(1st July) We have today received the following information from Elaine Padmore, Director of Opera at The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden regarding the casting of “Tosca”.
“I am writing to you as someone who has booked for this sold out run of our production of Tosca. I am very sorry to have to tell you that Deborah Voigt, due to an attack of acute colitis, has had to withdraw from the role of Tosca for all performances. We are all of course very disappointed about this and would want to send Deborah our best wishes for a speedy recovery. In the meantime I am pleased to announce that the role will now be shared by two wonderful sopranos: Angela Gheorghiu, who will sing on 9, 14 and 16 July, and Nelly Miricioiu, who will sing on 11 and 18 July.
Angela Gheorghiu sang Tosca for the first time on stage when this production was new in June 2006. She has also sung the title role in the film version by Benoît Jacquot, conducted by Antonio Pappano, with whom she has recently recorded Madama Butterfly. She made her debut with The Royal Opera in 1992 as Zerlina in Don Giovanni and her many roles with the Company since have included Mimì (La bohème), Liù (Turandot), Nina (Chérubin), Violetta (La traviata), Juliette (Roméo et Juliette), Adina (L’elisir d’amore), Antonia (Les Contes d’Hoffmann), Amelia (Simon Boccanegra), Marguerite (Faust) and Magda (La rondine).
Nelly Miricioiu is known to all of us who saw her in our previous Tosca production as one of the most dramatic of Toscas and we very much look forward to welcoming her back here. She made her debut with The Royal Opera in 1982 as Nedda (Pagliacci) and her other roles for the Company include Musetta (La bohème), Antonia (Les Contes d’Hoffmann), Marguerite (Faust), Valentine (Les Huguenots), Margherita/Elena (Mefistofele), the title role in Norma and Elisabetta (Roberto Devereux) in concert. She was recently much praised in London for her singing of the title role in Adriana Lecouvreur in concert. I am sure you will welcome Angela and Nelly alongside the rest of the cast: Marcello Giordani as Cavaradossi, Bryn Terfel as Scarpia, Kostas Smoriginas as Angelotti, Jeremy White as the Sacristan, Martyn Hill as Spoletta and Matthew Hargreaves as Sciarrone. Jacques Lacombe conducts all performances.
Once again please accept our apologies for any inconvenience that this cast change may cause and I wish you an enjoyable evening with this splendid production.”
(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” .
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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
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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...
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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....
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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
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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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