The SpongeBob Musical announces London and tour dates

Initial dates have been released for the UK premiere  of The SpongeBob Musical Tour, which opens next spring.

Featuring SpongeBob, Patrick, Squidward, Eugene and Gary the Snail, the musical has original tunes by stars including  Cyndi Lauper, John Legend, Panic! At the Disco, Sara Bareilles, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith and  Plain White T's.

Who lives in a pineapple under the sea and became the hottest star on Broadway? SpongeBob SquarePants! Plunge into this stunning all-singing, all-dancing, dynamic stage show!

When the citizens of Bikini Bottom discover that a volcano will soon erupt and destroy their humble home, SpongeBob and his friends must come together to save the fate of their undersea world!

With lives hanging in the balance and all hope lost, a most unexpected hero rises up. The power of optimism really can save the world! An exciting new production featuring irresistible characters, magical choreography and dazzling costumes; this deep-sea pearl of a show is really set to make a splash with audiences young and old as the must-see musical of 2023. The future is bright, the future is bold, the future is THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL.

THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL is based on the series by Stephen Hillenburg, written by Kyle Jarrow and conceived by Tina Landau. Featuring original songs by Yolanda Adams, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Sara Bareilles, Jonathan Coulton, Alex Ebert of Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, The Flaming Lips, Lady A, Cyndi Lauper, John Legend, Panic! At the Disco, Plain White T’s, They Might Be Giants and T.I. Additional songs by David Bowie, Tom Kenny and Andy Paley. Additional lyrics by Jonathan Coulton. Additional music by Tom Kitt.    

Casting and creative team for the show are to be revealed.

 

Cast changes announced for Pretty Woman Musical

PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL has just  announced that  Courtney Bowman will star as Kit De Luca and current cast member Andy Barke will take on the role of Happy Man/Mr Thompson from Tuesday 15 November. They join Aimie Atkinson as Vivian Ward and Danny Mac as Edward Lewis who are extending their stay at the Savoy Theatre, with the production booking until April 2023.  

 

Also joining the company is Daniel Clift, with the cast completed by John Addison, Jemma Alexander, Becky Anderson, Matt Bateman, Patrick Barrett, Robertina Bonano, Oliver Brenin, Alex Charles, Ben Darcy, Hannah Ducharme, Elishia Edwards, Tom Andrew Hargreaves, Antony Hewitt, Helen Hill, Mark Holden, Elly Jay, Matt Jones, Kurt Kansley, Georgia Kleopa, Annabelle Laing, Will Luckett, Curtis Patrick, Hassun Sharif, Cilla Silvia and Charlotte Elisabeth Yorke.

 Courtney Bowman’s theatre credits include Elle in Legally Blonde at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, for which she was nominated for a Black British Theatre Award, Anne Boleyn in SIX at the Arts Theatre and Lyric Theatre, Fatimah in original cast of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie at the Apollo Theatre and Sheffield Crucible, Martha in Blondel at the Union Theatre and the UK Tour of The Wind in the Willows.

Andy Barke has been part of the West End company of Pretty Woman The Musical since the show opened in 2020. His other theatre credits include UK Tours of Annie, Nativity! The Musical, Jesus Christ Superstar and Starlight Express, An Officer and  Gentleman and Legally Blonde both at Leicester Curve, BIG The Musical at Theatre Royal Plymouth and Exposure at the St. James Theatre.

Aimie Atkinson received a What’s On Stage Award nomination for her role in Pretty Woman: The Musical. She was in the original West End cast of the hit musical Six at the Arts Theatre and was nominated for an Olivier Award for her performance. Her other credits include Daniela in In the Heights at King’s Cross Theatre, Serena in Legally Blonde at Kilworth House, Chloe in Never Forget - The Take That Musical and Luisa in Zorro The Musical, both on national tour. Aimie is the winner of the prestigious BBC Radio 2 Voice of Musical Theatre Award.

Danny Mac appeared as Giles Ralston in the world’s longest running play, The Mousetrap at the St Martin’s Theatre in 2021. His many other theatre credits include Bob Wallace in White Christmas at the Dominion Theatre, Joe Gillis in Sunset Boulevard and Nino in Amelie, both on national tour, Gabey in On The Town at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and the West End productions of Wicked and Legally Blonde. Danny captured the nation’s hearts and received overwhelming support during his incredible time on BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing, making it all the way to the final.
 

Casting for Dirty Dancing's 2023 return to the Dominion Theatre

The cast has been announced for Dirty Dancing's return to the Dominion Theatre, in early 2023.

Michael O'Reilly (West Side Story) and Kira Malou (Fame) will once more play Johnny and Baby, alongside Charlotte Gooch (Singin' in the Rain) who returns to the role of Penny Johnson, Georgina Castle (Cinderella) as Lisa Houseman, alongside Lynden Edwards (A Little Night Music) as Jake Houseman, Jackie Morrison (The Last Ship) as Marjorie Houseman, Colin Charles (We Will Rock You) as Tito Suarez, Michael Remick (Follies) as Max Kellerman and Tony Stansfield (Little Women) as Mr Schumacher.

Joining them for the first time are Danny Colligan (Les Misérables) as Billy Kostecki, Alastair Crosswell (Singin' in the Rain) as Neil Kellerman and Lydia Sterling, making her West End debut as Elizabeth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Great British Bake Off Musical initial casting for transfer into London´s West End

Mark Goucher Productions have just announced The Great British Bake Off Musical will transfer to the West End opening at the Noël Coward Theatre for a limited twelve-week run from 25th February to 13th May 2023. Created in association with Creative Director and Executive Producer Richard McKerrow and the producers of the TV phenomenon, Love Productions, this musical comedy is inspired by the TV show and follows the amateur bakers as they seek to impress the judges and battle their way to be crowned Star Baker. The audience are taken on a rollicking journey of tap along songs and dance as the bakers face trials, tribulations, and baking failures along the way. 

 

Following its world premiere in Cheltenham over the summer, initial casting has been revealed  with John Owen-Jones (Les Misèrables, The Phantom of the Opera), reprising his role as silver-fox judge Phil Hollinghurst. Joining him will be Scott Paige (The Addams Family) as a presenter.

Also appearing are those playing the Bake Off contestants: Claire Moore (Mary Poppins), Charlotte Wakefield (The Boy In The Dress), Damian Humbley (Merrily We Roll Along), Jay Saighal (Hedda Gabler), Michael Cahill (Martin Guerre) and Aharon Rayner making his West End debut,. More cast will be announced soon.

The original creative team includes choreographer Georgina Lamb, set, costume and cake designer Alice Power, lighting designer Ben Cracknell, sound designer Ben Harrison, orchestrator Tom Curran, musical supervisor Mark Collins, assistant musical director Chris Poon and casting director Jim Arnold.

 

Full company announced for tour of White Christmas

With rehearsals starting today, the full cast has just been announced for the new tour of White Christmas 

The  company for the UK tour will star Jay McGuiness as Bob Wallace, Lorna Luft as Martha Watson, Michael Starke as General Waverly, Dan Burton as Phil Davis, Jessica Daley as Betty Haynes and Monique Young as Judy Haynes. 

The cast is completed by Simon Anthony, Tom Bales, Lydia Bannister, George Beet, Imogen Bowtell, Isabel Canning, Gabrielle Cocca, Joseph Craig, Beth Devine, Steve Fortune, Ashton Harkness, Connor Hughes, Owen McHugh, Benjamin Mundy, James Revell, Sadie-Jean Shirley, Matthew Sweet, Lucy Warway, David Winters and Alex Wright.

Jay McGuiness’ theatre credits include Josh Baskin in Big The Musical at the Dominion Theatre and Rip It Up at the Garrick Theatre, both in London’s West End. He also starred as Sam in new musical Sleepless – A Musical Romance at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre. Jay is best known as a member of boyband The Wanted, as well as winning BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing in 2015.

Hailing from theatrical royalty, Lorna Luft is an iconic star of stage and screen. Her credits include the role of Fran Kubelik in the original Broadway production of Promises, Promises, and the original Off-Broadway production of Snoopy! as Peppermint Patty. Lorna previously played the role of Martha Watson in the 2016 US tour of White Christmas. Her film credits include Grease 2, Where The Boys Are, 54 and My Giant.

Michael Starke most recently appeared in the UK and Ireland tour of Waitress as Old Joe. Further theatre credits include the role of Edna Turnblad in Hairspray, Monsignor O’Hara in Sister Act, and the Narrator in The Rocky Horror Show, all part of national tours. Michael is best known for his role as Thomas 'Sinbad' Sweeney in Channel 4’s Brookside, which he played for 16 years.

Dan Burton reprises his role as Phil Davis, a part he played in this production of White Christmas on tour, at the Dominion Theatre in London’s West End and at Curve, Leicester. He was nominated for an Olivier Award for his performance as Tulsa in Gypsy at the Savoy Theatre and his other West End credits include Jersey Boys, The Pajama Game, Chicago, Legally Blonde, Betty Blue Eyes and Guys and Dolls at the Royal Albert Hall.

Jessica Daley returns to the role of Betty Haynes, having previously toured with this production of White Christmas. Her additional theatre credits include the UK and Ireland tours of An Officer and a Gentleman and The Sound of Music, the international tours of Evita, Les Misérables and Grease The Musical and Mamma Mia! in the West End.

Monique Young reprises her role as Judy Haynes, a part she initially played in this production of White Christmas at Curve, Leicester. Most recently Monique appeared as Louise in the Buxton Opera House revival of Gypsy: A Musical Fable. Her further theatre credits include cover Winifred Banks and the title role in Mary Poppins in the West End, Penny Pingleton in the UK tour of Hairspray, alternate Dale in the UK tour of Top Hat, and Peggy Sawyer in 42nd Street and Kathy Seldon in Singin’ In The Rain both at the Theatre Du Chatelet.

Broadway hit MJ announces its West End premiere

Winner of two Tony Awards, the musical MJ is currently playing on Broadway and follows the life and work of the famous singer Michael Jackson, revolving  around the 1992 Dangerous World Tour. MJ the Musical goes beyond the singular moves and signature sound of the star, offering a rare look at the creative mind and collaborative spirit that catapulted Jackson into legendary status.

Written by  Lynn Nottage (Sweat) the musical is directed and choreographed by Royal Ballet associate artist Christopher Wheeldon. Musical supervision is by David Holcenberg and the orchestrations and arrangements are by David Holcenberg and Jason Michael Webb.The creative team also includes designer Derek McLane, costume designer Paul Tazewell, sound designer Gareth Owen, projection designer Peter Nigrini and hair and wig designer Charles LaPointe.

With casting to be revealed, the show will run at the Prince Edward Theatre from March 2024. The venue is set to play host to The Temptations Musical Ain't Too Proud from spring 2023, after Mary Poppins concludes its run in January. 

Nottage said today: "As a Black musician and a pioneering voice in the music industry, Michael Jackson demanded inclusion, broke incredible barriers and in the process made indelible music that continues to resonate, delight and move listeners today. I am drawn to his complicated, singular and uncompromising creative process, and to understand where, why and how he made his music.

Wheeldon said: "I am thrilled that MJ will come to London, having been embraced by New York audiences since it opened. Michael Jackson had a profound influence on popular culture, as well as all of us as performing artists, and this musical is an exploration of that artistic mind and a creative process which is unmistakably Michael Jackson.It has offered us the opportunity to put one of the greatest catalogues of pop music ever written up onstage in a show that combines the thrill and energy of a Michael Jackson concert with a glimpse into a pivotal moment of his pioneering career. After many years working with the Royal Ballet and bringing the Tony Award winning An American In Paris to the West End, I now very much look forward to bringing MJ to UK audiences."

 Dates and informtaion on ticket sales to follow soon

Casting for European Premiere of Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol – A New Musical

Producers Fiery Angel Entertainment and Red Tail Entertainment are delighted to announce that the European Premiere of Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol – A New Musical will play a Christmas season at the Southbank Centre’s Queen Elizabeth Hall from 8th December 2022 to 8th January 2023, with a press night on 13 December 2022. Buy tickets for Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol 

 

Leading the company will be Robert Bathurst (Cold Feet, Downton Abbey) as Scrooge, alongside (in alphabetical order) Halle Brown, Iona Fraser, Richard J Hunt, Vicki Lee Taylor, George Maguire, Ediz Mahmut, Sarah O'Connor, Christopher Parkinson, Minal Patel, Annie Southall, Carole Stennett, Danny Whitehead and Mitchell Zhangazha.

Sharing the role of Tiny Tim will be Daniel Lee, Alexander Quinlan and Samuel Sturge, with Elliot Marsden, George Menezes Cutts and Dereke Oladele completing the children's cast.

Set during the 1930s in the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee, this heart-warming  production imagines Ebenezer Scrooge as the owner of a mining company town, where his callous greed blinds him to the joys and gifts of the season. As a Christmas Eve snowstorm approaches, Scrooge is visited by the spirit of his deceased business partner and three ghosts who compel him to see life anew and discover that love and family are the greatest and most precious gifts we have. Dickens’s classic characters and Parton’s heart-felt songs beautifully reimagine this timeless story in a whole new light.  


Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol is an adaptation by David H. Bell, Paul T. Couch and Curt Wollan. The book is by David H. Bell with music and Lyrics by Dolly Parton. 

Cast for Newsies the Musical

The cast has just been announced for Newsies the Musical at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre with its official opening night on 8th December 2022. Preview performances will begin on 29th November

Leading the show will be Michael Ahomka-Lindsay (Legally Blonde) as Jack Kelly, alongside Bronté Barbé (What's New, Pussycat?) as Katherine Plumber.

Listed in alphabetical order, also appearing are Moya Angela as Medda Larkin, Lindsay Atherton as Ensemble, Samuel Bailey as Specs, Imogen Bailey as Swing, Josh Barnett as Race, Cameron Blakely as Joseph Pulitzer, Jack Bromage as Tommy Boy, Bobbie Chambers as Ensemble, Alex Christian as Buttons, Arcangelo Ciulla as Ike, George Crawford as Morris Delancey, Ross Dawes as Snyder, Joshua Denyer as Mush, Ross Dorrington as Splasher, Matthew Duckett as Crutchie, Kamilla Fernandes as Ensemble and Jacob Fisher as Albert.

Also cast are Jamie Golding as Wiesel, Damon Gould as Finch, Zack Guest as Swing, Jordan Isaac as Swing, Alex James-Hatton as Oscar Delancey, Clarice Julianda as Ensemble, Barry Keenan as Nunzio, Ryan Kopel as Davey, Sion Lloyd as Bunsen George Michaelides as Romeo, Mukeni Nel as Jo Jo, Joshua Nkemdilim as Elmer, Mark Samaras as Mike, Bradley Trevethan as Swing, Matt Trevorrow as Henry and Lillie-Pearl Wildman as Ensemble.

The role of Les will be played by Nesim Adnan, Haydn Court, Oliver Gordon and Ethan Sokontwe.

Michael Ball to star in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Aspects of Love, reimagined for the 21st century

Michael Ball is to star in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Aspects of Love, reimagined for the 21st century and directed by Jonathan Kent (Gypsy, Singin' in the Rain). With lyrics by Don Black and Charles Hart, and produced by Nica Burns (Everybody's Talking About Jamie), Aspects of Love will play at the Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue for a limited 26 week run with performances from 12th May to  Saturday 11th November 2023 with a press night on  25th May.Tickets now on sale

 

Ball who originated the role of the young romantic Alex in 1989, will take on the role of Alex´s uncle George and will once more belt out the hit song, "Love Changes Everything," in the new production which will be restructured so that Ball can reprise his performance of the iconic song and could also feature a new song from composer Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Michael Ball said: “Aspects of Love holds a very special place in my heart.  I am absolutely delighted to revisit Andrew Lloyd Webber’s glorious score in a re-imagined chamber production in the West End from May next year.  I am so happy to be collaborating again with the brilliant director Jonathan Kent who was so inspiring when we worked together on Sweeney Todd. 

Based on the novel by David Garnett, the romantic musical Aspects of Love. is filled with passion, love and loss across three generations of a family and their companions, originally set against the background of 1940's France and Italy.

Further cast and creative team members are to be announced.

 



 

Sir Ian McKellen, John Bishop and Anna-Jane Casey to appear in Mother Goose

Sir  Ian McKellen is appearing  of pantomime this year taking Mother Goose out on tour, with a number of weeks in the West End! Mother Goose (Ian McKellen) and her husband Vic (John Bishop) are running an Animal Sanctuary for waifs and strays, they live a wholesome life inside an abandoned Debenhams. But when Cilla the magical goose (Anna-Jane Casey ) comes a-knocking, will fame & fortune get the better of them?

 

The show is penned by Jonathan Harvey (Coronation Street) with direction by Cal McCrystal (Paddington). Set and Costume design is by Liz Ascroft, Choreography by Lizzi Gee, Lighting design by Prema Mehta, Sound design by Ben Harrison and Puppet Design and Creation by Chris Barlow. Casting is by Anne Vosser and the Production Manager is Ben Arkell.

The show will also star Oscar Conlon-Morrey as Jack, Simbi Akande as Jill, Sharon Ballard as Evil Fairy Malignia and Karen Mavundukure as Good Fairy Encanta. The cast also includes Adam Brown, Gabriel Fleary, Richard Leeming and Genevieve Nicole.

 

 Mother Goose will run at  

1. Theatre Royal Brighton (3- 11 December)
2. Duke of York's Theatre in the West End (15 December-29 January 2023) 
3.  Chichester Festival Theatre (7-11 February)
4.  Sheffield Lyceum (4-18 February)
5. Wolverhampton Grand (22-26 February 
6. Liverpool Empire (28 February-3 March),  
7. New Theatre Oxford (7-11 March)  
8. Leicester Curve (15-19 March)
   
9. Bord Gais Energy Theatre Dublin (22 – 26 March)
10. Wales Millennium Centre Cardiff (28 March – 1 April
11. Salford Lowry (5-9 April)
12. Bristol Hippodrome (11-15 April)