Closing Time: End of the Rainbow, Ghost Stories, Dirty Dancing depart the West End
May 13, 2011
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 in End of the Rainbow
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.
Sienna Miller and James Purefoy in Flare Path
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.
Douglas Henshall, Kristin Scott Thomas and Ben Miles in Betrayal
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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Dirty Dancing to close in West End
February 16, 2011
Hit West End musical Dirty Dancing is to depart the Aldwych Theatre on 9 July 2011.
Dirty Dancing to close at the Aldwych
The successful stage adaptation of the 1980′s movie will have played for 5 years in London, attracting an audience of nearly 2 million and becoming the longest running production at the Aldwych Theatre.
Dirty Dancing will close in the summer before embarking on a two year National tour, including dates in Bristol, Glasgow, Manchester, Dublin, Aberdeen, Southampton and Milton Keynes. The tour has already secured advanced sales of £10 million.
The show is written by Eleanor Bergstein, who penned the successful movie, and features hits including ‘Do You Love Me?’, ‘Hungry Eyes’ and the Academy Award Winning ‘(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life’.
The current cast includes Ray Quinn as Billy, Hannah Vassallo as Frances ‘Baby’ Houseman and Johnny Wright as Johnny Castle.
SPECIAL OFFER: Save £25 on tickets to Dirty Dancing at the Aldwych Theatre
Dirty Dancing National Two Year Tour Now On Sale. London Production Closes At Aldwych Theatre On Saturday 9th July 2011
February 15, 2011
LONDON, Monday 14 February – Producers of Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage have today announced that after 5 years and nearly 2 million audience members, the current West End run of Dirty Dancing will finish at the Aldwych Theatre on Saturday 9th July 2011, prior to a two year National Tour.
Dirty Dancing will continue to delight audiences across the UK on the first ever Dirty Dancing National Tour currently scheduled to play Bristol, Glasgow, Manchester, Dublin, Aberdeen, Southampton and Milton Keynes from September 2011 with further cities to be announced. The Dirty Dancing National Tour has already taken almost £10million in advance sales, and promises all the show-stopping choreography, great characters and extraordinary live performances that the West End show has received so much praise for. Rehearsals for the National Tour will start a week after the London production closes, from Monday 18th July.
One of the most successful musicals in West End history, Dirty Dancing opened in October 2006 with a record breaking £15 million advance in sales making it the fastest selling show in West End history. Dirty Dancing has been seen by nearly 2 million people in London, and is the longest running show in the history of the Aldwych Theatre, with critics describing the show as ‘spectacular’, ‘magnificent’ and ‘the biggest live theatre sensation of all time’.
The producers of Dirty Dancing said, “We have enjoyed a truly wonderful five years in London and we are very excited to be taking Dirty Dancing out on the road across the UK later this year. It has been an absolute pleasure to bring this much-loved and iconic story to life on stage night after night, and we want to thank our tremendous cast and company for making Dirty Dancing such a huge success in London.”
Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage, written by Eleanor Bergstein, script-writer and creator of the phenomenally successful film, features all the much-loved characters and original dialogue from the iconic film with exciting extra scenes added in! The exhilarating dance sequences and brand new choreography come alive on stage, set to all the hits from the unforgettable soundtrack, such as ‘Do You Love Me?’, ‘Hungry Eyes’ and the Academy Award Winning ‘(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life’, plus many more songs that weren’t on the original recording, making the show a truly extraordinary live experience.
Release issued by: Premier PR
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SPECIAL OFFER: Book tickets to Dirty Dancing at the Aldwych Theatre
Free Hotel Rooms in London
January 10, 2011
Celebrate winter with our great new hotel and theatre promotion, with blockbuster shows including Love Never Dies, Legally Blonde, Priscilla, Jersey Boys and Billy Elliot.
Westendtheatre.com has partnered with 18 top London shows and a range of Central London hotels to offers visitors to the city a fabulous winter treat.
Running until the end of March 2011, you can book a free room in a central London hotel when buying a top-price theatre ticket to one of a selection of shows.
Prices start at just £45 ($70 USD / €55 Euros) per person for a three star hotel, continental breakfast and a best seat to a major West End show, based on two people sharing.
An amazing selection of big-budget West End musicals are featured in the promotion including: Andrew Lloyd Webber’s sequel to the Phantom of the Opera – Love Never Dies; Legally Blonde, based on the smash-hit movie; Tony award-winning Elton John musical Billy Elliot; a new musical adaptation of Love Story; fabulous, spectacular show Priscilla Queen of the Desert; Jersey Boys featuring the music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons; Dirty Dancing; sexy, sassy Kander and Ebb show Chicago; joyous 1960s musical Dreamboats and Petticoats; Grease The Musical; Willy Russell’s powerful musical Blood Brothers; theatre, dance and percussion show Stomp; and Michael Jackson tribute show Thriller Live.
Comedy and drama included in the promotion ranges from a riotously funny adaptation of The 39 Steps, to Samantha Bond in Oscar Wilde’s An Ideal Husband, terrifying thriller The Woman in Black, and classic comedy When We Are Married.
BOOK NOW
See all shows in the promotion and book now
Terms and conditions of the promotion:
Prices are per person and based on two people sharing a twin or double room in one of our chosen Central London 3* hotels. Valid for select performances and subject to availability. Once booked, the package is non transferable and cannot be exchanged or refunded. All prices include VAT and all other transaction and booking fees. Selected shows are subject to a £5 supplement. For full terms and conditions visit www.westendtheatre.com/theatre-breaks
ITV’s This Morning – Musicals week
August 25, 2010
Whilst we desperately try to avoid turning on the TV before cocktail hour, sometimes the search for art and beauty (and a good show tune) prevails.
All this week, ITV’s This Morning has been celebrating the West End Musical, with Monday’s show featuring the cast of Mamma Mia! and Tuesday shaking things up with Sister Act.
Today, at 11am, Noel Sullivan, Lauren Samuels and the cast of Grease sang Summer Nights on the show.
And coming up next is the cast of Dirty Dancing tomorrow, Thursday 26 August, and the cast of We Will Rock You on Friday.
THE MICHAEL BALL SHOW
ITV’s The Michael Ball Show, on ITV1 weekdays from 3pm, will feature Cameron Mackintosh today. The theatre impresario will discuss celebrations for the 25th anniversary of Les Miserables, and will be joined by Gareth Gates who is playing Marius in the touring production – soon to come to the Barbican in London.
Lauren Samuels on This Morning
Grease's Noel Sullivan and Lauren Samuels interviewed on This Morning
Theatreland Maze in Trafalgar Square
August 2, 2010
A giant maze has been erected in Trafalgar Square in London to celebrate the best of the West End.
Amazing maze in Trafalgar Square
From 11am to 8pm today, 2 August 2010, and daily until this Friday 6 August, the giant maze will be free to the public to enter and explore.
The maze celebrates the idea of getting lost in London’s West End and features a number of famous street, lanes and landmarks in the area including Covent Garden and Soho Square. Special blue plaques provide information on famous residents who have lived on the streets.
In the centre of the maze, visitors will be rewarded by an ever-changing array of entertainment, from drag queens from Priscilla Queen of the Desert to Dirty Dancing dance classes, dragons from Chinatown and a Carnaby Street party.
The maze has been developed by the West End Partnership.
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FACTS ABOUT THE WEST END
The West End is one of the world’s greatest concentrations of shops, historic landmarks, entertainment venues and restaurants.
Over 2,500 restaurants & bars are located in the West End – with 17 Michelin star restaurants
Over 40 major theatres and 30 museums and galleries are located in the area
There are 2,000 shops to shop in – and 7 green spaces to recover in.
Dirty Dancing tickets at the Aldwych Theatre starring Ray Quinn
August 1, 2010
The classic story – and hit movie – comes to the stage in a record-breaking adaptation, now featuring Ray Quinn.
Dirty Dancing – Hot New Cast
July 26, 2010
We are very impressed with the new cast of Dirty Dancing, playing at the Aldwych Theatre in London.
Dancing on Ice winner Ray Quinn has joined the team, fresh from his stint in Grease at the Piccadilly Theatre, to play Billy Kostecki.
Baby (her of the corner) is being played by Hannah Vassallo, who is a trained dancer and was recently working for Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures dance company.
We are sure that Canadian Johnny Wright was cast for his talent rather than his name in the role of Johnny Castle. He comes hot foot from the Toronto production of the show to make his West End debut.
Finally the gorgeous line-up in completed by Nadia Coote from Australia, who plays Penny Johnson and Charlie Bruce, who plays Gina… we can’t really remember who Gina is in the show but assume she has been popped on to the poster to make it EVEN MORE ATTRACTVE! And why not we say.
Videos: West End Live 2010
June 21, 2010
The weekend of 19 and 20 June 2010 saw the sixth annual West End Live event in Leicester Square, London. Showcasing the best of West End theatre, casts of most major shows performed for a crowd of over 250,000 people.
The Lion King interview at West End Live 2010
Thriller Live interview at West End Live 2010
Wicked interview at West End Live 2010
Jersey Boys Ryan Molloy interview West End Live 2010
Tap Dogs Adam Garcia interview West End Live 2010
Chicago interview West End Live 2010
Mamma Mia interview West End Live 2010
Love Never Dies interview West End Live 2010
Big crowds for West End Live 2010
June 21, 2010
Over 250,000 people gather in Leicester Square for free West End theatre event.
View VIDEOS of West End Live 2010
West End Live, a free event held in the West End this weekend, showcased the best of London theatre and attracted over a quarter of a million people.
Now in its sixth year and the largest free theatre festival in the world, the event featured the casts of some of London’s biggest shows including Thriller Live, Disney’s The Lion King, Legally Blonde, All The Fun Of The Fair, Tap Dogs, We Will Rock You, Billy Elliot, Wicked, Hair, Chicago, Love Never Dies, Avenue Q, Priscilla Queen Of The Desert, Burn the Floor, Grease, Mamma Mia!, Stomp, Dirty Dancing and Jersey Boys.
An array of West End stars performed at the event including Ramin Karimloo (Love Never Dies), Sheridan Smith (Legally Blonde), Patina Miller (Sister Act), Daniel Boys (Wolfboy) and Ryan Molloy (Jersey Boys).
Councillor Robert Davis of Westminster City Council, who organised the event, said: “Without doubt, this has been our biggest and best West End LIVE. We’ve seen spectacular performances from some of the nation’s favourite shows.”
Nica Burns, President of the Society of London Theatre said: “London has the best theatre in the world and West End LIVE is a fantastic opportunity for people to sample some of the West End’s most popular shows for free.” The success of the past weekend suggests that a quarter of a million satisfied theatre fans agree.
View VIDEOS of West End Live 2010
