Closing Time: End of the Rainbow, Ghost Stories, Dirty Dancing depart the West End

It’s all change in the West End over the next few weeks as a number of high-profile West End shows bring down their curtains for the final time, including Tracie Bennett in End of the Rainbow, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, In A Forest, Dark And Deep, Flare Path and Dirty Dancing.

Tracie Bennett may have missed out on an Olivier award this year for her stellar performance as Judy Garland in Peter Quilter’s End of the Rainbow at the Trafalgar Studios, but audiences and critics have hailed the show a massive hit. With a UK tour planned and rumours that the show may now go on to Broadway, Bennett won’t be putting down the whiskey bottle just yet. But her bravura performance in London will come to an end on 21 May.

Also on the 21 May, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg will depart the Gielgud Theatre starring Joanna Riding and Meow Meow. There was much anticipation for Kneehigh’s return to the West End following its smash-hit production of Brief Encounter, but the show didn’t click with critics and swiftly announced its closing notices. However, Joanna Riding will be spared having to pack up her knick-knacks from her dressing room as she is remaining at the Gielgud to star in Lend Me A Tenor, from 2 June.

Trevor Nunn’s bullet-proof production of Terence Rattigan’s Flare Path closes on 11 June at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. The play, which stars Sienna Miller, Sheridan Smith and James Purefoy, will make way for another Nunn production, this time his Chichester Festival Theatre revival of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead from 16 June featuring Tim Curry, Samuel Barnett and Jamie Parker.

The West End has been doubly terrified over the past year with both The Woman in Black and Ghost Stories scaring audiences senseless. The Woman in Black is still going strong, and is promised a boost from a forthcoming movie adaptation of the classic ghost story starring Daniel Radcliffe. But the Lyric Hammersmith transfer of Andy Nyman and Jeremy Dyson’s spine-tingling Ghost Stories is ending its run, finishing up at the Duke of York’s Theatre on 19 June.

Director-of-the-moment Thea Sharrock’s current West End productions, running at the Apollo Theatre and Old Vic, both come to an end in June. Her revival of Rattigan’s Cause Celebre starring Anne-Marie Duff ends at the Old Vic on 11 June, swiftly followed on 18 June by her production of Noel Coward’s comedy Blithe Spirit at the Apollo Theatre starring Alison Steadman and Ruthie Henshall.

The show that has done more than any other to shift the audience profile of the West End is leaving the Aldwych Theatre on 9 July after an impressive run of just under 4 years. Dirty Dancing, based on the hit 80′s movie, is off on a UK tour but the original London production, which has inspired a myriad of also-rans and shown them how its done, is still the one to see.

Also closing in the next few weeks are two high-profile plays: Mike Leigh’s Ecstasy at the Duchess Theatre, closing on 28 May, and Neil LaBute’s play In A Forest, Dark And Deep, which ends its run at the Vaudeville Theatre on 4 June, starring Matthew Fox and Olivia Williams as dysfunctional siblings in this dark comedy come psychological thriller.

AND OPENING SOON…

Shows closing in the West End means a raft of new productions opening in London this summer.

Plays and musicals opening shortly in London include soon-to-be artistic director of the Donmar Warehouse Josie Rourke’s new production of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing at the Wyndham’s Theatre, starring David Tennant and Catherine Tate as the sparring Beatrice and Benedick (from 16 May); a new production of William Golding’s Lord of the Flies, which kicks off the 2011 season at the Open Air Theatre in Regent’s Park (from 19 May); Eve Best in Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing at Shakespeare’s Globe (from 21 May); Kristin Scott Thomas in Harold Pinter’s Betrayal at the Comedy Theatre (from 27 May); Dominic West in Simon Gray’s Butley at the Duchess Theatre (from 1 June); Broadway musical Lend Me A Tenor at the Gielgud Theatre starring Joanna Riding (from 2 June);  The Flying Karamazov Brothers come crashing into the Vaudeville Theatre with much kilt wearing, flame throwing and general madcap hysteria (from 9 June); Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead starring featuring Tim Curry, Samuel Barnett and Jamie Parker at the Theatre Royal Haymarket (from 16 June); Kevin Spacey as Richard III in Sam Mendes’s new production of Shakespeare’s play at the Old Vic (from 18 June); a big-budget new movie-to-stage musical comes to town as Ghost The Musical opens at the Piccadilly Theatre starring Caissie Levy, Richard Fleeshman and Sharon D Clarke, with music by Dave Stewart (from 22 June); and early July sees the return of classic TV comedy Yes, Prime Minister, at the Apollo Theatre (from 6 July).

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Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit starring Alison Steadman and Ruthie Henshall: Special offer – Save £16.50

Save £16.50 on tickets to see Blithe Spirit at the Apollo Theatre in London

Offer valid Monday to Thursday, 3 – 26 May

Featuring an all-star cast including Alison Steadman (Gavin & Stacey) as Madame Arcati, Ruthie Henshall (Crazy for You) as Elvira, Hermione Norris (Spooks) as Ruth and Robert Bathurst (Cold Feet) as Charles Condomine.

Enjoy a special offer on the sparkling new West End revival of Noel Coward’s classic comedy Blithe Spirit, at the Apollo Theatre in London.

In the play, the novelist Charles Condomine (Bathurst) and his second wife Ruth (Norris) are haunted when an eccentric medium (Steadman) manages to conjure up the ghost of Charles’s neurotic and beautiful first wife, Elvira (Henshall), at a séance.

Noel Coward’s witty comedy is directed by Thea Sharrock (Cause Celebre, After The Dance).

BOOK NOW: Save £16.50 on tickets to see Blithe Spirit at the Apollo Theatre in London

Offer valid Monday to Thursday, 3 – 26 May

Blithe Spirit – Reviews Round-up

A round-up of reviews for Blithe Spirit at the Apollo Theatre starring Alison Steadman.

Noel Coward’s comedy Blithe Spirit has opened at the Apollo Theatre featuring an all-star cast including Alison Steadman (Gavin & Stacey), Ruthie Henshall (Chicago), Hermione Norris (Spooks) and Robert Bathurst (Hattie), and directed by Thea Sharrock (After the Dance).

Read reviews of Blithe Spirit from the Times, Telegraph, Guardian, Independent and Daily Mail, below.

Book tickets to see Blithe Spirit at the Apollo Theatre in London

Opening this week: Blithe Spirit, Flare Path

Première’s this week in the West End include Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit starring Alison Steadman and Ruthie Henshall, Sienna Miller in Flare Path, Polly Rae in Hurly Burly, Matthew Kelly in Sign of the Times and the Olivier Awards this Sunday 13 March.

Monday 7 March

SIGN OF THE TIMES: Tim Firth’s new play Sign of the Times starts previews at the Duchess Theatre tonight, with its press night on Friday. The Calendar Girls author has written a warm and witty comedy about a disillusioned sign erector whose life is changed by a clumsy teenager. The show stars Matthew Kelly and Shameless actor Gerard Kearns.

Wednesday 9 March

BLITHE SPIRIT: Noel Coward’s blissful comedy Blithe Spirit officially opens at the Apollo Theatre tonight featuring an all-star cast including Alison Steadman (Gavin & Stacey), Ruthie Henshall (Chicago), Hermione Norris (Spooks) and Robert Bathurst (Hattie). The revival is directed by the award-winning Thea Sharrock (After the Dance).

Thursday 10 March

FLARE PATH: Trevor Nunn kicks off as artistic director of the Theatre Royal Haymarket with the press night for Flare Path. Terence Rattigan’s Second World War romance stars Sienna Miller, James Purefoy and Sheridan Smith.

Friday 11 March

HURLY BURLY: Salacious show Hurly Burly opens at the Garrick Theatre, featuring the luscious Miss Polly Rae in an all singing, all dancing burlesque-inspired revue, with a contemporary twist. Long-time Kylie collaborator William Baker directs.

Sunday 13 March 2011

OLIVIER AWARDS: The Olivier Awards are tonight at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, promising a high star quotient at the UK theatre’s most important event. This year’s ceremony is hosted by Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton, and you can tune in live to hear who wins on Radio 2 or via the BBC’s red button TV service. Visit our Olivier Awards micro-site here.

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Photos: Alison Steadman in Blithe Spirit

Production photos of Blithe Spirit at the Apollo Theatre in London.

Noel Coward’s blissful comedy Blithe Spirit at the Apollo Theatre features an all-star cast including Alison Steadman (Gavin & Stacey), Ruthie Henshall (Chicago), Hermione Norris (Spooks) and Robert Bathurst (Hattie). The Theatre Royal Bath revival is directed by the award-winning Thea Sharrock (After the Dance).

In the play, the novelist Charles Condomine (Bathurst) and his second wife Ruth (Norris) are haunted when an eccentric medium (Steadman) manages to conjure up the ghost of Charles’s neurotic and beautiful first wife, Elvira (Henshall), at a séance.

LINKS

Book tickets to Blithe Spirit at the Apollo Theatre

New this week: Oz, Blithe Spirit, Flare Path

Some big-hitting West End shows open this week in London, including The Wizard of Oz, Million Dollar Quartet, Flare Path and Blithe Spirit.

Monday 28 February 2011

Million Dollar Quartet, the musical that recreates the historic day when Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis all made music together, opens tonight at the Noel Coward Theatre starring a multi-talented cast including Bill Ward (Coronation Street).

Tuesday 1 March 2011

It’s the premiere tonight of the musical that has received more publicity, hype and good old-fashioned audience anticipation than any other show for years as Andrew Lloyd Webber’s sparkly new production of The Wizard of Oz opens at the London Palladium. Rebooted by Jeremy Sams and produced by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Bill Kenwright, the show sees Over The Rainbow star Danielle Hope make her West End stage debut joined by Michael Crawford as the Wizard and Hannah Waddingham as the Wicked Witch.

Also today, tickets go on sale for the Olivier Awards at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. The 13th March ceremony is open to theatregoers for the first time and promises a starry night of West End celebs and excerpts from the shows.

Wednesday 2 March 2011

Noel Coward’s blissful comedy Blithe Spirit starts previews at the Apollo Theatre featuring an all-star cast including Alison Steadman (Gavin & Stacey), Ruthie Henshall (Chicago), Hermione Norris (Spooks) and Robert Bathurst (Hattie). The revival is directed by the award-winning Thea Sharrock (After the Dance).

Thursday 3 March 2011

Previews starts for Hurly Burly at the Garrick Theatre, featuring the luscious Miss Polly Rae in an all singing, all dancing burlesque-inspired revue with a contemporary twist.

Also tonight, In A Forest, Dark and Deep starts previews at the Vaudeville Theatre with Lost star Matthew Fox and Olivia Williams (The Ghost Writer) in Neil LaBute’s new psychological thriller.

Friday 4 March 2011

Trevor Nunn begins his artistic directorship of the Theatre Royal Haymarket tonight with the start of previews for Flare Path. Terence Rattigan’s Second World War romance sees Sienna Miller, James Purefoy and Sheridan Smith star.

Saturday 5 March 2011

Kneehigh theare company, who scored a huge hit in London and on Broadway with their stage take on Noel Coward’s Brief Encounter, are back with a brand new production. The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, based on the classic French film, begins previews at the Gielgud Theatre tonight starring Joanna Riding, Meow Meow and Andrew Durand.

Also on Saturday, A Flea in Her Ear closes at the Old Vic Theatre starring Tom Hollander and Ordinary Days starring Daniel Boys ends at the Trafalgar Studios.

Offer: Blithe Spirit with Alison Steadman

Save £8.50 on tickets to see Blithe Spirit at the Apollo Theatre in London

Offer valid Monday to Thursday from 2nd to 24th March

Featuring an all-star cast including Alison Steadman (Gavin & Stacey) as Madame Arcati, Ruthie Henshall (Crazy for You) as Elvira, Hermione Norris (Spooks) as Ruth and Robert Bathurst (Cold Feet) as Charles Condomine.

Enjoy a special offer on the sparkling new West End revival of Noel Coward’s classic comedy Blithe Spirit, at the Apollo Theatre in London from 2 March 2011.

In the play, the novelist Charles Condomine (Bathurst) and his second wife Ruth (Norris) are haunted when an eccentric medium (Steadman) manages to conjure up the ghost of Charles’s neurotic and beautiful first wife, Elvira (Henshall), at a séance.

Noel Coward’s witty comedy will be directed by Thea Sharrock, who recently enjoyed enormous success for her production of Terence Rattigan’s After The Dance at the National Theatre.

Save £8.50 on tickets to see Blithe Spirit at the Apollo Theatre in London

Offer valid Monday to Thursday from 2nd to 24th March

RUTHIE HENSHALL in Blithe Spirit

Ruthie Henshall joins the cast of Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit

It’s time to reassess Ruthie once again.

For years she has won plaudits and praise for her musical talents, appearing in a wealth of big musicals including She Loves Me (for which she won an Olivier Award), Crazy For You, Chicago, Miss Saigon and Oliver!

But we shouldn’t forget that her talent for comedy, and experience of appearing in a variety of plays, will stand her in good stead when she appears as the beautiful, sultry Elvira in Noel Coward’s witty comedy Blithe Spirit (opens at the Apollo Theatre in London from 2 March 2011).

Henshall will be in good company, playing alongside Alison Steadman (Gavin and Stacey) as Madame Arcati, and Cold Feet’s Hermione Norris (Spooks) and Robert Bathurst (Alex) as Charles and Ruth Condomine.

Noel Coward’s comedy will be directed by Thea Sharrock, who recently enjoyed enormous success for her production of Terence Rattigan’s After The Dance at the National Theatre. She will return to Rattigan next year for his Centenary by directing Cause Célèbre, which will open at the Old Vic Theatre on 17 March, a few days after Blithe Spirit opens in London.

Ruthie trained at Laine Theatre Arts in Epsom, Surrey, swiftly landing a role in a touring production of A Chorus Line before making her West End debut in Cats at the New London Theatre.

Then at 21she was cast as Ellen in Miss Saigon at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, followed by Children of Eden at the Prince Edward Theatre and then a season at the Chichester Festival Theatre, performing in Shakespeare, Moliere and the musical Valentine’s Day.

Ruthie then played Fantine in Les Miserables at the Palace Theatre, and followed this in 1993 by returning to the Prince Edward Theatre to play Polly in Crazy for You, for which she was nominated for her first Olivier award. Her next part got her the award – playing Amalia Balash in She Loves Me at the Savoy Theatre.

Next up she played Nancy in 1996 in Sam Mendes’ revival of Lionel Bart’s Oliver!, then a quick Chichester run playing Polly in Divorce Me, Darling before a biggie – starring as Roxie Hart in the London production of Chicago at the Adelphi Theatre.

She then went to Broadway, appearing in Ziegfeld Follies of 1936 before playing Velma Kelly in the Broadway production of Chicago, Miss Saigon and Putting It Together.

Back in London she starred as Peggy Sue in Peggy Sue Got Married, and then in 2001 took a part in The Vagina Monologues at the Arts Theatre. After playing Velma in the London production of Chicago, and touring the UK in Fosse, she joined the cast of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Woman In White at the Palace Theatre.

In 2006 she returned to New York to play Emma in David Ives’s two-hander The Other Woman and in 2007 starred in the Encores! production of Stairway to Paradise at City Centre.

UK and US concert tours followed, including her Proms debut at the Royal Albert Hall in 2004, plus a feature film – Ahrens and Menken’s A Christmas Carol with Kelsey Grammer and Jane Krakowski – and TV roles in Law and Order and Mysteries of 71st Street for CBS.

In 2008 she took the lead in Marguerite at the Theatre Royal Haymarket.

Book tickets to Blithe Spirit at the Apollo Theatre in London

Casting: Ruthie Henshall in Blithe Spirit

West End and Broadway musicals star Ruthie Henshall is to go legit with a starring role in Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit.

Henshall is to star as Elvira in a new revival of Noel Coward’s classic comedy at the Apollo Theatre in London from 2 March 2011.

Winner of an Olivier Award for her performance in She Loves Me, Ruthie Henshall has played some of the West End and Broadway’s biggest shows including Crazy For You, Chicago, Miss Saigon and Oliver!

Henshall will join a star-studded cast for the play, including Alison Steadman (Gavin and Stacey) as Madame Arcati, and Cold Feet’s Hermione Norris (Spooks) and Robert Bathurst (Alex) as Charles and Ruth Condomine.

In the play, the novelist Charles Condomine (Bathurst) and his second wife Ruth (Norris) are haunted when an eccentric medium (Steadman) manages to conjure up the ghost of Charles’s neurotic and beautiful first wife, Elvira (Henshall), at a séance.

The spirited comedy will open at Theatre Royal Bath later this year before a UK tour and West End opening in the Spring.

Noel Coward’s comedy will be directed by Thea Sharrock, who recently enjoyed enormous success for her production of Terence Rattigan’s After The Dance at the National Theatre. She will return to Rattigan next year for his Centenary by directing Cause Célèbre, which will open at the Old Vic Theatre on 17 March, a few days after Blithe Spirit opens in London.

No stranger to Blithe Spirit, Sharrock directed a 2004 production of the play at the Savoy Theatre starring Penelope Keith. The Noel Coward classic, first produced in 1941, has had numerous UK revivals in the last few years.

Book tickets to Blithe Spirit at the Apollo Theatre in London

ALISON STEADMAN in Blithe Spirit

Alison Steadman to star as Noel Coward’s comic masterpiece Madame Arcati

She would hate us for saying it but Alison Steadman OBE is in danger of becoming a national treasure. Perhaps she already is one given her incredibly hard-working career that has spanned film, TV and stage.

Her long association, both personally and professionally, with Mike Leigh has given us a slate of beautifully judged – and often hilarious – film performances including Abigail’s Party, Life Is Sweet and Topsy Turvy. She won an Olivier award for The Rise and Fall of Little Voice and enjoyed recent success in Alan Bennett’s Enjoy! A long and successful TV career includes BAFTA nominations for Fat Friends and The Singing Detective, and a hit role in Gavin & Stacey.

As Madame Arcati, Coward’s scatty clairvoyant in Blithe Spirit, she promises to put in a memorable and hilarious performance.

The play, which comes to the Apollo Theatre in London from 2 March 2011, also stars Hermione Norris and Robert Bathurst and will be directed by Thea Sharrock (After The Dance).

Book tickets to Blithe Spirit at the Apollo Theatre in London

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