The Madness Of George III at the Apollo Theatre starring David Haig

David Haig gives the performance of his life as King George III in the West End premiere of Alan Bennett’s smash-hit comedy The Madness Of George III.

TMA’s Theatre Awards UK 2011 nominees heading to London

The Theatrical Management Association’s nominations for its annual Theatre Awards UK 2011 were released on Thursday, and its good to see that a number of the shows are heading to the West End over the next  few months.

In the Best Show for Children and Young People category, Swallows and Amazons by the Bristol Old Vic is being brought into the West End by the National Theatre, running at the Vaudeville Theatre from 5 December 2011.

Two Best Musical Production nominees, the RSC’s Matilda The Musical and Chichester Festival Theatre’s Singin’ In The Rain are both heading to town, Matilda at the Cambridge Theatre from 25 October and Singin’ In The Rain at the Palace Theatre from 4 February 2012.

And in terms of performers, Best Performance in a Play nominee David Haig and Best Performance in a Musical nominee Bertie Carvel are both bringing their star turns to London, David in Peter Hall’s production of Alan Bennett’s The Madness of George III at the Apollo Theatre from 23 January 2012, and Bertie in Matilda The Musical at the Cambridge Theatre from 25 October.

TMA THEATRE AWARDS UK 2011 NOMINEES

The awards will be announced at a ceremony at the Banqueting House in Whitehall on Sunday 30 October 2011, hosted by ventriloquist Paul Zerdin.

BEST PERFORMANCE IN A PLAY
Marianne Oldham for THE YEARS BETWEEN: a Royal & Derngate, Northampton production at the Royal & Derngate, Northampton
David Haig for THE MADNESS OF GEORGE III: a Peter Hall Company production at the Theatre Royal, Bath and on tour
Derek Jacobi for KING LEAR: A Donmar Warehouse production at the Grand Opera House, Belfast and on tour

BEST SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE
Kenneth Alan Taylor for THE PRICE: an Octagon Theatre Bolton, Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough and Hull Truck Theatre production on tour
Clarke Peters for FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE: a Theatre Royal Stratford East production at the Theatre Royal, Stratford East
Claire Price for THE PRIDE: A Sheffield Theatres production at the Crucible, Sheffield

BEST NEW PLAY
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE: a Theatre Royal, Plymouth and Paines Plough production at the Theatre Royal, Plymouth and on tour
MOGADISHU: a Royal Exchange, Manchester production at the Royal Exchange, Manchester and on tour.
HERDING CATS: a Theatre Royal, Bath production in the Ustinov Studio

BEST SHOW FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE.
WHITE: a Catherine Wheels production at the Theatre Royal, Bath
SWALLOWS AND AMAZONS: a Bristol Old Vic production at the Bristol Old Vic
THE MONSTER IN THE HALL at Citizens Theatre, Glasgow and on tour

BEST MUSICAL PRODUCTION
ME AND MY GIRL directed Anna Mackmin: a Sheffield Theatres production at the Crucible, Sheffield
MATILDA THE MUSICAL directed by Matthew Warchus: an RSC production at the Courtyard Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon
SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN directed by Jonathan Church: a Chichester Festival Theatre production at Chichester Festival Theatre

BEST TOURING PRODUCTION
THE TEMPEST directed by Declan Donnellan a Chekhov International Festival and Cheek By Jowl production, on tour
RICHARD III and THE COMEDY OF ERRORS directed by Edward Hall: both Propeller productions, on tour
THE BIG FELLAH directed by Max Stafford-Clark: an Out of Joint and Lyric Hammersmith production on tour

BEST DESIGN
HAPPY DAYS designed by Lizzie Clachan, lighting design by Natasha Chivers: A Sheffield Theatres production at Sheffield Studio
‘TIS PITY SHE’S A WHORE designed by Mike Britton, lighting design by Oliver Fenwick: a West Yorkshire Playhouse production at the West Yorkshire Playhouse
THE DUCHESS OF MALFI designed by Ruth Sutcliffe, lighting design by Philip Gladwell; a
Royal and Derngate, Northampton production at the Royal & Derngate, Northampton

BEST DIRECTOR
Erica Wyman for WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? A Sheffield Theatres and Northern Stage co-production at Sheffield Theatres and Northern Stage.
Muriel Romanes for AGE OF AROUSAL: a co-production between Stellar Quines and the Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh, on tour
Michael Sheen and Bill Mitchell for THE PASSION a National Theatre Wales/Wild Works co-production

BEST PERFORMANCE IN A MUSICAL
Tony Hasnath for THE JUNGLE BOOK: at Lyric Theatre, Belfast
Jemima Rooper for ME AND MY GIRL: A Sheffield Theatres production at the Crucible, Sheffield
Bertie Carvel for MATILDA at the Courtyard Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN DANCE
New Adventures for an outstanding revision of CINDERELLA
Luca Silvestrini’s Protein Dance for LOL – an ingenious multi-media blending of choreography with text.
Hofesh Shechter’s POLITICAL MOTHER – a powerful piece by a choreographer on a controversial theme.

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN OPERA
OPERA NORTH for the variety of its repertoire this season
MUSIC THEATRE WALES for its production of Mark-Anthony Turnage’s Greek
GERALD FINLEY for his performance as Hans Sachs in Glyndebourne Festival’s production of Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg

LINKS

Book tickets to Matilda The Musical at the Cambridge Theatre in London

Book tickets to Singin’ in the Rain at the Palace Theatre in London

Chichester Festival Theatre Announces Winter 2011 Season

Following its highly successful Festival 2011, Chichester Festival Theatre’s Winter season features distinguished actors, award-winning companies, and acclaimed writers and directors. High quality drama remains at the heart of the season, and there is also opera, dance, comedy, music and shows for children and young people, including an enchanting adaptation of a classic story for Christmas.

One of Alan Bennett’s biggest successes, THE MADNESS OF GEORGE III, plays in the Festival Theatre from 14 – 19 November. This epic production weaves drama, politics and humour into a vivid portrait of English history. David Haig plays the title role, returning to the Festival Theatre following his highly praised performance in Festival 2010’s Yes, Prime Minister. The production is directed by Christopher Luscombe and the cast also includes Clive Francis, Beatie Edney and Madhav Sharma.

Opening the season in the Minerva Theatre from 1 – 5 November is THE WILD BRIDE, the new production by Kneehigh on Tour. This follows their sell-out production of The Red Shoes in 2010. The company combines inventive storytelling with humour and music to tell the tale of a heroine forced into the wilderness after being sold to the Devil.

Also returning to the Minerva Theatre from 15 – 26 November are Frantic Assembly, who showcase their stunning physicality in LOVESONG, a play which intertwines a couple in their 20s with the same man and woman a lifetime later. Writer Abi Morgan has won acclaim for her recent BBC 2 drama The Hour. This production reunites her with Scott Graham and Steven Hoggett, who will direct and choreograph, following their previous work together on Tiny Dynamite.

Popular actor and virtuoso storyteller Simon Callow brings to life two one-man plays by Charles Dickens, DR MARIGOLD AND MR CHOPS. Adapted by Patrick Garland, the plays tell of a travelling salesman who adopts a girl, and a freak show performer who wins the lottery and a place in society. The production runs in the Festival Theatre from 21 – 26 November.

BASKET CASE is a new comedy about an unreliable charmer, played by Nigel Havers, his ex-wife and their family friend. The play is staged in the Festival Theatre from 28 November – 3 December. The cast also features Christine Kavanaugh, David Cardy and Graham Seed, best known as Nigel Pargetter in BBC Radio 4’s The Archers, until his character’s recent untimely death.

Following its hugely successful premiere in Festival 2010, a West End transfer and sell out tour, the acclaimed production of YES, PRIME MINISTER returns to the Festival Theatre from 26 January – 4 February. The much-loved BBC hit series is reimagined for the stage by original writers Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn. Prime Minister Jim Hacker, played by Graham Seed (The Archers’ Nigel Pargetter, returning to the Festival Theatre for the second time in the Winter season) and his Cabinet Secretary Sir Humphrey Appleby, played by Michael Simkins (Mamma Mia, Above Suspicion), are back facing a country in financial meltdown.

More humour is on offer in the Minerva Theatre from 29 November – 3 December in THE DEBT COLLECTORS, written and directed by John Godber. This new play depicts two out of work actors forced into the world of debt recovery – a job they despise, but are made for.

Love, laughter and lunacy are in evidence in a magical new version of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM in the Minerva Theatre from 5 – 10 December. Theatre Company Filter will mix music, sound and video with stylised physical movement to create this innovative new production, with music and sound from The London Snorkelling Team.

The festive season will be celebrated in style at the CHRISTMAS CONCERTS in the Festival Theatre from 5 – 10 December. The Choir of Chichester Cathedral and The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines (Royal Band) Portsmouth will be joined by Close Company, and students from local schools, for a programme of music, carols, readings and poems, all compiled and presented by actor and director Philip Franks. A special guest is to be announced.

The festive mood continues with an enthralling adaptation of THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE by C S Lewis, dramatised by Adrian Mitchell, directed by Dale Rooks and designed by Simon Higlett. This delightful production, staged by Chichester Festival Youth Theatre, will feature original music by Matthew Scott, enchanting puppetry by Toby Olié, with costume design by Amy Jackson. The production runs from 17 – 31 December in the Festival Theatre.

Other children’s shows include SNOW PLAY (12 – 15 December), GREAT GRAN’S GREAT GAMES (13 and 14 January) and RING A DING DING (7 – 11 February), all in the Minerva Theatre.

Family entertainment is also on offer in a new musical production of SWALLOWS AND AMAZONS by Helen Edmundson, writer of Coram Boy and Neil Hannon from The Divine Comedy, based on the much-loved book by Arthur Ransome. This delightful story of an idyllic childhood is directed by Tom Morris, whose credits include the international smash hit War Horse. It is presented by The Children’s Touring Partnership following their acclaimed production of Goodnight Mister Tom last year. This production is staged in the Festival Theatre from 17 – 21 January.

One of Russia’s most successful and popular touring companies, Moscow City Ballet, return to showcase their talents with productions of THE NUTCRACKER and ROMEO AND JULIET in the Festival Theatre from 3 – 8 January.
Contemporary dance is staged by Probe who present MAY in the Minerva Theatre on 1 February. This darkly humourous story of modern day romance is told in dance, text and song, directed by Pete Shenton and written by Tim Crouch. There will also be a preview of work from Mapdance’s 2012 programme in the Minerva Theatre on 18 January.

Carl Rosa Opera return with IOLANTHE, Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic depiction of class and the political system, in which the topsy-turvy world of Parliament is invaded by fairies. The production runs in the Festival Theatre from 13 – 18 February.

Other musical offerings include the BBC CONCERT ORCHESTRA CHICHESTER SEASON (5 and 24 February), MINGUS PROFILES SEXTET (20 January), PIAF – THE SONGS (21 January), ZOE RAHMAN (27 January), RICHARD DURRANT (28 January), FASCINATING AÏDA (9 February) and the THREE PHANTOMS (10 and 11 February).

Roots Around the World return with Britain’s ‘First Lady of Folk’ JULIE FELIX on 19 January and THE BRITFOLK FOOTPRINT featuring Oysterband, June Tabor and special guests on 7 February.

Other one-night-only performances include LAUGH AND BE HAPPY, where Peter Polycarpou and guests reprises the songs and music of Randy Newman on 27 October, THE 3RD OPEN ART LECTURE, MY LIFE IN A SPIN, offering the opportunity to join Tim Marlow (White Cube Director of Exhibitions) in conversation with Frank Dunphy (Manager to Damien Hirst) in the Minerva Theatre on 11 December for a unique insight into the life of leading artists. PAULA PRYKE: A LIFE IN FLOWERS showcases her talents in the Minerva Theatre on 3 February, and THE VIRGINIA MONOLOGUES offers a gently humourous insight into growing older disgracefully, written and performed by Virginia Ironside, and directed by Nigel Planer in the Minerva Theatre on 4 February.

GetComedy.com present a night of BELLY LAUGHS LIVE on 8 February – line up TBC.

Release issued by: Chichester Festival Theatre

LINKS

Chichester Festival Theatre

VIDEO: Yes, Prime Minister at the Gielgud Theatre

Book tickets to Yes, Prime Minister
More information about the show
More information about the Shaftesbury Theatre

VIDEO

Yes, Prime Minister at the Gielgud Theatre in London – Trailer

LINKS

Watch more videos on West End Theatre TV

Opening this week in London

It’s a busy week for London theatre as comedy, Shakespeare, showgirls and Ben Barnes hit the West End stage.

OPENING THIS WEEK

Monday 27 September

Yes, Prime Minister opens at the Gielgud Theatre. Following a sell-out season at Chichester Festival Theatre, the original writers of the BBC series, Antony Jay & Jonathan Lynn, have reunited for this 30th anniversary production of Yes, Prime Minister starring Henry Goodman and David Haig. BOOK TICKETS

Tuesday 28 September

Birdsong opens at the Comedy Theatre. A new stage adaptation of Sebastian Faulks’ acclaimed novel Birdsong, adapted by Rachel Wagstaff, directed by Trevor Nunn and starring the Chronicles of Narnia’s Ben Barnes, Nicholas Farrell, Iain Mitchell, Genevieve O’Reilly and Lee Ross. BOOK TICKETS

Wednesday 29 September

Caroline O’Connor – The Showgirl Within opens at the Garrick Theatre. The international award-winning musicals star Caroline O’Connor is back in London with a new one-woman show following sell-out seasons in New York and Sydney. BOOK TICKETS

Traces opens at the Peacock Theatre. After a sell-out run in 2009, The 7 Fingers return to London with their fresh, urban and seriously high-energy smash-hit circus show Traces. Circus with a distinctly 21st century edge. BOOK TICKETS

Thursday 30 September

Hamlet starts previews at the National Theatre. Following his celebrated performances at the National in Burnt by the Sun , The Revenger’s Tragedy , Philistines and The Man of Mode, Rory Kinnear plays Hamlet, joined by Clare Higgins as Gertrude, Patrick Malahide as Claudius and David Calder as Polonius.

Pam Ann – Flying High opens at the Vaudeville Theatre. The fabulous Pam Ann will be winging her way into the Vaudeville Theatre featuring the glamorous Australian viper-tongued airline hostess from hell in an hilarious new show co-written by Pam Ann creator Caroline Reid. BOOK TICKETS

SHOWS CLOSING

Saturday 2 October

All My Sons at the Apollo Theatre. Howard Davies’ powerful production of Arthur Miller’s classic play comes to an end at the Apollo, starring David Suchet and Zoe Wanamaker.

Les Miserables at the Barbican Theatre. 

Opening This Week in the West End

It’s an eclectic mix of shows that are opening this week in the West End, as the autumn season of new productions begins apace. From Wonder Woman to Michael Gambon via Noel Coward and Sebastian Faulks, there’s something for everyone.

On Tuesday 14 September, Les Miserables returns to the Barbican Theatre, where it all began 25 years ago. A brand new production of Boublil and Schonberg’s legendary musical has been touring the UK to celebrate its 25th anniversary and completes its run at the Barbican – but for only 22 performances. The show features a dynamic young cast including Gareth Gates.

Noel Coward is never far from the West End, and Wednesday 15 September sees the opening night of Design for Living at the Old Vic Theatre in Waterloo. Anthony Page directs Coward’s 1932 comedy about the complicated three-way relationship between two men and a woman. The play stars Tom Burke (Telstar), Andrew Scott (Lennon Naked) and Lisa Dillon (Cranford) and runs until 27 November.

On the same day Krapp’s Last Tape starts previews at the Duchess Theatre starring one of Britain’s most accomplished actors, Michael Gambon. The Dublin Gate Theatre transfer of Samuel Beckett’s classic enjoyed rave reviews at the Gate directed by Michael Colgan. The 50 minute show is playing two shows a night, keeping Mr Gambon nicely occupied.

On Friday 17 September  the fabulous Lynda Carter, aka Wonder Women, pops to town for two shows of her Lynda Carter: At Last solo sing-fest. Best known to millions as TV superhero Wonder Woman, Lynda Carter: At Last is a musical evening to celebrate her recent solo album. Following dates in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington, Lynda Carter will appear in London on 17 and 18 September 2010 at the Garrick Theatre.

Also on Friday, the Chichester Festival Theatre’s sell-out production of Yes, Prime Minister starts previews at the Gielgud Theatre starring Henry Goodman and David Haig. The original writers of the BBC series, Antony Jay & Jonathan Lynn, have reunited for this hilarious 30th anniversary production, promising much topical wit and political spin-doctoring: Jim Hacker and Sir Humphrey Appleby are back and this time to face the country in financial meltdown!

The following day, Saturday 18 September, Trevor Nunn is back in the West End directing Rachel Wagstaff’s adaptation of the best-selling Sebastian Faulks novel Birdsong. The play starts previews at the Comedy Theatre starring British movie star Ben Barnes (The Chronicles of Narnia), Nicholas Farrell, Iain Mitchell, Genevieve O’Reilly and Lee Ross, and tells the moving story of one man’s journey through an all consuming love affair and into the horror of the First World War.

BOOKING INFO

Book tickets to Design for Living at the Old Vic Theatre

Books tickets to Les Miserables 25th anniversary production at the Barbican Theatre

Book tickets to Krapp’s Last Tape at the Duchess Theatre

Book tickets to Yes, Prime Minister at the Gielgud Theatre

Book tickets to Birdsong at the Comedy Theatre

Book tickets to Lynda Carter: At Last at the Garrick Theatre

OLIVIER AWARDS – Best Actor Winners

OLIVIER AWARDS – Best Actor Winners

Best Actor

2011 Roger Allam for Henry IV Parts 1 & 2
2010 Mark Rylance for Jerusalem
2009 Derek Jacobi for Twelfth Night
2008 Chiwetel Ejiofor in Othello
2007 Rufus Sewell for Rock ‘N’ Roll
2006 Brian Dennehy for Death Of A Salesman
2005 Richard Griffiths for The History Boys
2004 Matthew Kelly for Of Mice And Men
2003 Simon Russell Beale for Uncle Vanya
2002 Roger Allam for Privates On Parade
2001 Conleth Hill for Stones In His Pockets
2000 Henry Goodman for The Merchant Of Venice
1999 Kevin Spacey for The Iceman Cometh
1998 Ian Holm for King Lear
1997 Antony Sher for Stanley
1996 Alex Jennings for Peer Gynt
1995 David Bamber for My Night With Reg
1994 Mark Rylance for Much Ado About Nothing
1993 Robert Stephens for Henry IV (Parts 1 and 2)
1992 Nigel Hawthorne for The Madness Of George III
1991 Ian McKellen for Richard III
1989/90 Oliver Ford Davies for Racing Demon
1987 Michael Gambon for A View From The Bridge
1986 Albert Finney for Orphans
1985 Antony Sher for Richard III and Torch Song Trilogy

Actor of the Year in a New Play

1988 David Haig for Our Country’s Good
1984 Brian Cox for Rat In The Skull
1983 Jack Shepherd for Glengarry Glen Ross
1982 Ian McDiarmid for lnsignificance
1981 Trevor Eve for Children Of A Lesser God
1980 Roger Rees for Nicholas Nickleby
1979 Ian McKellen for Bent
1978 Tom Conti for Whose Life Is It Anyway?
1977 Michael Bryant for State Of Revolution
1976 Paul Copley for King And Country

Actor of the Year in a Revival

1988 Brian Cox for Titus Andronicus
1984 Ian McKellen for Wild Honey
1983 Derek Jacobi for Cyrano De Bergerac
1982 Stephen Moore for A Doll’s House
1981 Daniel Massey for Man And Superman
1980 Jonathan Pryce for Hamlet
1979 Warren Mitchell for Death Of A Salesman
1978 Alan Howard for Coriolanus
1977 Ian McKellen for Pillars Of The Community
1976 Alan Howard for Henry IV (Parts 1 and 2) and Henry V

Best Actor in a Musical

2011 David Thaxton for Passion
2010 Aneurin Barnard for Spring Awakening
2009 Douglas Hodge for La Cage aux Folles
2008 Michael Ball for Hairspray
2007 Daniel Evans for Sunday In The Park With George
2006 James Lomas, George Maguire and Liam Mower for Billy Elliot – The Musical
2005 Nathan Lane for The Producers
2004 David Bedella for Jerry Springer – The Opera
2003 Alex Jennings for My Fair Lady
2002 Philip Quast for South Pacific
2001 Daniel Evans for Merrily We Roll Along
2000 Simon Russell Beale for Candide
1999 The cast of Kat and The Kings
1998 Philip Quast for The Fix
1997 Robert Lindsay for Oliver!
1996 Adrian Lester for Company
1995 John Gordon Sinclair for She Loves Me
1994 Alun Armstrong for Sweeney Todd
1993 Henry Goodman for Assassins
1992 Alan Bennett for Talking Heads
1991 Philip Quast for Sunday In The Park With George
1989/90 Jonathan Pryce for Miss Saigon
1988 Con O’Neill for Blood Brothers
1987 John Bardon and Emil Wolk for Kiss Me Kate
1986 Michael Crawford for The Phantom Of The Opera
1985 Robert Lindsay for Me And My Girl
1984 Paul Clarkson for The Hired Man
1983 Denis Lawson for Mr. Cinders
1982 Roy Hudd for Underneath The Arches
1981 Michael Crawford for Barnum
1980 Denis Quilley for Sweeney Todd
1979 Anton Rodgers for Songbook

West End Star Watch: Update

Our regular round-up of theatre names hitting town or making the news. This issue includes Alison Steadman, Jenny Galloway, Catherine Zeta-Jones, David Haid, Robert Lindsay and Anthony Sher.

ALISON STEADMAN

Director of the moment Thea Sharrock, who enjoyed rave notices last week for her new production of Terrence Rattigan’s After the Dance at the National Theatre, will turn to Noel Coward later this year.

A new production of Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit will materialise at the Theatre Royal Bath and then transfer to the Apollo Theatre from 2 March 2011 starring award-winning actress Alison Steadman (Gavin and Stacey) as Madame Arcati.

No stranger to Blithe Spirit, Sharrock directed a 2004 production of the play at the Savoy Theatre starring Penelope Keith. The Noel Coward classic has had numerous UK revivals in the last few years. The director told Baz in the Daily Mail that, “You cannot really mess with those old boys  -  the structure is so particular”. Indeed.

The only question is, will Rupert Everett reprise his recent Broadway performance as Charles Condomine for the production?

JENNY GALLOWAY

Amongst many standout performances in Thea Sharrock’s production of After the Dance is that of Jenny Galloway as Miss Potter, an actress who is s one of the most accomplished stars you’ve (probably) never heard of. She has recently been cast in Cameron Mackintosh’s enormous 25th anniversary concert version of Les Miserables at the O2 Arena on 3 October playing Madame Thénardier, a role she played in the London and New York productions.

Galloway’s career spans musicals and plays including two Olivier Award winning performances – as Rosie in Mamma Mia! (2000) and Luce in The Boys from Syracuse (1992). She also originated the role of Mrs Brill in Mackintosh’s production of Mary Poppins – in London and Broadway – and recently appeared in the Donmar in the West End’s production of Madame De Sade with Judi Dench.

DAVID HAIG

The great migration of classic TV shows to stage (see Porridge, Inspector Morse, Dad’s Army etc) shows no sign of abating. Jenny Galloway’s fellow Mary Poppins cast mate David Haig, who originated the role of Mr Banks in the show, will be back in London this Autumn in a stage production of TV classic Yes, Prime Minister.

Haig plays Prime Minister Jim Hacker in the Chichester production that will run at the Gielgud Theatre from 17 September, penned by the show’s original TV writers Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn. The comedy will also star Henry Goodman as Sir Humphrey Appleby.

ANTHONY SHER

A big name he may be, but Anthony Sher is not averse to playing the odd small venue: he will debut in Arthur Miller’s Broken Glass at the Tricycle Theatre from 30 September, directed by Iqbal Khan. Let’s hope it also transfers to the West End to follow the current Arthur Miller success in town – All My Sons at the Apollo Theatre starring David Suchet and Zoe Wanamaker.

CATHERINE ZETA-JONES

Anthony Sher’s cousin, Ronald Harwood, received a knighthood this week in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for his enormous contribution to stage and screen writing, including classic theatrical play The Dresser. Congrats also go to Catherine Zeta-Jones who has been appointed a CBE. Currently wowing them on Broadway in A Little Night Music, here’s hoping this week proves a double-success for Mrs Michael Douglas and she wins a Tony award tonight for her performance in the show.

ROBERT LINDSAY

The Novello Theatre will see out Tap Dogs in September and follow with Onassis on 30 September starring Robert Lindsay. He will resurrect his performance as Aristotle Onassis in Martin Sherman’s play Onassis following a run in Derby. Based on the last years of the controversial Greek tycoon, the play was originally produced as Aristo at Chichester to mixed reviews but with glowing praise for Lindsay’s performance. Sherman and director Nancy Meckler have subsequently rewritten the piece.

The cast will also include Tom Austen, Liz Crowther, Ben Grove, Robert Hastie, John Hodgkinson, Sue Kelvin, Graeme Taylor and Gawn Grainger.