK Tour), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (UK Tour), Mary Poppins (Prince Edward Theatre), and is currently playing Fantine in Les Miserables at the newly named Sondheim Theatre.

Andrew Lloyd Webber said: "I'm absolutely thrilled that Carrie will be our Cinderella at the Gillian Lynne Theatre this Autumn. She has totally wowed my fellow writers and creative team and was a big success at the sing through of the show late last year.I am hugely confident that she will make this new take on Cinderella very much her own, and I'm looking forward to working and recording with her as soon as possible."

All further creative team and cast announcements regarding Cinderella will be made at a later date.

Cheyenne Jackson in Concert at Cadogan Hall

It has just been announced that Cheyenne Jackson is coming to London to make his UK concert debut for one night only  at the Cadogan Hall over Pride weekend on 28th  June 2020

Grammy-nominee Jackson has starred in musicals in the US including Into the Woods at the Hollywood Bowl, The Secret Garden at the Lincoln Center and The Most Happy Fella at New York City Center, with other credits including Aida, Xanadu and Thoroughly Modern Millie.

He also has a number of TV appearances in the likes of American Woman, Watchmen, Glee, 30 Rock and Curb Your Enthusiasm, while starring opposite Michael Douglas and Matt Damon in HBO biopic Behind the Candelabra.

Buy tickets for Cheyenne Jackson in Concert

Jay McGuinness and Kimberley Walsh lead cast announced for Sleepless the Musical

After performing together in Big the musical last year Jay McGuiness and Kimberley Walsh are to reunite and star as Sam and Annie in Sleepless the Musical at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre from 24th March with an official opening night on 1st April. It is currently booking until 3rd May.

They are joined by Daniel Casey (DS Troy in Midsomer Murders) as Walter, Harriet Thorpe as Eleanor, Tania Mathurin (Come From Away) as Becky and Jake Sharp as Rob with Charlie Bull, Colin Burnicle, Christie-Lee Crosson, Laura Darton, Leanne Garretty, Matt Holland, Ross McLaren, Gary Murphy, Dominique Planter, Annie Wensak and Benjamin Wong. Theo Collis, Mikey Colville and Jack Reynolds will share the role of Jonah.

Based on iconic romantic comedy film Sleepless in Seattle starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan , Sleepless features a sparkling jazz-inspired score.When eight-year-old Jonah phones a Seattle radio show and gets his dad, Sam, to talk live on air about the heart-breaking loss of his mother, Sam instantly touches hearts across America. Nearly 3,000 miles away, journalist Annie starts to ask herself whether Sam could be more than just a great news story. It looks like love is in the airwaves, but how do you know if he’s the one for you if you’ve never even met?  Perhaps only a last-minute dash to the top of the Empire State Building can prove that somewhere there’s someone for everyone...

The new musical has a book by Michael Burdett, music by Robert Scott and lyrics by Brendan Cull,
The production will be directed by Morgan Young (Big), with set design by Morgan Large, costume design by Sue Simmerling, lighting by Tim Lutkin, video design by Ian William Galloway, sound design by Avgoustos Psillas and Terry Jardine for Autograph, orchestrations by Larry Blank, musical supervision and direction by Stuart Morley, wig and hair design by Richard Mawbey and casting by Sarah Bird and Michael Donovan.

Buy tickets for Sleepless the Musical

Rufus Sewell joins Tom Hanks in cast of Baz Luhrmann's movie biopic on Elvis

It has just been announced that British actor Rufus Sewell has joined the cast of the currently untitled biopic of Elvis Presley being directed by Baz Luhrmann. He will play Elvis Presley's father Verenon alongside Austin Butler as Elvis, Tom Hanks as Elvis' manager Colonel Tom  Parker,  Olivia DeJonge  (The Visit, The Society)  as  Priscilla Presley who was his wife from 1967 to 1973 with Maggie Gyllenhaal as Elvis' mother Gladys.

Production started in late January in Queensland, Australia, with Baz Luhrmann (The Great Gatsby) directing from a script he co-wrote with Sam Bromell (The Get Down), Kelly Marcel (Venom) and Craig Pearce (Moulin Rouge!).  The Warner Bros musical biopic will follow Presley's rise to fame, and his complex and unusual relationship with his manager Colonel Parker which spanned over 20 years. Warner Bros. has set an October 1, 2021 release date

Sewell was most recently seen on the big screen in the much nominated movie Judy starring Renée Zellweger, playing Judy Garland's third husband Sidney Luft. He  is currently on Sunday night ITV starring in the mini-series of Agatha Christie's 1961 novel The Pale Horse

Rufus Hound and Katy Brand to join cast of Jamie Musical at the Apollo next month

According to this morning's Mail, actor, presenter and comedian Rufus Hound will join the cast of Everybody's Talking About Jamie at the Apollo  Shaftesbury Avenue to play Hugo/Loco Chanelle ⁩ from March 16th -May 30th.  His previous musical theatre credits include Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and The Wind in the Willows.

Actress, comedian and writer Katy Brand is also due to join the show as Miss Hedge⁩ from March 3rd-June 20th.

Petula Clark to appear live in conversation at the Theatre Royal Haymarket

Petula Clark will appear live in conversation at the Theatre Royal Haymarket on 19th April at 7.30pm

Clark is currently playing the Bird Woman singing the iconic number Feed The Birds  in  Mary Poppins at the Prince Edward Theatre. She will discuss her career to date with writer and broadcaster Edward Seckerson at the venue for one night only.

The singer, actress, writer and composer began her career during the Second World War as an entertainer for BBC Radio. She went on to pen iconic tunes including the hit "Downtown" alongside Tony Hatch, and to date has sold more than 70 million records.

On the stage, she's appeared in shows such as Blood Brothers where she made her Broadway debut in 1993, Sunset Boulevard in the West End and the US, and as Maria von Trapp in The Sound of Music.

Tickets are now available

Sondheim's Assassins and South Pacific just announced as Chichester Festival Theatre 2020 Musicals

Chichester Festival Theatre have just announced heir 2020 season which includes  two musicals:

Rodgers and Hammerstein's Souh Pacific from 6 July – 29 August with the following cast members making their Chichester debuts  Gina Beck (Matilda, Show Boat, The Phantom of the Opera) as Nellie, Julian Ovenden (Merrily We Roll Along, BBC Proms, Downton Abbey) as Emile, Joanna Ampil (Avenue Q, Les Misérables, Miss Saigon) as Bloody Mary, and Rob Houchen (Les Misérables, The Light in the Piazza) as Cable.

Adapted from the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel Tales of the South Pacific by James A. Michener this new production is directed by Artistic Director Daniel Evans whose previous Chichester productions include This Is My Family, Quiz and Fiddler on the Roof.

1943. On an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, US troops are kicking their heels amid the cacao groves while restlessly waiting for the war to reach them.

Nellie Forbush, a navy nurse from Arkansas, finds herself falling for the French plantation owner, Emile de Becque – a man with a mysterious past. The scheming sailor Luther Billis runs a makeshift laundry to earn a quick buck, but he’s no match for the quick-witted Polynesian Bloody Mary who’s intent on exploiting these foreigners.

When young Princeton graduate Lieutenant Joe Cable is flown in on a dangerous reconnaissance mission, love and fear become entwined as the island’s battle for hearts and minds begins.

This much-loved, Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical opened in 1949 to huge success, becoming one of Broadway’s longest running hit shows. It boasts one of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s most memorable scores, featuring songs such as Some Enchanted Evening, I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair and Bali Ha’i.

Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman’s Tony Award-winning musical Asssassins From 29 September – 31 October takes you on a daring, darkly comic, time-bending journey through American history.

Thirteen people have tried to kill the president of the United States. Four have succeeded. These murderers and would-be murderers are generally dismissed as maniacs and misfits who have little in common with each other, and nothing in common with the rest of us. Assassins is revue-style portrayal of men and women who attempted (successfully or not) to assassinate American Presidents

John Wilkes Booth. Lee Harvey Oswald. Leon Czolgosz. Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme. John Hinckley. Charles Guiteau. Sara Jane Moore. Giuseppe Zangara. Samuel Byck. Men and women whose fervour took them to the very edge

This new production marks Sondheim’s 90th birthday year. A giant of contemporary musical theatre, celebrated for the inventive sophistication of his melodies and lyrics.Director Polly Findlay makes her Chichester debut. Her recent productions include A Number (Bridge Theatre), Rutherford and Son, Beginning (NT and West End) and The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (Donmar Warehouse).

Friends priority booking opens Saturday 22 February (online) and Tuesday 25 February (by phone and in person)

Groups and Schools booking opens Thursday 27 February

General booking opens Saturday 29 February (online) and Tuesday 3 March (by phone and in person)

Prologue members can also book £5 tickets for all shows in the season online from 29 February.

More casting announced for Cinderella musical movie

More casting has been announced for the upcoming Cinderella musical movie which is expected to be released on 5 February 2021

The previously announced leads Camila Cabello (who has also written tunes for the film)Billy Porter as the fairy godmother, Idina Menzel as the evil stepmother, Nicholas Galitzine as Prince Robert, will be joined by Tony winner James Corden (who first devised the idea for the new Cinderella) and John Mulaney (Oh, Hello on Broadway), who will play mice/footmen along with stand-up comedian Romesh Ranganathan with Minnie Driver as Queen Beatrice and Grammy winner Missy Elliott as the Town Crier, Beverley Knight,   Charlotte Spencer as Narissa, Tallulah Greive as Princess Gwen, Fra Fee as Hench, Luke Latchman as Griff, Mary Higgins as Princess Laura and Pierce Brosnan as King Rowan with more names still to come.

Just announced: Jason Donovan to appear in Goldilocks panto

Birmingham Hippodrome have just announced that Jason Donovan will make his pantomime debut in this year’s  pantomime, Goldilocks and the Three Bears  playing the Evil Ringmaster, the rival circus owner who threatens to bring down Dame Betty Barnum’s Big Top and steal the loveable three bears. This year’s production marks the first time the circus-themed pantomime will have been performed at the Hippodrome since 1997, with set, scenery and special effects from Palladium last Christmas’ London Palladium production. The show runs from Saturday 19 December 2020 – Sunday 31 Jan 2021 with tickets now on sale.

Jason Donovan said: “I’m absolutely honoured to have been asked to take part in the Hippodrome panto, and to work with Michael Harrison once again is going to be a lot of fun. As one of the biggest and best pantomimes in the country I cannot wait to get started with Matt Slack and the team.”

In   2019 Jason returned to the London Palladium in the celebrated revival of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,   playing the Pharaoh opposite Jac Yarrow and Sheridan Smith. Due to overwhelmingly popular demand, Jason will reprise the role at the London Palladium again this year from July 2nd  to September 6th for producer Michael Harrison.

Qdos Entertainment Managing Director Michael Harrison said: “Without doubt Jason is going to be an absolute natural in pantomime thanks to his undeniable showmanship and quick wit. Having worked with him on the recent revival of Joseph I have seen first-hand just what a star he is and I can’t wait for him to experience the magic of a Hippodrome audience.”

Kinky Boots movie takes over £1.2M at Box Office

Award-winning Event Cinema distributor, More2Screen, have just  confirmed that the movie  of Kinky Boots The Musical has taken £1.2M at the box office  and was the #1 film on Tuesday 4th February.

Christine Costello, CEO and Founder said This superb box office result demonstrates the huge enthusiasm for watching West End musicals at the cinema and we'd like to thank everyone involved for their help in bringing this fabulous, feel-good production to the big screen.

Screened in more than 650 cinemas across the UK and  Ireland, the movie  will be released in selected European countries during March and April. With songs from Grammy and Tony award winning  Cyndi Lauper, book by Broadway playwright Harvey Fierstein (La Cage Aux Folles), and direction and choreography by Jerry Mitchell (Legally Blonde, Hairspray, Pretty Woman), the filmed production stars the original West End leads, Matt Henry and Killian Donnelly.

Encore screenings are on sale now, for participating cinemas and to book tickets.visit KinkyBootsCinema.com 

Full casting news for The Secret Garden Concert

Concert performances of The Secret Garden will run on Saturday 4th  April at 3:00 pm and 7.30pm at the London Palladium starring the previosuly announced Lucie Jones as the chambermaid Martha  Ramin Karimloo as Archibald Craven and Jac Yarrow as Dickon. News today is that they will be joined by Sarah Bakker (Rose), Bianca Baykara (Alice), Adam J Bernard (Ben Weatherstaff), Lucy Drever (Narrator), Louise Ellard-Turnbull (Mrs Winthrop), Ben Forster (Neville Craven), Sejal Keshwala (Ayah), Melanie La Barrie (Mrs Medlock), Johndeep More (Fakir), Michael Riseley (Captain Albert Lennox), Celinde Schoenmaker (Lily), and sharing the roles of Colin Craven are Finley Glasgow and Isaac Lancel Watkinson, and  Mary Lennox  are Aoife Hughes and Darcy Jacobs with Trinity Laban Musical Theatre forming the ensemble.

The production is adapted from Frances Hodgson Burnett's Victorian classic novel by Pulitzer Prize-winner Marsha Norman and Lucy Simon. The performances will be directed by Nick Winston with more cast and creative team to be announced in due course.

Lucie Jones is starring as Jenna in Waitress (Adelphi Theatre). Her previous theatre credits include A Christmas Carol , Girlfriends , Legally Blonde, The Wedding Singer , RENT The Musical , American Psycho, We Will Rock You, Ghost: The Musical , The Prodigals  and Les Miserables.

Ramin Karimloo's international  concert and theatre credits  include Dr Zhivago, Chess in Concert , Jesus Christ Superstar in Concert, Evita , Chess , Anastasia , Murder Ballad , Les Miserables , The Phantom of the Opera 25th Anniversary , Love Never Dies, Les Miserables 25th Anniversary Concert , The Phantom of the Opera  and Miss Saigon.

Jac Yarrow's theatre credits include Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at The London Palladium which he will play again this year,  and Rogers + Hammerstein's Cinderella In Concert.

Nick Winston's previous credits as an international  director and choreographer include Mame , Cats, Club Tropicana , An American In Paris, Rock of Ages, Fame, Guys & Dolls, A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Wedding Singer, Bugsy Malone , Flashmob , and Tomorrow Morning . His credits for television include director and choreographer of The Royal Variety Performance 2017, and choreographer of Sondheim at 80 and Shakespeare Live! from the RSC.

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Sarah Brightman announces London Concert in July

International star Sarah Brightman has just announced that she will be returning to London on July 6th to perform a  concert at  for one night only the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich. Tickets go on sale Friday at 9:00 am Buy tickets for Sarah Brightman Hymn Concert

Known for her three-octave range and for pioneering the classical-crossover music movement, Sarah Brightman has global sales of more than 30 million . She is the only artist to have simultaneously topped Billboard's dance and classical music charts, achieving  more than 180 gold and platinum awards in over 40 countries. She is also known for her role as the original Christine The Phantom of the Opera, whose soundtrack has sold more than 40 million copies worldwide. Her duet with Bocelli, "Time To Say Goodbye", became an international success selling 12 million copies worldwide.

Lesley Joseph to join the cast for tour “SISTER ACT the musical

Producers Jamie Wilson and Whoopi Goldberg are delighted to announce that Lesley Joseph will join the cast for the UK and Ireland tour of the smash-hit musical, “SISTER ACT” which opens  at Leicester Curve on 21st April.

Lesley Joseph will play the role of ‘Mother Superior’ on the tour  starring alongside the previously announced Brenda Edwards as ‘Deloris Van Cartier’. They will both perform all dates on the UK and Ireland tour with  Clive Rowe playing  Eddie Souther in London, Leicester, Leeds, Newcastle, Sheffield and Manchester.

 Lesley Joseph is best known for playing ‘Dorien Green’ in the  sitcom “Birds of a Feather” alongside Pauline Quirke and Linda Robson and  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 West End and also on national tour as well as the touring productions of “Calendar Girls” and “Thoroughly Modern Millie”. 

A Night At The Musicals King's Theatre Glasgow

Insideout Theatre Productions Ltd presents:A Night At The Musicals at the King's Theatre Glasgow on Sunday 30th August.

An evening of the best songs from the most popular West End and Broadway shows starring Edward Reid (Britain’s Got Talent), Jacqueline Hughes (Wicked), Sarah Galbraith (Phantom of the Opera, Broadway) and Neil Thomas (Little Shop of Horrors) performing numbers  from shows including Les Miserables, Wicked, Phantom of the Opera.

Buy tickets A Night at the Musicals at King's Theatre Glasgow

Cats Movie DVD to be released in April

The Cats movie  will be  be available on DVD and Blu-ray, as well as digital download, on April 7th, 2020.

Oscar-winning director Tom Hooper (The King's Speech, Les Miserables, The Danish Girl) has transformed Andrew Lloyd Webber's stage musical into a breakthrough cinematic event.

Cats stars James Corden, Judi Dench, Jason Derulo, Idris Elba, Jennifer Hudson, Ian McKellen, Taylor Swift, Rebel Wilson and introduces Royal Ballet principal dancer Francesca Hayward in her feature film debut.

It is now available on  pre-order from Amazon 

Ashleigh Gray among new cast members for the Only Fools and Horses musical at the Haymarket

Only Fools and Horses musical  has announced some  new West End cast members while it continues its run at the Haymarket Theatre.

From 10th February Ashleigh Gray (Wicked, Nativity!) will take over the role of Raquel from Dianne Pilkington with  Oscar Conlon-Morrey  taking on the additional role of Danny Driscoll f on top of his existing role as the Dating Agent.

Andrew Bryant will play the role of Tony Driscoll, while also providing cover for Mickey Pearce and Mike The Barman. Joining the swings are Rhys Owen (Spamalot) and Christopher Arkeston. The current leads Paul Whitehouse ,Tom Bennett and Ryan Hutton as Grandad, Del Boy and Rodney. are staying with the show which is currently booking  until 27th June 2020.

Maiya Quansah-Breed, Sabrina Aloueche and Adrian Hansel to Star In New Musical CASES At The Other Palace

CASES is a new musical exploring the triumphs, heartbreaks and sacrifices involved in the pursuit of art where the commercial world collides with the underground and fame becomes a high price to pay.

Relationships change, partnerships rearrange and ideas exchange. The musical depicts the ultimate fight for creative freedom, providing a voice for artists, performers and creatives alike who lose financial security during the establishing of a career.
With some marvellous compositions CASES is created by Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and BRIT School graduated writer and composer Dominic Powell. It premiered at the Phoenix Arts Club in 2017 featuring a West End and International cast and co-produced by Michael Auger of Britain’s Got Talent winning group Collabro.

These performances feature a dynamic new score and additional songs performed by a new West End cast including Olivier nominee Maiya Quansah-Breed (Six), Sabrina Aloueche (Les Miserables, We Will Rock You, Chess, Starlight Express), Andrew Patrick-Walker (Brooklyn, Bat Out of Hell) and Adrian Hansel (Ain’t Misbehavin, Five Guys Named Moe, Hairspray, Fame). 

Buy tickets for Cases

Cast recording of Rags the Musical to be released

A  cast recording of Rags the Musical is to be released. The revival of the hit show is starring Carolyn Maitland as Rebecca, Dave Willetts as Avram and Sam Attwater as Bronfman, with Debbie Chazen as Anna, Alex Gibson-Giorgio as Sal, Rachel Izen as Rachel, Samuel Jones and Jude Muir as David, Martha Kirby as Bella, Oisin Nolan-Power as Ben and Jeremy Rose as Jack. Completing the cast are Arthur Boan, Angela Caesar, Adam Crossley, Drew Dillon, Matthew Gent and Natasha Karp. This will be the first recording of the show since Sony's 1991 album with the Broadway cast.

Lyricist Stephen Schwartz said of the recording: "I could not be more pleased that this beautifully sung production of Rags is being recorded by this group of terrific actors and musicians. I and my fellow authors consider ourselves lucky indeed!" Schwartz is producing the album with Barstow as music producer and orchestrator, Bunker as musical director. Mixing and recording will be done by Joe and Nikki Davison at Auburn Jam Music.

The  release date for the album is still  to be announced.

& Juliet to host a sing-a-long performance this May

West End musical &Juliet  have just announced they will host a sing-a-long performance on Tuesday 12 May when you can join Miriam-Teak Lee and the cast belting out your favourite pop songs from the last three decades

There will be screens displaying the lyrics to each song, giving the audience to opportunity to join in with some of the most popular  tracks of the last 30 years including "... Baby One More Time", "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)", "Love Me Like You Do", "Confident", "It's My Life"and "Roar". Each of the musical numbers in the show was written by songwriter Max Martin and arranged by Bill Sherman.

& Juliet stars Miriam-Teak Lee as Juliet, Cassidy Janson as Anne Hathaway, Oliver Tompsett as William Shakespeare, David Bedella as Lance, Arun Blair-Mangat as May, Jordan Luke Gage as Romeo, Melanie La Barrie as Nurse and Tim Mahendran as Francois.

The show is currently playing at the Shaftesbury Theatre and recently extended its booking period until 3rd October.

9 to 5 the Musical West End cast recording released

It was announced today that the West End cast recording for 9 to 5 the Musical has been released,  It is available to stream and download now on all streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music: https://slinky.to/9to5-TheMusical

The soundtrack is a live recorded version of the show at the Savoy Theatre. It features the original London cast – Caroline Sheen (who stepped in to cover Louise Redknapp after she pulled out due to injury) as Violet Newstead, Natalie McQueen as Doralee Rhodes, Amber Davies as Judy Bernly, Brian Conley as Franklin Hart Jr, Bonnie Langford as Roz Keith and Christopher Jordan Marshall as Joe.

Following an initial tour in autumn 2019, the show will also embark on an extensive 2020 tour opening at Aylesbury Waterside at the end of May - casting  to be announced soon.

New Indecent Proposal Musical

A brand new musical based on the novel Indecent Proposal will open at Southwark Playhouse on 29 May, where it will run until 27 June.

Jacqui Dankworth (Into the Woods) will appear in the show as Annie with Norman Bowman (42nd Street) as Jonny, Rebecca's husband. The performers playing the roles of Rebecca and Larry are to be announced.

Watch a video of Jacqui Dankworth singing one of the songs from the show.

The plot of Jack Engelhard's tale follows a married woman, Rebecca, who is offered a million dollars by a strange man to spend the night together. It was turned into a hit film in 1993, starring Demi Moore and Robert Redford.Atlantic City. 1988: Jonny and Rebecca are very much in love and very much in debt. He’s a struggling singer-songwriter, she works part-time at the casino and for a local charity. They struggle to make ends meet but they’re happy and that’s enough. Or is it? When wealthy stranger Larry Harris arrives in town and offers Rebecca a million dollars to spend a night with him, will the lure of money outweigh the promise of fidelity? Will Rebecca accept Larry’s indecent proposal? Will her marriage survive if she doesn’t? Will Jonny stick around if she does?

Indecent Proposal is a chamber musical with a dynamic and fast-paced narrative and a moving and exciting score. While staying true to book’s setting of Atlantic City in the 1980s, it reimagines the work through the lens of the current social and political climate, allowing audiences to consider what they would do in a similar situation, whilst they watch this couple grapple with the fallout from a stranger’s proposition.

Indecent Proposal is directed by Charlotte Westenra with book and lyrics by Michael Conley, music by Dylan Schlosberg and produced by Neil Marcus. The production has musical direction by John Reddel, set and costume design by Anna Kelsey, lighting design by Hartley Kemp and movement by Jane McMurtrie.

Tickets for Indecent Proposal are now on sale

Full casting announced for Zorro concert at Cadogan Hall.

The hit musical Zorro ran in the West End  for nine months at the Garrick Theatre over ten years ago. It is now due to be staged as a special concert at Cadogan Hall for one night on 23rd  February 2020, starting at 6.30pm
 

Ricardo Afonso (Jesus Christ Superstar) will star as Zorro and Diego, with Lesli Margherita (reprising  her Olivier Award-winning role of Inez) and  Emma Williams (Half A Sixpence) reprising  her role of Luisa. Joining them will be  Jesus Christ Superstar alumni Robert Tripolino and Zubin Varla playing Ramon and Don Alejandro respectively. Also appearing will be Catalina Amaral, Daniel Amity, Charlotte Clitherow, Richard James-King, Danny Lane, James Leeman, Lauren Lockley, Matthew McDonald, Mia Michaud, Grace Mouat, Rebecca Ridout, Justine Saville, Margarida Silva, Joe Thompson-Oubari, Richard Upton and Enrico Volpi.

Zubin Varla most recently starred in Ghost Quartet at Boulevard Theatre and Equus at Theatre Royal Stratford East. In 2019, Zubin was nominated for an Olivier Award for Fun Home at the Young Vic in the Best Actor in a Musical category. His other theatre work includes Measure for Measure and The Changeling (Young Vic), Dara, The Enchantment, Attempts on Her Life, The Life of Galileo and Cyrano de Bergerac (National Theatre), War Horse (National Theatre/New London Theatre), Two Gentlemen of Verona, Midnight's Children, The Tempest, Roberto Zucco, Bartholomew Fair, Faust, The Painter of Dishonour and Romeo & Juliet (RSC) and Jesus Christ Superstar and Beautiful Thing (West End). His TV work includes series regulars in Our Girl (BBC One), Holby City (BBC One) and Little Dorrit (BBC One).

Robert Tripolino most recently starred in High Fidelity at the Turbine Theatre and played Jesus in Regents Park Open Air Theatre's production of Jesus Christ Superstar at The Barbican, to great critical acclaim. Prior to this Robert played Sal in the revival of Rags at Hope Mill Theatre, his first role in a musical in the UK. In his native Australia, Robert appeared in West Side Story (State Theatre, Arts Centre Melbourne), La Cage Aux Folles (The Playhouse, Arts Centre Melbourne), The Addams Family (Capitol Theatre, Sydney) and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne).

The concert is staged by Fabian Aloise (choreographer of  Evita at Regent's Park), with  musical direction by Freddie Tapner, and a band featuring the London Musical Theatre Orchestra. The evening will also feature projection design by George Reeve. The musical's book and lyrics are by Stephen Clark with  additional compositions, orchestrations and arrangements by John Cameron.

Get tickets for Zorro in concert at Cadogan Hall

Samantha Womack and Cameron Blakely to star in The Addams Family UK and Ireland tour

Initial casting has been announced for the  new tour of The Addams Family, which kicks off in Newcastle in July 2020.

After 10 years in EastEnders playing Ronnie Mitchell Samantha Womack (The Girl on the Train, South Pacific) and Cameron Blakely (Les Misérables) will reprise  their roles of the  slinky Morticia and Gomez Addams after playing the parts in the 2017 tour.  Further casting is to be announced.

Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment and Music and Lyrics Limited will present the musical comedy, with book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice – the creators of Jersey Boys – and music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa (Big Fish), based on the characters created by Charles Addams. Matthew White will direct the production.Alistair David choreographed the 2017 tour, with design by Diego Pitarch.

Clive Rowe joins cast of Sister Act Musical

Producers Jamie Wilson and Whoopi Goldberg are delighted to announce that Olivier award- winning actor Clive Rowe will join the cast as ‘Eddie Souther’ in the  musical “SISTER ACT”. He will play the part in Leicester, Leeds, Newcastle, Sheffield, Manchester and London. 

In London, Clive will star opposite Whoopi Goldberg as ‘Deloris Van Cartier’ and Jennifer Saunders and ‘Mother Superior’. Brenda Edwards will play ‘Deloris Van Cartier’ at selected performances during the London season and all venues on the UK and Ireland tour. Casting for the role of Mother Superior on the UK and Ireland tour and the full company will be announced soon.

Clive Rowe won the Olivier award for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical for “Guys and Dolls” at The National Theatre and was also nominated for Best Supporting Performance in “Carousel”, also at The National Theatre. At 2009’s Oliviers, he was nominated for the Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre award for “Mother Goose” at Hackney Empire. His many West End and touring credits include “Ladykillers” at the Gielgud Theatre, “Chicago” at the Adelphi Theatre, “Sweet Charity” at the Donmar Warehouse, the UK tour of “The Wind in The Willows” and “Me and My Girl” at Chichester Festival Theatre.

Hamilton the movie due to be released in October 2021

Lin Manuel Miranda has revealed that Disney will produce the movie of the Broadway production of Hamilton in 2021. The show will feature some members of the original Broadway cast, including Lin-Manuel Miranda, Leslie Odom Jr, Daveed Diggs and be available in cinemas on 15th October 2021.

The stage production of Hamilton about the creation of the USA and one of its founding fathers continues to run at the Victoria Palace in London. It has a book, music and lyrics by Miranda, is directed by Thomas Kail, with choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler and musical supervision and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire and is based on Ron Chernow's biography of Alexander Hamilton. 

Another of Miranda's hit musicals, In the Heights, is about to be released in cinemas globally.

Earl Carpenter and Daniel Boys join cast of Boublil And Schönberg’s 'The Pirate Queen'

With rehearsals starting today Earl Carpenter and Daniel Boys are the latest stars announced for the charity gala performance of Boublil and Schönberg’s The Pirate Queen.

Earl Carpenter (who plays Dubhdara, widowed father of Grace) has performed leading and title roles in some of the world’s greatest musicals including Cameron Mackintosh’s and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s original and 25th Anniversary productions and concert celebrations of ‘Les Misérables’, ‘Phantom of the Opera’, ‘The Witches of Eastwick’, ‘Sunset Boulevard’ and ‘Evita’ in London, Broadway, Toronto, Paris and subsequent Europe, Asian and United Kingdom tours.

Daniel Boys (Lord Bingham, confidante and advisor to Queen Elizabeth I) has just starred in ‘Falsettos’ (The Other Palace). His other London and West End shows include ‘The Boys in the Band’ (Park Theatre/National Tour and transfer to Vaudeville Theatre); ‘Miss Atomic Bomb’ (The Other Palace); ‘Spamalot’ (Playhouse), ‘Tommy in Concert (Prince Edward), ‘Avenue Q’ Gielgud / Noel Coward – Winner of the 2009 Theatregoers Choice Award for Best Takeover in a Role). 

They join the previously announced headliners Rachel Tucker (Olivier nominee for 'Come From Away', 'Wicked'), 'Britain's Got Talent' winner Jai McDowall and Matthew Pagan from Collabro. Producers have also revealed the rest of the cast which includes featured ensemble: Pearce Barron (Zombies: The Musical, Up Next), Jamie Birkett ('Les Miserables', 'Rent'), Trudi Camilleri (lead in 'Queen of the Mist', 'Death Takes a Holiday'), Sabrina Carter (Wicked, The Miser), Shaun Dalton (Kinky Boots, Eugenius), Adam Dawson (Hair, Spring Awakening), Callum Heinrich (Mamma Mia, Jane Eyre), Jade Johnson (The Book of Mormon, Club Mex: Immersive Club Musical), Harry Mills (Sunday in the Park with George, Batboy), Charlotte Payne (Potted Panto, Velvet), Sophie Reeves (Les Miserables, The Woman in White) and Jak Skelly (Oklahoma, Cats), Hannah Waddingham (three- time Olivier nominated as Kate/Lilli Vanessi in 'Kiss Me Kate' Desiree Armfeldt in 'A Little Night Music' and The Lady of The Lake in 'Monty Python's Spamalot'),), Steph Parry (Dorothy Brock in '42nd Street' and Donna in 'Mamma Mia' ) and Emma Norman (Mrs Lovett,' Sweeney Todd' and Miss Berta, 'Acorn Antiques the Musical') who will be joined by ensemble members : Skye Adams, Thomas Ball, Jeremy Batt, Mary-Jean Caldwell, Sinead O Callaghan, Christopher Cameron, Jordan Castle, Alfie Doohan, Charlie Ellerton, Judicel Eslao, Nicola Espallardo, Amy Everett, Lois Morgan Gay, Aidan Harkins, Siwan Henderson, Hannah-Grace Lawson, James Mateo-Salt, Scarlett Maltman, Ethan Tanner, Harry Winchester and Cristian Zaccarini.

Based on the real-life story of history's Grace O'Malley - an Irish Chieftain and notorious pirate, 'The Pirate Queen' is an adventure about the  inspiring heroine who led an extraordinary life as a rogue, lover and mother in 16th-century Ireland. To protect her people and save her one true love, O'Malley must confront the one woman more powerful than her - her fierce rival, Queen Elizabeth I of England. The  show combines classic storytelling and a sweeping score, with the powerful, vibrant traditions of Irish dance and song, to create a modern musical event that is both historic romance and a timeless epic.

Tickets for The Pirate Queen