After receiving the news that her mother has suffered from a severe stroke, Whoopi Goldberg has had to fly home today, Friday 27 August, to be with her family. The role of 'Mother Superior' will be played by Ms Goldberg's understudy until Thursday 2 September, when Sally Dexter will assume the role.
Ms Goldberg is very sorry not to be able to perform as planned and the thoughts and sincere best wishes of the Producers and the entire Sister Act Company are with her at this difficult time.
Sister Act continues its successful run at The London Palladium until Saturday 30th October 2010. Patrons who have booked to see Whoopi Goldberg who do not wish to attend the scheduled performance should refer back to their original point of sale.
Sister Act now booking until 30th of October 2010. More details...
Between the 29th Sept to the 10th October there is only one destination you should be heading for THE VAUDEVILLE THEATRE
FASTEN YOUR SEATBELTS FOR YOUR FLIGHT TO REMEMBER
You don't need your passport - only a ticket We have FIRST CLASS SEATS (PREMIUM PRICE STALLS) for all you rich travellers
BUSINESS CLASS (STALLS & DRESS CIRCLE) for those wanting to push the boat out a bit
OR ECONOMY SEATS (UPPER CIRCLE) for anyone who usually flies on budget airlines
but watch out for Pams acid tongue wherever you sit!
Pam Ann is the comic creation of Australian comedian Caroline Reid, she portrays 1960's clad air-hostess Pam Ann, a mixture of comedy, camp and glamour. Madonna is a huge fan describing Pam as 'cruelly funny'.
Caroline has proved Pam Ann to be a global phenomenon. In America she has performed at The Hollywood Palladium in LA and sold out several seasons at The Public Theatre in New York. In Spring 2008 she returned to Australia performing at the Arts Centre in Melbourne and the Lyric Theatre in Sydney, both 2000 capacity venues. Once again the she sold out all the shows.
Recently Caroline played her first ever shows in Iceland and Vienna.
In Autumn 2007 Caroline starred as Pam Ann in a hugely successful viral campaign for British Airways, which has received more than 2 million hits. She also enjoyed the worldwide release of her first DVD 'Pam Ann – Come Fly With Me'. TV appearances include Britain’s Next Top Model, Project Catwalk and Loose Women and BBC Breakfast.
Tom Cruise was in town on the 22nd July for the premiere of his film "Night & Day"
(opens 6th August) and has revealed that he would like to make his theatre debut in London. Tom spent several hours signing autographs and meeting his fans in Leicester Square and said he had ambitions to swap the screen for the West End stage adding
"I'd really like to do the stage at some point - we'll see"
Keep reading our show news for further updates - however long we have to wait,
but if it does happen, it's going to be a "HOT" ticket!
THE MOST FUN NIGHT EVER JUST GOT LESS EXPENSIVE (for a limited period anyway)
The campest, most glamorous show you will EVER see
Come and "Shake your groove thing"
Break out into some "Hot Stuff"
Leave your home and "Go West" and visit "Downtown"
enjoy more than just a little "Pop Muzik"
because you know "Girls Just wanna have fun"
before you enter " Macarthur Park "
and then you can "Colour my world"
and remember "Don't leave me this way"
because we all "Love the Nightlife"
and "Finally".......
We have a special offer for a limited period until the 25th July for all performances (except Sat eves) for just £32.00 each including booking fee.
Seats are limited in availability. Please also note there is a Sunday matinee at 3pm. There are NO performances on a Monday.
WHOOPI GOLDBERG TO PLAY MOTHER SUPERIOR FROM 10-31 AUGUST AT THE LONDON PALLADIUM
WHOOPI GOLDBERG DOES NOT PLAY MONDAY 16th OR MONDAY 23rd AUGUST PERFORMANCES
Whoopi Goldberg will join the cast of the hit musical comedy SISTER ACT this summer to play the role of Mother Superior. She will open on TUESDAY 10 AUGUST, with her last performance on TUESDAY 31 AUGUST, playing an exclusive 23 show season. No stranger to stages around the world, the role however marks Whoopi's West End debut.
Whoopi follows the hugely popular Sheila Hancock, who created the role and has played Mother Superior since the show opened last May. She is joined on stage by the critically acclaimed Patina Miller in the lead role of Deloris Van Cartier (Whoopi’s role in the original movie), recording artist Simon Webbe as Curtis Shank and Dads Army star Ian Lavender as Monsignor.
BE QUICK AND BOOK WITH ALBEMARLE NOW BEFORE ALL THE SEATS ARE SOLD
Nick Jonas has extended his run as Marius in Les Miserables for an extra two weeks until 24 July, due to a recent change in the Jonas Brothers world tour schedule that will now start at a later date.
One of the famous three Jonas Brothers, Nick, will star as Marius in the London production of Les Miserables at The Queens Theatre for 3 weeks only! The Jonas Brothers star began his career on Broadway and performed in a range of top productions as a child before shooting to fame as a pop singer with his siblings.
Nick Jonas last performed on the New York stage in a 2003 revival of Les Miserables and theatre producer Sir Cameron Mackintosh has revealed Jonas is returning to the musical this summer for 3 weeks only!.
Nick Jonas has confirmed the news on his Twitter.com page, revealing he can't wait to play Marius in the capital. He writes, "I am so excited to announce that I will be performing in Les Miserables once again! "When I was ten years old I was in Les Miserables as Gavroche. On my closing night in 2003 I told my parents that I would come back to be Marius one day. It is truly a dream come true.
The 17 year old will make his West End bow at the Queen's Theatre on 21 June marking the start of a three-week stint. The singer broke off from a concert tour with his brothers Joe and Kevin to conclude the deal with Cameron Mackintosh. 'He has bent over backwards to fit it all into his schedule,' Mackintosh said of the youngest Jonas brother.
Peter Egan and Robert Daws will star as Holmes and Watson in "THE SECRET OF SHERLOCK HOLMES" by Jeremy Paul, which will open in London a the Duchess Theatre for a limited eight-week season on Tuesday 20 July, following previews from 15 July.
"THE SECRET OF SHERLOCK HOLMES" takes us on a thrilling journey into the mind of the greatest detective of all time. Following a seemingly deadly encounter with his nemesis, arch criminal Professor Moriarty, at Reichenbach Falls, secrets and betrayal
are slowly revealed. Watson finds his loyalty and friendship tested to the very limit.
Holmes is forced to turn his unswerving powers of deduction upon himself,
and the true relationship between Holmes and Moriarty is finally revealed.
After a sell-out run earlier this year in Chichester, the satirical comedy Yes, Prime Minister, starring David Haig and Henry Goodman will be the next production at the Gielgud Theatre from Thursday16 Sept 2010.
The Chichester Festival Theatre’s production of Yes, Prime Minister is transferring to London, with original cast members Henry Goodman and David Haig reprising their roles.
Written by the original creators of the classic BBC series Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister, Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn, the production marks the 30th anniversary of the BAFTA winning series which first aired in 1980.
Yes, Minister centres on the now famous Prime Minister Jim Hacker and Cabinet Secretary Sir Humphrey Appleby. Facing a country in financial meltdown, the only prospect of salvation comes from morally dubious allies, leading to deliciously comic consequences.
Ingeniously clever and hilariously twisted, DEATHTRAP is the most celebrated play by Ira Levin, who also wrote The Stepford Wives, Rosemary's Baby, The Boys from Brazil.
Matthew Warchus directs a unique cast which includes Simon Russell Beale (most recently seen in the sell out National Theatre production of London Assurance) and Jonathan Groff (currently starring in the hit TV series Glee and star of the Tony Award winning US production of Spring Awakening) alongside Terry Beaver and award-winning actresses Claire Skinner and Estelle Parsons.
Set in the 1970's, The Prisoner of Second Avenue, by Neil Simon
is a black comedy depicting a New York couple, Mel (Jeff Goldblum) and Edna Edison, enduring the trials and tribulations of city life. Mel is made redundant and the stress of an economic crisis and urban life pushes him into having a nervous breakdown.
The family gathers to offer support, with Edna stoically bearing the
burden of his disintegration and self-pity.
The Prisoner of Second Avenue originally premiered on Broadway in 1971, starring Peter Falk and Lee Grant, where it ran for two years and received a Tony Award nomination. It was subsequently made into a film in 1975, strarring Jack Lemmon and Anne Bancroft.
JONAS BROTHER - (NICK) TO STAR IN LES MISERABLES FOR 3 WEEKS ONLY!
FROM THE 21ST JUNE
(21 June)
BE QUICK AND BOOK WITH ALBEMARLE NOW BEFORE ALL THE SEATS ARE SOLD
One of the famous three Jonas Brothers, Nick, will star as Marius in the London production of Les Miserables at The Queens Theatre for 3 weeks only! The Jonas Brothers star began his career on Broadway and performed in a range of top productions as a child before shooting to fame as a pop singer with his siblings.
Nick Jonas last performed on the New York stage in a 2003 revival of Les Miserables and theatre producer Sir Cameron Mackintosh has revealed Jonas is returning to the musical this summer for 3 weeks only!.
Nick Jonas has confirmed the news on his Twitter.com page, revealing he can't wait to play Marius in the capital. He writes, "I am so excited to announce that I will be performing in Les Miserables once again! "When I was ten years old I was in Les Miserables as Gavroche. On my closing night in 2003 I told my parents that I would come back to be Marius one day. It is truly a dream come true.
The 17 year old will make his West End bow at the Queen's Theatre on 21 June marking the start of a three-week stint. The singer broke off from a concert tour with his brothers Joe and Kevin to conclude the deal with Cameron Mackintosh. 'He has bent over backwards to fit it all into his schedule,' Mackintosh said of the youngest Jonas brother.
We are all waiting patiently for "THE WIZARD OF OZ" to open in February 2011 at The London Palladium, and you can now book your tickets with Albemarle,
but in the meantime why not see "WICKED" at the APOLLO VICTORIA
Subject to holidays and any unforeseen circumstances, Lee Mead is contracted to play Fiyero in WICKED until Saturday 5 February 2011. His holiday dates are now confirmed as -
Week commencing 7th June 2010
9th, 10th, 11th August 2010
Week commencing 20th September 2010
Week commencing 29th November 2010
Week commencing 3rd January 2011
WOW - JUST LOOK AT THESE "WICKED" AWARDS
WICKED has won over 35 major international theatre awards including:
Laurence Olivier Audience Award 2010 for Most Popular Show
Whatsonstage.com Award 2010 for Best West End Show
Visit London People's Choice Award 2009 for Best Family Fun
Women of the Future Award for Art and Culture
The Dress Circle Award for The Greatest Musical
3 Lastminute.com People's Choice Awards including Best Musical
5 Theatregoers' Choice Awards including Best New Musical and Best Design
The Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album
3 Tony Awards including Best Design and Best Costumes
6 Drama Desk Awards including Outstanding Musical
4 Outer Critics Circle Awards including Outstanding Broadway Musical
The Drama League Award for Distinguished Production of a Musical
8 National Touring Broadway Awards including Best Musical; Best Design, Best Direction and Best Score
15 Broadway.com Audience Awards (America) including Favourite New Broadway Musical (2004) and Favourite Long-Running Broadway Show (2005, 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2010)
1 Eddy Award (America)
7 Carbonnel Awards (America) Including Best Production
1 Helen Hayes Award (America)
2 Ovation Awards (America)
6 Helpmann Awards (Australia) including Best Musical, Best Design and Best Costumes
4 Green Room Awards (Australia)
3 Musicals Magazine Readers' Choice Awards (Germany) including Best Musical, Best Costumes
and Best Set
The Radio Regenborgen Award (Germany) for Best Musical
The Park Scout Award (Germany) for Best Show
Based on the acclaimed novel by Gregory Maguire that re-imagined the stories and characters created by L. Frank Baum in 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz', WICKED tells the incredible untold story of an unlikely but profound friendship between two girls who first meet as sorcery students. Their extraordinary adventures in Oz will ultimately see them fulfil their destinies as Glinda The Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
Leading the pack of the world's sexiest dancers is Adam Garcia, star of Wicked and Saturday Night Fever and now a popular judge on Sky TV's dance show Got To Dance.
TAP DOGS will play at The Novello Theatre for a strictly limited season from the 15 June - 5 September.
If this is the only show you see this summer then ... "Kill to get a ticket." Tap Dogs, the global dance phenomenon, has been seen worldwide by over 11 million people. Winner of 11 major international awards including an Olivier for Best Choreography, Tap Dogs has exhilarated theatre audiences across the globe and will now energise and hydrate the West End this summer with an explosion of dance.
The adrenalin-pumped cast inject raw power and passion into the ultimate visual
dance spectacular. Upside down or even on water, they perform world-class
routines in this most original and revitalised tap sensation.
Well it definately is, especially when you are PC Nate Roberts in the popular
ITV police drama 'The Bill'.
From today, (1st June), hunky actor and hearthrob, BEN RICHARDS will be dragging up nightly as Tick in the hugely successfull PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT at The Palace Theatre.
Ben has now left "The Bill" and what a lot of people do not know, is that he is an accomplished actor, singer and dancer having appeared many times in the West End.
A UNIQUE THEATRICAL EVENT FOR ALL THE FAMILY! from the 4th July - 5th Sept only.
BOOK YOUR TICKETS NOW WITH ALBEMARLE
(2June)
After two sell out and critically acclaimed summer runs at the National Railway Museum in York this breathtaking theatrical event arrives in London. One of the country's best loved novels comes to life at Waterloo Station where the former Eurostar Site will be transformed into a unique theatre space with audience seated either side of the real railway track.
Join Bobby, Peter and Phyllis as they show us how they become the railway children. Watch the story unfold and witness Phyllis averting disaster as she waves her red petticoat in front of a real moving steam train. The production is in support of the Railway Children's Charity that aims to help homeless and runaway children throughout the world. 1pound per ticket sale will be donated to the charity. Please arrive at the theatre 15 minutes prior to the performance starting. Admittance of latecomers is not guaranteed
The winner of Over the Rainbow "Danielle Hope" is not guaranteed
to play the following performances; (casting to be announced)
Monday 14th February
Monday 21st February
And all Tuesdays from Tuesday 8th March
Also, Danielle's holidays are confirmed as;
Week commencing 2nd May
Week commencing 5th September
Week commencing 12th September
TONIGHT - SAT 22 MAY SAW DANIELLE CROWNED AS DOROTHY
(24 May)
Our man in the know happened to be invited to Andrew Lloyd Webber's offices in London's Covent Garden to witness the Live crowning of Dorothy in his new production of
"THE WIZARD OF OZ" at The London Palladium in 2011.
It was a very exciting and nail biting event and Lauren, Danielle and Sophie all competed in front of the 3 judges, and the Lord himself, Andrew Lloyd Webber. However, tonight, it was YOU THE PUBLIC that called all the shots and in the first half of the evening you voted Lauren the least popular of the three girls. So it was goodbye to a very proffesional Lauren (it's not the last we have heard of her!). During the second part of tonights BBC tv programme "Over The Rainbow", we were left with Danielle and Sophie who both sang their hearts out. However, the public finally voted DANIELLE as the true winner and she will star in Andrew Lloyd Webber's fantastic new production
at the London Palladium in 2011.
However, due to the unprecetated demand for tickets, we are pleased to announce that tickets are now on sale for performances from the
7th FEBRUARY 2011
The preview performances all come with a generous saving per ticket and are available until the 26th February 2011.
During the intitial preview performances the performance schedule will be as follows:
MON, WED - SAT 7.30pm, TUES ONLY 7pm, Matinees WED & SAT 2.30pm
(Press night 1st March - NOT ON SALE)
FROM TUES 8TH MARCH
TUES 7pm , WED - SAT 7.30pm, MATS WED & SAT 2.30pm, SUNDAY 3pm
First Midweek Wednesday matinee: Wednesday 16th February
First Saturday matinee: Saturday 19th February
First Sunday matinee: Sunday 13th March
BOOK YOUR TICKETS NOW WITH ALBEMARLE!
"WE'RE OFF TO SEE........."
The most magical adventure of them all.
THE WIZARD OF OZ IS NOW ON SALE WITH ALBEMARLE
Follow the yellow brick road over the rainbow and into The London Palladium,
the capital's home of the family musical.
Andrew Lloyd Webber's new production of The Wizard of Oz is an enchanting
adaptation of the all time classic, totally reconceived for the stage by the
award-winning creative team that delighted audiences of all ages with their
recent London Palladium revival of The Sound of Music.
Developed from the ever popular MGM screenplay this new production contains
all the much-loved songs from the Oscar winning movie score, all the
favourite characters and iconic moments, plus a few surprises along the way,
including new songs by Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Click your heels together and join Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion, Dorothy and her
little dog Toto, as they journey through the magical land of Oz to meet the
Wizard and obtain their heart's desires. Watch out for the Wicked Witch of
the West and her winged monkeys as you rediscover the real story of Oz in
this fantastic musical treat for all the family.
THE WIZARD OF OZ IS NOW ON SALE WITH ALBEMARLE
THIS SATURDAY, 22ND MAY IS D-DAY
THERE ARE NOW ONLY THREE GIRLS IN THE COMPETITION.
(17 May)
Yes, on Saturday 22nd May we will finally see who really has been chosen to play the leading role of Dorothy in Andrew Lloyd Webber's new production of the classic musical "THE WIZARD OF OZ" which opens at the London Palladium in March 2011.
Last night, Sunday 16th May, saw the last 4 potential Dorothy's battle it out - LAUREN, SOPHIE, DANIELLE AND STEPH
All four girls gave incredibly strong performances this week but one of them had to go. When Graham Norton asked each member of the panel who was NOT Dorothy,
all three judges - Charlotte Church, John Partridge and Shelia Hancock, agreed on Steph. When Graham Norton announced that Steph and Lauren were in this weeks bottom two, he then revealed that if it was down to the viewers vote alone, then Steph would be out of the competition, which matched the three judges choice. It was then down to the
Lord and master - Andrew Lloyd Webber, and he saved Lauren,
meaning that Steph was out of the contest.
WATCH "OVER THE RAINBOW" THIS COMING SATURDAY ON BBC1 AT 7PM AND THEN AGAIN AT 8.55PM AND SEE WHO WILL BE DOROTHY IN THE MOST TALKED ABOUT SHOW OF THE YEAR!
Follow the yellow brick road over the rainbow and into The London Palladium,
the capital's home of the family musical.
Andrew Lloyd Webber's new production of The Wizard of Oz is an enchanting
adaptation of the all time classic, totally reconceived for the stage by the
award-winning creative team that delighted audiences of all ages with their
recent London Palladium revival of The Sound of Music.
Developed from the ever popular MGM screenplay this new production contains
all the much-loved songs from the Oscar winning movie score, all the
favourite characters and iconic moments, plus a few surprises along the way,
including new songs by Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Click your heels together and join Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion, Dorothy and her
little dog Toto, as they journey through the magical land of Oz to meet the
Wizard and obtain their heart’s desires. Watch out for the Wicked Witch of
the West and her winged monkeys as you rediscover the real story of Oz in
this fantastic musical treat for all the family.
BOOKING NOW FOR PERFORMANCES 25 MARCH - 17 SEPT 2011
(No performances on a Monday)
Tuesday 7pm
Wednesday to Saturday 7.30pm
Matinees Wednesday and Saturday 2.30pm
SUNDAY Matinee 3pm
THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME For two Dorothy's this week
(10 May)
This week we said goodbye to not one, but two potential Dorothy's. On Saturday (8th May) we said goodbye to Jenny and on Sunday (9th May) it was farewell to Jessica.
There are now four contenders for the role of Dorothy in Andrew Lloyd Webber's
new production of "The Wizard of Oz"
which starts previews at the London Palladium on the 25th March 2011.
BOOK YOUR TICKETS NOW WITH ALBEMARLE!
You MUST watch the live show each Saturday and Sunday evenings on BBC1 to keep up with the gruelling but compelling shows where, you the public, will ultimately decide who is Dorothy. Who is your favourite - Steph, Sophie, Danielle, Lauren? Albemarle will be keeping a close eye on the weekly proceedings so if you miss the programme,
look at our show news! There are just two more weeks of BBC tv programmes of
"Over the Rainbow" which will finally see the crowning of Dorothy and the winning girl
who will be singing all the way up The Yellow Brick Road.
Follow the yellow brick road over the rainbow and into The London Palladium,
the capital's home of the family musical.
Andrew Lloyd Webber's new production of The Wizard of Oz is an enchanting
adaptation of the all time classic, totally reconceived for the stage by the
award-winning creative team that delighted audiences of all ages with their
recent London Palladium revival of The Sound of Music.
Developed from the ever popular MGM screenplay this new production contains
all the much-loved songs from the Oscar winning movie score, all the
favourite characters and iconic moments, plus a few surprises along the way,
including new songs by Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Click your heels together and join Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion, Dorothy and her
little dog Toto, as they journey through the magical land of Oz to meet the
Wizard and obtain their heart’s desires. Watch out for the Wicked Witch of
the West and her winged monkeys as you rediscover the real story of Oz in
this fantastic musical treat for all the family.
BOOKING NOW FOR PERFORMANCES 25 MARCH - 17 SEPT 2011
(No performances on a Monday)
Tuesday 7pm
Wednesday to Saturday 7.30pm
Matinees Wednesday and Saturday 2.30pm
Follow the yellow brick road over the rainbow and into The London Palladium,
the capital's home of the family musical.
Andrew Lloyd Webber's new production of The Wizard of Oz is an enchanting
adaptation of the all time classic, totally reconceived for the stage by the
award-winning creative team that delighted audiences of all ages with their
recent London Palladium revival of The Sound of Music.
Developed from the ever popular MGM screenplay this new production contains
all the much-loved songs from the Oscar winning movie score, all the
favourite characters and iconic moments, plus a few surprises along the way,
including new songs by Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Click your heels together and join Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion, Dorothy and her
little dog Toto, as they journey through the magical land of Oz to meet the
Wizard and obtain their heart’s desires. Watch out for the Wicked Witch of
the West and her winged monkeys as you rediscover the real story of Oz in
this fantastic musical treat for all the family.
BOOKING NOW FOR PERFORMANCES 25 MARCH - 17 SEPT 2011
(No performances on a Monday)
Tuesday 7pm
Wednesday to Saturday 7.30pm
Matinees Wednesday and Saturday 2.30pm
Last night (Sun 2nd May) saw two incredibly talented performers, Steph and Stephanie go head to head in the sing off at the end of "Over the Rainbow" - the BBC tv programme where Andrew Lloyd Webber is searching to find his leading lady - Dorothy, in his new production of "The Wizard of Oz" which opens at the London Palladium next March.
There were 7 girls all competing, Steph, Jenny, Sophie, Danielle, Lauren, Jessica and Stephanie. If it was down to the viewers vote alone, Stephanie actually received the lowest number of votes, but it was finally down to Andrew Lloyd Webber himself to save Steph and say goodbye to Stephanie. This must have been a very difficult decision because they were both very good and there are weaker girls left in the show.
Somehow though, I don't think this is the last we will see of Stephanie!
Next week, Sat 8th and Sun 9th May, the format of the tv programme will change dramatically because not one, but two Dorothy's will be voted off the show.
This will be a very exciting programme - do not miss Sunday's vote off!
AND REMEMBER, ALBEMARLE WILL BE OPENING BOOKINGS FOR THIS BRAND NEW PRODUCTION IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS - SO WATCH THIS SPACE!
ANDREW LLOYD WEBBERS NEW PRODUCTION OF THE WIZARD OF OZ CONFIRMS IT'S OPENING AT THE LONDON PALLADIUM
(30 April)
The spectacular new production of The Wizard of Oz presented by Andrew Lloyd Webber will open at the London Palladium in March 2011. Albemarle will be opening ticket sales in mid May, so watch this space!
Since the live BBC tv studio shows began, the format has been for the publicly voted
sing-offs to be aired live on Saturday evenings with the results shows broadcast
on Sundays. The winner will be crowned at the end of this May. .
Be among the first to see Dorothy, Tin Man, Lion and Scarecrow make their way along the Yellow Brick Road to the land of Oz and book your audience with the Wizard now!
APRIL SHOWBIZ NEWS
(3 April)
SHREK THE MUSICAL
Michael Ball might be in the running to take the lead in this show if it eventually does come to London. He has some other commitments which may mean a wait for the show to open. It also depends on the right theatre being available at the same time.
DUMBO THE MUSICAL
Disney have plans to open a new Broadway musical "DUMBO" based on the animated classic film from 1941, which contains the song "When I see an Elephant fly". This would open on Broadway and any further opeings would depend on it's success.
Disney's other musical "Tarzan" did not fare too well on Broadway although it
has been a major success in Europe, and London could be a possibility in the future.
A FISH CALLED WANDA - THE MUSICAL
John Cleese and his daughter Camilla have written a new musical version of the comedy film classic, A Fish Called Wanda - and now Bill Bailey is set to help write some of the songs. The plan is to debut the project in San Diego, then move it to
Broadway and London's West End.
WHAT A FEELING! "FLASHDANCE" HITS THE WEST END SHAFTESBURY THEATRE 27th SEPT - 26th FEB 2011
(26 March)
"Sparks will fly this year as the West End Premiere of FLASHDANCE - The Musical explodes onto the stage from September 2010.
Set in Pittsburgh USA, FLASHDANCE tells the story of 18 year old Alex,
a welder by day and 'flashdancer' by night, whose dream is to obtain
a place at the prestigious Shipley Dance Academy.
Based on the Paramount Pictures film (Screenplay by Tom Hedley and Joe Eszterhas, story by Tom Hedley) FLASHDANCE is an unmistakably unique musical about holding onto your dreams and love against all the odds. The show features an iconic score including the smash hit 'Maniac', along with 'Manhunt', 'Gloria'
and the Academy Award winning title track 'Flashdance - What a Feeling'
as well as 10 original songs created for the musical.
Full of pulsating, raw energy and with breathtaking choreography by Arlene Phillips (Strictly Come Dancing, Grease, Starlight Express, Saturday Night Fever), FLASHDANCE - The Musical promises to be the theatrical event of the year - so take your passion and make it happen!"
WHY NOT SEE THE WINNING PLAYS AND MUSICALS FOR THE 2010 OLIVIER AWARDS AND SEE IF YOU AGREE?
(22 March)
The list printed below shows the winners for current productions and actors, but does not include other winners for productions that have closed. A full list of all winners can be found at www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk
The annual OLIVIER AWARDS winners were announced on the 21st March 2010
at the Grosvenor House, JW Marriott Hotel (where Albemarle also have a full time dedicated theatre desk in the main lobby)
CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF Best revival now playing at The Novello Theatre (until 10th April 2010)
ENRON Rupert Goold - Best director now playing at the Noel Coward Theatre (until 14th August 2010)
JERUSALEM Mark Rylance - Best actor Ultz - Best setdesign now playing at the Apollo Theatre (until 24th April 2010)
PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT Tim Chappel and Lizzy Gardiner - Best costume design now booking until 26th February 2011 at the Palace Theatre
WICKED Audience Award for Most Popular Show (as voted for by the users of officiallondontheatre.co.uk) music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, book by Winnie Holzman now booking until 30th April 2011 at the Apollo Victoria theatre
A new revival of the hit comedy "Bedroom Farce" by Alan Ayckbourn will open at The Duke of Yorks Theatre on the 24th March where it is currently booking until the 10th July.
Four couples, three bedrooms, two celebrations, one blazing row and an illicit kiss (or two). Alan Ayckbourn’s ingenious comedy shines a brilliant spotlight onto the trials and tribulations of suburban marriage.
Trevor and Susannah have a problem relationship which requires urgent attention. What better solution than to talk it over with family and friends? Preferably in their respective bedrooms and ideally in the middle of the night. Inevitably, one problem relationship tends to spark off another.
When you have friends like Trevor and Susannah, nobody gets much sleep
Chin Up Britain, The Grumpies Fight Back - Fresh from a 60 date sell-out National tour three of Britain's Top Grumps bring their brand new show
to The Novello Theatre in London's West End.
Come and join Jenny "the spleen burster" Eclair- the original grump and star of many grumpy shows including a previous West End run and the tour of Australia; Wendi "mad dog" Peters - the all singing, all dancing ex Corrie grrrrrrrrump; and finally the Queen of Soap, Stage and taking things back to Marks and Spencers, Susie "the huffer" Blake, (looks like a normal middle aged woman - but scarier). Expect ninety minutes of advanced Grumping - plus vital tips on getting through these gloomy days the Grumpy way!
FRASIER STAR JOINS JOANNA LUMLEY AND MARK RYLANCE IN "LA BETE"
(4 March)
Mark Rylance, Joanna Lumley and David Hyde Pierce are to star in Matthew Warchus's new production of La Bete, which will play at the Comedy Theatre from
26 June to 28 August (press night 7 July) prior to a Broadway transfer.
American playwright David Hirson's 1991 comedy centres on Elomire (Pierce),
a high-minded classical dramatist who loves only the theatre, and Valere (Rylance),
a low-brow street clown who loves only himself. When the fickle princess (Lumley) decides she has grown weary of Elomire's royal theatre troupe, he and Valere are left
fighting for survival as art squares off with ego in a liter`ary showdown for the ages.
David Hyde Pierce is well known for a long-running television series, Frasier, in which he played Niles. The American actor, who makes his West End debut in La Bete, won a Tony Award for his role in Curtains on Broadway, where he also starred in Monty Python's Spamalot and Accent On Youth. In addition to his numerous off-Broadway and regional stage credits, Hyde Pierce's screen work includes Little Man Tate, Sleepless In Seattle, Wolf, Down With Love and A Bug's Life.
"SWEET CHARITY" will start previews at the Haymarket Theatrer on the 23rd April, with a press night on the 4 May 2010, where it is initially booking until 18 December 2010.
It first opened at the Menier Chocolate Factory in November 2009
where it has been a total sellout .
Sweet Charity has music by Cy Coleman, lyrics by Dorothy Fields and a book by Neil Simon, and takes a look at the seedy underbelly of 1960s New York. The gullible, enchanting heroine Charity Hope Valentine (Tamsin Outhwaite) dances, laughs and cries her way through a series of whirlwind romances and include the famous show tunes including "Rhythm of Life", "If My Friends Could See Me Now" and "Hey Big Spender".
BETTER STILL, WHY NOT TAKE HER TO A "HOT" SHOW IN LONDON?
(3 March)
Mothers day is on SUNDAY 14TH MARCH. The following shows are playing on Mothers day
"HAIRSPRAY" the musical
starring every mothers favourite (well, almost) BRIAN CONLEY, 3pm
"THE LION KING"
Disney's fantastic spectacular musical for all the family, 3pm
"LEGALLY BLONDE" the musical
starring Sheridan Smith and for all the mum's that liked Boy band BLUE
see DUNCAN JAMES in this mega hit musical. 3pm
"JERSEY BOYS"
Mum can sign along to all the hits of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons
(My eyes adored you, Sherry, Big Girls Dont Cry, Walk Like a Man,
Can't take my eyes off you, Lets hang on, and many more). 3pm
"STOMP"
Instead of emptying the bins and sweeping the floors with a broom,
see what this team of guys do with them - lots of noise in da'house! 3pm & 6pm
"THRILLER - LIVE"
Michael Jackson and The Jackson Five tribute will have your mum up dancing
(no moonwalking in the aisles please!) 3.30pm & 7.30pm
AND IF MUM WANTS A BIT OF DRAMA
(rather than the usual in the house) then why not see Ian McKellan in the play "WAITING FOR GODOT" by Samuel Beckett, 3pm
LATEST SHOWBIZ NEWS - MARCH 2010
(2 March)
LES MISERABLES TO HAVE 2 PRODUCTIONS IN LONDON?
Cameron Mackintosh has announced that he might open a second production of
"Les Miserables" to run at the same time as his original production at the Queens Theatre. The new reworked production is currently touring the UK and celebrates the shows 25th anniversary and will only do a short season.
Having 2 shows running at the same time has never happened before in the west end.
WILL & GRACE STAR HOPES TO OPEN IN LONDON
Megan Mullally, who recently played at London's Vaudeville Theatre for a limited 8 performance run with her band, has announced that she is planning to reprise her role of Karen from the hit USA tv series "Will & Grace", in a new show called, "KAREN - THE MUSICAL".
Megan intends to open the musical in Los Angeles, then Broadway, and finally London. Megan has a fantastic voice and starred in Broadway productions of "How to succeed in business without really trying" (alongside Matthew Broderick), and also in the Mel Brooks musical "Young Frankenstein".
Megan released the following information after one of her performances at The Vaudeville Theatre to an audience of questions and answers:
Five or so years ago I was having a massage and I had my face in the cradle and my eyes sprang open and I thought Karen: The Musical. It seems to me that it would be really funny to see Karen singing. I also think that, since there are no standards and practices, you'd have so much leeway to do a lot of really silly, stupid things, I mean that in the good way ... I want it to be just, the stupidest thing you've ever seen. That's my goal.
It's not a Broadway show. I want to do it in LA for a limited run because there's no understudy and mummy gets tired. So a limited run in LA first, then we could do it in NY for a period and then we could do it here. I'm not doing it to be a Broadway show. I'm doing it to be a show that can travel anywhere that people like the character of Karen. It's going to be Karen and Beverley Leslie together. Leslie Jordan, who played Beverly Leslie, has quite a lot of stage experience. He's very good on stage so it’s going to be the two of us.
STRONG CHICHESTER THEATRE SEASON - POSSIBLE TRANSFERS TO LONDON?
The new season at The Chichester Festival Theatre has been announced and some of the plays could be possible West End transfers.
The musicals will be a revival of "42nd Street",
and a brand new musical "Love Story" based on the movie of the same name.
The plays include "Pygmalion" starring Rupert Everitt and Stephanie Cole,
and the world premiere of "Yes Prime Minister" starring David Haig and Henry Goodman, and Patrick Stewart in Edward Bond's "Bingo".
GET YOUR SKATES ON.....
ICE CHAMPION ROBIN COUSINS
GUEST STARS AS "TEEN ANGEL" IN THE SMASH-HIT MUSICAL "GREASE" AT THE PICCADILLY THEATRE
(25 February)
Skating legend Robin Cousins will be swapping the ice rink for the West End stage when he joins the cast of the smash-hit musical Greaseon 29 March 2010. The former Olympic champion and Dancing on Ice judge
will guest star as 'Teen Angel' for a limited season until 19 June 2010
at London's Piccadilly Theatre.
Robin Cousins is one of Britain’s most famous and best loved individual ice skaters. He won the World Free Skating Championship Gold medal for three consecutive years from 1978 and rose to the top in 1980, winning World Championship Silver and capping his amateur career with the European Championship and Olympic Gold medals. During his highly successful career as a professional skater, Robin made several appearances as a guest star with Holiday on Ice and Ice Capades (USA). As a director and choreographer, he has worked extensively on shows for the ice spectacular Holiday on Ice including Spirit (currently touring the UK). His choreographic achievements also include ice interpretations of The Wizard of Oz, Starlight Express and Disney’s Toy Story along with many shows for his own ice company such as Electric Ice, which enjoyed a worldwide tour and sell-out run in London. Away from the ice, Robin has forged a successful career in theatre including starring roles in acclaimed shows such as Cats,The Rocky Horror Show (in the West End) and Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. Robin retired from the ice rink in 2000, after 30 years on the ice and 20 years of professional skating. He is currently commentating for the BBC on figure skating at the Winter Olympics 2010, which marks the 3oth anniversary of his Olympic Gold win (Lake Placid, 1980). After this, Robin will return to the ice panel of ITV1’s hit show Dancing on Ice where he will reside as head judge for the series before gliding into Grease on 29 March.
LOVE NEVER DIES FINALLY ARRIVES AT THE ADELPHI BOOK YOUR TICKETS NOW WITH ALBEMARLE BEFORE THEY ARE ALL GONE!
(22 February)
This must be the most talked about and eagerly anticipated new musical to hit the West End stage for a very long time, and now, it is finally here - at The Adelphi Theatre. The first preview on the 20th February was cancelled.
Andrew Lloyd Webber's long awaited new show "LOVE NEVER DIES" will have its World Premiere in London at the Adelphi Theatre on Tuesday 9 March 2010, with previews from the 22nd February, before opening in New York and Australia.
"LOVE NEVER DIES" continues the story of 'The Phantom', who has moved from his lair in the Paris Opera House to haunt the fairgrounds of Coney Island, far across the Atlantic. Set ten years after the mysterious disappearance of 'The Phantom' from Paris, this show is a rollercoaster ride of obsession and intrigue...in which music and memory can play cruel tricks...and 'The Phantom' sets out to prove that, indeed, "LOVE NEVER DIES".
"The Phantom of the Opera", based on the French novel by Gaston Leroux, has proved a huge success the world over and has been seen by over 100 million people, making it the single most successful entertainment entity in history. The show has been translated into 15 languages and has played in over 25 different countries, including China, Brazil, Poland and Korea. "The Phantom of the Opera" opened at Her Majesty’s Theatre in London on 9 October 1986 starring Sarah Brightman and Michael Crawford and celebrated its 23rd London birthday on 9 October 2009. "The Phantom of the Opera" has won a staggering 50 awards worldwide, whilst global album sales currently stand at over 40 million copies.
Ramin Karimloo will create the role of 'The Phantom' in "LOVE NEVER DIES", having already played the role to great acclaim in "The Phantom of the Opera" in London. Ramin's other stage credits include starring as 'Enjolras' in "Les Miserables" in the West End, 'Chris' in the UK tour of "Miss Saigon" and 'Artie Green' in the UK tour of "Sunset Boulevard". Ramin also played 'Raoul' in the West End production of "The Phantom of the Opera!", as well as the role of 'Christine’s Father' in Joel Schumacher's film, making him the only actor to play all three of 'Christine's' loves.
"ENRON" EXTENDS ITS RECORD-BREAKING WEST END RUN BY 14 WEEKS
(19 February)
The record-breaking, award-winning, world-premiere production of Lucy Prebble's celebrated new play ENRON has announced an extension to its run at the Noel Coward Theatre. Previously scheduled to close on 8 May, the production will continue to run after this date, with a new cast, until 14 August 2010 (the ninth anniversary of the whistle-blowing letter that precipitated Enron’s collapse).
Inspired by real-life events and using music, dance and video, ENRON explores one of the most infamous scandals in financial history, reviewing the tumultuous 1990s and casting a new light on the financial turmoil in which the world currently finds itself. The cast (until 8 May) includes Samuel West as Enron's CEO Jeffrey Skilling, with Amanda Drew, Tom Goodman-Hill and Tim Pigott-Smith.
Since it opened in the West End in January 2010, ENRON has broken box office and attendance records at the Noel Coward Theatre.
ENRON opens on Broadway at the Broadhurst Theatre on 27 April 2010, and a 10-week tour opens at Chichester Festival Theatre on 10 September 2010.
ENRON won Rupert Goold an Evening Standard Award and a Critics Circle Award for Best Director and the production has received six Olivier Award nominations.
CELEBRATE ST PATRICKS DAY - BUY RIVERDANCE TICKETS FOR APRIL
(19 February)
St. Patrick's Day (17th March) is celebrated by the Irish and Irish at Heart in big cities and small towns alike with parades, "wearing of the green," music and songs, Irish food and drink, and activities for kids such as crafts, coloring and games. Its a time for fun.
Why not treat your partner/friend/family to see RIVERDANCE at the HMV Hammersmith Apollo where it returns once again for it's 2010 farewell tour. The show is only playing a very limited season from the 28th April - 1st May 2010. Book your tickets now with Albemarle.
Please look at the Ballet/Opera section of our website.
Priscilla Queen Of The Desert The Musical will be altering its performance schedule during the summer months, dropping its Monday performance and adding a Sunday 3pm matinee between 6 June and 5 September.
From 8 March, Don Gallagher will replace Tony Sheldon as Bernadette, joining current leading men Jason Donovan and Oliver Thornton. Don Gallagher, who previously appeared in the West End productions of The Producers, Les Misérables and Martin Guerre, is not the only newcomer; Portia Emare and Charlotte Riby join Emma Lindars as the Divas, and Newley Aucutt joins the cast as Miss Understanding.
Legally Blonde has extended its current run at the Savoy Theatre until Sunday 20th February 2011. The show recently opened to rave reviews and ticket sales are very strong. Albemarle still have some very good seats for some performances, so book now!
ENRON
Best new play
Samuel West - Best actor
Tim Pigott-Smith - Best actor in a supporting role
Rupert Goold - Best director
Mark Henderson - Best lighting design
Anthony Ward - Best set design
THE MISANTHROPE
Keira Knightley - Best actress in a supporting role
Best revival
Amy Roberts - Best costume design
JERUSALEM
Best new play
Mackenzie Crook - Best actor in a supporting role
Ian Rickson - Best director
Ultz - Best set design
Ian Dickinson - Best sound design
OLIVER
Best musical revival
Matthew Bourne - Best choreographer
PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT
Best new musical
Tony Sheldon - Best actor in a musical
Tim Chappel and Lizzy Gardiner - Best costume design
SISTER ACT
Best new musical
Patina Miller - Best actress in a musical
Sheila Hancock - Best supporting actress in a musical
Anthony Van Laast - Best choreographer
The 2010 seasons starts with Arthur Miller's "THE CRUCIBLE" from the 24th May - 19th June. This is followed by Shakespeare's "THE COMEDY OF ERRORS"from the 24th June - 31st July. Next up is Shakespeare's "MACBETH" (re-imagined for everyone aged sixand over) from the 3rd - 31st July, which plays in rep with The Comedy of Errors".
The final production in this years season is Stephen Sondheim's musical "INTO THE WOODS" from the 5th August - 11th September.
THRILLER LIVE, the crowd-pleasing high-energy tribute concert to Michael Jackson, has celebrated moving into its second West End year by revitalising the show.
The updated version of the hit show, which officially launches on 11 February, features extra choreography, six new songs and a different opening to the production that originally opened in London in January 2009.
With an enviable score including Billie Jean, Man In The Mirror, Beat It, Thriller, Can You Feel It and I Want You Back, Thriller Live blends video footage and special effects with choreography from Gary Lloyd, who has previously worked with the likes of Leona Lewis, Robbie William and Girls Aloud.
Thriller Live's London home at the Lyric theatre became a focal point for grieving fans when the King of Pop died last year, many leaving flowers and tributes to arguably one of the world’s greatest entertainers.
Thriller Live has proved so successful that in addition to its London production, two world tours have been mounted, while further productions are planned for Australia, Asia, the USA and Canada
The smash hit award-winning musical "HAIRSPRAY" will close at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London on Sunday 28 March after a run of two and a half years, over 1,000 performances and a total audience of over 1 million. The show opened to unprecedented critical acclaim on 30 October 2007 starring Michael Ball, Mel Smith and Leanne Jones. The show has grossed over £50 million during its run and becomes the longest playing show at the Shaftesbury Theatre in over 40 years.
For the final eight weeks of its London run "HAIRSPRAY" will star Brian Conley as 'Edna Turnblad', Micky Dolenz as 'Wilbur Turnblad' and Chloe Hart as 'Tracy Turnblad'.
From the 30 March 2010, the show will start it's tour of the UK at Cardiff Millennium Centre with Michael Ball reprising his role as larger-than-life Edna Turnblad, alternating at different venues with subsequent West End Ednas, Brian Conely and Phil Jupitus.
Following Cardiff, the tour continues until 9 January 2011 to Glasgow, Southampton, Wolverhampton, Leeds, Manchester, Plymouth, Liverpool, Sunderland, Milton Keynes, Oxford, Birmingham, Bradford and Edinburgh, with further dates to be announced.
LEE MEAD TO STAR AS 'FIYERO' IN WICKED FROM 10 MAY 2010
(3 February)
WICKED, London's "hugely popular musical" (The Times) that tells the untold story of the Witches of Oz, is pleased to announce that Lee Mead is to play Fiyero at the Apollo Victoria Theatre from Monday 10 May 2010.
From Monday 29 March 2010, WICKED will star: Rachel Tucker (Elphaba), Louise Dearman (Glinda), Lee Mead plays Fiyero from Monday 10 May 2010. From Monday 29 March 2010 until Saturday 8 May 2010, the role will be played by Lewis Bradley. (Fiyero), Julie Legrand (Madame Morrible), Clive Carter (The Wizard), Cassandra Compton (Nessarose), Julian Forsyth (Doctor Dillamond), George Ure (Boq), Nikki Davis-Jones (Elphaba Standby), Sarah Earnshaw (Glinda Standby), Alex Louize Bird, Lewis Bradley*, Gareth Chart, Joe Colasanti, Emma Green, Lauren James Ray, Shirley Jameson, Daniel Jones, Jasmine Kerr, Matt Krzan, Sophie Linder-Lee, Danny Mac, Lucy Newton, Sauri Oda, Sean Parkins, Soeli Parry, Michelle Pentecost, Paul Saunders, Niall Sheehy, Tommy Sherlock, Thomas Sutcliffe, Jennifer Tierney, Hannah Toy, Stevie Tate-Bauer, Jack Wilcox and Sam Wilmott.
WICKED Executive Producer Michael McCabe said: "With a wealth of musical theatre experience already under his belt, Lee was, from the outset, the one to watch in the BBC's 'Any Dream Will Do'. His much deserved win and subsequent performance in 'Joseph...' proved that he was an outstandingly talented leading man. I am really delighted that he has now chosen to make his return to the West End as Fiyero in Wicked alongside the fantastic new cast that will take us into our fifth year".
We hear........"FLASHDANCE THE MUSICAL" may be heading for the bright lights of the West End. Based on the movie, it contains the songs "Maniac" and "Flashdance...what a feeling". The musical has already played a provincial tour but now producers are looking at theatres in town for a possible transfer.
Another musical "LAUGHTER IN THE RAIN" may also be heading for London. The musical is based on the songs of hit singer/composer Neil Sedaka, and includes the hits "Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen", "Calendar Girl", "Oh, Carol", "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do", "Solitaire", "Amarillo" and "Laughter in the Rain". The show starts it out of town tour on the 1st March in Bromley and may head into town later in the year.
The smash hit musical "SWEET CHARITY" now playing at the Menier Chocolate Factory until the 7th March, may move to a West End house if one can be found at the right time. The show, which contains the songs "If my friends could see me now" and "Hey Big Spender" opened to rave reviews and if does transfer it will follow the Chocolate Factory's amazing success of other shows that started there, such as the recent revival of "La Cage Aux Folles", "Sunday in the Park with George" and "A Little Night Music"
OMIGOD! THE CRITICS AGREE -
LEGALLY BLONDE IS THE HIT OF THE YEAR!
Just look at some of the recent press quotes.
LEGALLY BLONDE has now opened at The Savoy Theatre to absolutely RAVE reviews
and now you can see what everyone is talking about.
Tickets are now on sale with Albemarle but selling fast, so BOOK NOW!
College sweetheart and homecoming queen Elle Woods (Sheridan Smith) doesn’t take no for an answer. So when her boyfriend, Warner (Duncan James), dumps her for someone serious, Elle puts down the credit card, hits the books, and heads for Harvard Law School!
Based on the hit movie of the same name, Legally Blonde the Musical is the Broadway sensation created by a top-of-their-class creative team, led by Tony Award-winning director and Olivier nominated choreographer Jerry Mitchell (Hairspray).
Legally Blonde the Musical will take you from the social whirl of California Campus
life to Harvard's Halls of Justice with the West End's brightest new heroine
(and of course, her Chihuahua, Bruiser.
The verdict? This much fun shouldn't be legal!
**** A FEEL-GOOD DELIGHT! A HUGE HIT . Charles Spencer, The Daily Telegraph, 14 January ***** ' Legally Blonde simply blows other musicals out of the water. SENSATIONAL' Larry Meyler, The Sun Online, 14 January **** 'Infinitely more enjoyable than the 2001 movie... Sheridan Smith as Elle Woods sings and dances excellently. TRUE STAR QUALITY' Michael Billington, The Guardian, 15 January **** Take your kids, take your teenage daughter, take your granny...
Danny Robbins, Saturday Review, BBC Radio 4 **** 'A wonderful new musical. OMIGOD! I'm like totally going again.' Paul Taylor, The Independent, 14 January **** 'Just the ticket to thaw the winter chill' Mark Shenton, Sunday Express, 17 January **** 'An inst ant hit... A box office bombshell!'
WHATS THE CAMPEST SHOW IN TOWN? PRISCILLA OF COURSE! AND NOW YOU CAN HAVE EVEN MORE OF PRISCILLA! BOOKINGS NOW BEING TAKEN FOR PERFORMANCES UP TO THE 26TH FEB 2011
(27 January)
Get ready for the ride of your life! PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT -THE MUSICALhas extended it's booking period at the Palace Theatre. This really is the ultimate feel-good experience. Based on the smash-hit movie, PRISCILLA is the heart-warming, uplifting adventure of three friends who hop aboard a battered old bus searching for love and friendship and end up finding more than they could ever have imagined. With a dazzling array of outrageous costumes and a score featuring more than 20 dance-floor classics, this wildly fresh and funny new musical is a sensational journey to the heart of fabulous. So, hop on board! Life's an adventure. Dress accordingly.
PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO COARSE LANGUAGE THERE IS A PARENTAL GUIDANCE OF 15
"AVENUE Q" MOVES TO IT'S 3RD NEW HOME - WYNDHAM'S THEATRE
Avenue Q will finish it's run at The Gielgud Theatre on the 13th March 2009 and re-open at Wyndham's Theatre in the 19th March 2009
(27 January)
Avenue Q continues the contagious, fun-filled, frolic-fueled adventure that has captured the hearts of theatre-goers everywhere.
Join the residents ofAvenue Q in their new home at the Gielgud Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue. Described as "Pant Wettingly Funny",Avenue Q ingeniously combines a cast of humans and puppets who tackle subjects such as dating, racism, internet porn, being gay and finding your purpose in life. Avenue Q is very much the perfect musical for our time.
Now in its 2nd record-breaking year, Oliver! is one of the most beloved British musicals, vividly bringing to life Dickens' timeless characters
with its ever-popular story of the boy who asked for more.
Griff Rhys Jones, one of the Country's most loved, versatile and prolific performers,
plays the role of Fagin alongside Jodie Prenger, who stars as Nancy until 27 March. West End and Broadway star Kerry Ellis
will be taking on the role of Nancy from 29 March.
With a cast and orchestra of over 100, the sensational score is full of Lionel Bart's irresistible songs including Food Glorious Food, Consider Yourself, You've Got to Pick-a-Pocket or Two, I'd Do Anything, Oom Pah Pah, As Long As He Needs Me and many more
SPICE UP YOUR LIFE WITH THE NEW SPICE GIRLS MUSICAL
(22 January)
The incredibly popular girl group, The Spice Girls, will have their hit records featured in a brand new musical coming to London, at the moment with a working title called "VIVA FOREVER!"
And before you say "Oh no, not another juke box musical", be prepared for what could be London's biggest hit since "Mamma Mia!", which itself brought about other musicals featuring the music of pop groups such as Take That ("Never Forget" at The Savoy), and Madness (Our House" at the Cambridge), both of which had relatively short runs. The reason "VIVA FOREVER" is likely to take the West End by storm is not only the popularity of The Spice Girls, but it will be produced by one of the savviest theatre producers in town - Judy Craymer, who 10 years ago took a huge gamble to present "Mamma Mia!" when most people thought it would be a huge flop. "Mamma Mia!" has now gone on to take in excess of $2 billion, and has been seen by more than 42 million people in eight current productions around the world, and which celebrated its tenth birthday in the West End last April.
Judy Craymer announced an agreement with XIX, the new company formed by the band's original manager Simon Fuller. Judy added: "I'm delighted that Simon Fuller and the Spice Girls are so supportive of the idea of "VIVA FOREVER" I want to create a unique celebration of the band and its music, with its own flavour and joyful message. It is important to me that the excitement, style and humour of the Spice Girls is well represented on stage."
No cast, dates or venue details have yet been announced for the new show. The Spice Girls will NOT be in the show themselves.WATCH THIS SPACE FOR MORE NEWS!!!
Despite a global recession, theatregoers have continued to visit London's West End theatres, making 2009 a bumper year for some shows.
"Wicked" at the Apollo Victoria Theatre reported its highest ever takings in 2009 of
27.3 million pounds, which was an increase of around 100,000 pounds on the year before.
"The Lion King" took a whopping 32 million pounds in 2009,
which is also its highest grossing figure in its decade long run at the Lyceum Theatre.
Albemarle have great allocations for both of these hugely popular musicals - so BOOK NOW!
"THE FANTASTICKS" - THE LONGEST RUNNING MUSICAL IN THE WORLD TO OPEN IN LONDON
(20 January)
A brand new production of the classic musical, The Fantasticks is coming to London, opening in May 2010 at the Duchess Theatre. The initial booking period is 24th May - 5th Sept 2010.
The Fantasticks first played in New York nearly fifty years ago and has since become the longest running show of any kind in the United States and the longest running musical in the world. It has played in over 2000 cities and towns in the States, in more than 10,000 productions. Internationally more than 700 productions have been staged in 67 countries.
Directed by Amon Miyamoto, a new production of this much-loved musical will invigorate and illuminate the show with fresh visual, emotional and musical energy. Designer Rumi Matsui joins Miyamoto on The Fantasticks following their previous collaboration on the Broadway production of Pacific Overtures for which Matsui’s work was Tony Award nominated. Lighting design will be provided by 2009 Tony Award winner Rick Fisher.
The Fantasticks tells an allegorical story, loosely based on the play The Romancers (Les Romanesques) by Edmond Rostand, concerning two neighboring fathers who put up a wall between their houses to ensure that their children fall in love, because they know children always do what their parents forbid. After the children do fall in love, they discover their fathers' plot and each go off and experience the world. Finally they return to each other and the love they had, having learned from the world to recognise their true feelings. Elements of the musical are drawn from the story of Pyramus and Thisbe, its story winding its way through Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer Night's Dream as well as Donizetti's L'Elisir d'Amore and Rostand's play. Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt’s classic score feature’s titles including Much More, I Can See It and the instantly familiar Try To Remember.
What is Mrs Warren's profession? Her daughter Vivie has never really known much about her mother. A prim young woman, she has enjoyed a comfortable upbringing, a Cambridge education and a generous monthly allowance. Now she has ambitions to go into Law. Is it conceivable that all this privilege and respectability has been financed from the proceeds of the oldest profession? How will Vivie react when she finds out the awful truth about her mother’s ill-gotten gains?
Shaw’s ultimate test of a mother-daughter relationship is one of his most witty and provocative plays. Written in 1894 but banned from performance until the racy 1920s, Mrs Warren’s Profession lays bare the rampant hypocrisy of Victorian society and its constrained morals.
Felicity Kendal's television credits include The Good Life and Rosemary and Thyme. Her numerous stage appearances include The Vortexn and most recently, The Last Cigarette.
LOVE HEART? -> LOVE TOBY ANSTIS? -> LOVE GREASE!!!
HEART DJ TOBY ANSTIS GUEST STARS AS 'TEEN ANGEL'
(19 January)
The smash-hit musical Greasehas a new cast from 25 January 2010 including popular Heart presenter Toby Anstis. Making his West End debut, the radio star will gain a host of angels when he joins the cast as 'Teen Angel' for a limited season from 25 January to 20 March 2010 at London's Piccadilly Theatre.
Toby Anstis presents the weekday mid-morning show on Heart, the UK's largest commercial radio network. Over 3.4 million people tune into Toby's show each week, broadcast on 33 Heart stations across the UK. He also presents the Saturday morning show on Heart in London. Toby remains one of the best-loved and most popular TV and radio presenters. He made his name on television presenting BBC1's The Ozone, Electric Circus and Live and Kicking. Since then he has presented and appeared on a variety of shows including the National Lottery Live, Britain's Next Top Model and Dancing in the Streets, he co-hosted Children in Need and even braved the jungle in I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here! In addition, Toby has hosted a number of prestigious events including Elton John's New Year's Eve concert at the O2 Arena and the world premiere of the movie Mamma Mia! in Leicester Square.
Looking forward to his role inGrease, Toby says: "I'm absolutely thrilled and delighted to join the cast of Grease at the Piccadilly Theatre this January. I feel so lucky to be part of London’s most feel-good musical and make my debut on the West End stage! I'm probably one of the world's biggest fans of Grease so it's a dream come true."
Part of Bridge Project - The Old Vic, Brooklyn Academy of Music & Neal Street Productions, starring Stephen Dillane. In repertoire from the 18th June - 21st August.
Sam Mendes returns to direct year two of The Bridge Project, with another stellar transatlantic lineup including Michelle Beck, Christian Camargo, Ron Cephas Jones, Stephen Dillane, Juliet Rylance and Thomas Sadoski in an intriguing pairing of Shakepeare's pastoral comedy As You Like It and his late masterpiece The Tempest
In repertoire from the 12th June - 21st August, starring Stephan Dillane. Part of Bridge Project - The Old Vic, Brooklyn Academy of Music & Neal Street Productions.
Sam Mendes returns to direct year two of The Bridge Project, with another stellar transatlantic lineup including Michelle Beck, Christian Camargo, Ron Cephas Jones, Stephen Dillane, Juliet Rylance and Thomas Sadoski in an intriguing pairing of Shakepeare's pastoral comedy As You Like It and his late masterpiece The Tempest
Ticket sales for the new Andrew Lloyd Webber musical "LOVE NEVER DIES" have reached around £8 million. The follow up to "PHANTOM OF THE OPERA" sees Christine Daee singing again at the Opera House in New Yorks fairground, Coney Island , this time 10 years later after the Phantom's mysterious dissapearance, and guess who turns up................
"LOVE NEVER DIES" starts previews at The Adelphi Theatre on the 20th February. Already, savvy theatregoers are planning their own "PHANTOM DAY" by booking tickets for the Matinee performance of "PHANTOM OF THE OPERA" at 2.30pm at Her Majestys Theatre in the Haymarket and then crossing over to the Strand and seeing the 7.30pm performance of "LOVE NEVER DIES" at The Adelphi Theatre. This is of course only possible on Tuesdays and Saturdays but is proving incredibly popular with fans. If you are considering this, we strongly advise booking both sets of tickets now as seats are selling out really fast!
"GHOST THE MUSICAL"
We hear that plans are progressing on the new musical "GHOST" which is rumoured to star Laura Michelle Kelly who originated the role of Mary in the musical "Mary Poppins" and also starred in the musical "Lord of the Rings".
The musical is based on the hit movie "GHOST" which originally starred Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore. It is not expected tp open until late 2010 or early 2011.
The musical is not to be confused with the upcoming production of Ibsen's GHOSTS which Albemarle now have on sale at The Duchess Theatre, starring Iain Glen and Lesley Sharp, 11th Feb - 15th May 2010.
NEW JUDY GARLAND PLAY
The late Judy Garland features alongside other singing divas in "THE RISE AND FALL OF LITTLEVOICE" which closes on the 30th January at The Vaudeville Theatre, but theatregoers may not have to wait too long for a new play to open called "END OF THERAINBOW" which explores the last days of the superstars life in London in 1969.. Judy Garland had then married Mickey Deans which was very short lived before her untimely death. Accomplished West End star Tracey Bennett will play Judy in the new play which has seven songs. The play will open in Northampton in February and hopes are that it will transfer to the West End.
Debbie Reynolds, MGM legend and star of 'Singing in the Rain', 'The Unsinkable Molly Brown' and 'That's Entertainment!', is celebrating more than 50 years in show business by bringing her award-winning one-woman show,
GHOSTS TO OPEN AT THE DUCHESS THEATRE 11th Feb - 15th May 2010
starring Iain Glen and Lesley Warren in a new production of the Ibsen classic
(12 January)
Mrs Alving's is preparing for the opening of an orphanage - a memorial to her late husband. Her son Oswald, an artist, returns home for the celebrations. A story of love, betrayal and hypocrisy gradually unfolds as ghosts from the past come back to haunt the living,
making sure the sins of the fathers are never forgiven
For the first time outside of the US, in a European and UK first, internationally acclaimed actress and performer Megan Mullally will take to the West End stage with her band, Supreme Music Program, for eight performances only.
Best known for her two-time Emmy and four-time Screen Actors Guild Award-winning role as Karen Walker on American TV comedy Will & Grace, Megan made her Broadway debut in the 1994 revival of Grease with Rosie O’ Donnell. She received an Outer Critics Circle Award nomination for her performance as Rosemary in the Broadway revival of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying opposite Matthew Broderick and starred in the hit Mel Brooks musical Young Frankenstein. Megan was also recently seen in the new film remake of Fame, and can be heard singing the solo “You Took Advantage of Me” on the Fame soundtrack. She is currently working on a new Broadway musical entitled Karen: The Musical, where she will reprise her role of Karen Walker from Will & Grace. She will also star in series two of successful American comedy series Party Down, airing on US cable channel Starz from April 2010.
Megan has recorded three albums with her band Supreme Music Program: The Sweetheart Break-In, Big As A Berry and the recently released Free Again!. She has performed at venues across America with Supreme Music Program, including The Lincoln Center, The Kennedy Center, The Seattle Symphony and Chicago’s Goodman Theatre. Her new show at the Vaudeville Theatre will include songs from all three albums alongside previously unheard material. It is the first time she has ever toured with her band outside of the US, making Megan Mullally & Supreme Music Program a rare chance to catch this charismatic, versatile and popular performer for a strictly limited run
(11 January)David Essex and Boogie Nights creator Jon Conway invite you to a roller coaster ride of a musical, underscored by a helter- skelter of David Essex hits and album favourites.
Inspired by David's debut album 'All The Fun Of The Fair' as the words of the title song suggest David plays fun fair owner Levi Lee, recently widowed and father of a rebellious teenage son. Danger and mysticism lurk in the future, as predicted by the gypsy fortune teller who is in love with Levi. This moving and contemporary story with a heartbreaking twist, reaches out to every parent and anyone who has ever been torn in love.
Dodgems and motorbikes, crafty cons and candy floss, fairground horses and fights, along with romance and rock and roll bring out the carnival atmosphere, but beware... all is not always fun at the fair!"
(11 January)Tom stoppard's play, THE REAL THING will open at The Old Vic in April starring TOBY STEPHENS. The play, first seen in 1982 will be directed by Anna Mackmin and previews from 10th April.
Stoppard’s comedy examines the complex nature of love, art and reality through the story of Henry, a successful and talented playwright who is married to Charlotte, an actress playing the lead in his current play about adultery. Her co-star and friend Max is married to Annie, also an actor. Henry and Annie have fallen in love but is it any more real than the subjects in Henry’s play? As the story unravels, Henry discovers that love – ‘the real thing’ – can be unpredictable and painful
(11 January)The London production at the Victoria Palace has now opened a new booking period with bookings being taken until the 18th Dec 2010. The show remains one of the best and most popular musicals in the West End, and now, also on Broadway where it won an amazing 10 TONY awards earlier this year.
Adapted from the popular British film, Billy Elliot the Musical is a funny, heart-warming and feel-good celebration of one young boy's dream in a gripping tale of triumph over adversity.
This original story captured the hearts and minds of the world when the movie was released in October 2000. Nominated for 3 Oscar's and 13 Bafta awards this poignant film broke box office records across the world.
Please Note:Billy Elliot, the musical, is based on the inspirational film of the same name. Like the film, Billy Elliot, the musical, contains strong language and some scenes of confrontation between policemen and miners. As a rule of thumb, when booking tickets for parties including children, please consider the film version of Billy Elliot (rated 15) and whether this would be suitable for all members of your party. The producers recommended minimum age is eight.
Upper/Grand Circle seating: When purchasing seats in the Upper/Grand Circle, a full view of the stage or the action cannot be guaranteed from every seat. You may be required to lean forward during the production. This particularly applies to row's A and B which has a safety rail in view. You will have to lean forward throughout the performance if sitting on row's A and B.
Please note that according to the theatre's policy children under 16 year old, not accompanied by an adult, will not be allowed into Victoria Palace theatre.
(01.December) Edinburgh Tattoo 2010
On sale to the public from today - direct from the box office only.
We will have our tickets in mid-January so please come back to us.
In the meantime, please email your request to sales@albemarle-london.com and we will get back to you when our tickets are available.
(30 November)For the first time ever, Shakespeare's Globe will be opening its doors over the festive season with a Christmas show.
Following their Shakespeare Party in 2008, the acclaimed and totally unique Footsbarn Theatre Company return to the Globe with their Christmas Cracker, a family feast of carnival, comedy and Christmas cheer.
What's in the cracker?
Your gift is a midwinter celebration of London's rich, bawdy, pagan past. Drawing from festive traditions, and inspired by the complete works of Shakespeare.
Will there be party hats?
Enough for everyone, including the three headed Shakespeare who recites poetry and discovers words that have never even been heard, for the family of musical tightrope walkers, for Bottom and for King Lear (or are they the same?), and for the Lord of Misrule who ensures that all the laws are broken in his hedonistic realm.
And jokes?
Oh yes, this cracker contains not just jokes, but magic, music, carnival, dance, puppets, circus and much more. Pull it and see.
(27 November)The hit musical "DREAMBOATS AND PETTICOATS" previously seen at The Savoy Theatre this summer, has announced it is to re-open at The Playhouse Theatre from the 6th January to the 29th May 2010.
Inspired by the smash hit million+ selling albums Dreamboats and Petticoats - which rocketed to the top of the charts within the first week of its release in November 2008 - and Dreamboats and Petticoats 2, comes a brand new musical featuring some of the greatest hit songs of the rock ‘n’ roll era.
Written by Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran, the team behind Goodnight Sweetheart, Birds of a Feather, The New Statesmen and Shine On Harvey Moon, this spectacular new feel-good production will give you ‘the greatest time of your life’ – taking you back to a time when each passing week brought another classic track.
In 1961 emotions run high as talented young musicians Norman and Bobby compete to win a national song writing competition – and, more importantly, the attention of the gorgeous Sue! But when Bobby discovers that shy Laura is no slouch on the piano, love and rock ‘n’ roll fame beckons…
Featuring classic tracks from Roy Orbison, The Shadows, Eddie Cochran, Billy Fury, and many more, including Let’s Dance, To Know Him Is To Love Him, Shaking All Over, Bobby’s Girl, Three Steps To Heaven, Little Town Flirt, Only Sixteen, Runaround Sue, Happy Birthday Sweet 16, Let It Be Me, Great Pretender, C’mon Everybody, Let’s Twist Again and many more hits from music’s golden era!
AGATHA CHRISTIE FANS GET ANOTHER OPTION TO THE MOUSETRAP
"A DAUGHTER'S A DAUGHTER" OPENS AT THE TRAFALGAR STUDIOS FOR A STRICTLY LIMITED SEASON 14th Dec - 9th Jan 2010.
(27 November) A Daughter's A Daughter was penned under the pseudonym of "Mary Westmacott", which Agatha Christie used for a series of six romantic novels published between 1930 and 1956. Quite different from any of Christie's previous work for the stage it is, in many respects, a far more "personal" play than anything else she wrote.
A must for all Christie fans, this is a tense and sometimes taut glimpse at obsession within a dysfunctional and self serving family. Returning home from the Second World War (Honeysuckle Weeks), convinces her mother Ann (Jenny Seagrove) to 'live life to the hilt', and ditch her fiance Richard. Meanwhile, Sarah has become involved with cad Lawrence and feels the need to marry him in order to please her mother. Resentment and jealousy rage as gradually the relationship between mother and daughter is corroded while each seeks solace and happiness in futile pursuits
(25 November )Our roving reporter has his ear to the ground (and to some producers doors!) and can report on some new and upcoming shows for the West End, some of which will definately happen, and some are in the planning stages. Rest assured, Albemarle will have them on sale at the earliest opportunity, so you will never be far away from getting great seats from the start! Keep watching the ALBEMARLE SHOW NEWS for updates.
Just back from New York for the opening of the revival of the hit musical DREAMGIRLS
at the famous Apollo Theatre in Harlem where it is playing a limited season until mid December before going on a US tour. The show is expected to open in London in 2011.The success of the movie earlier this year has opened up a whole new life for the show originally seen on Broadway in December 1981. Some years ago there were plans by a London producer in conjunction with American producers to open the musical at The Prince of Wales Theatre in the West End but this fell through. 2011 can't come quick enough for this wonderful show!
THE WIZARD OF OZ. A new BBC tv reality show will choose Dorothy & Toto in 2010. Andrew Lloyd Webber will be looking for the new stars of the show, in the same way as he did with BBC tv's "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria" which shot Connie Fisher to fame in the lead role of Maria in the London Palladium production of "The Sound of Music", and "I'd do Anything" which found it's Nancy in "Oliver" at Drury Lane and brought Jodie Prenger to the public eye, and "Any Dream Will Do" which found it's Joseph in Lee Mead in "Joseph & The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat". No theatre has been announced yet for THE WIZARD OF OZ.
SHREK. The Broadway musical is due to come to London in 2010. We hear that a certain very famous London theatre is being "eyed up" but it already has a popular musical playing, so who knows what will happen? Watch out for further details in our SHOW NEWS.
(24 November )The Royal Court dominated this year's Evening Standard theatre awards shortlist, with 11 of its productions or performers going head to head in major categories including best play, best director and best actor. Going head to head for Best Play at the awards held at the Royal Opera House on the 23rd November, were two of it's recent massive successes, ENRON and JERUSALEM, both of which will re-open in the West End in January. As well as JERUSALEM winning best play, Mark Rylance also won best actor for his role in the play at the Royal Court which he will once again perform at the Apollo Theatre.
Now you can see both plays before we sell out, so buy your tickets NOW!
JERUSALEM opens at The Apollo Theatre 28th January - 24th April 2010.
Acclaimed by critics and audiences alike, Jez Butterworth's new play is a comic, contemporary vision of life in our green and pleasant land. Starring Mark Rylance and Mackenzie Crook, Jerusalem transfers to the West End from January 2010
following a sell-out run at the Royal Court Theatre.
Jerusalem is a comic, contemporary vision of life in our green and pleasant land. On St George's Day, the morning of the local county fair, Johnny Byron, local waster and modern day Pied Piper is a wanted man. The council officials want to serve him an eviction notice, his children want their dad to take them to the fair, Troy Whitworth wants to give him a serious kicking and a motley crew of mates want his ample supply of drugs and alcohol. Please note: Age Limit - 14+ guidance
ENRON opens at the Noel Coward Theatre 16th January - 18th May 2010.
One of the most infamous scandals in financial history becomes a theatrical epic.
Mixing classical tragedy with savage comedy, it follows a group of flawed men and women in a narrative of greed and loss which reviews the tumultuous 1990s and casts a new light on the financial turmoil in which the world finds itself in 2009.
Inspired by real life and using music, movement and video, ENRON will be directed by Headlong Theatre's Artistic Director Rupert Goold in his Royal Court directorial debut. His recent credits include the award-winning Macbeth and Six Characters in Search of an Author and King Lear, No Man's Land and Oliver!
HIT BROADWAY REVIVAL OF "HAIR" TO OPEN IN THE WEST END OPENS 1ST APRIL AT THE GIELGUD THEATRE
(20 November )The current Broadway production of HAIR will transfer to London's Gielgud theatre next spring with the entire original Broadway cast. This will be the first time in West End history that an entire Broadway cast has transferred to London.
James Rado and Gerome Ragni's 1967 rock musical centres on a group of hippies who champion peace, love and freedom against the backdrop of the Vietnam war draft during the 1960s. The story is set to Galt MacDermot's score which features the famous songs Aquarius, Good Morning Starshine and Let The Sunshine In, as well as the title track.
After premiering off-Broadway in 1967, the musical transferred to the Great White Way and won the 1969 Tony Award for Best Musical. The show opened in London in 1968 at The Shaftesbry Theatre with a cast including Elaine Paige, Richard O’Brien, Tim Curry and Paul Nicholas and ran until 1973.
The Public Theater's current production opened on Broadway in March this year and won the 2009 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical. The original cast, who will make history in becoming the first entire original Broadway cast to transfer to the West End, includes Gavin Creel, who was previously seen in London as Bert in Mary Poppins.
British producer Cameron Mackintosh, who brings the show to the Gielgud theatre, commented: "Little did I think when I was the production runner on the original London production of Hair in 1968 that 41 years later I would be bringing the Public Theater's acclaimed new production back to London complete with its extraordinary Broadway cast. Hair has always been far more than a musical. It's a celebration of life, love and freedom. When it originally opened, my friends who were never interested in the theatre flocked to see it because it mirrored their own sentiments, as peace, love and anti-war feelings were being expressed all over the world. Its success was not just theatrical but social. So I was amazed all these years later to find myself swept away again by the joyous electric exuberance and commitment of the current Broadway cast. The rejection of the war in Vietnam has now morphed into the world’s concern at what is happening in Afghanistan. A period musical is once again as contemporary as today’s headlines and I’m very proud to help bring this production with its wonderful company into one of my theatres."
COME ON BABE, WHY DONT WE PAINT THE TOWN....AND ALL THAT JAZZ "CHICAGO" CELEBRATES IT'S 5,000 PERFORMANCE AND 12TH YEAR IN LONDON
NOW PLAYING AT THE CAMBRIDGE THEATRE - BOOK NOW!
(20 November )The West End's favourite felonious fishnet-clad musical, CHICAGO celebrated it's 5,000 London performance on its 12th London birthday on the 18th November 2009.
The sixth longest running show currently playing in London's Theatreland, Chicago opened at the Adelphi theatre in 1997, winning the Laurence Olivier Award for Outstanding Musical Production the following year. Following nine successful years on the Strand, it transferred to the Cambridge theatre in 2006, celebrating its 10th anniversary there a year later.
The Kander and Ebb musical tells the tale of two showgirls, Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly, who find notoriety and fame when they both end up on the wrong side of the prison bars. Their only hope for release and increased pulling power is the sleazy, system-working lawyer Billy Flynn.
The musica's 5,000 performances have seen a collection of stars take on the sexy leading roles, including Ruthie Henshall, Henry Goodman, Nigel Planer, Denise Van Outen, Suzanne Shaw, Alison Moyet, Michelle Williams, Jerry Springer, David Hasselhoff and John Barrowman.
BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW FOLLOWING LAST YEAR'S SELL OUT SEASON
Cirque du Soleil celebrates its 25th anniversary with a special return visit to the Royal Albert Hall with Varekai in January 2010.
In a dream forest, acrobatics and beauty meet.
Deep within a forest, at the summit of a volcano, exists an extraordinary world—a world where something else is possible. A world called Varekai.
From the sky falls a solitary young man and the story of Varekai begins. Parachuted into the shadows of a magical forest, a kaleidoscopic world populated by fantastical creatures, this young man sets off on an adventure both absurd and extraordinary. On this day at the edge of time, in this place of all possibilities, begins an inspired incantation to life rediscovered.
The word Varekai means 'wherever' in the Romany language of the gypsies, the universal wanderers. This production pays tribute to the nomadic soul, to the spirit and art of the circus tradition, and to the infinite passion of those whose quest takes them along the path that leads to Varekai.
ARTHUR MILLER'S DRAMA "ALL MY SONS" STARRING DAVID SUCHET and ZOE WANAMAKER
APOLLO SHAFTESBURY AVENUE, 19TH MAY - 11TH SEPT 2010
(14 November ) ALL MY SONS - the first great success of Arthur Miller's supremely influential career - is a compelling story of love, guilt and the corrupting power of greed.
Joe Keller (David Suchet) is alleged to have supplied World War II fighter planes with defective engines, leading to the deaths of innocent pilots - a crime for which his business partner took the fall. One of Keller's sons, himself a pilot, is thought to have been killed in action. But his mother (Zoe Wanamaker) can't accept his death and equally, can't accept that her dead son's fiancée has transferred her affections to her other son. The confrontations that ensue lead to the uncovering of a shameful family secret...
David Suchet is more popularly known as Inspector Poirot from the tv series, Poirot.
SEX & THE CITY STAR TO OPEN IN NOEL COWARD'S "PRIVATE LIVES"
(14 November ) Kim Cattrall and Matthew Macfadyen are to star in a new Richard Eyre-directed production of Noel Coward's Private Lives at The Vaudeville Theatre from 24 February to 1 May 2010.
Coward's comedy finds Cattrall and Macfadyen playing former spouses who have been divorced from each other for five years. When fate finds them both honeymooning in the South of France in adjoining hotel rooms, their insatiable emotions are rekindled and they dive headlong into love and lust without a care for scandal, new partners or memories of why their marriage failed in the first place.
Cattrall, who famously plays Samantha in hit US TV and film franchise Sex And The City, last appeared on the London stage in 2006 when she starred in The Cryptogram at the Donmar Warehouse. She had made her West End debut a year earlier in the Peter Hall-directed Whose Life Is It Anyway? A native of Liverpool who has spent most of her professional acting career on the other side of the Atlantic, Cattrall's other screen credits include Porky's, Mannequin, Big Trouble In Little China and the upcoming Roman Polanski thriller The Ghost.
Macfadyen's last London outing came in 2007's The Pain And The Itch at the Royal Court, having previously played Prince Hal in the National Theatre's production of Henry IV. A regular screen face, Macfadyen played Mr Darcy in the 2005 film adaptation of Pride And Prejudice, opposite Keira Knightley, who is soon to be seen on the London stage in The Misanthrope. Macfadyen's other credits include hit spy drama Spooks, Dickens adaptation Little Dorrit and the upcoming Ridley Scott-directed film Robin Hood, in which he plays the Sheriff of Nottingham
WHICH WEST END MUSICAL IS MORE POPULAR THAN THE LONDON EYE?
(12 November )
WICKEDwhich tells the untold story of the Witches of Oz, has been named "Best Family Fun" at the BT Visit London People's Choice Awards 2009.
The annual People's Choice Awards gave the public the chance to vote for their top things to see and do in the capital. Other nominees in the Evening Standard sponsored "Best Family Fun" category included the London Eye, ZSL London Zoo and the Science Museum. The "BT Visit London Awards" were announced on the 5th November and in the category of "The Peoples choice" by the London Evening Standard's Best Family Fun, several sure fire winners were nominated including THE LONDON EYE, LONDON ZOO and THE SCIENCE MUSEUM.
However, the true winner was the hit west end musical WICKED
WICKED tells the incredible untold story of an unlikely friendship between two girls who first meet as Sorcery Students at Shiz University: the blonde and very popular Glinda and a misunderstood green girl, Elphaba.
Following an encounter with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, their friendship reaches a crossroads and their lives take very different paths. Glinda’s unflinching desire for popularity sees her seduced by power while Elphaba’s determination to remain true to herself, and to those around her, will have unexpected and shocking consequences for her future. Their extraordinary adventures in Oz will ultimately see them fulfil their destinies as Glinda The Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
(12 November ) "LA CAGE AUX FOLLES"has announced it's last performance which will be on the 2nd January 2010 at London's Playhouse Theatre.
The starring role of ZAZA/ALBIN is currently performed by JOHN BARROWMAN but he leaves the show on the 28th November. DOUGLAS HODGE then takes over the role on the 30th November until the closure in January, having already played the part before, along with DENIS LAWSON who is also returning to the show.
"WAR HORSE" RUNS A FEW MORE MILES AT THE NEW LONDON THEATRE BOOKING NOW EXTENDED AGAIN UNTIL 23RD OCTOBER 2010
(11 November ) At the outbreak of World War One, Joey, young Albert's beloved horse, is sold to the cavalry and shipped to France . He's soon caught up in enemy fire and fate takes him on an extraordinary odyssey, serving on both sides before finding himself alone and in no man's land. But Albert cannot forget Joey and, still not old enough to enlist, he embarks on a treacherous mission to find him and bring him home.
PLEASE NOTE THAT PERFORMANCES ON A TUESDAY START AT 7PM
(11 November ) Following its successful run at the Novello Theatre, booking has now opened for JB Priestley's classic 1946 thriller "AN INSPECTOR CALLS" which will transfer to Wyndham's Theatre on the 3rd Dec 2009, initially booking through to 20th March 2010.
This revival by Stephen Daldry is a reworking of Priestley's famous play which Daldry first produced at the National Theatre a decade ago. It had subsequent seasons at the Aldwych Theatre, then on Broadway before it returned to the West End and ran at the Garrick Theatre for nearly six years from - October 1995 to April 2001 - before taking a summer break and then re-opening in September 2001 at the Playhouse Theatre, where it closed in May 2002. Daldry’s production has now clocked up over 4,000 performances worldwide to date and reportedly holds the record as the longest running play revival in history.
The story begins with the mysterious Inspector Goole arriving unexpectedly at the prosperous Birling family home. Their peaceful dinner party is shattered by his investigations into their involvement in the death of a young woman whom each of them in turn has exploited.
BOOK NOW FOR THE TWO HOTTEST NEW PLAYS COMING TO THE WEST END
(10 November )
Two of this years nominations for best play of the year in the Evening Standard drama awards are ENRON and JERUSALEM which both recently played to sell out audiences at London's Royal Court Theatre.
Now YOU can see what all the fuss is about as both plays are transferring to the West End in January.
ENRON opens at the Noel Coward Theatre on the 16th January 2010.
One of the most infamous scandals in financial history becomes a theatrical epic. Mixing classical tragedy with savage comedy, it follows a group of flawed men and women in a narrative of greed and loss which reviews the tumultuous 1990s and casts a new light on the financial turmoil in which the world finds itself in 2009.
Based on real life and using music, movement and video, ENRON will be directed by Headlong Theatre's Artistic Director Rupert Goold in his Royal Court directorial debut. His recent credits include the award-winning Macbeth and Six Characters in Search of an Author and King Lear, No Man's Land and Oliver!
Lucy Prebble won the George Devine Award and the Critics Circle Award for Most Promising Playwright for her debut play The Sugar Syndrome at the Royal Court in 2004
JERUSALEMopens at the Apollo Theatre on the 28th January 2010.
'FANTASTIC, SHOCKING & FRESH' 'BOLD, EBULLIENT AND HILARIOUS'
Daily Mail The Times
Acclaimed by critics and audiences alike, Jez Butterworth's new play is a comic, contemporary vision of life in our green and pleasant land.
Starring Mark Rylance and Mackenzie Crook
'THIS ONE YOU HAVE TO SEE'
The Indpendent Jerusalem is a comic, contemporary vision of life in our green and pleasant land. On St George's Day, the morning of the local county fair, Johnny Byron, local waster and modern day Pied Piper is a wanted man. The council officials want to serve him an eviction notice, his children want their dad to take them to the fair, Troy Whitworth wants to give him a serious kicking and a motley crew of mates want his ample supply of drugs and alcohol.
Please note: Age Limit - 14+ guidance
RICHARD WILSON TO STAR IN THE RSC LONDON PRODUCTION OF "TWELFTH NIGHT"
(6 November)
Opens at The Duke of York's Theatre on the 19th December until 27th February.
Everyone is looking for love - some in impossible places. Some mourn the love they have lost. Some long for love they are refused. In Illyria love aches and madness rules.
RSC Chief Associate Director Gregory Doran directs a company including Richard Wilson, joining the RSC for the first time to play Malvolio. An award-winning actor and director Richard's recent stage appearances include Whipping It Up, Waiting for Godot and What the Butler Saw. In addition to his role as Victor Meldrew in One Foot in the Grave, Richard's other TV includes the BBC's Merlin.
(6 November ) The mega hit musical "WE WILL ROCK YOU" featuring over 30 of rock group Queen's hits has opened yet another new booking period at The Dominion theatre until 23 October 2010. The show originally opened at The Dominion in May 2002 and has been playing to huge audiences since then.
"THRILLER - LIVE" is now on sale for performances until the 9th May 2010 at the Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue. "THRILLER - LIVE" is a spectacular, high octane show celebrating the career of the world’s undisputed King of Pop – Michael Jackson, and the Jackson 5. Fully backed by Sony BMG Music Entertainment UK, THRILLER LIVE marks the first Jackson’s dedicated live theatrical experience ever!
"AVENUE Q" EXTENDS YET AGAIN AT THE GIELGUD THEATRE
(5 November ) A new booking period for the hit musical "Avenue Q" has now opened with bookings being taken until the 20th March 2010.
Avenue Q continues the contagious, fun-filled, frolic-fueled adventure that has captured the hearts of theatre-goers everywhere.
Join the residents of Avenue Q in their new home at the Gielgud Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue. Described as "Pant Wettingly Funny", Avenue Q ingeniously combines a cast of humans and puppets who tackle subjects such as dating, racism, internet porn, being gay and finding your purpose in life. Avenue Qis very much the perfect musical for our time.
Simon Bent's new play PRICK UP YOUR EARS which received its West End premiere at the Comedy Theatre on 30 September, is to end its run earlier than planned,
on 15 November. It had initially been booking to 6 December.
The stage adaptation of THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION is to hold its final performance at Wyndham's Theatre on 29 November. It had been booking until 14 February.
(28 October) The hit American musical "THE FULL MONTY" returns to London for a limited season at THE NEW PLAYERS THEATRE 2nd DEC - 2nd JAN 2010.
Seeing how much their wives enjoy watching male strippers during their "Girls' Night Out," unemployed steelworkers in Buffalo , New York come up with a bold way to make some quick cash. In the process they find renewed self-esteem, the importance of friendship and the ability to have fun.
As the guys work through their fears, self-consciousness, feelings of worthlessness and anxieties (over everything from being overweight to child custody, bigotry to being gay), they come to discover that not only are they stronger as a group, but that the strength they find in each other gives them the individual courage to face their demons and overcome them.
This new production of the smash hit show is directed by acclaimed young musical theatre director Thom Southerland.
HIT COMEDY "DAISY PULLS IT OFF" RETURNS TO LONDON THE ARTS THEATRE 19TH JAN - 6TH FEB 2010
(28 October) DAISY PULLS IT OFF is about the attempts of super achiever Daisy Meredith to submerge her poor elementary school background and find acceptance in the snobby confines of Grangewood School for Young Ladies. Our plucky heroine undergoes a number of tribulations (including possible expulsion) before, by being honourable and straight in all things, all comes right in the end with Daisy saving the lives of sneaky Monica and toady Sybil - her arch enemies - discovering the treasure of Grangewood and scoring the winning goal at hockey! An evening capturing the uncomplicated innocence of a world gone by...
"THE GRUFFALO" RETURNS TO LONDON FOR CHRISTMAS 25th NOV - 10th JAN AT THE APOLLO THEATRE SHAFTESBURY AVENUE
(26 October) This big scary monster is back in London's West End again this Christmas for the third year running in its new home at the beautiful Apollo Theatre.
Join Mouse on an adventurous journey through the deep dark wood in this magical, musical adaptation of the award winning picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. ('A modern classic' Observer)
Mouse can scare hungry animals away with tall stories of the terrifying Gruffalo, but what happens when he comes face to face with the very creature he imagined?
Songs, laughs and scary fun for children aged three and up, and their adults...
Let your imagination run wild!
'Monstrous fun!' Daily Mail
'Irresistibly charming' The Times
"Tall Stories have transformed a well loved story into an exuberant funny show" - Time Out Critics Choice
BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW FOLLOWING LAST YEAR'S SELL OUT SEASON
(23 October) Cirque du Soleil celebrates its 25th anniversary with a special return visit to the Royal Albert Hall with Varekai in January 2010.
In a dream forest, acrobatics and beauty meet.
Deep within a forest, at the summit of a volcano, exists an extraordinary world—a world where something else is possible. A world called Varekai.
From the sky falls a solitary young man and the story of Varekai begins. Parachuted into the shadows of a magical forest, a kaleidoscopic world populated by fantastical creatures, this young man sets off on an adventure both absurd and extraordinary. On this day at the edge of time, in this place of all possibilities, begins an inspired incantation to life rediscovered.
The word Varekai means 'wherever' in the Romany language of the gypsies, the universal wanderers. This production pays tribute to the nomadic soul, to the spirit and art of the circus tradition, and to the infinite passion of those whose quest takes them along the path that leads to Varekai.
From the 3rd Nov - 9th Jan 2010 at the Noel Coward Theatre JULIE GOODYEAR, KELLY BROOK, JANIE DEE, HELEN LEDERER, DEBBIE CHAZEN, ARABELLA WEIR, JAN LEEMING, ROB JAMES COLLIER
(23 October) JULIE GOODYEAR will make her London and legit stage debut in the smash-hit West End play CALENDAR GIRLS starring as 'Cora - Miss July'. A household name, Julie became a national treasure after starring as 'Bet Lynch' in Coronation Street for 25 years. Kelly Brook will bare all as 'Celia - Miss September'. Janie Dee, triple 'Best Actress' award-winner for Alan Ayckbourn's Comic Potential, will play 'Annie - Miss February'". Helen Lederer, one of Britian's best-known comediennes, will play 'Marie', leader of the Yorkshire branch of the WI. Debbie Chazen, best-known as a regular in Doctor Who and as the star of TittyTittyBangBang on BBC3, will play 'Ruth'. Arabella Weir, star of The Fast Show and author of international best-seller Does My Bum Look Big in This?, will play 'Chris - Miss October'. Jan Leeming will play 'Lady Cravenshire'. Rob James Collier, multi award-winner for 'Sexiest Male' as 'Liam Connor' in Coronation Street, will make his London stage debut as the photographer 'Lawrence'.
CALENDAR GIRLS, which has broken all box office records at the Noel Coward Theatre in London with takings of well over £190,000 gross per week, will continue to play with its current cast until 31 October.
KEIRA KNIGHTLEY TO OPEN IN MOLIERE'S "THE MISANTHROPE" In a version by Martin Crimp COMEDY THEATRE 7th DEC - 13th MARCH 2010
(22 October)
Top price seats for The Misanthrope with champagne and canapes at Mint Leaf Restaurant
Start your evening in style by enjoying a glass of champagne in the bar at Mint Leaf Restaurant accompanied by a generous selection of canapes.
Stroll over to The Comedy Theatre where you will have fantastic seats for this star studded production of The Misanthrope.
All for just £85 per person.
Occasionally, Mint Leaf Restaurant may be closed to the public due to a private hire function. In this instance, your voucher will still be redeemable for up to a month after The Misanthrope closes and may be used at any time from 5.30pm. We will list any unavailable dates here as soon as we have them.
Damian Lewis leads an outstanding ensemble with Tara Fitzgerald, Keira Knightley, Dominic Rowan and Tim McMullan in Martin Crimp's blistering version of Moliere's greatest comedy, The Misanthrope. Directed by Thea Sharrock, the play opens at the Comedy Theatre on 17 December 2009 with previews from 7 December 2009 .
Transported from 17th century Paris to modern-day London , Alceste (Damian Lewis) is a famous British playwright disillusioned and angry with the hypocrisy, shallowness and vanity of the contemporary world. Vowing to reject society, Alceste's plans are derailed when he falls madly in love with Jennifer (Keira Knightley). An ambitious American film star and darling of the social scene, she may prove to be his biggest challenge yet.
Damian Lewis made his name in Steven Spielberg's award-winning mini series Band Of Brothers. He has since carved out a prolific career in film, television and theatre most recently appearing on stage in Pillars of the Community (National Theatre) and Five Gold Rings (Almeida) and on screen in the hugely popular NBC series Life. His film credits include Dreamcatcher, An Unfinished Life,The Escapist, Chromophobia and Stormbreaker and his television work includes the remake of The Forsythe Saga and Confessions of a Diary Secretary.
Tara Fitzgerald's credits span television, film and theatre. Currently best known to television audiences for her role as Dr Eve Lockhart in the BBC's hugely popular drama series Waking The Dead, she has also starred in Jane Eyre, The Virgin Queen, Miss Marple – Body In The Library, Rose and Maloney and the soon to be screened U Be Dead. Her film credits include Five Children And It, I Capture The Castle, The Lion's Mouth, Dark Blue World, Rancid Aluminum and Brassed Off. On stage she has appeared in A Doll's House (Donmar), And Then There Were None (Gielgud), A Doll's House (national tour), A Streetcar Named Desire (Bristol Old Vic) and Hamlet (Almeida).
Keira Knightley has established herself as one of the most talented and versatile screen actresses of her generation. Having first come to the audience's attention in the surprise film hit Bend It Like Beckham she has gone on to star in Joe Wright’s award-winning film Atonement with James McAvoy, The Duchess, The Edge Of Love with Sienna Miller, Domino, The Jacket, Pride And Prejudice and as the feisty Elizabeth Swann in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. She has recently completed filming on the movies Never Let Me Go and the highly anticipated London Boulevard both due for release later this year. Her television credits include the critically acclaimed remake of Doctor Zhivago, Oliver and Coming Home.
Dominic Rowan has worked extensively in theatre including A Voyage Around My Father (Donmar/West End), Happy Now? (National), As You Like It (Globe), A Spanish Tragedy (Arcola), Way To Heaven ( Royal Court ) and Iphegina At Aulis (National). His television credits include Catwalk Dogs with Kris Marshall, Baby Boom, Lynda La Plante's Trial & Retribution, The Family Man with Trevor Eve and Hearts And Bones.
ROYAL OPERA HOUSE COVENT GARDEN New booking period now open
(22 October) There has never been a better time than now to visit the world famous Royal Opera House Covent Garden. Despite what some may think, Opera and Ballet is not just fot the elitist. Readers of The Sun newspaper recently attended performances of the opera "Carmen" and the ballet "Mayerling" which were made possible only through the generous support of The Helen Hamlyn Trust, in memory of the late Paul Hamlyn. So why not splash out, dress up and have an incredibly grand evening at this world famous venue.
A new booking period covering the following productions has just opened, however, tickets are selling fast, so BOOK NOW!
"MORECAMBE" HIT COMEDY TO OPEN AT THE DUCHESS THEATRE
FOR A LIMITED SEASON ONLY 9th DEC - 17th JAN 2010
(17 October) "Morecambe" is the story of how a young lad from Lancashire with a talent for making people laugh, who became a professional comedian, and took on the world.
Amazing performer Bob Golding plays Eric, who takes you on a journey of Eric's whole life story from childhood to stardom. He's incredible - as he has to play every single part himself: Eric's mum and dad, his wife, his co-stars, his agents and managers... Aside from being a dead ringer for Eric, he's a brilliant mimic - you should see his Bruce Forsyth! - he's also a great comedian, dancer, and musician ... a real all rounder, just like Eric Morecambe himself.
Of course Ernie Wise is portrayed in it, but we're not allowed to tell you how, exactly!? Let's just say it isn't easy forming a double act on your own, but Bob pulls it off!
WEST END SMASH HIT MUSICAL DIRTY DANCING CELEBRATES ITS THIRD BIRTHDAY BOOKING PERIOD EXTENDED TO OCTOBER 2010
(17 October) When Dirty Dancing - The Classic Story On Stage first opened at the Aldwych Theatre in London , it broke all box office records by reaching advance ticket sales of 11million pounds, and on Monday 19 October the show will be celebrating its third birthday!Dirty Dancing in London has been enjoyed by over 1 million people since its Gala opening in October 2006 and continues to receive standing ovations on a nightly basis.
Tickets are now available for performances up until 23 October 2010 - taking Dirty Dancing right up to its fourth birthday! This means an additional 250,000 seats will be available to catch possibly the greatest coming of age love story in popular culture live onstage, with stellar performances from former Royal Ballet star Martin Harvey as the iconic 'Johnny Castle' and former Matthew Bourne principal dancer Hannah Vassallo as the idealistic 'Frances Baby Houseman', as well as Nadia Coote who created the role of 'Penny' in the West End , William Tapley as 'Jake Houseman' and the rest of the extraordinary talented cast and dance ensemble.
NOEL SULLIVAN TO LEAD THE GANG IN GREASE THIS NOVEMBER
(14 October)Singer and actor Noel Sullivan will don the leather jacket of ‘Danny Zuko’ and become leader of the T Birds gang when he joins the cast of the smash hit musical Greasefrom 30 November 2009 to July 2010 at The Piccadilly Theatre.
Making his West End debut, Noel will star in the iconic role of ‘Danny’ and his sweetheart ‘Sandy’ will be played by Emma Stephens (Starlight Express, Saturday Night Fever), as they follow in the footsteps of screen idols John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John who famously played the roles in the hit 1978 movie.
Noel recently danced back into the limelight and thrilled audiences nationwide with the hugely successful tour of Flashdance: The Musical. He is set to leave West End audiences hopelessly devoted to his charms and jiving in the aisles, when he rock’n’rolls into Grease this November.
Noel joins the current class of Rydell High, which includes Stuart Ramsay (‘Kenickie’), Natalie Langston (‘Rizzo’), Michael Melmoe (‘Roger’), Laura Wilson (‘Jan’), Benjamin Ibbott (‘Doody’), Faye Brookes (‘Frenchy’), Bennett Andrews (‘Sonny’), Robyn Mellor (Marty’), Jamie Tyler (‘Eugene’), Lizzi Franklin (‘Patty’), Jason Capewell (‘Vince/Teen Angel), Marie Daly ‘(Miss Lynch’) and Kristina Macmillan (‘Cha Cha’), with other parts played by the ensemble. Grease is now booking until 4th of September 2010. More details...
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ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER'S SEQUEL TO PHANTOM - NOW ON SALE!!!!
BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW BEFORE THEY SELL OUT as we anticipate a huge demand for this brand new musical. Albemarle have an allocaton of seats but these will sell very fast, so contact us NOW. This is the most eagerly awaited show for a long time and Andrew Lloyd Webber announced today at 11am to a packed invited audience at Her Majesty's Theatre, the home of "Phantom of the Opera", that tickets are NOW ON SALE. Be the first in the queue to see what theatre insiders are calling Andrew Lloyd Webber's greatest score since the mega success of "Phantom of the Opera".
INITIAL BOOKING PERIOD 20th FEBRUARY 2010- 23rd OCTOBER 2010
THE STORY
The principal characters of The Phantom of the Opera continue their stories in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s LOVE NEVER DIES.
Ten years after the mysterious disappearance of The Phantom from the Paris Opera House, Christine Daaé accepts an offer to come to America and perform at New York’s fabulous new playground of the world – Coney Island.
Christine arrives in New York with her husband Raoul and their son Gustave. She soon discovers the identity of the anonymous impresario who has lured her from France to sing.
LOVE NEVER DIES is a rollercoaster ride of obsession and intrigue… in which music and memory can play cruel
tricks… and The Phantom sets out to prove that, indeed, LOVE NEVER DIES
The hit play "ENRON" currently playing at the Royal Court Theatre
until the 7th Nov 2009 is completely SOLD OUT.
However, the play will now transfer to The Noel Coward Theatre, St. Martin's Lane,
on 16th January 2010 for a limited season until 8th May 2010.
BOOK YOUR TICKETS NOW BEFORE THIS NEW SEASON IS ALSO SOLD OUT
The world premiere production of Lucy Prebble’s celebrated new play ENRON, which sold-out its entire run at the Minerva Theatre Chichester and has sold all 21,800 tickets before opening its six-week run at the Royal Court Theatre, will transfer to the Noel Coward Theatre on Saturday 16 January 2010. Rupert Goold has directed ‘the most anticipated transfer of the year’. Sunday Times
Based on real-life events and using music, dance and video, ENRON explores one of the most infamous scandals in financial history, reviewing the tumultuous 1990s and casting a new light on the financial turmoil in which the world currently finds itself.
Booking is now open for the hotly-anticipated transfer which will hold its West End Press Night on Tuesday 26 January 2010. The principal cast of the Headlong production, which is a co-produced with the Royal Court Theatre and Chichester Festival Theatre, will transfer to the Noel Coward.
"JERUSALEM" MOVES TO THE APOLLO SHAFTESBURY AVENUE
(28 September)
"JERUSALEM" Starring Mark Rylance is to open at the Apollo Theare, Shaftesbury Avenue on the 28th Jan 2010 for a limited season until 24th April 2010.
'JERUSALEM" was recently at the Royal Court Theatre, where it sold out for every performance, so book you tickets now while they are still available!
Jerusalem is a comic, contemporary vision of life in our green and pleasant land. On St George’s Day, the morning of the local county fair, Johnny Byron, local waster and modern day Pied Piper is a wanted man. The council officials want to serve him an eviction notice, his children want their dad to take them to the fair, Troy Whitworth wants to give him a serious kicking and a motley crew of mates want his ample supply of drugs and alcohol.
(16 September) Cameron Mackintosh is delighted to announce that award-winning actor Griff Rhys Jones will be the next star after Omid Djalili to play ‘Fagin’ in the triumphant new production of Lionel Bart’s smash hit musical OLIVER! at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane from Monday 14 December 2009 until June 2010.
Cameron Mackintosh said “I’ve wanted to work with Griff for years so I’m delighted that the marvellous role of ‘Fagin’ has tempted him back to the stage this Christmas. Griff is an actor with an amazing array of successful talents, all of which will undoubtedly be poured into his unique and entertaining interpretation of one of Dickens’ most famous and beloved creations. I can’t wait!”
Griff is truly one of Britain ’s most loved, versatile and prolific performers. Propelled to stardom in “Not The Nine O’Clock News” and “Alas Smith and Jones”, he won a double Olivier Award for his roles in “Charley’s Aunt” and “An Absolute Turkey”, starred in “Front Page” at the Donmar Warehouse and was an unforgettable Toad in The National Theatre’s “Wind In The Willows”. On TV he did three acclaimed series of “Three Men In A Boat”, (and will shortly doing a fourth), urged the British public to vote for saving marvellous British buildings in “Restoration” and is currently enjoying huge success on BBC1’s “Rivers With Griff Rhys Jones”. He was last seen on stage in 2001 in “A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum” as part of the Covent Garden Festival. As a producer, he and Mel Smith set up one of Britain ’s most successful productions companies, Talkback Productions. He was almost single-handedly responsible for the wonderful restoration of the Hackney Empire.
Jodie Prenger continues her enormous success as ‘ Nancy ’ and has now extended her run until March next year. In the role of ‘Bill Sikes’, Steve Hartley returns to the part on 15th September having enjoyed a huge success in the original run of OLIVER! at the Palladium in the mid-1990’s.
"MORECAMBE" HIT COMEDY TO OPEN AT THE DUCHESS THEATRE
FOR A LIMITED SEASON ONLY 9th DEC - 17th JAN 2010
(17 October) "Morecambe" is the story of how a young lad from Lancashire with a talent for making people laugh, who became a professional comedian, and took on the world.
Amazing performer Bob Golding plays Eric, who takes you on a journey of Eric's whole life story from childhood to stardom. He's incredible - as he has to play every single part himself: Eric's mum and dad, his wife, his co-stars, his agents and managers... Aside from being a dead ringer for Eric, he's a brilliant mimic - you should see his Bruce Forsyth! - he's also a great comedian, dancer, and musician ... a real all rounder, just like Eric Morecambe himself.
Of course Ernie Wise is portrayed in it, but we're not allowed to tell you how, exactly!? Let's just say it isn't easy forming a double act on your own, but Bob pulls it off!
(15 September) This Christmas the multi award-winning hit returns to the theatre where it all began for a strictly limited run from the 10th December to the 24th January 2010.
When it premiered at Sadler’s Wells in 1995, Matthew Bourne's triumphant modern re-interpretation of Swan Lake turned tradition upside down, taking the dance world by storm.
Now firmly crowned as a modern-day classic, this iconic production is perhaps best-known for replacing the traditional female corps de ballet with a menacing male ensemble. Matthew Bourne blends dance, humour and spectacle with extravagant, award-winning designs by Lez Brotherston, to create a provocative and powerful Swan Lake for our times.
Collecting over 30 international theatre awards including three Tonys, Swan Lake has been acclaimed as a landmark achievement on the international stage. It has become the longest running ballet in the West End and on Broadway and enjoyed four hugely successful tours in the UK and thrilled audiences all over the world
"THE SNOWMAN" RETURNS TO THE WEST END FOR THE CHRISTMASSEASON
(15 September) Now a major fixture in the festive calendar, the stage version of Raymond Briggs’ much-loved book continues to delight children as it returns to the Peacock Theatre this Christmas from the 2nd December to the 10th January 2010. For a complete list of the many performances of this wonderful show, please see below.
When a young boy's snowman comes to life on Christmas Eve, the two set off on a night-time quest for adventure. On their travels, they meet dancing penguins, reindeer and, of course, Father Christmas.
Watch spellbound as the Snowman literally flies through the night sky above you, before escaping the clutches of the evil Jack Frost to return home for Christmas morning.
Suitable for all children aged two and upwards, Birmingham Repertory's production is a captivating mix of dance, stagecraft and music. Featuring Howard Blake's beautiful Walking in the Air, performed by a live orchestra, choreographed by Robert North and directed by Bill Alexander, this is the perfect Christmas treat for all the family.
(15 September) The incredibly successful hip-hop dance show seen last year at The Novello Theatre will return for the Christmas season at the Queen Elizabeth Hall on The South Bank (next to the Royal Festival Hall). This will be a strictly limited season from the 16th December until the 10th January 2010.
"INTO THE HOODS" is a hip-hop version of Steven Sondheim's musical, Into The Woods, reworked to show two children lost in the ‘hood’ and is performed by a cast of 19 adults and nine children. Characters include singer Lil Red, two-timing rapper Prince, Rap-en-Zel and the gold trainer-wearing Spinderella.
Following on the success of the winners of this years "Britains Got Talent" which saw street dance group Diversity walk away with the top prize of appearing before Her Majesty The Queen in the 2009 Royal Variety Performance, and fellow dance group Flawless in the runners up section, "INTO THE HOODS" will doubtless be a hit once again as street dance is gripping the nation. The show is once again presented by dance company ZooNation and features pre-recorded music from Gorillaz, Massive Attack, Prince, Basement Jaxx and others.
THE SEQUEL TO "PHANTOM OF THE OPERA" FINALLY COMES "LOVE NEVER DIES"
(14 September) After much speculation and no official announcement until now, Andrew Lloyd Webber has finally spoken and issued the following press release in the guise of The Phantom himself;
“Ladies and Gentlemen, At 11 o’clock on the eighth day of October 2009, I will be making an announcement of global importance. Should my commands be ignored, a disaster beyond your imagination will occur. Amor Numquam Moritur. Your Obedient Servant, The Phantom”
On the 8th October it is expected that full details will be made of the new musical including booking dates and venue, though this is highly likely to be The Adelphi Theatre.
WATCH THE ALBEMARLE SHOW NEWS FOR FURTHER DETAILS AS AND WHEN THEY ARE ANNOUNCED AND BOOK YOUR TICKETS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AS WE EXPECT A HUGE HIT ALL OVER AGAIN!
"LOVE NEVER DIES" will be set in 1907, ten years after the conclusion of the original story. The Phantom has escaped to New York with Madame and Meg Giry and found success in Coney Island as a magician and entertainer. When he builds a new opera house, he persuades his old ingenue Christine Daae, now a huge star and married to her old flame Raoul, to sing for him once more...
(14 September) The hilarity of Hollywood hypocrisy and what self-deception does to people in the shallow and superficial world of show business is satirized in THE LITTLE DOG LAUGHED.
Set in New York,THE LITTLE DOG LAUGHED is a four-hander centring on Mitchell (Rupert Friend), a Hollywood actor who, out of loneliness and boredom at his ailing career, decides to call a male escort hotline. Alex answers the call and meets him in his hotel room. The two form an unlikely friendship and both get far more out of the evening’s events than either originally planned.
A Tony Award nominated comedy of manners directed by Jamie Lloyd.
The british film actor and heart-throb, Rupert Friend will make his London stage debut in the UK premiere of Douglas Carter Beane's Tony Award-winning Broadway comedy which also stars Tamsin Greig. For a limited season from the 8th January to 10th April 2010.
(14 September) "LA CLIQUE" which recently played to sell out audiences and breathed new life into The London Hippodrome before the venue closed to converted into a Casino, has kept its word and is bringing the cult show back to London, this time at The Roundhouse in Camden.
The show opens on 24th November and runs until the 17th January 2010.
The Roundhouse will be the perfect space for "La Clique" because of its circus type circular auditorium. Recommended age 18+
Seating is unreserved within pricing areas. Customers will exchange their tickets for a colour coded wristband upon arrival and are encouraged to arrive early. Doors open half an hour before each show. Seating will also include a FREE programme usually costing £10 each and will be available at the venue only.
“Week in, Week out, still the best show in London by miles” Time Out
Impossible to define and impossible to resist, La Clique is an ever-changing collection of the most outrageous, hilarious, beautiful and downright bizarre acts you will ever see. The show has performed 24-sell out seasons across the globe, with each performance offering audiences a unique, inspirational and unforgettable night in the theatre. Now winner of the 2009 Best Entertainment Oliver Award, La Clique has proved itself to be a seductive, funny, dangerous and above all heart-warming sensation. “This is probably the greatest mouth-dropping show I've ever seen. I am bringing everyone in the world to this piece of genius. I believe in God now! ” Ruby Wax
BOOK EARLY FOR THIS INCREDIBLE NIGHT OUT TO AVOID DISSAPOINTMENT.
(14 September) The hit musical "Grease"currently starring TV's Dancing On Ice winner for 2009, Ray Quinn, has extended his run as Danny Zuko until 28th November 2009.
During this period he will be on holiday from October 5th – 10th (inclusive).
In addition, the producers of the show have announced a further extension and it is now booking up to September 2010.
The show at The Piccadilly will no doubt get a further boost in August when SKY1 present their new reality TV series Grease: The School Musical, hosted by ex boy band member Duncan James and follows on from last year’s successful tv show Hairspray: The School Musical. Ray Quinn will act as a mentor to a group of ordinary secondary school pupils who spend their summer holidays working with musical theatre professionals in order to make their West End debuts.
HAIRSPRAY EXTENDS AND ANNOUNCES NEW PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE& NEW STARS
(2 September)
HAIRSRAY at The Shaftesbury Theatre is now booking until 24 Oct 2010 and the current performance schedule will change in November - There will be Sunday Matinees at 3pm from the 8th Nov 2009 (and no Monday evening performances from the 2nd Nov 2009).
Currently starring Brian Conley
The new cast will start on the 26th October 2009 Phill Jupitus as "Edna Turnblad" and Belinda Carlisle as "Velma Von Tussle" ‘The new cast has invigorated the show and made it one of the top "must see" musicals in London . Fun and funny the strong storyline and brilliant characters are brought to like by an energised and talented cast. It's a riot!’ JAMES MAX , LBC 97.3
‘Brian Conley’s Edna generated the loudest laughs I’ve heard in any theatre for years!’ PAUL PHEAR, MAGIC 105.4
"JERSEY BOYS" EXTENDS AGAIN - & CHANGE OF PERFORMANCE TIMES
(2 September)
NOW BOOKING TO 24 OCTOBER 2010 PERFORMANCE TIMES - PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE
Until 10 January 2010 Monday – Saturday at 7.30pm Tuesday & Saturday at 2.30pm
From 11 January 2010 Tuesday – Saturday at 7.30pm Tuesday, Saturday & Sunday at 3pm
WINNER of 20 Major awards worldwide, including the Olivier Award for BEST NEW MUSICAL.
JERSEY BOYS, The internationally acclaimed hit musical, tells the remarkable rise to stardom of one of the most successful bands in pop music history.
Discover how four New Jersey boys form the wrong side of the tracks invented their own unique sound, were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and sold 100 million records worldwide. With spectacular performances of all their hits, JERSEY BOYS is the electrifying true life story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons; the mob, the heartaches, the triumphs and the music.
This sensational production features many of the bands worldwide hits, including: BEGGIN’, CAN’T TAKE MY EYES OFF YOU, OH WHAT A NIGHT, WALK LIKE A MAN, BYE BYE BABY (BABY GOODBYE), SHERRY, BIG GIRLS DON’T CRY and many more.
JERSEY BOYS has now been seen by over 4 million people worldwide!
(2 September) CATWALK is an account of Robyn Peterson's life as a model in Paris in the early seventies. A world of decadence, brilliant ideas and genius designs, where relentless pain is synonymous with beauty… and beauty is all that matters. A funny and cautionary tale peeking at life from behind the runway curtain, it's a trip through the aloof and alien world of Haute Couture, munching on baguettes and suffocating on love, drugs and alcohol.
Opens at the Arts Theatre on 4th September for a limited season until Saturday 3rd October 2009.
(1 September) The hit musical "DREAMBOATS AND PETTICOATS" has announed an extension to its current booking period and will now continue at The Savoy until 31 October 2009.
Inspired by the smash hit million+ selling albums Dreamboats and Petticoats - which rocketed to the top of the charts within the first week of its release in November 2008 - and Dreamboats and Petticoats 2, comes a brand new musical featuring some of the greatest hit songs of the rock ‘n’ roll era.
Written by Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran, the team behind Goodnight Sweetheart, Birds of a Feather, The New Statesmen and Shine On Harvey Moon, this spectacular new feel-good production will give you ‘the greatest time of your life’ – taking you back to a time when each passing week brought another classic track.
In 1961 emotions run high as talented young musicians Norman and Bobby compete to win a national song writing competition – and, more importantly, the attention of the gorgeous Sue! But when Bobby discovers that shy Laura is no slouch on the piano, love and rock ‘n’ roll fame beckons…
Featuring classic tracks from Roy Orbison, The Shadows, Eddie Cochran, Billy Fury, and many more, including Let’s Dance, To Know Him Is To Love Him, Shaking All Over, Bobby’s Girl, Three Steps To Heaven, Little Town Flirt, Only Sixteen, Runaround Sue, Happy Birthday Sweet 16, Let It Be Me, Great Pretender, C’mon Everybody, Let’s Twist Again and many more hits from music’s golden era!
(1 September) This show just has to be seen to be believed! The master of quick change will amaze you. Book your tickets now with Albemarle for an incredible night of fun, glamour and camp and opens at the Garrick Theatre for a limited season from 26 October 2009 (previews from 19 October) to 3 January 2010.
Italian cabaret legend and quick-change artist Arturo Brachetti, best known internationally for his award-winning signature piece A Man with a Thousand Faces, will bring his new one-man show to the West End this autumn. Arturo Brachetti - Change, is written and directed by The Right Size’s Sean Foley.
In a display of virtuosic skill, Arturo Brachetti brings over 100 characters to the stage, from James Bond to the Queen via Johnny Rotten, in a series of astonishing quick change impressions. The show also contains magic, illusions, comedy and anecdotes from Brachetti’s illustrious career.
Brachetti’s A Man with a Thousand Faces, created in 1999, has been seen by over 1,250,000 people around the world and has won the Molière Award in Paris and Quebec’s Olivier Award.
(28 August) One of London's biggest successes, Mamma Mia! has opened yet another booking period at The Prince of Wales and is now booking until 26 March 2011.
The musical had its world premiere at the Prince Edward Theatre in April 1999 and, after five years, moved to the refurbished Prince of Wales in May 2004. The feature film of the musical, starring Meryl Streep, was released last year which has made the live stage show even more popular.
(26 August) The hit musical "Avenue Q" has now extended it's run at The Gielgud Theatre and is now booking until Saturday 2nd January 2010.
Avenue Q is not the most upmarket of New York streets, and is about as far away from Park Avenue as you can get, but it is home to some lively and off the wall characters performed by an unholy comedic alliance of humans and puppets!
(19 August) Samuel Beckett's play "Endgame" is to be revived in the West End at The Duchess Theatre starring MARK RYLANCE who is replacing Richard Briers who has withdrawn from the production. Rylance will play Hamm in Complicite's new production. Other roles will be taken by Mirian Margoyles as Nell. Adrian Scarborough has also had to withdraw from the role of Clov as he will be busy rehearsing for Alan Bennett's new play at The National. The role of Clov will now be taken by Complicite director Simon McBurney. The role of Nagg is still to be announced.
Set in a bare, partially underground room, Beckett's 1957 existentialist play finds a wheelchair-bound Hamm passing the time by ordering his servant Clov to move him around, fetch objects and peer out the window for signs of life, while his bin-dwelling parents Nagg and Nell look on.
ENDGAME will now open on the 2nd October for a limited season until the 5th December 2009.
(11 August) Samel Beckett's play "Endgame" is to be revived in the West End at The Duchess Theatre starring Richard Briers, who will play Hamm in Complicite's new production. Other roles will be taken by Mirian Margoyles as Nell and for the first six weeks Adrian Scarborough will play Clov. Complicite director Simon McBurney takes over the role from 24 October. The role of Nagg is still to be announced.
Set in a bare, partially underground room, Beckett's 1957 existentialist play finds a wheelchair-bound Hamm passing the time by ordering his servant Clov to move him around, fetch objects and peer out the window for signs of life, while his bin-dwelling parents Nagg and Nell look on.
ENDGAME opens on the 18th September for a limited season until the 5th December 2009.
(10 August) The classic Charles Dickens story "A CHRISTMAS CAROL" will open at The Arts Theatre on the 11th November 2009, running until Sunday 10th January 2010.
"A Christmas Carol" tells the story of Ebeneezer Scrooge and his encounters with three Christmas ghosts that change his perspectives on life and his relationships with those around him.
Please note that are NO performances on a Monday, but there are two performances on a Sunday at 1.30pm and 5.30pm
(10 August) The Willy Russell musical "Blood Brothers" set in Liverpool about twin brothers separated at birth has opened yet another new booking period until 31st July 2010.
Interestingly of all the long-running musicals currently in London, Blood Brothers is unique in that the current production, which originally opened at the Albery Theatre in 1988, is actually its second incarnation - the original production failed to score a West End success at the Lyric Theatre in 1983 (where it run for six months). The producer Bill Kenwright picked up the rights to the musical in 1987, and a re-vamped Blood Brothers returned to the West End the following year.
(23rd July) Andrew Bovell’s play "SPEAKING IN TONGUES" will have its West End premiere at the Duke of York’s Theatre from the 18th September - 12th December, directed by rising star Toby Frow. Bovell’s previous work includes Baz Lurhmann’s Strictly Ballroom, and his own adaptation of Speaking in Tongues into the acclaimed film Lantana. John Simm (Life on Mars, State of Play) returns to the stage this autumn leading an exciting cast including Ian Hart (The Virgin Queen, Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone) and Kerry Fox (An Angel at my Table, Shallow Grave), in the highly charged thriller Speaking in Tongues.
A missing person. A mysterious stiletto. Relationships in crisis. In Speaking in Tongues the seemingly random confessions of a group of strangers are pieced together into a powerful study of infidelity and interwoven lives, as Detective Leon Zat (Simm) investigates the disappearance of a leading psychiatrist.
(23rd July) The Olivier Award-winning comedy "THE RISE AND FALL OF LITTLE VOICE"will be revived at the Vaudeville Theatre for a strictly limited season from 8 October - 30 Jan 2010, with one of TV's X Factor finalists, DIANA VICKERS starring in the title role originated by Jane Horrocks at the Aldwych Theatre. It originally opened in 1992 at The National Theatre and it won the 1992 Evening Standard and 1993 Olivier Award for Best Comedy, and was subsequently adapted into an Oscar-winning film in 1998, again starring Jane Horrocks as the diva-impersonating heroine.
Written by multi-award winning playwright Jim Cartwright (Road, Bed, Two) and directed by Terry Johnson (One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest, Hitchcock Blonde, The Graduate, Entertaining Mr Sloane).
Billed as a “savage black comedy-drama”, The Rise and Fall of Little Voice concerns a about painfully shy, diminutive Little Voice (LV), who lives alone in the north of England with her mother, Mari. Mari’s drunken, overbearing personality has driven LV into seclusion in her bedroom, where she listens to her late father’s records and has perfected faultless impersonations of the greatest divas, including Judy Garland and Dame Shirley Bassey. When Mari’s latest boyfriend, small-time working men’s club impresario Ray Say, overhears LV singing, he puts in place a tragic sequence of events as he pushes her towards stardom she doesn’t want and is literally terrified of.
(15th July)The new play, "THE MOUNTAINTOP" will open at Trafalgar Studios 1 on the 14th July until the 5th September.
Leading Royal Shakepeare Company actor, David Harewood stars as Martin Luther King which is a reimagining of the final hours in the life of the civil rights leader, and is set the night before his assassination on 3 April 1968, in his room at the Memphis Motel to which Martin Luther King had retired after giving his famous “I have been to the mountaintop” speech to a massive church congregation. When room service is delivered by a mysterious young woman, King is forced to confront his past, as well as his legacy to his people.
The play has transferred from the fringe venue, Theatre503 in south London, where it sold out its month long run.
(15th July)Well here we are - the boys are back in town. No, not Frank, Sammy & Dean (the Rat Pack opens in September at The Adelphi).
This time we have two seperate shows at The Arts Theatre on the same evenings.
"F.....G MEN" was a sell-out success at The Finborough Theatre in 2008, Phil Willmott’s production has extended three times at the King’s Head theatre, making it London ’s longest running Off-West end production. And now it is moving to the West End !
Taking its lead from Schnitzler’s La Ronde, F**king Menis a portraitof ten men searching for love, sex and intimacy in modern day America . This insightful drama looks at a succession of couples and strangers as they negotiate the before and after of lust, love and betrayal and the pursuit of sex.
A fearless dissection of homosexuality that will fascinate male and female audiences of every persuasion. Some stories are poignant, some hilarious, but collectively they provide a fascinating snap shot of the modern-day male.
"F......g Men"starts at 7.30pm and end at 9pm (No interval) Tuesday to Saturday from the 8th July - 1st August.
"NAKED BOYS SINGING!" is a musical comedy revue featuring an original score of 16 songs celebrating the splendours of male nudity and starts at 9.30pm. The New York Times called it “A cheery musical revue with 7 clean scrubbed song birds in their birthday suits!” The musical has been a long running hit off-broadway in New York and was seen briefly in London at Madame JoJo's club in 2001. This a new production which has been written for London audiences.
PLEASE NOTE: Contains Male Nudity "Naked Boys Singing" starts at 9.30pm Tuesday to Saturday from the 8th July - 1st August.
(6th July)The Stephen Sondheim musical " LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC" which transferred from the Menier Chocolate Factory to The Garrick Theatre in March 2009, will now end its runon Saturday 25th July. The show had been extended until the 5th September but sadly recently posted its closing notice.
Please contact us as soon as possible if you hold tickets for the period 27th July - 5th September
(6th July) Bookings have now opened with Albemarle for THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION which starts at Wyndhams Theatre on the 4th September 2009 for a limited run currently booking until 14th February 2010 and is based on the short novel Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption by Stephen King, this iconic story inspired the ever popular cult film and is adapted by Owen O'Neil and Dave Johns, and directed by Peter Sheridan.
Andy Dufresne is convicted of murdering his wife and his lover and is sent to the notorious Shawshank Prison to serve two life sentences. Stripped of his life, family and freedom, Andy is forced to endure a spirit-crushing routine. But with his quiet strength and inner courage, there is one thing that Andy never loses - and that is hope.
This unforgettable story of courage, friendship and daring to hope stars Kevin Anderson (Sleeping with the Enemy, member of the acclaimed Steppenwolf Theater Company) and Reg E. Cathey (from cult US television The Wire).
(6th July) Bookings have now opened with Albemarle for THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION which starts at Wyndhams Theatre on the 4th September 2009 for a limited run currently booking until 14th February 2010 and is based on the short novel Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption by Stephen King, this iconic story inspired the ever popular cult film and is adapted by Owen O'Neil and Dave Johns, and directed by Peter Sheridan.
Andy Dufresne is convicted of murdering his wife and his lover and is sent to the notorious Shawshank Prison to serve two life sentences. Stripped of his life, family and freedom, Andy is forced to endure a spirit-crushing routine. But with his quiet strength and inner courage, there is one thing that Andy never loses - and that is hope.
This unforgettable story of courage, friendship and daring to hope stars Kevin Anderson (Sleeping with the Enemy, member of the acclaimed Steppenwolf Theater Company) and Reg E. Cathey (from cult US television The Wire).
(30th June) One of the Little Britain stars MATT LUCAS will play Kenneth Halliwell in a new play about the life of playright Joe Orton, which opens at the Comedy Theatre for a limited run from the 17th September until the 6th December 2009.
The play is inspired exclusively by the John Lahr biography and the diaries of Joe Orton, Prick Up Your Ears. The play examines the relationship between Orton and Halliwell which ended tragically in 1967 when Halliwell bludgeoned Orton to death before committing suicide.
Prick Up Your Ears is a darkly funny and moving play imagines what really happened when, after years of creative collaboration, the door slammed shut and Kenneth was home alone. It tells the sensational story behind the domestic life of Joe Orton and Kenneth Halliwell, holed up in a tiny flat in Islington, trading well-trodden insults and hilarious put-downs like any old married couple
(28th June) Two fantastic shows return to London for what surely will be more sell out performances, this time at THE ADELPHI THEATRE, where "THE RAT PACK LIVE FROM LAS VEGAS" will open on the 24th September 2009 until the 21st November 2009.
This is followed by "CHRISTMAS WITH THE RAT PACK" which starts on the 24th November 2009 until the 3rd January 2010.
Both shows have played several seasons before in London at The Savoy, The Palladium, The Theatre Royal Haymarket, and The Strand Theatre (now the Novello).
The show is a trip back in time to to the glamorous, glitzy nights of Las Vegas in the late 1950s and early 60s where, in the company of three of the world's most popular entertainers and the fabulous Berrelli Sisters, you will experience Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr & Dean Martin performing at the famous Sands hotel. Hit follows hit, including: Witchcraft, The Lady is a Tramp, Mr Bojangles, I've Got You Under My Skin, That's Amore, Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime, New York, New York, My Kinda Town, Fly Me to the Moon, Sway, Volare, Me And My Shadow, My Way, Memories Are Made Of This and many more. The Christmas production features lots of the old favourites as well as many festive songs and a Christmas setting on stage.
The Sands hotel was the very height of Las Vegas sophistication. It was there in 1960, during the filming of "Ocean's Eleven", when for the first time Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr, Joey Bishop, and Peter Lawford performed together on stage. From then on, they were forever known as the Rat Pack. Las Vegas was their playground and everywhere else was known, in Rat Pack vocabulary, as ‘Dullsville, Ohio'. Frank, Sammy & Dean were a force to be reckoned with, an inexhaustible energy that is as apparent in their music today as it ever was.
These spectacular productions celebrates the incredible singing talent of three world-famous entertainers and performers and some of the finest music and song that has ever been recorded.
(26th June) Too Close To The Sun, a new musical with music by John Robinson, who has also had Behind The Iron Mask staged in London, will open at the COMEDY THEATRE on 16th July and is currently booking until 5th September 2009 .
The musical follows Nobel Prize-winner Ernest Hemmingway as he battles old age, taking solace in the young secretary that his wife knows has her eyes on his money. But it is not just the secretary who can see the dollar signs, and an old school friend arrives with more than friendship on his mind.
Too Close To The Sun tells the imagined story of the final days of author Ernest Hemmingway, and will star Helen Dallimore, most recently seen as Glinda in the musical Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre with James Graeme, Jay Benedict and Tammy Joelle.
(24th June) The Old Vic has announced the second play in their new season - SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATIONby John Guare. It is an Olivier and Tony Award-winning play and is a sharp and witty look at fame, celebrity and opportunity.
Set on the Upper East side in Manhattan, in a Fifth Avenue apartment, an art dealing couple are visited by a stranger in the night who claims to be a friend of their children. The young man, Paul, soon starts up another con against a young man and his girlfriend resulting in the young man giving Paul all of his savings. The plot is based on a real life story of David Hampton, a con man who managed to convince a number of people in the 1980’s that he was the son of Sidney Poitier. It’s sharp and funny in a New York wise cracking kind of way and poses the question – who’s conning you?
A film version was released in 1993 and starred Will Smith
The stage cast is still to be announced.
The production runs from 7 Jan – 3 April 2010.
(22nd June) A new production of the hit South African musical THE MYSTERIES (Yiimimangaliso) will return to London for just 25 performances at the Garrick Theatre from 11 September to 3 October 2009.
The Mysteries – Yiimimangaliso brings to life the biblical stories through song, dance and drama, with an ensemble of 33 performers playing characters from Adam and Eve to Cain and Abel, led by award-winning performer and co-musical director Pauline Malefane as God and Jesus. The production’s score comprises South African vocal traditions and is performed in five languages.
(19th June) DREAMBOATS AND PETTICOATS - the musical Inspired by the smash hit million+ selling albums Dreamboats and Petticoats - which rocketed to the top of the charts within the first week of its release in November 2008 - and Dreamboats and Petticoats 2, will open at the SAVOY THEATRE on the 22nd July initialy booking until 12th Septmeber 2009, and features some of the greatest hit songs of the rock ‘n’ roll era.
Written by Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran, the team behind Goodnight Sweetheart, Birds of a Feather, The New Statesmen and Shine On Harvey Moon, this spectacular new feel-good production will give you ‘the greatest time of your life’ – taking you back to a time when each passing week brought another classic track.
In 1961 emotions run high as talented young musicians Norman and Bobby compete to win a national song writing competition – and, more importantly, the attention of the gorgeous Sue! But when Bobby discovers that shy Laura is no slouch on the piano, love and rock ‘n’ roll fame beckons…
Featuring classic tracks from Roy Orbison, The Shadows, Eddie Cochran, Billy Fury, and many more, including Let’s Dance, To Know Him Is To Love Him, Shaking All Over, Bobby’s Girl, Three Steps To Heaven, Little Town Flirt, Only Sixteen, Runaround Sue, Happy Birthday Sweet 16, Let It Be Me, Great Pretender, C’mon Everybody, Let’s Twist Again and many more hits from music’s golden era!
(18th June) The Old Vic have announced their new season which starts on the 18th September 2009 with INHERIT THE WIND starring artistic director Kevin Spacey. Further casting to be announced later but the play contains a large cast. The Production runs from 18 Sept – 20 Dec 2009.
It will be directed by Trevor Nunn who last directed Richard II at The Old Vic. Kevin Spacey was last seen on stage at The Old Vic in Speed the Plow.
INHERIT THE WIND is written by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee and is a big, powerful American story which is very fast paced and witty. It is loosely based on a true story of the 1925 Scopes Monkey trial, which resulted in schoolteacher John T Scopes’ conviction for teaching Darwin ’s evolution theory to a high school science class and is set in a courtroom and is about freedom of speech versus fundamentalism.
(10 June) Tenessee Williams classic 1955 drama, "CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF" will open at the Novello Theatre on 21st November 2009 for a limited season until 10th April 2010.
However, this will be no ordinary production as this will be an all-black production originally seen on Broadway in 2008 starring JAMES EARL JONES and PHYLICIA RASHAD who will both reprise their performances as Big Daddy and Big Mama. .
(09 June) CAROUSEL the musical has announced that it will now close earlier than planned on Saturday 20th June 2009 at The Savoy Theatre. The show had originally been booking until Saturday 25th July 2009. Rodger’s and Hammerstein's CAROUSEL originally opened on Broadway in 1945 and there have been several productions since then. The current production opened at The Savoy Theatre on the 21st November 2008 starring Lesley Garrett.
"CALENDER GIRLS" NEW CAST ANNOUNCED& PERFORMANCE CHANGES
(09 June) The new cast of the hit play "CALENDER GIRLS" will be JERRY HALL, ANITA DOBSON, SARA CROWE, JILL HALFPENNY, GEMMA ATKINSON, JILL BAKER, RICHENDA CAREY and JUNE BROWN (most famously known as Dot Cotton in the TV soap, Eastenders).
The current cast, Patricia Hodge, Lynda Bellingham, Sian Phillips, Elaine C Smith, Julia Hills, Brigit Forsyth and Gaynor Faye now remain until the 25th July and the new cast start on the 28th July, again for a limited period until 17th October 2009, when it is expected a further star cast will take over.
Calendar Girls is the moving story of members of the Woman's Institute who shun their usual cake baking competitions and jam making in order to produce a nude calendar to raise money for Leukaemia Research. The calendar causes a stir and the women find the sudden media interest more challenging than they could have predicted
Please note that as from the 25th May, Calendar Girls will no longer be performing a Monday evening performance but will instead play an additional matinee on Thursdays at 2.30pm. The performance schedule is now TUES to SAT 7.30PM and MATINEES at 2.30pm on WED, THURS AND SATS.
(09 June)BILLY ELLIOT has swept the board winning 10 Tony Awards in New York out of the 15 nominations it received. This is also a record for a British musical on Broadway. The ceremony held at New York's famous Radio City Music Hall on Sunday 7th June saw Billy Elliot win the following:
Best Musical, Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical (David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik, and Kiril Kulish - who are the 3 Billy's) Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical (Gregory Jbara) Best Direction of a Musical (Stephen Daldry) Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre Best Book of a Musical Best Choreography (Peter Darling) Best Sound Design of a Musical (Paul Arditti) Best Scenic Design of a Musical (Ian MacNeil) Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Rick Fisher)
Best Orchestrations (Martin Koch)
If you havent yet seen BILLY ELLIOT then why not see the original production which is still playing at THE VICTORIA PALACE in London, where it opened to rave reviews in May 2005. The London production won 4 OLIVIER AWARDS - BEST THEATRE CHOREOGRAPHER, BEST NEW MUSICAL, BEST ACTOR IN A MUSICAL, BEST SOUND DESIGN and also won BEST MUSICAL in the Evening Standard, The Critics Circle, and Whatsonstage.com awards. The show celebrated its 4th Birthday in London on the 12th May 2009.
"CHICAGO" GIVES US THE RAZZLE DAZZLE OF JERRY SPRINGER
(05 June)"CHICAGO" the hit musical now playing at the Cambridge Theatre has a new Billy Flynn - legendary talk show host, Jerry Springer, who is making his West End debut from the 1st June for a very special limited run until the 11th July. The Cambridge is the same theatre where "Jerry Springer The Opera" opened in 2003 to critical aclaim. Now is your chance to see the real JERRY, JERRY in the flesh! BOOK NOW FOR THIS VERY SPECIAL LIMITED RUN.
(04 June)
The hit revival of Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot has once again extended its booking period at the Theatre Royal Haymarket by two weeks, until 9 AUGUST 2009. This production stars Ian McKellan and Patrick Stewart as Estragon and Vladimir, two tramps who pass the time by a deserted road as they wait for the mysterious Godot. The cast also includes Simon Callow and Ronald Pickup.
TICKETS ARE VERY LIMITED SO BOOK YOUR TICKETS NOW WITH ALBEMARLE WHILE THEY ARE STILL AVAILABLE! Waiting for Godot is currently booking until 9th August 2009. More details...
(03 June)
Booking has now opened for JB Priestley's classic 1946 thriller "AN INSPECTOR CALLS" which will open at the Novello Theatre on 22 September 2009, initially booking through to 14th November.
This revival by Stephen Daldry is a reworking of Priestley's famous play which Daldry first produced at the National Theatre a decade ago. It had subsequent seasons at the Aldwych Theatre, then on Broadway before it returned to the West End and ran at the Garrick Theatre for nearly six years from - October 1995 to April 2001 - before taking a summer break and then re-opening in September 2001 at the Playhouse Theatre, where it closed in May 2002.
Daldry’s production has now clocked up over 4,000 performances worldwide to date and reportedly holds the record as the longest running play revival in history. The story begins with the mysterious Inspector Goole arriving unexpectedly at the prosperous Birling family home. Their peaceful dinner party is shattered by his investigations into their involvement in the death of a young woman whom each of them in turn has exploited. An Inspector Calls is currently booking until 14th November 2009. More details...
(22nd May)
As previously mentioned in the Albemarle show news (27th March) but not confirmed until now, John Barrowman will return to the stage later this year in "LA CAGE AUX FOLLES" at the Playhouse Theatre as drag queen Albin/Zaza and will be the latest star to don sequins and tights in Terry Johnson’s multi award-winning revival.
John Barrowman will join the production at the West End's Playhouse Theatre for a limited season from 14 September 2009 and unlike all the other actors to take the role of Albin/Zaza in the Menier Chocolate factory production, he will be the first singer/actor to appear, all others being trained actors but not neccesarily singers, so this should be a very good addition to the show. The current role of Zaza is taken by Roger Allam, and altough he did appear in the west end musical "City of Angels", he is best known for his straight acting roles. Barrowman has achieved multi tv skills as an all round entertainer and is incredibly popular and having appeared in many major west end musicals, this will prove to be an even more successful musical.
BOOK YOUR TICKETS NOW WITH ALBEMARLE FOR THIS LIMITED BOOKING PERIOD STARRING JOHN BARROWMAN AS WE EXPECT SELL OUT PERFORMANCES!
(22nd May)Anna Friel (TV’s Pushing Daisies, Lulu Almeida Theatre, Closer Broadway) stars as Holly Golightly with Joseph Cross (Running with Scissors, Milk, Flags of our Fathers) as William ‘Fred’ Parsons in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Samuel Adamson’s new stage adaptation of Truman Capote’s classic novella is directed by Sean Mathias which is his second play in his Theatre Royal Haymarket season. The production is designed by Anthony Ward. Featuring the Oscar-winning song Moon River by Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer, Breakfast at Tiffany’s is presented by Chambord, and is produced by Colin Ingram by arrangement with The Theatre Royal Haymarket Company.
New York City, 1943. William ‘Fred’ Parsons, a young writer from Louisiana, meets Miss Holly Golightly, a charming, vivacious and utterly elusive good-time girl. Everyone falls in love with Holly, including William - but he is poor, and Holly needs rich. Will she marry Rusty, playboy millionaire? Or José, the future president of Brazil? As war rages in Europe, Holly begins to fall in love with William - and then her past catches up with her….
(22nd May)SUNSET BOULEVARD, currently at the Comedy Theatre, will now close on the 30th May. The Andrew Lloyd Webber musical originally seen at the Adelphi Theatre ran for 3 years and this new, small scale production was revived by the Watermill Theatre company in Newbury and has lasted at the Comedy for six months. Sunset Boulevard is now booking until 30th of May 2009. More details...
Spring Awakenings Early Closures
(22nd May)SPRING AWAKENINGS, currently at the Novello Theatre, will now close on 30 May after a West End run of only two months. The new musical enjoyed sell out success at it's pre-west end run at the Lyric Hammersmith and despite widespread critical acclaim, the UK premiere of the six-time Tony Award-winning musical has not sustained strong enough audiences at the Novello. ”
[25th April]
The wait is finally over, OMIGOD! I can hardly believe it, "Legally Blonde" the Broadway musical starts previews at The Savoy Theatre on the 5th December 2009 with an official opening night of 12th January 2010 and is currently booking until 23rd May 2010.
Book your tickets NOW with Albemarle and get the actual location and seat numbers (unlike the pre-booking offered via one online agent that was only specifying "the best available").
The musical is based on the 2001 movie of the same name which originally starred Reece Witherspoon. Casting has now been confirmed, Sheridan Smith will star as Harvard Law student Elle Woods and Duncan James (from the ex boy band, Blue) will play Elle’s heartbreaker college sweetheart Warner. It will be directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell (previous shows include “Hairspray” and “The Full Monty”).
“Mamma Mia!” celebrates it’s 10th anniversary in London
[15th April]
Before a packed celebrity audience at The Prince of Wales Theatre, which included two of the original band members of ABBA, Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, “Mamma Mia!” celebrated it’s 10th anniversary in London on Monday 6th April 2009. The musical originally opened on the 6th April 1999 at The Prince Edward Theatre before a very clever move to shift London’s top musical to re-open the newly refurbished Prince of Wales Theatre on 3 June 2004. “Mamma Mia!” has now been seen by over 40 million people worldwide and there are productions in Denmark, Thailand, Slovakia, Italy, Japan, Norway, as well as many other countries the show has visited. In the USA the show opened on Broadway just after the 2001 World Trade Centre tragedy and was the ideal tonic for New Yorkers who could come out of the theatre on a high. There followed a tour of the USA which is ongoing. “Mamma Mia!” – the movie, premiered in London on the 30th June 2008 and became the biggest grossing British movie of all time and it’s success was followed by the release of the DVD which became the fastest selling DVD of all time in the UK and of 2008. The movie soundtrack then became the biggest selling compilation of 2008. Despite what some people may think, the release of the movie has only made the live stage show even more popular and the demand for seats is just like it was 10 years ago. There is nothing like the original live stage show – experience it for yourself NOW and order your tickets from ALBEMARLE while they are still available. “Mamma Mia” is complete escapism and is the perfect night out to wash away the doom and gloom of the current climate. You too could be THE DANCING QUEEN!
[13th April]
The current star of "Hairspray", Michael Ball will leave the hit musical on the 25th July and his role of Edna Turnblad (Tracy's mother) will be taken by Brian Conley from the 27th July 2009.
PLEASE NOTE: Michael Ball will be on holiday from the 4th May to the 11th May returning on the 12th May.
Although known mostly as a comedian and TV star, Brian Conley had major successes starring in the musicals "Jolson" at The Victoria Palace and "The Music Man" at Chichester, and although he didnt step straight into Michael Ball's shoes in "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" he did take the same role of Caractacus Potts when it was at The Palladium taking over from Jason Donovan in March 2005. The role of Edna is more of a comedy role so it will definately suit Brian Conley, although, like Michael Ball, he does have a good singing voice.
The American production of Hairspray won eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, seven Drama Desk awards, five Critics' Circle Awards and a Grammy for the original cast recording.
The UK production of Hairspray opened in October 2007 and went on to win four 2008 Laurence Olivier Awards: Best Actor in a Musical, Best Actress in a Musical, Best Supporting Performance in a Musical and Best New Musical.
[13th April]
London's newest comedy, "Calendar Girls", now running at The Noel Coward Theatre, which is proving to be a massive hit, is going global. In London, the show has almost £2 million in advance bookings, which is unsual for a play and normally associated with big musicals.
Calendar Girls will launch in Brisbane before touring Australia including Sydney and Melbourne, It will then visit Hong Kong and Singapore in 2011.
Other productions of Calendar Girls will open in Paris, Germany, Turkey and Cape Town.
The play is based on the real-life story of how the Rylstone & District Women's Institute branch in Yorkshire decided to pose for a nude calender to raise money for Leukaemia Research instead of baking cakes and jam making. The current West End cast include Lynda Bellingham, Patricia Hodge, Sian Phillips, Gaynor Faye, Brigit Forsyth, Julia Hills and Elaine C Smith, who all play until the 24th June after which time it will be re-cast.
6th April]
Shout!is a feel-good musical featuring over 25 of the biggest pop hits of the 60s, including "Downtown", "Son Of A Preacher Man", "I Only Wanna Be With You", "I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself", "Wishin' And Hopin'", "You Don't Have To Say You Love Me", "To Sir With Love", "These Boots Are Made For Walking", "Alfie", and the title track and stars Sue Pollard who is most famous for playing Peggy in Hi De Hi! However, she is also a musical stage performer with a great voice.
Celebrating the fabulous, hazy days of swinging London, Shout!is an affectionate reminder of the time when hippies were in the news, students took part in sit-ins, the Beatles conquered the world, the first man walked on the moon, Top Of The Pops was born, England won the World Cup and short skirts and beehives were all the rage.Shout!follows three girls as they arrive to try their luck in the big !moke at the start of the most exciting decade ever and opens at The Arts Theatre on the 17th April for a limited season. BOOK YOUR SEATS NOW WITH US FOR A GREAT FUN NIGHT OUT!
"Legally Blonde " to open in London
[6th April]
It’s been a rumour for ages, but now it is finally confirmed that the Broadway musical “Legally Blond” is due to start previews at The Savoy Theatre on the 5th December 2009. Public booking has not yet opened, so watch this space to be first in the queue. The musical is based on the 2001 movie of the same name which originally starred Reece Witherspoon. Although casting has yet to be confirmed, the rumour mill expects the lead to be taken by Sheridan Smith, and possibly Duncan James – from the ex boy band, Blue, and it will be directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell (previous shows include “Hairspray” and “The Full Monty”). The Savoy Theatre’s current production of “Carousel” is currently booking until 25th July.
CHEERIO BUT BE BACK SOON! -
ROWAN ATKINSON FORCED TO TAKE THREE WEEKS OFF FROM OLIVER!
TO HAVE IMMEDIATE SURGERY
RUSS ABBOT TO STEP INTO THE ROLE OF FAGIN
FROM 13TH APRIL
[3April]
Rowan Atkinson has sustained an indirect inguinal hernia. His doctors advise immediate surgery to avoid exacerbating the condition. They are confident that he will be well enough to return to the role of Fagin in Oliver! on the 27th April following a three week recovery period. Rowan has been nursing the problem for a few weeks but it flared up badly whilst on a break with his family this week. He has cut short his holiday to fly back to have surgery immediately to speed the recovery process. The condition, whilst neither serious nor dangerous, is extremely painful and prevents normal movement, making performing impossible.
Cameron Mackintosh is delighted to announce that we have been lucky enough to get Russ Abbot to return to the role of Fagin for two weeks from 13th April. Russ played the role to considerable acclaim at the London Palladium in 1997 and again triumphantly on tour around the UK and in Toronto the following year. Cameron Mackintosh said today, "Our sympathy goes out to Rowan and all our best wishes for a speedy recovery and return to the production. I regret the disappointment this will cause to many but I am delighted that Russ has so ably stepped into the breach. He is a consummate all-round performer and had a personal triumph in this role when I last produced the show in London and on tour."
Spectacular New Season of Plays and Star Names
[30 March]
AlthoughLondon’s West End has some amazing musicals, both old and new, there has been a feeling of them taking over by using some of the theatre’s usually more suited to straight plays or comedies. Now it’s time for the plays to fight back as the new season in town brings a wealth of new plays, comedies and revivals and some wonderful actors including Judi Dench, Jude Law, Ian McKellan, Patrick Stewart, Lynda Bellingham, Patricia Hodge, Sian Phillips, Ethan Hawke, Simon Russell Beale, Helen Mirren, Margaret Tyzack, Dominic Cooper, Simon Callow, Prunella Scales, to name but a few. THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME TO SEE A PLAY WITH SUCH OUTSTANDING ACTORS – BOOK NOW!
War Horse has now transferred from the National’s Olivier Theatre to The New London Theatre where it will play a regular schedule of 8 shows a week and is currently booking until 28th September 2009. This incredible play sold out every performance at the National and bookings are very heavy for the New London, a theatre that usually plays host to musicals, but is very similar in design to the Olivier with a wide stage.
BOOK NOW WHILE THERE ARE STILL SOME TICKETS AVAILABLE!
Madame de Sade is the latest in the Donmar’s West End season at Wyndham's Theatre and stars the legendary Judi Dench. Madame de Sade finishes it's run on Saturday 23rd May. VERY LIMITED AVAILABILTY.
Calendar Girls starts previews at the Noel Coward Theatre on the 4th April and is destined to be a big hit. It has already become the fastest-selling tour in history outside the West End with a glowing set of reviews. This is a stage adaptation of the hit film and stars Lynda Bellingham, Patricia Hodge, Sian Phillips, Gaynor Faye, Brigit Forsyth, Julia Hills and Elaine C. Smith. This is the moving story of members of the Women’s Institute who shun their usual cake baking competitions and jam making in order to produce a nude calendar to raise money for Leukaemia research. The calendar causes quite a stir and the women find the sudden media interest more challenging than they could have predicted. If you want to see the amazing original cast, you had better book your tickets now as the play will be recast after the 24th June. The Noel Coward has just been vacated by the cast of the musical “Avenue Q” which is taking a short break before re-opening at The Gielgud Theatre on the 1st June 2009.
The Last Cigarette by Simon Gray and Hugh Whitemore will transfer from The Chichester Festival Theatre to The Trafalgar Studios on the 21st April until 1st August. Starring Felicity Kendal, Nicholas Le Prevost and Jasper Britton, the play is an adaptation of Simon Gray’s memoirs, which draws on his relationship with smoking while battling cancer.
Duet For One is transferring from it’s sell out season at The Almeida Theatre to the Vaudeville Theatre on the 7th May and stars Juliet Stevenson and Henry Goodman. This is a powerful and deeply moving play about a brilliant concert violinist who seemingly has it all, but is forced to re-evaluate her life when struck down by an unforeseen tragedy. Waiting For Godot by Samuel Beckett, opens at The Haymarket Theatre on the 30th April and is currently booking until the 12th July, and stars Ian McKellan, Patrick Stewart, Simon Callow and Ronald Pickup. AVAILABILITY LIMITED – SO BOOK FAST!
Taking Sides and Collaboration are two plays by Ronald Harwood, playing in rep from 20 May – 22 Aug. Although standalone stories, but subtly linked, both plays explore the fine line between collaboration and betrayal during the Second World War. Both plays star Michael Pennington. Duchess Theatre.
The Cherry Orchard by Anton Chekov, - in a new version by Tom Stoppard, opens at The Old VicTheatre on the 23rd May and plays in repertoire with Shakespeare’s The Winter's Tale (from the 29th May) under the banner of The Bridge Project, which is a co-production of The Old Vic, The Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), and Neal Street productions. Both plays star Ethan Hawke, Sinead Cusack and Simon Russell Beale. The season closes on the 15th August 2009. PLEASE NOTE: The seating configuration has reverted back to it’s standard layout using the proscenium arch.
Arcadia by Tom Stoppard. A complex drama of intellect & sexual intrigue set simultaneously in 1809 & the present day. 27 May – 12 Sept. Stars Samantha Bond. Duke of Yorks Theatre. Hamlet by William Shakespeare is the last in the Donmar West End season at Wyndham's Theatre and stars Jude Law and Penelope Wilton. 29th May – 22nd August. VERY LIMITED AVAILABILTY.
Phedre starring Helen Mirren, Margaret Tyzack and Dominic Cooper opens in repertoire at The National's Lyttleton Theatre on the 4th June. EXPECT HEAVY DEMAND for this superb cast!
Carries War, based on Nina Bawden’s famous 1973 novel set during World War Two, stars Prunella Scales and opens at The Apollo Theatre on the 18th June.
[27 March]
The hit musical "La Cage Aux Folles" at the Playhouse Theatre will have new lead actors from the 4th May 2009. Graham Norton will leave the show on the 2nd May and his role of drag queen Zaza (Albin) will be taken by Roger Allam. The role of Zaza/Albin was originated by Douglas Hodge in the current revival and he recently won an Olivier award for best actor in a musical. Hodge’s original co-star, Philip Quast will return to the show to play Albin’s lover alongside Roger Allam.
There are rumours that leading West End musical star John Barrowman has been approached to play the part of ZAZA for three months when Roger Allamand Philip Quast leave the show in August. John Barrowman has a new TV programme to record, and a live concert tour, so it’s all a matter of availability with such a gruelling schedule. If this does happen, it will bring a new audience in to the show as John Barrowmanhas a high profile on tv and is extremely popular. "La Cage Aux Folles" is currently booking until 9th January 2010 more details...
[27 March]
Andrew Lloyd Webber‘s new musical,"Love Never Dies"is expected to open at The Adelphi Theatre in the Strand in late October or early November. This is the sequel to his incredibly successful “Phantom of the Opera” which will continue to run at Her Majesty’s Theatre and still going strong after 23 years at the same theatre! Tickets are expected to go on sale in late May or early June – WATCH THIS WEBSITEFOR FURTHER DETAILS!
Once the show has opened in London, the plan is to open in Toronto, and then transfer the cast to Broadway next spring and another production will open in Shanghai. "Love Never Dies"sees an older Phantom living in the fairground on Coney Island in New York, and he meets up with Christine, who is by now married to Raoul and has a son.
"Love Never Dies"will be directed by Jack O’Brien and Andrew Lloyd Webber is working with lyricist Glenn Slater. The set design will be by Bob Crowley. There is a concept album being recorded with JohnBarrowman singing the part of Raoul, but this is only for the album, John Barrowman will NOT be in the stage show. There are great expectations that this will mirror the success of “Phantom of the Opera” .
Untitled Document
Olivier Awards 2009 Announced!
(30th March)
2009 Laurence Olivier Awards Winners:
Best Lighting Design: The Chalk Garden
designed by Paule Constable
at the Donmar Warehouse
Best Sound Design: Black Watch
designed by Gareth Fry
at the Barbican
Best Costume Design: The Histories
designed by Tom Piper and Emma Williams
at the Roundhouse
Best New Dance Production: Pina Bausch Tanztheater Wuppertal’s Café Muller/ The Rite Of Spring
at Sadler’s Wells
Outstanding Achievement in Dance: The company of the Royal Ballet of Flanders
for their performances in Impressing The Czar
at Sadler’s Wells
Best New Comedy: God Of Carnage
by Yasmina Reza, translated by Christopher Hampton
at the Gielgud theatre
Best Set Design: August: Osage County
designed by Todd Rosenthal
at the National Theatre, Lyttelton
Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical: Lesli Margherita
for Zorro
at the Garrick theatre
Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre:
The Royal Court theatre’s production of The Pride,
Jerwood Theatre Upstairs
Best Performance in a Supporting Role:
Patrick Stewart for Hamlet
at the Novello theatre
Best Actress: Margaret Tyzack
for The Chalk Garden
at the Donmar Warehouse
Best Actor: Derek Jacobi
for Twelfth Night,
Donmar West End at the Wyndham’s theatre
Best Company Performance: The Histories
directed by Michael Boyd
at the Roundhouse
Best Theatre Choreographer:
Steven Hoggett
for Black Watch
at the Barbican
Best Revival: The Histories
directed by Michael Boyd
at the Roundhouse
Best New Opera Production:
English National Opera’s Partenope
at the London Coliseum
Outstanding Achievement in Opera: Edward Gardner
for conducting English National Opera’s Boris Goduinov, Cavalliera Rusticana,
Der Rosenkavalier, I Pagliacci, Riders To The Sea
at the London Coliseum and Punch And Judy at the Young Vic
Best Actress in a Musical: Elena Roger
for Piaf
at the Donmar Warehouse and Vaudeville theatre
Best Actor in a Musical: Douglas Hodge
for La Cage Aux Folles
at the Playhouse theatre
Best Entertainment: La Clique
at the Hippodrome
Best Musical Revival: La Cage Aux Folles,
music and lyrics by Jerry Herman, book by Harvey Fierstein,
based on the play "La Cage Aux Folles" by Jean Poiret,
at the Playhouse theatre
Best New Play: National Theatre of Scotland’s
Black Watch by Gregory Burke
at the Barbican
Best Director: John Tiffany
for Black Watch
at the Barbican
Untitled Document
Ray Quinn Skates Into Grease as 'Danny'
(18th March)Singer and television star Ray Quinn will be swapping his ice skates for his dancing shoes when he joins the cast of the smash-hit musical Grease. Ray will play the lead role of ‘Danny’ for a limited season from 11 May to 3 October 2009 at The Piccadilly Theatre. Further casting to be announced.
Former X-Factor finalist Ray is winning the nation’s hearts all over again on the popular ITV show Dancing on Ice. The skate superstar has been dazzling audiences and lighting up the rink with stunning performances week after week. Ray is a hot contender in the race to become champion of the celebrity ice dance contest which has its final on 22 March. He will complete the live UK tour of Dancing on Ice before skating into Grease on 11 May, where he is set to thrill and charm audiences as ‘Danny’.
Following in the footsteps of screen idol John Travolta, Ray will play leader of the T-Birds gang ‘Danny’ having previously played the role of ‘Doody’. Travolta famously played ‘Danny Zuko’ in the iconic 1978 movie but was discovered playing ‘Doody’ in the 1972 North American touring production.
Looking forward to his role in Grease, Ray says: “'I'm so thrilled to be playing 'Danny' in the West End. Grease is such an all time favourite and to be in the role made so famous by John Travolta is amazing- I can't believe my luck, it's a dream come true!” Grease now booking until 10th January 2010. More details...
Untitled Document
Avenue Q Moving to Gielgud Theatre in June
(11th March)Avenue Q will close at the Noel Coward Theatre on 28th March... but will reopen at the Gielgud Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue on 1st June, after the cast and puppets have taken a well deserved holiday!
Brash, vulgar and just downright funny - you've never seen a musical like Avenue Q before! The characters on this downtown street in New York are out of work, out of luck and desperately seeking their purpose in life; just what are you supposed to do with a B.A. in English? This is a hilarious show you'll want to see again and again. Now starring Daniel Boys (from BBC's search for a Joseph, Any Dream Will Do) along with a hugely talented cast of performers and puppets. Don't let your life suck or be the only person on your street who hasn't seen it yet - book your tickets today! Avenue Q now booking until 26th September 2010. More details...
[27 February]
We have today been advised of Graham Norton's latest filming schedule. Please see below for a full breakdown of the dates that Mr Norton will not be performing in La Cage Aux Folles.
Wednesday 4th March (eve)
Wednesday 11th March (eve)
Wednesday 18th March (eve)
Wednesday 25th March (eve)
Wednesday 1st April (eve)
Wednesday 8th April (eve)
Wednesday 15th April (eve)
Wednesday 22nd April (eve)
[27 February]
Please find below a recent announcement from the producers of Oliver
“Having suffered a mild illness, on the advice of her doctors, Jodie Prenger will be taking an enforced break from appearing in Oliver from the 2nd to the 7th March 2009. Medical examination following a recurring sore throat has revealed some minor swelling to the vocal cords which is a common problem in singers. The medical advice is to take six complete days rest to prevent the problem from developing into a serious condition, at the end of which she will resume her normal performance schedule. In her absence the role of Nancy will be shared between Tamsin Carroll who played the role to great acclaim in Australia, and Sarah Lark who was one of the finalists in the I’D DO ANYTHING competition last year. We are sorry for any disappointment this may cause, as with any live performance the appearance of the billed performers cannot always be guaranteed due to illness or other unavoidable circumstances.” Oliver is currently booking until 27th February 2010 more details....
Untitled Document
Jerry Springer Comes Back To West End
(19th February)Six years after the premiere of the controversial West End musical in his name, US talk show host Jerry Springer will make his own West End debut, playing super-slick lawyer Billy Flynn Chicago. Springer will join the cast of the Kander and Ebb musical at the Cambridge Theatre for a limited six-week stint from 1 June 2009.His last performance shall be on 11th July 2009.
The current revival of Chicago opened at the West End’s Cambridge Theatre (where the musical’s original London production ran for 603 performances from April 1979) on 28 April 2006, after eight-and-a-half years at the Adelphi Theatre. It won the 1998 Laurence Olivier Award for Outstanding Musical Production as well as the 1998 Critics' Circle Award for Best Musical. Chicago now booking until 27th March 2010. More details...
Important information regarding the cancellation of performances for 2nd February 2009
(2nd Feb) Please be advised the following shows have been cancelled due to the adverse weather conditions:
Billy Elliott - Victoria Palace
Jersey Boys - Prince Edward
Mamma mia - Prince of Wales
Avenue Q - Noel Coward
Hairspray - Shaftesbury
Grease -Piccadily
Mid Summer Nights Dream - Novello
We Will Rock You - Dominion
Joseph - Adelphi
Phantom of The Opera - Her Majesty's
Oliver - Drury Lane
Mousetrap - St Martins
Stomp - New Ambassadors
Sound Of Music - London Palladium
On The Waterfront - Haymarket
Complicit - Old Vic
Wicked - Apollo Victoria
Dirty Dancing - Aldwych
Les Miserables - Queens
Zorro - Garrick
Sunset Boulevard - Comedy
Carousel - Savoy
Die Tote Stadt - Royal Opera House
Please contact us from 3rd February to arrange alternative dates or refunds
Untitled Document
Graham Norton To Enter La Cage Aux Folles In January
(28th November)The glamorous musical comedy LA CAGE AUX FOLLES has extended its run at the Playhouse Theatre. Stepping into the sequined shoes as Albin is Graham Norton from 19 January.
The idyllic existence of Georges (Steven Pacey) and the dazzling drag artiste Albin is threatened when Georges’ son announces his engagement to the daughter of a right-wing politician, who wants to close down the local colourful nightlife! With a visit from the prospective in-laws imminent, they all decide to take drastic action to hide their lifestyle...but can they keep it up?
Gareth Gates Will Make His West End Debut Starring As Joseph
(27th November)From 9 February 2009, Gareth Gates will make his West End stage debut starring as ‘Joseph’ in the smash hit production of the Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber musical “JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT” at the Adelphi Theatre in London. Lee Mead will leave the show on Saturday 10 January.
Gareth Gates became Head Chorister at Bradford Cathedral when he was eleven years old, and he sang for the Queen at the age of 13. Gareth was runner-up in the first ever Pop Idol in 2002. He has since had four number one singles and sold 3.5 million records to date. Earlier this year, Gareth appeared in ITV1’s “Dancing on Ice” and went on to participate in the “Dancing on Ice” UK Tour. More recently, he performed in “A Spoonful of Stiles & Drewe”, a charity gala celebrating the 25-year writing partnership of George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. Gareth is about to open in “Cinderella” at the Wimbledon Theatre, starring as ‘Prince Charming’ opposite Joanna Page and Alistair McGowan.
Gareth says of his West End debut: “I have a lot to thank “JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT” for as it is the reason I first started singing, after being chosen to play the lead in a school production when I was eight years old. Ever since then it’s been a dream of mine to appear in a West End musical. I am really honoured to be appearing at the Adelphi, stepping into that famous coat and really can’t wait to get stuck in!”
With lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, this new staging of the record-breaking 1990’s London Palladium production, which was directed by Steven Pimlott, is designed by Mark Thompson and choreographed by Anthony Van Laast. This colourful retelling of the biblical story of dreamboat Joseph and his uncanny abilities and that designer coat sings out to young and old alike, with a score which is wall-to-wall hits, including ‘Close Every Door’ and ‘Any Dream Will Do’.
[10th October]Kelly Brook will make her West End stage debut staring as ‘Jeannie’ in Neil LaBute’s hit play “FAT PIG” at the Comedy Theatre in London. She will play the role from Monday 13 October. Kelly Brook joins Kevin Bishop (‘Carter’), Nicholas Burns (‘Tom’) and Ella Smith (‘Helen’) in the transfer of the play. “FAT PIG” originally opened at the Trafalgar Studios in May this year and subsequently played to sell-out business, creating the demand for its transfer to the Comedy Theatre. The role of ‘Jeannie’ is currently being played by Joanna Page, who will continue to star in “FAT PIG” until Saturday 11 October.
Kelly Brook, who recently took part in “Strictly Come Dancing” on BBC 1, is an English model, actress and TV presenter who topped the ‘FHM 100 Sexiest Women in the World 2005’ list. She has appeared on stage in “Eye Contact” at the Riverside Studios in London and her films include “The Italian Job”, “Deuce Bigelow: European Gigolo” and “Sorted”.
Fat Pig is now booking until 22nd November 2008. more details...
Girl with A Pearl Earring - Announces Early London Closure
[6nd October]Girl With A Pearl Earring has been the West End Premiere of the stage adaptation of Tracy Chevalier’s best selling novel, later an acclaimed film.
Johannes Vermeer is the greatest painter of his time. When he hires a young girl Griet to help in his house, it is not long before she becomes more than a servant - she starts to help him in his studio, learning the art of painting by watching the master. And then, secretly, Vermeer begins to paint her and Griet becomes model and muse for his greatest masterpiece Girl With A Pearl Earring. Girl with A Pearl Earring is now booking until 18th October 2008. more details...
New Captain Von Trapp in London Palladium
[19 August]Simon MacCorkindale will star as Captain Von Trapp opposite Summer Strallen playing Maria in the smash hit West End musical The Sound of Music at the London Palladium from Monday 25 August. Best known for his starring role as Harry Harper in three series of the hugely popular and successful Casualty on television, his other television credits include Obsessive Love, Falcon’s Gold, Quatermass, Jesus of Nazareth, Gemini and Dynasty. He has starred in films including Juggernaut, Death on the Nil and The Riddle of the Sands. He has directed a number of theatre productions including The Dark Lady of the Sonnets at the Royal National Theatre and Pygmalion at the Albery Theatre. The Sound of Music is currently booking until 28th of February 2009 more details....
Never Forget Moves to Lyrics
[13Augustl]Albemarle of London is pleased to announce the transfer from the Savoy Theatre of Never Forget to the Lyric Theatre. The season will run from Thursday 20th November 2008 to Saturday 25th April 2009 and is is now available for bookings.
Please check for more details as the performance schedule has been changed. Never Forget is currently booking until 25th of April 2009 more details....
[07 July]Hollywood actor Josh Hartnett makes his West End debut as Charlie Babbitt in this complex, moving and funny stage adaptation of the iconic film Rain Man which opens on Tuesday 9th September at the Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue. Josh is joined on stage by Olivier‐nominated British actor Adam Godley as his autistic savant brother Raymond.
Writer Dan Gordon has radically re‐imagined the multi Oscar Award winning 1988 film for the stage, resetting this timeless story in the present day. The result is touching, surprising and often laugh‐out‐loud funny. Definitely funny, as Raymond would say.
Charlie Babbitt (Josh Hartnett) is a self‐centred Los Angeles‐based automobile dealer and hustler, who is at war with his own life. Relationships are not Charlie’s strong suit and love is quite outside his experience. Raymond (Adam Godley) is the elder brother Charlie never knew he had ‐ an autistic savant who has been hidden away in an institution for most of his adult life. Raymond is dysfunctional in many senses, but – as Charlie is soon to discover – also touched with a kind of stellar genius which Charlie harnesses to save his business. The two brothers embark on a rollercoaster journey together which shows Raymond a world beyond the hospital gates and Charlie the meaning of unconditional love
Josh Hartnett is well known for a range of films from the small independent to the big Hollywood blockbuster including Pearl Harbor, Black Hawk Down, The Black Dahlia and Lucky Number Slevin. Adam Godley is well known to theatregoing audiences for his Olivier nominated roles in Cleo, Camping, Emmanuelle and Dick (National Theatre) and Mouth to Mouth (Royal Court). Other productions include Private Lives (West End and Broadway), Paul, The Pillowman and Two Thousand Years (NT). His film credits include Tim Burton’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Elizabeth: The Golden Age and the upcoming X‐Files: I Want To Believe. Rain Man is currently booking until20th of December 2008 more details....
Spamalot Will Have A New Arthur And Extended Run Too!
[04 June]Sanjeev Bhaskar will be a new King Arthur in a hilarious Monty Python’s SPAMALOT, role that was also performed by Tim Curry, Simon Russell Beale, Peter Davison and Alan Dale. Best known as the host of The Kumars at No. 42 and for his appearances in the award-winning radio and television sketch show Goodness Gracious Me, Sanjeev Bhaskar’s first performance at the Palace Theatre will be on 23 June 2008.
Monty Python’s SPAMALOT opened in the West End in October 2006 and after over two years of coconut smashing, fish schlapping and grail searching the show, which has played to audiences including royalty, rock stars, soap stars and supermodels, will head off from the Palace Theatre on Saturday 3 January 2009 in preparation for a UK tour beginning April 2009.
Directed by Mike Nichols, Monty Python’s SPAMALOT is "lovingly ripped-off" from the film Monty Python and the Holy Grail by Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin. Book and lyrics are by Eric Idle with a Grammy Award-winning score by Eric Idle and John Du Prez. Other members of the SPAMALOT creative team include Casey Nicholaw (choreography), multiple Olivier Award-winners Tim Hatley (sets and costumes) and Hugh Vanstone (lighting) and Acme Sound Partners.
Spamalot has recently announced another extention of its successful run up to 3rd of January 2009 more details....
Gone With The Wind - Announces Early London Closure
(2nd June) It has today been announced that Gone With The Wind, currently playing at London's New London Theatre will end it's London run on Saturday 14th June 2008.
Set in 1860’s Atlanta Gone With The Wind follows the captivating and passionate story of Scarlett O’Hara and her turbulent relationship with the unpredictable, yet irresistible, Rhett Butler. Against the backdrop of the Civil War Scarlett embarks on an incredible journey of romantic ecstasy and tragic grief spanning ten years. As the epic tale draws to a close Scarlett discovers that the world she has known has changed forever – gone with the wind.
Gone With The Wind now booking until 14th June 2008. More details...
Never Forget Musical - New Seats!
[07 may]Albemarle of London has just added premium seats for Never Forget on 8th, 9th and 10th of May 2008, which can be booked from now on online or on the phone.
Never Forget is hugely enjoyable musical based on the real story of the making of ultimate boys band - Take That. It is a story of dreams, ambition and betrayal: because sometimes you can only really discover who you are by pretending to be someone else… Never Forget is currently booking until 25th of October 2008 more details....
We Have New Seats For Joseph
[07 may]Albemarle of London has just added premium seats for Joseph on 23rd and 24th of May 2008, which can be booked from now on online or on the phone. So don't delay and contact us for the details to see this fantastic musical.
Colourful retelling of the biblical story about dreamboat Joseph, his uncanny abilities and his designer coat sings out to young and old alike with a score which is wall to wall hits - including Close Every Door and Any Dream Will Do. Joseph is currently booking until10th of January 2009 more details....
Lee Mead Will Not Perform Over This Weekend
[02 May]Lee Mead will not be performing in Adelphi Theatre on 2nd and 3rd of May on the advice of his doctor.
Lewis Bradley will perform in his absence.
Exchange may be offered but no refunds are being given in this instance. Joseph is currently booking until10th of January 2009 more details....
Divas -New show coming to the Apollo Theatre in June
[29 April]Divas, will open at the Apollo Theatre 25 June 2008. It is a dance show that commemorates three iconic female artists, recognized all over the world - Edith Piaf, Marlene Dietrich and Judy Garland.
Directed and choreographed by Peter Schaufuss, the show is divided in three dance acts - focuses on the each individual singer using her most well-known songs.
Peter Schaufuss was an international ballet star who later became an innovative choreographer and a dance company director. In his career he won many awards, like prestigious Olivier award. In 1997 he formed his own company, Peter Schaufuss Ballet. His most famous production to this day is ‘Diana, The Princess’, a tribute to his friend, pupil and ENB patron. Divas is currently booking until1st of August 2009 more details....
AvenueQ Booking Extended
[10 April]Hilarious puppet show staged in the Noel Coward Theatre that was named “Sesame Street for grown-ups” has been a great success and therefore management of the theatre has decided to prolong its run.
Avenue Q is not the most upmarket of New York streets, and is about as far away from Park Avenue as you can get, but it is home to some lively and off the wall characters performed by an unholy comedic alliance of humans and puppets!
Princeton, a bright-eyed college graduate, has just moved to this neighbourhood as he desperately tries to follow his dreams and discover his ever-elusive purpose in life.
A tiny bank balance, the distraction of a busty blonde and a variety of weird and wonderful friends and neighbours lead Princeton on a hilarious story of self-discovery. Life may suck on Avenue Q but being jobless, homeless, politically incorrect, having sex (whether hetero, homo or porno... and that's just the puppets) are just some of the topics featured in the terrific songs of this show. AvenueQ is currently booking until 25th of April 2009 more details....
Chicago Booking Period Extended
[02 April]Chicago, one of the most popular musical of recent years will run 5 months longer!
This glamorous show about chorus girls turn murderesses is based in the roaring 1920's. Justice is on trial for the husband killing bad girls of shady Chicago. A chorus girl murders her lover but manages to get off through a strange assortment of allies. She forms an unusual nightclub act with another murderess with the hopes of keeping them both out of trouble.with lots of hot jazz - and cold-blooded killers! Songs include 'All That Jazz', 'Funny Honey', 'Mr Cellophane', 'Nowadays' and 'Razzle Dazzle'. Chicago is currently booking until1st of August 2009 more details....
The Lord of the Rings Will Only Run Till July
[14 March]The Musical Spectacular “THE LORD OF THE RINGS” will complete its run at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London on 19 July, 2008 after 492 performances.
The show has already played to an audience of over 446,000 in London since previews began on 9 May 2007.
Due to the popularity of the London Production among international visitors, discussions are under way for the production to re-open in Germany in November 2009 with a German-speaking cast. “THE LORD OF THE RINGS” creative team is also developing a touring version to launch in New Zealand in 2009 before being presented in cities across Australia and the Far East. This new production will bring the show’s ground-breaking musical score and J.R.R. Tolkien’s beloved story to a global audience. Producer Kevin Wallace said today, “The show’s creative team has proven just how enchanting, exhilarating and powerfully entertaining The Lord of the Rings can be live on stage. We will continue to bring this incredible theatrical event to audiences in London until 19 July, and we look forward to presenting the show to new audiences abroad from 2009.” “THE LORD OF THE RINGS” has earned high praise from fans of Tolkien’s wonderful books and the general theatre-going public alike,” said Laurie Battle of the Saul Zaentz Company. “The enchanted environment at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane is a “once in a lifetime” opportunity to step into the fantastic world of Middle-earth. The telling of this epic story on stage is a brilliant example of how magical the live theatrical experience can be. With a stunning score, powerful performances and perhaps the most beautiful and spectacular design the West End has ever seen, this show is not to be missed.” The producers today thanked the public for making “THE LORD OF THE RINGS” one of the three top-selling shows during the Society of London Theatre’s 2007 Kids Week and Get Into London Theatre campaigns, as well as those ticket agents who have supported the show, taking “THE LORD OF THE RINGS” to top-selling positions in their monthly West End sales charts. The Lord of the Rings is currently booking until 19th of July 2008 more details....
Kristin Chenoweth Will Not Sing In Candide
[11 March]Kristin Chenoweth will not appear in Candide opera by Leonard Bernstein in the London Coliseum; a production due to start running from 23 of June for limited number of 13 shows only. The reason of her withdrawal is said to be “an unforeseen television filming commitments following the resolution of the Hollywood writers strike”.
Kristin Chenoweth was expected to make her ENO debut in a role of Cunegonde, which is the same part she performed in the past on the stage of the New York Philharmonic. Anna Christy, who has recently sang in other ENO production, Lucia di Lammermoor will replace her in some performances on 23, 25, 27, 28 and 29 of June. Casting for other dates will be announced shortly.
Chenoweth is best known on Broadway for originating the role of ‘good witch’ Glinda in Wicked, while her other stage credits include The Fantasticks, A New Brain, Epic Proportions, Strike Up the Band, On a Clear Day You Can See Forever and You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, for which she won her Tony as Sally Brown. She has also recorded two solo albums. Her screen credits include The West Wing, Pushing Daisies, Ugly Betty, Kristin and Bewitched.
Candide is the story of a man who strongly believes in optimism against all odds and although his life is full of harsh and cruel events, he remains full of hope, trusting that everything is for the best in this, "the best of all possible worlds." He and his friends eventually find themselves seeking guidance from the Wisest Man in the World - a ghost from their past who has a surprising revelation for them! Candide is currently booking until 12th of July 2008 more details....
Ring Around the Moon Early Closure
[10 March]
Ring Around the Moon at the Playhouse Theatre will be closing down earlier then it was originally scheduled. The last performance will be on 29th of March.
Ring Round The Moon is set at a glamorous society ball in 1950’s France.
Identical twins, a spoilt millionairess, a mysterious ballet dancer and a wily old Aunt are swept up in a dazzling dance where caution and convention are thrown to the wind.
Witty, charming and madcap, this is an enchanting comedy of mistaken identity, romance, money and moonlight. Ring Around the Moon is currently booking until 29th of March 2008 more details....
Official London Theatre is pleased to announce the winners of the Laurence Olivier Awards 2008.
[9 March]
Best Actress
Kristin Scott Thomas
For THE SEAGULL at the Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at the Royal Court
Best Actor
Chiwetel Ejiofor
For OTHELLO at the Donmar Warehouse
Best Performance In A Supporting Role
Rory Kinnear
For MAN OF THE MODE at the Olivier
Best Newcomer In A Play
Tom Hiddleston
For CYMBELINE at the Barbican
Best New Play
A DISAPPEARING NUMBER
By Simon McBurney and Complicite at the Barbican
Best New Comedy
RAFTA RAFTA
by Ayub Khan-Din based on All In Good Time by Bill Naughton at the Lyttelton
Best Revival
SAINT JOAN
By Bernard Shaw at the Olivier
Best New Musical HAIRSPRAY
Book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan, music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman, based upon the New Line Cinema film written and directed by John Waters
Best Musical Revival THE MAGIC FLUTE - IMPEMPE YOMLINGO
Adapted from Mozart Dornford-May, words and music by Mandisi Dyantyis, Mbali Kgosidintsi, Pauline Malefane and Nolufefe Mtshabe at the Young Vic
Best Actress In A Musical
Leanne Jones
For HAIRSPRAY at the Shaftesbury
Best Actor In A Musical
Michael Ball
For HAIRSPRAY at the Shaftesbury
Best Performance In A Supporting Role In A Musical
Tracie Bennett
For HAIRSPRAY at the Shaftesbury
Best Director
Rupert Goolde
For MACBETH at the Gielgud
Best Theatre Choreographer
Toby Sedgewick
For WAR HORSE at the Olivier
Best Lighting Design
MACBETH
Designed by Howard Harrison at the Gielgud
Best Set Design
WAR HORSE
Designed by RAE Smith and Handspring Puppet Company
at the Olivier
Best Costume Design
MAN OF THE MODE
Designed by Vicki Mortimer at the Oliver
Best Sound Design
SAINT JOAN
Designed by Paul Arditti with music by Jocelyn Pook at the Olivier
Outstanding Achievement In An Affiliate Theatre
GONE TOO FAR
At the Jerwood Theatre Upstairs at the Royal Court
Best New Opera Production
The Royal Opera's PELLÉAS ET MÉLISANDE
At the Royal Opera House
Outstanding Achievement In Opera
Natalie Dessay
For her performance in LA FILLE DU RÉGIMENT
at the Royal Opera House
Best New Dance Production
The Royal Ballet's JEWELS
At the Royal Opera House
Outstanding Achievement In Dance
The Royal Ballet Company
For their performances in JEWELS
The Society Of London Theatre Special Award
Andrew Lloyd Webber
For achievements in London Theatreland and across the world
Skins Star Will Appear in That Face
[5 March]Hannah Murray, star of Channel 4’s award-winning teen-centred drama series Skins, will play Mia, daughter of Lindsay Duncan’s Martha and sister of Matt Smith’s Henry, in the West End transfer of Polly Stenham’s multi award-winning debut play That Face. The production opens for on 8 May 2008 (previews from 1 May) for a ten-week season at the Duke of York’s Theatre, following its premiere last April at the Royal Court Jerwood Theatre Upstairs.
In the portrayal of an affluent family in freefall – billed as a “comic exploration of children who become parents to their parents” – the drugged and boozed-up Martha is fixated on her teenage son and oblivious to the boarding school terror tactics exerted by her teenage daughter.
Murray, who is best known as Cassie in Skins, will make professional stage debut in That Face. In addition to Duncan and Smith, the West End company includes Julian Wadham and Catherine Steadman, who were also in the original cast.
That Face has won Stenham Most Promising Playwright trophies at this year’s Evening Standard and Critics’ Circle Awards. It also won the TMA Award and was nominated for a Whatsonstage.com Award for Best New Play. In this year’s Laurence Olivier Awards, the cast has been nominated for “Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre”, for the play’s run last April/May at the Royal Court’s Jerwood Theatre Upstairs. That Face is currently booking until 5th of July 2008 more details....
Martin Pellow in Chess
[4 March]Marti Pellow, David Bedella and Clarke Peters are the latest additions to the all-star cast of the 21st-anniversary concert production of Chess at the Royal Albert Hall on 12 and 13 May 2008.
Pellow, the former Wet Wet Wet lead singer, made his West End debut in Chicago. Bedella won a Best Actor in a Musical Olivier for Jerry Springer – The Opera, which he recently performed at New York’s Carnegie Hall. And Peters was last seen in the West End in Trevor Nunn’s version of Porgy and Bess. Also now confirmed for the company are: Leila Benn Harris (The Phantom of the Opera), Aoife Mulholland (The Sound of Music) and Tiffany Graves and Debbie Kurup (who’ve both played Velma Kelly in Chicago). Chess has a book and lyrics by Tim Rice with music by Abba’s Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson. Two players in a World Chess Championship are involved in a romantic triangle with the woman who manages one and falls in love with the other. Although the protagonists were not intended to represent any specific individuals, the characters' personalities are loosely based on those of real-life chess players Victor Korchnoi and Bobby Fischer. Chess is currently booking until 13th of May 2008 more details....
New CHICAGO Cast Has Been Announced
[3 March]Birgitte Hjort Sorensen has been casted as ‘Roxie Hart’ and Rachel Mc Dowall has taken the part of ‘Velma Kelly’ in the smash hit West End musical CHICAGO at the Cambridge Theatre from 25 February. Terence Maynard will continue to star as ‘Billy Flynn’ and Paul Ryder as ‘Amos Hart’ with Zee Asha as ‘Mama Morton’ and MM Dugdale as ‘Mary Sunshine’
Birgitte Hjort Sorensen played Roxy Hart in the Copenhagen production of the CHICAGO last year to great acclaim. She has also played in Danish production of “The Winter’s Tale” and “Cabaret”. Rachel McDowall starred as ‘Ulla’ in the West End production of “The Producers” and will shortly be seen playing ‘Lisa’ in the film of “Mamma Mia”. CHICAGO previously played at Adelphi Theatre and transferred to The Cambridge Theatre in April 2006 was the longest show running at this venue. It won Laurence Olivier Award for Outstanding Musical Production as well as the Critics Circle Drama Award for Best Musical. CHICAGO which is based on the play by Maurine Dallas Watkins, has a book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb. CHICAGO is currently booking until 28th of February 2009 more details....
WEST END WICKED STAR HEADING FOR BROADWAY
[25 February]Kerry Ellis, currently starring as Elphaba in the smash hit musical WICKED at London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre, is to recreate her award-winning performance on Broadway.
Kerry will play her final performance in London on 7 June 2008 before beginning performances at Broadway’s Gershwin Theatre on 17 June 2008. Following her Broadway engagement, Kerry will return to the London production later in the year.
Kerry Ellis was the first British actor to play Elphaba, receiving unanimous rave reviews, and she has just won a 2008 Whatsonstage.com Theatregoers’ Choice Award for her performance. She is currently working on her debut album, which is being produced by Brian May, for release later this year.
Based on Gregory Maguire's best-selling novel, the award-winning WICKED tells the incredible untold story of the Witches of Oz and why one came to be called ‘good’ and the other ‘wicked’…
The award-winning, record-breaking hit musical has now been seen by over a million theatregoers since its London premiere in September 2006, taking over £40 million at the Box Office to date. The production has also recouped its entire original capitalisation. Booking has recently been extended again and tickets are currently on sale until April 2009.
WICKED currently stars Kerry Ellis as Elphaba, Dianne Pilkington as Glinda, Oliver Tompsett as Fiyero, Susie Blake as Madame Morrible (until 12 April 2008) and Nigel Planer as The Wizard. Cast subject to change from 9 June 2008. From 14 April 2008, Harriet Thorpe will play Madame Morrible.
WICKED has music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, a book by Winnie Holzman, musical staging by Wayne Cilento and is directed by Joe Mantello. It is based on the novel, Wicked – The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, by Gregory Maguire.
THE 2008 THEATREGOERS' CHOICE AWARD WINNERS
[23 February]
THE 2008 THEATREGOERS' CHOICE AWARD WINNERS
The Franco's Best Actress in a Play
Maggie Smith – The Lady from Dubuque at the Theatre Royal Haymarket
Best Actor in a Play
Ian McKellen - King Lear RSC at the New London
Best Supporting Actress in a Play
Diana Rigg – All about My Mother at the Old Vic
Best Supporting Actor in a Play
Lee Evans – The Dumb Waiter at Trafalgar Studios
The First Magazine Best Actress in Musical
Leanne Jones - Hairspray at Shaftsbury Theatre
The See Tickets Best Actor in a Musical
Michael Ball – Hairspray at Shaftsbury Theatre
Best Supporting Actress in a Musical
Tracie Bennett – Hairspray at Shaftsbury Theatre
Best Supporting Actor in a Musical
Ben James Ellis - Hairspray at Shaftsbury Theatre
Best Solo Performance
Fiona Shaw – Happy Days at the NT Lyttelton
Best Ensemble Performance
The Taming of the Shrew & Twelfth Night – Propeller at the Old Vic
Best Takeover in a Role
Kerry Ellis – Wicked at Apollo Victoria
The Nick Herns Books Best New Play
All about My Mother by Samuel Adamson - at the Old Vic
Best New Comedy
Elling by Simon Bent – at the Bush & Trafalgar Studios
The Superbreak Best New Musical Hairspray by Marc Shaiman, Scott Whitman, Mark O’Donnell & Thomas Meehan - at Shaftsbury
The Best Shakespearean Production
Macbeth – at the Gielgud
Best Director
Jack O’Brien – Hairspray at the Shaftsbury
Best Set Designer
Rob Howell – The Lord of the Rings at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane
Best Choreographer
Jerry Mitchell – Hairspray at the Shaftsbury
The Dewynters London Newcomer of the Year
Daniel Radcliffe – Equus at the Gielgud
Best Off-West End Production
A Christmas Carol & The Magic Flute - at the Young Vic
I Love You Because at the Landor
Best Regional Production
Pygmalion - at the Theatre Royal Bath & on tour
The AKA Theatre Event of the Year
Daniel Radcliffe’s steamy publicity shots for Equus
Wicked - Harriet Thorpe To Play Madame Morrible
[21 February]Harriet Thorpe will replace Susie Blake playing Madame Morrible in musical Wicked that has recently extended its run. Harriet has proved herself very successful actress with her role in The Brittas Empire and also with her recent role in theatre version of Sweeney Todd where she played the part of Mrs. Lovett next to Jason Donovan. She has worked with a number of remarkable names: Richard Eyre, David Hare, Peter Gill, Michael Attenborough to name just a few. She has also appeared in numerous movies, including wonderful Calendar Girls where she was the head of W.I.
Harriet Thorpe will start performing in Wicked from 14th of April. Wicked is currently booking until 4th of April 2009 more details....
Spring Shows in Donmar
[20 February]Donmar Warehouse Theatre is about to present three new events starting with Arthur Miller’s The Man Who had All the Luck, which tells the story of a man who succeeds in everything he does in his life and it’s not until people around him are being touched by ill-fate when he starts pondering over luck and fortune. Small Change written by Peter Gill, acclaimed as his finest piece of work yet, tells the story of the friendship between two Cardiff boys and relationship with their mothers. Gill is also a director of the play. Finally there is The Chalk Garden coming in June which is a bitter-sweet, coming of age tale by Enid Bagnold. The Man Who had All the Luck is currently booking until 4th of April 2008 more details.... Small Change is currently booking until 31th of May 2008 more details.... The Chalk Garden is currently booking until 2nd of August 2008 more details....
Buddy Booking Extended
[19 February]Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story musical has turned out to be extremely popular with the audience and will also run longer than previously scheduled. Duchess Theatre has announced that Buddy will be on stage till 28th of March 2009. Buddy is currently booking until 28th of March 2009 more details....
Grease Booking Extended
[18 February] We have some great news for the fans of Grease musical. Piccadilly Theatre has decided to extend its running period till 10th of January 2009. The cast will be confirmed as soon as it has been announced. Grease is currently booking until 10th of January 2009 more details....
That Face at the Duke of York's Theatre
[15 February] In the beginning of May the Duke of York’s Theatre will present a new production adapted from the play by Polly Stenham and directed by Jeremy Herrin. That Face is a tragicomic story of rich but dysfunctional family controlled by a destructive mother. It is expected to be highly successful so early booking is recommended.
Cast includes Lindsay Duncan, Matt Smith, Catherine Steadman and Julian Wadham. That Face is currently booking until 5th of July 2008 more details....
New Season at the Open Air Theatre
[11 February]
Open Air Theatre announces that this year’s season under its new Artistic Director Timothy Sheader is now open for booking. Four different performances will be staged at the amphitheatre in Fort Regent’s Park this summer: Romeo and Juliet, Twelfth Night, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (this one also suitable for children from age of 6) and musical Gigi by Lerner and Lowe.
Gigi’s cast looks very promising as it includes Lisa O’Hare in the title role along with Millicent Martin and Topol. Casting for Shakespeare is still in progress. Romeo and Juliet is currently booking until 2nd of August 2008 more details.... Twelfth Night is currently booking until 30th of July 2008 more details.... A Midsummer Night’s Dream is currently booking until 2nd of August 2008 more details.... Gigi is currently booking until 13th of September 2008 more details....
National Theatre : New Spring Season Now on Sale
[08 February]
Three new plays are coming to the National Theatre this spring.
There is already great demand for the tickets as the casts are truly magnificent. Fram (Olivier Theatre) is a story of an epic journey with Mark Addy among the cast. Never So Good (Lytellton Theatre) with Jeremy Irons - insightful portrait of a great British statesman and Prime Minister Harold Macmillan. The Hour of Magical Thinking (Lyttelton Theatre)brings back on stage Vanessa Redgrave as a widowed woman struggling to come to terms with her husband’s death.
Three performances of The Hour We knew Nothing of Each Other has been cancelled by Lyttelton Theatre due to urgent maintenance work. The dates of cancellations are 3rd, 4th and 5th of March.
Management of the theatre apologizes for the inconvenience it may cause. Fram is currently booking until 22nd of May 2008 more details.... Never So Good is currently booking until 24th of May 2008 more details.... The Hour of Magical Thinking is currently booking until 20th of May 2008 more details.... The Hour We knew Nothing of Each Other is currently booking until 20th of May 2008 more details....
Oliviers 2008 : Full Nominations announced
[07 February] The Laurence Olivier Award Nominations have today been announced.
BEST ACTRESS
- Anne-Marie Duff for SAINT JOAN at the Olivier
- Kelly Reilly for OTHELLO at the Donmar Warehouse
- Kristin Scott Thomas for THE SEAGULL at the Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at the Royal Court
- Fiona Shaw for HAPPY DAYS at the Lyttelton
- Penelope Wilton for JOHN GABRIEL BORKMAN at the Donmar Warehouse
BEST ACTOR
- Chiwetel Ejiofor for OTHELLO at the Donmar Warehouse
- Ian McKellen for KING LEAR at the New London
- Mark Rylance for BOEING-BOEING at the Comedy
- John Simm for ELLING at the Trafalgar Studios 1
- Patrick Stewart for MACBETH at the Gielgud
BEST PERFORMANCE IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
- Michelle Fairley for OTHELLO at the Donmar Warehouse
- Pam Ferris for THE ENTERTAINER at The Old Vic
- Conleth Hill for PHILISTINES at the Lyttelton
- Rory Kinnear for THE MAN OF MODE at the Oliver
BEST NEWCOMER IN A PLAY
- David Dawson for THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF NICHOLAS NICKLEBY at the Gielgud
- Tom Hiddleston for CYMBELINE at the Barbican
- Tom Hiddleston for OTHELLO at the Donmar Warehouse
- Stephen Wight for DEALER’S CHOICE at the Trafalgar Studios 1
BEST NEW PLAY
- A DISAPPEARING NUMBER by Simon McBurney at the Barbican
- THE REPORTER by Nicholas Wright at the Cottesloe
- VERNON GOD LITTLE by DBC Pierre, adapted by Tanya Ronder at the Young Vic
- WAR HORSE based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo, adapted by Nick Stafford at the Olivier
BEST NEW COMEDY
- ABSURDIA: THE CRIMSON HOTEL by Michael Frayn at the Donmar Warehouse
- ELLING based on a novel by Ingvar Ambjørnsen, stage adaptation by Axel Hellstenius in collaboration with Peter Næss translated by Nicholas Norris
- RAFTA RAFTA by Ayub Khan-Din based on All in Good Time by Bill Naughton at the Lyttelton
- WHIPPING IT UP by Steve Thompson at the New Ambassadors
BEST REVIVAL
- BOEING-BOEING by Marc Camoletti, translated by Beverley Cross at the Comedy Theatre
- DEALER’S CHOICE by Patrick Marber at Trafalgar Studios 1
- MACBETH by William Shakespeare at the Gielgud
- SAINT JOAN by Bernard Shaw at the Olivier
- THE SEAGULL by Anton Chekhov, a version by Christopher Hampton at the Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at the Royal Court.
BEST NEW MUSICAL
- THE DROWSY CHAPERONE music and lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison, book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar, by special arrangement with Paul Mack at the Novello
- HAIRSPRAY book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan, music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman, based upon the New Line Cinema film written and directed by John Waters
- THE LORD OF THE RINGS book and lyrics by Shaun McKenna and Matthew Warchus, music by A.R. Rahman, Värttinä with Christopher Nightingale at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane
- PARADE book by Alfred Uhry, music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown, co-conceived by Harold Prince at the Donmar Warehouse
BEST MUSICAL REVIVAL
- FIDDLER ON THE ROOF book by Joseph Stein, music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick at the Savoy
- LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS based on the film by Roger Corman, screenplay by Charles Griffiths, book and lyrics by Howard Ashman, music by Alan Menken at the Duke of York’s and Ambassadors
- THE MAGIC FLUTE- IMPEMPE YOMLINGO adapted from Mozart by Mark Dornford-May, words and music by Mandisi Dyantyis, Mbali Kgosidintsi, Pauline Malefane and Nolufefe Mtshabe at the Young Vic
BEST ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL
- Leanne Jones for HAIRSPRAY at the Shaftesbury
- Lara Pulver for PARADE at the Donmar Warehouse
- Sheridan Smith for LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS at the Duke of York’s and Ambassadors
- Summer Strallen for THE DROWSY CHAPERONE at the Novello
BEST ACTOR IN A MUSICAL
- Michael Ball for HAIRSPRAY at the Shaftesbury
- Bertie Carvel for PARADE at the Donmar Warehouse
- Henry Goodman for FIDDLER ON THE ROOF at the Savoy
- Bob Martin for THE DROWSY CHAPERONE at the Novello
BEST PERFORMANCE IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MUSICAL
- Tracie Bennett for HAIRSPRAY at the Shaftesbury
- Elinor Collett for HAIRSPRAY at the Shaftesbury
- Shaun Escoffery for PARADE at the Donmar Warehouse
- Alistair McGowan for LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS at the Duke of York’s and Ambassadors
BEST DIRECTOR
- Rob Ashford for PARADE at the Donmar Warehouse
- Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris for WAR HORSE at the Olivier
- Rupert Goold for MACBETH at the Gielgud
- Jack O'Brien for HAIRSPRAY at the Shaftesbury
BEST THEATRE CHOREOGRAPHER
- Rob Ashford for PARADE at the Donmar Warehouse
- Jerry Mitchell for HAIRSPRAY at the Shaftesbury
- Casey Nicholaw for THE DROWSY CHAPERONE at the Novello
- Toby Sedgwick for WAR HORSE at the Olivier
BEST LIGHTING DESIGN
- HAIRSPRAY designed by Kenneth Posner at the Shaftesbury
- THE LORD OF THE RINGS designed by Paul Pyant at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane
- MACBETH designed by Howard Harrison at the Gielgud
- WAR HORSE designed by Paule Constable at the Olivier
BEST SET DESIGN
- HAIRSPRAY designed by David Rockwell at the Shaftesbury
- THE LORD OF THE RINGS designed by Rob Howell at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane
- MACBETH designed by Anthony Ward and Lorna Heavey at the Gielgud
- WAR HORSE designed by Rae Smith and Handspring Puppet Company at the Olivier
BEST COSTUME DESIGN
- THE DROWSY CHAPERONE designed by Gregg Barnes for at the Novello
- HAIRSPRAY designed by William Ivey Long at the Shaftesbury
- THE LORD OF THE RINGS designed by Rob Howell at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane
- THE MAN OF MODE designed by Vicki Mortimer at the Olivier
BEST SOUND DESIGN
- HAIRSPRAY designed by Steve C. Kennedy at the Shaftesbury
- THE LORD OF THE RINGS designed by Simon Baker at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane
- PARADE designed by Terry Jardine and Nick Lidster for Autograph at the Donmar Warehouse
- SAINT JOAN designed by Paul Arditti with music by Jocelyn Pook at the Olivier
- WAR HORSE designed by Christopher Shutt with music by Adrian Sutton and John Tams at the Oliver
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN AN AFFILIATE THEATRE
- THE BROTHERS SIZE at the Maria, Young Vic
- CINDERELLA at Theatre Royal, Stratford East
- GONE TOO FAR at the Jerwood Theatre Upstairs at the Royal Court
- The cast of THAT FACE at the Jerwood Theatre Upstairs at the Royal Court
BEST NEW OPERA PRODUCTION
- English National Opera’s AGRIPPINA at the Coliseum
- The Royal Opera’s LA FILLE DU RÉGIMENT at the Royal Opera House
- The Royal Opera’s PELLÉAS ET MÉLISANDE at the Royal Opera House
- English National Opera’s TURN OF THE SCREW at the Coliseum
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN OPERA
- Natalie Dessay for her performance in LA FILLE DU RÉGIMENT at the Royal Opera House
- Gerald Finley for his performance in PELLÉAS ET MÉLISANDE at the Royal Opera House
- Angelika Kirchschlager for her performance in PELLÉAS ET MÉLISANDE at the Royal Opera House
- David McVicar for directing English National Opera’s TURN OF THE SCREW and AGRIPPINA at the Coliseum
BEST NEW DANCE PRODUCTION
- Fabulous Beast Dance’s THE BULL at the Barbican
- The Royal Ballet’s JEWELS at the Royal Opera House
- Mark Morris Dance Group’s MOZART DANCES at the Barbican
- Northern Ballet Theatre’s THE THREE MUSKETEERS at Sadler’s Wells
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN DANCE
- Savion Glover for his performance in LIVE FOR LONDON at Sadler’s Wells
- Jonathan Goddard for his performances with the Richard Alston Dance Company at Sadler’s Wells
- The Royal Ballet Company for their performances in JEWELS
- Wendy Whelan for her performance in The Christopher Wheeldon Company’s FOOL’S PARADISE at Sadler’s Wells
Winners of the 32nd annual Olivier Awards will be announced on Sunday, 9 March 2008 in a star-studded ceremony held at the Grosvenor House Hotel on Park Lane
Spamalot: Swedish singing waitress wins role in London production
[04 February] A singing waitress from Sweden has won the role of "the Lady of the Lake" in the London production of Spamalot.
On Saturday 2nd February, in the live final of the Swedish reality TV series West End Star, Nina Söderquist went head-to-head with cruise ship entertainer Linda Holmgren and triumphed by taking over 59 percent of the public vote.
She will join the London cast from Monday 11th February 2008, taking over from Broadway Star Marin Mazzie.
The 35-year-old from Hälsingland, Sweden has performed with bands including Toto and the BeeGees and is also a lieutenant in the Swedish army. During the reality TV competition, she sang winning renditions of show tunes “With One Look” from Sunset Boulevard and “Tonight” from West Side Story as well as the “Diva’s Lament” from Spamalot.
Commenting on her victory, Söderquist said: “I am so happy to have won West End Star … Before I entered West End Star, I had never sung a song from a musical. I had only ever seen one musical my life - Cats as a teenager on a school trip to London.”
Over a 1,000 women took part in open auditions during September and October last year in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmo. Over the past few weeks, the five finalists have been rehearsing in London at the Palace Theatre with the cast and crew of Spamalot, while returning to Sweden once each week to face the judges and the viewing public in a live TV sing-off.
Spamalot - sets musical theatre back a thousand years!
A new musical lovingly ripped off from the motion picture Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Lovingly ripped off from the classic film comedy Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Spamalot is the new musical directed by oscar winning Mike Nichols, with a book by the third tallest Python, Eric Idle, and an almost but not entirely new score by Eric Idle (No relation) and John du Prez.
Retelling the legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, and featuring a number of gratuitously scantily clad showgirls, not to mention the cows, killer rabbits and French people.
Please note that Spamalot may be 'inappropriate for children aged eight years old or under'. Spamalot is currently booking until 27th September 2008 more details....
Kelly Brook To Make Her West End Stage Debut
[10th October]Kelly Brook will make her West End stage debut staring as ‘Jeannie’ in Neil LaBute’s hit play “FAT PIG” at the Comedy Theatre in London. She will play the role from Monday 13 October. Kelly Brook joins Kevin Bishop (‘Carter’), Nicholas Burns (‘Tom’) and Ella Smith (‘Helen’) in the transfer of the play. “FAT PIG” originally opened at the Trafalgar Studios in May this year and subsequently played to sell-out business, creating the demand for its transfer to the Comedy Theatre. The role of ‘Jeannie’ is currently being played by Joanna Page, who will continue to star in “FAT PIG” until Saturday 11 October.
Kelly Brook, who recently took part in “Strictly Come Dancing” on BBC 1, is an English model, actress and TV presenter who topped the ‘FHM 100 Sexiest Women in the World 2005’ list. She has appeared on stage in “Eye Contact” at the Riverside Studios in London and her films include “The Italian Job”, “Deuce Bigelow: European Gigolo” and “Sorted”. Fat Pig is now booking until 22nd November 2008. more details...
[01 February] It has been announced today that Disney's
The Lion King has opened a new booking period, with bookings now being taken for performances until Sunday 28th September 2008.
Set against the majesty of the Serengeti Plains and to the evocative rhythms of Africa, Disney's The Lion King tells the story of the epic adventures of a lion cub. When the young lion prince Simba is born his evil uncle Scar is pushed back to second in line to the throne. Scar plots to kill both Simba and his father, King Mufasa, and proclaim himself king. Simba survives but is led to believe that his father died because of him and he decides to flee the kingdom.... The Lion King is currently booking until 28th September 2008
more details....
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