West End strips bare for charity
July 16, 2010
The Broadway Bares fundraising initiative is finally making its way to London as WEST END BARES: Strip Britannia! is launched in London.
Based on American musical director Jerry Mitchell’s original idea, WEST END BARES: Strip Britannia! provides an opportunity for the West End’s sexiest, sassiest and downright HOTTEST performers to raise money for charity – and put on a damn good show.
The show will be hosted by TV and stage star John Barrowman, a patron of The Make A Difference Trust, and promises to be a mix of naughty adult-only burlesque and the glitz and glamour of London theatre in a fabulous song and dance spectacular.
There will be two shows, at 9.30pm and midnight, on Sunday 5 September 2010 at the Cafe de Paris in London, with all money raised going to TheatreMAD & The Make A Difference Trust.
Broadway Bares has been running in New York since 1992 and has raised millions for the Broadway Cares and Equity Fights AIDS charities.
The London show will be executive produced by Jerry Mitchell and directed by Darren Carnall, who is currently appearing in the West End’s Legally Blonde at the Savoy Theatre.
TheatreMAD and The Make A Difference Trust brings together the British Entertainment community and its audiences to raise funds to support people living with HIV and AIDS, and those in the entertainment industry facing hardship as a result of a long-term medical condition.
To book call 020 7734 5683, extension 104.
Links:
Avenue Q to close
July 15, 2010
Cult Broadway musical to close in London
Avenue Q, the cult Broadway show, will finally close in the West End on 30 October after over four years in town.
The musical had been scheduled to close at the Noel Coward Theatre in March 2009 but a surprise surge in bookings led producer Cameron Mackintosh to keep it going, transferring the show to the Gielgud Theatre. It made a further move to the Wyndhams Theatre, its current home, in March this year.
The funny, furry musical follows life in a New York street inhabited by both humans and puppets and is a witty mix of satire and comedy songs including The Internet Is For Porn and If You Were Gay.
The show won three Tony Awards on Broadway and continues to run off-Broadway in New York. The London cast includes Delroy Atkinson, Cassidy Janson, Rachel Jerram, Sion Lloyd, Tom Parsons, Paul Spicer, Jacqueline Tate, Irene Alano-Rhodes, Alan Pearson, Amanda Posener, Jaygann Ayeh, Sam Harrison and Maria Lawson.
SPECIAL OFFER: Enjoy discount tickets to Avenue Q at the Wyndhams Theatre in London
Casting: Sister Act, Priscilla, Les Mis
July 15, 2010
Whoopi Goldberg to make her West End debut in Sister Act; Alf from Home and Away joins the cast of Priscilla Queen of the Desert; Ramin Karimloo and Samantha Barks to appear in Les Mis at the O2.
Whoopi Goldberg in Sister Act The Musical
SISTER ACT
Whoopi Goldberg will join the cast of Sister Act next month. The Hollywood movie star makes her West End debut in the show that she has co-produced, based on the 1990s film in which she starred.
The Oscar-winner will take over from Sheila Hancock in the role of Mother Superior for 23 performances only from 10 to 31 August at the London Palladium. The show also stars Patina Miller as Deloris van Cartier, in the role that Whoopi originated in the hit movie.
The actress, singer-songwriter, political activist and talk show host won an oscar in 1990 for her part in Ghost, and has appeared in numerous films including The Color Purple, Jumpin’ Jack Flash, How Stella Got Her Groove Back and Soapdish, as well as her comedy stand-up work and appearance on US TV’s The View.
Book tickets to Sister Act at the London Palladium
PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT
Ray Meagher
Home and Away’s Alf Stewart, aka Australian actor Ray Meagher, will join the cast of Priscilla Queen of the Desert at the Palace Theatre from 30 September.
Sadly Ray will not be donning fishnets and stilettos to play one of the three Sydney drag queens who go bush on an epic journey across Australia in the fun show based on the hit movie. Rather Ray will play ocker mechanic Bob, who falls for Les Girls drag queen Bernadette, played in the show by Don Gallagher.
Other cast in the long-running show include The Bill’s Ben Richards as Tick and Oliver Thornton as Adam.
In a West End first, the whole show will take a break in September for essential maintenance work on Priscilla the bus, allowing the cast and crew to enjoy a holiday from 6 to 19 September.
Book tickets to Priscilla Queen of the Desert at the Palace Theatre
LES MISERABLES 25TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT
Ramin Karimloo and Sierra Boggess in Love Never Dies
More casting has been announced for the O2 Arena concert celebrating the 25th anniversary of Les Miserables on 3 October 2010.
Current star of Love Never Dies, Ramin Karimloo, will take on the role of Enjolras in the musical. He will be joined by current Les Mis cast member Samantha Barks as Eponine. Samantha was a finalist on the BBC One talent show I’d Do Anything and is currently playing Eponine in the West End production of Les Miserables alongside Nick Jonas.
The special concert will play on 3 October 2010 at 1.30pm and 7pm.
The concert will see stars from the original London cast come together with current casts and major celebrities to celebrate the birthday, including Nick Jonas, Alfie Boe, Norm Lewis, Matt Lucas, Lea Salonga, Jenny Galloway, Camilla Kerslake and 300 performers and musicians.
Les Miserables will also make theatrical history with three different productions running simultaneously in London: the original production at the Queen’s Theatre, the new 25th anniversary UK tour of Les Miserables which will come to the Barbican for a short season, and the exclusive concert at the O2 Arena.
Book tickets to Les Miserables 25th Anniversary concert at the O2 Arena
New Old Vic season launched
July 14, 2010
Kevin Spacey pulls out the stops for his 7th year at the Old Vic with three heavy-weight directors
Hollywood actor and Old Vic artistic director Kevin Spacey has announced a new season of plays at the Old Vic Theatre in London.
Now in his seventh year at the theatre, Spacey revealed that he has attracted three of Britain’s leading directors to helm three revivals during 2010 and 2011.
Anthony Page, whose credits include last year’s Waiting for Godot on Broadway, will direct Noël Coward’s Design For Living, playing at the theatre from 3 September to 27 November 2010. The play will star Tom Burke (Telstar), Andrew Scott (Lennon Naked) and Lisa Dillon (Cranford). Written in 1932, the comedy concerns the complicated three-way relationship between two men and a woman.
Richard Eyre, who recently directed Kim Cattrall in Private Lives at the Vaudeville Theatre, will direct Georges Feydeau’s 1907 French farce A Flea In Her Ear, in a version by John Mortimer, from 4 December 2010 to 5 March 2011. The production will star Tom Hollander (In The Loop) and Lisa Dillon.
Finally, Thea Sharrock, who has enjoyed enormous success for her current National Theatre staging of Terence Rattigan’s After The Dance, will return to the playwright in his centenary year with a revival of his final play, Cause Célèbre, from 17 March to 11 June 2011.
Sharrock will also direct Alison Steadman in a new production of Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit, coming to the Apollo Theatre from March 2011.
Spacey commented on the new season: “These are three great plays that all rather brilliantly explore the attitudes of their time and offer wonderful roles to actors.”
Current shows at the Old Vic and the Old Vic in the West End:
Book tickets to The Tempest at the Old Vic Theatre
Book tickets to As You Like It at the Old Vic Theatre
Book tickets to see The Prisoner of Second Avenue at the Vaudeville Theatre
Old Vic’s first West End adventure
July 13, 2010
Old Vic make journey into the West End with The Prisoner of Second Avenue
Kevin Spacey’s Old Vic theatre company will open its first West End show tonight, at the Vaudeville Theatre on the Strand.
A new production of Neil Simon’s 1971 comedy The Prisoner of Second Avenue is the first project for the theatre company in the West End, and stars Hollywood actors Jeff Goldblum (Tall Guy) and Mercedes Ruehl (The Fisher King) for a limited season at the Vaudeville Theatre.
In the show Goldblum stars as Mel Edison, a man at breaking point. In the heat of a New York City summer his air-conditioning has broken, his neighbours won’t shut-up, his job is hanging by a thread and there are a gang of burglars on the prowl.
Terry Johnson, flush from his Tony success for La Cage Aux Folles on Broadway, directs the show.
Book tickets to The Prisoner of Second Avenue at the Vaudeville Theatre in London
ALSO OPENING THIS WEEK:
Wednesday sees the opening of Ghost Stories at the Duke of York’s Theatre in London, following a sell-out season run at the Lyric Hammersmith.
A truly terrifying theatrical experience written and directed by The League of Gentlemen’s master of the macabre, Jeremy Dyson, and Andy Nyman, co-creator and director of Derren Brown’s television and stage shows and star of Dead Set and Severance.
As three men gather together, each has an uncanny, chilling tale to tell. Ghost Stories played a hugely successful run at the Lyric Hammersmith before transferring to the Duke of York’s theatre in the West End. The show stars Nicholas Burns, David Cardy, Ryan Gage and Andy Nyman.
The show is strictly for theatregoers aged 16 and older.
Book tickets to Ghost Stories at the Duke of York’s Theatre in London
La Bete set for opening
July 7, 2010
Star-studded opening night set for La Bete
The much anticipated revival of comedy La Bete will have its premiere tonight at the Comedy Theatre in London.
An all-star cast features US theatre and TV star David Hyde Pierce (Frasier), recent Olivier Award winner Mark Rylance (Jerusalem), and veritable national treasure Joanna Lumley (Absolutely Fabulous). The play is directed by acclaimed, Tony award winning director Matthew Warchus and will run at the Comedy Theatre for a short season until 28 August before moving straight to Broadway.
American playwright David Hirson’s rollicking 1991 play, is a comic tour de force about Elomire (David Hyde Pierce), a high-minded classical dramatist who loves only the theatre, and Valere (Mark Rylance), a low-brow street clown who loves only himself. When the fickle princess (Joanna Lumley) decides she’s grown weary of Elomire’s royal theatre troupe, he and Valere are left fighting for survival as art squares off with ego in a literary showdown for the ages.
Other cast include Stephen Ouimette, Lisa Joyce, Greta Lee, Robert Lonsdale, Michael Milligan, Liza Sadovy and Sally Wingert.
Book tickets to La Bete at the Comedy Theatre in London
ALSO OPENING THIS WEEK:
Thursday 8 July sees the opening of WOLFBOY at the Trafalgar Studios. This psycho-sexual musical thriller stars Daniel Boys (Avenue Q), Emma Rigby (Hollyoaks), Paul Holowaty and Gregg Lowe.
Wolfboy is a dark and disturbing tale of two troubled teenage boys locked in an asylum for their own good. Bernie has attempted suicide; David may or may not have the powers of a wolf. For them the outside world is a frightening place of abuse and violence. Bernie’s brother Christian and Cherry the young nurse on the unit, also hide secrets that surface in the night, when the moon is full.
This new musical premiered at the Edinburgh Festival fringe last year and has a book by Russell Labey, music and lyrics by Leon Parris and is based on a play by Brad Fraser. Labey previously directed New Boy at Trafalgar Studios in 2009, while Parris has won the Vivian Ellis Award for Best Musical, Really Useful Group Award for Most Promising Writer and the Cameron Mackintosh Bursary.
Book tickets to Wolfboy at the Trafalgar Studios in London
Shrek The Musical to open in London
July 2, 2010
Everyone’s favourite ogre will be brought to life next year when SHREK THE MUSICAL®, based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks film, hits the London stage.
Poster for the forthcoming US tour of Shrek the Musical
Produced by DreamWorks Theatricals and Sam Mendes’ Neal Street Productions, the show will open at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in May 2011. Drury Lane is currently home to Oliver!, which will close at the theatre on 8 January 2011.
Shrek The Musical originally opened on Broadway in December 2008 and was nominated for eight Tony Awards. It closed in January this year after a relatively short run, although is about to start a major tour of the USA, starting at the Cadillac Palace Theatre in Chicago on 13 July starring Eric Petersen, Haven Burton and Alan Mingo, Jr.
A number of changes will be made to the London version of the show including a new opening, new songs, improved magic and illusions, a newly styled dragon and more emphasis on giving the show “heart”.
The London stage musical is based on the irreverent fairy tale from William Steig’s book Shrek and the Oscar-winning Dreamworks Animation film. The creative team includes directors Jason Moore (Avenue Q) and Rob Ashford (Promises, Promises), with book and lyrics by Pulitzer Prize winner David Lindsay-Abaire, music by Olivier Award winner Jeanine Tesori, scenic, costume and puppet design by Tim Hatley, lighting by Hugh Vanstone, sound design by Peter Hylenski and choreography by Josh Prince.
The show is the first stage venture for Dreamworks Animation’s theatrical arm and was originally initiated as a project by award-winning director Sam Mendes. The musical will be produced in London by DreamWorks Theatricals’ Bill Damaschke and Mendes’ Neal Street Productions under Caro Newling.
Neal Street Productions is also behind a number of high-profile new London theatre projects including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Current shows include the Mendes’-directed As You Like It and The Tempest at the Old Vic Theatre.
Official casting information will be released soon.
MORE ABOUT THE SHOW:
Shrek The Musical is about a swamp-dwelling ogre in a faraway kingdom, who embarks on a life-changing adventure in order to reclaim the deed to his land. This unlikely hero is joined on his quest by a wise-cracking donkey who won’t shut up, and has to fight a fearsome dragon, rescue feisty Princess Fiona and learn that real friendship and true love aren’t only found in fairy tales.
The final Shrek feature film in the series, Shrek Forever After, is on general release in the UK from today.
Lauren Samuels to star in Grease
June 29, 2010
Over The Rainbow finalist Lauren Samuels to play Sandy in Grease
Lauren Samuels to star in Grease
A new leading lady will join the cast of long-running musical Grease at the Piccadilly Theatre from 26 July, as rising young star Lauren Samuels takes the role of Sandy.
Lauren came third in Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s recent BBC One talent search Over The Rainbow to find a Dorothy for his new production of The Wizard of Oz – starting next year at the London Palladium.
She will make her West End debut in the show alongside Noel Sullivan as Danny and Siubhan Harrison as Rizzo.
Lauren trained at the Guildford School of Acting and last year made her professional stage debut as Wendy in the Christmas production of Peter Pan at the Curve in Leicester. She said today: “I am so unbelievably excited to be joining the wonderful cast of Grease. It was one of the first musicals I was taken to see as a young child and so to be given the opportunity to recreate the iconic role of Sandy and to make my West End debut in the show, is a dream come true. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world!”
The longest ever run of a show at the Piccadilly Theatre in London, Grease is now in its third year and has been seen by over 1 million people.
Other cast in the show include Matthew Goodgame, Lucas Rush, Hayley Gallivan, Benjamin Ibbott, Faye Brookes, Bennett Andrews, Robyn Mellor, Michael Vinsen, Susannah Allman, Kerry Winter, Stephanie Powell and Jason Capewell.
SPECIAL OFFER: Save £21 on tickets to Grease at the Piccadilly Theatre in London
Tony Christie to make West End debut
June 28, 2010
1970s pop icon Tony Christie is to make his West End stage debut at the age of 67.
Alexis Gerred to join the cast of Dreamboats and Petticoats
The “Is This The Way To Amarillo” singer will join the cast of Dreamboats And Petticoats at Playhouse Theatre in London from 5 July.
Christie will play Older Bobby and Phil (Bobby’s father) in the jukebox musical that features hits from the 1950s and 1960s, including Bobby’s Girl, Runaround Sue, C’Mon Everybody and Let’s Twist Again.
Christie said: “I saw the show’s original opening night in London almost a year ago and just loved the story, and of course the music is incredible – The Platters, Phil Spector, Roy Orbison, Marty Wilde – all artists I grew up listening to. As soon as I saw it I’ve been searching for a gap in my diary to join the show.”
Also joining the cast is 21 yr old Alexis Gerred, who will be playing Bobby in the show, also from 5 July.
Alexis came second in BBC One’s Your Country Needs You UK Eurovision finals and recently made his professional acting debut in Dirty White Boy : The Tales of Soho at the Trafalgar Studios.
Summer Theatre in the West End
June 28, 2010
New shows opening in London this summer
Spring and autumn may be the busiest times for new shows in London, but this summer will still pack quite a punch with some big names, high-profile directors and a few surprises in store.
A range of musicals and plays will open in the capital over the next few months, including classic musicals from Stephen Sondheim (Into the Woods) and Rogers & Hammerstein (State Fair); starry comedy, including David Hyde Pearce and Joanna Lumley in La Bete, Jeff Goldblum in The Prisoner of Second Avenue and Simon Russell Beal and Jonathan Groff in Deathtrap); dance spectaculars (Burn the Floor), new musicals (Wolfboy), ambitious children’s drama (The Railway Children) and a terrifying new play (Ghost Stories).
