Kevin Spacey as Richard III at the Old Vic

The final season of the Old Vic’s The Bridge Project sees Kevin Spacey in the title role of Richard III, directed by Sam Mendes.

See a round-up of reviews for Richard III, below.

A new production of Neil Simon’s 1971 comedy The Prisoner of Second Avenue is the first West End project for Kevin Spacey’s Old Vic Theatre. The bitter-sweet comedy 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

The show’s performances, notably the two leads Jeff Goldblum and Mercedes Ruehl, and direction fared better with the critics than Neil Simon’s play.

The Prisoner of Second Avenue at the Vaudeville Theatre is a revival of Neil Simon’s 1971 comedy starring  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, has directed the show.

Book tickets to The Prisoner of Second Avenue at the Vaudeville Theatre in London

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 Design For Living at the Old Vic Theatre

Book tickets to A Flea In Her Ear at the Old Vic Theatre

Book tickets to Cause Célèbre at the Old Vic Theatre

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

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:

GHOST STORIES

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

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).

MORE INFORMATION AND BOOKING

GHOST STORIES

Duke of York’s Theatre, from 25 June 2010

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.

Strictly for theatregoers aged 16 and older. “A pant-wetter of a night. It’s terrifying” Daily Mail

Book tickets to Ghost Stories at the Duke of York’s Theatre in London

LA BETE

Comedy Theatre, from 26 June 2010

American playwright David Hirson’s rollicking 1991 play, La Bete is a comic tour de force about Elomire (David Hyde Pierce – “Frasier”), a high-minded classical dramatist who loves only the theatre, and Valere (Mark Rylance – “Jerusalem”), a low-brow street clown who loves only himself. When the fickle princess (Joanna Lumley – “Absolutely Fabulous”) 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. The play is directed by Matthew Warchus and will run for a limited season at the Comedy Theatre before heading to Broadway.

Book tickets to La Bete at the Comedy Theatre in London

THE PRISONER OF SECOND AVENUE

Vaudeville Theatre, from 30 June 2010

Kevin Spacey’s Old Vic theatre company will produce its first West End show this summer, as a new production of Neil Simon’s 1971 comedy The Prisoner of Second Avenue comes to town. The play 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, will direct the show.

Book tickets to The Prisoner of Second Avenue at the Vaudeville Theatre in London

WOLFBOY

Trafalgar Studios, from 6 July 2010

Psycho-sexual musical thriller starring 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

STATE FAIR

Trafalgar Studios, from 3 August 2010

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s charming musical follows the Frake family, farming folk on a trip to the 1946 Iowa State Fair. Whilst parents Abel and Melissa are hoping to win a few blue ribbons, their children Margy and Wayne are more interested in finding romance on the way.

Set against the colourful backdrop of America’s rural traditions, the Academy Award-winning score includes such Rodgers and Hammerstein classics as It Might As Well Be Spring and It’s A Grand Night For Singing.

The show has a book by Tom Briggs and Louis Mattioli, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and music by Richard Rodgers.

Book tickets to State Fair at the Trafalgar Studios

BURN THE FLOOR

Shaftesbury Theatre, from 21 July 2010

Burn The Floor is a dance spectacular that has thrilled audiences around the world with its dynamic mix of Latin and ballroom dancing.

Now the West End is set to experience its fiery, passionate power as Burn The Floor comes to the Shaftesbury Theatre in London featuring special guest dancers Brian Fortuna and Ali Bastian, who wowed BBC audiences on Strictly Come Dancing last year.

First conceived as a special performance at Sir Elton John’s 50th birthday celebrations in 1997, Burn The Floor made its UK premiere two years later before setting off on a world tour.

Burn The Floor takes audiences on a journey through the passionate drama of dance, including the elegance of the Viennese Waltz, the exuberance of the Jive, the intensity of the Paso Doble as well as the Tango, Samba, Mambo, Quickstep and Swing.

Burn The Floor features the talents of 20 award-winning dancers from around the globe.

Book tickets to Burn the Floor at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London

DEATHTRAP

Noel Coward Theatre, from 20 August 2010

Deathtrap, the 1978 comedy thriller by Ira Levin, is set for a West End revival at the Noel Coward Theatre this summer.

Famously turned into a film by Sidney Lumet starring Michael Caine and Christopher Reeve, the play will feature acclaimed actor Simon Russell-Beale, (London Assurance), alongside US heartthrob Jonathan Groff (Glee, Hair the Musical), Academy award-winner Estelle Parsons and Claire Skinner (Outnumbered).

When good-looking young author Clifford (Jonathan Groff) turns up at best-selling author Sidney Bruhl’s Connecticut home with a brilliant new stage thriller, just at a time when Bruhl’s career has hit the skids, an ingenious murder plot is hatched.

The play is directed by Matthew Warchus, who won a Tony award last year for his production of God of Carnage, and has also directed La Bete at the Comedy Theatre.

Deathtrap is produced by David Pugh and Dafydd Rogers (Brief Encounter, Equus, Calendar Girls).

Book tickets to Deathtrap at the Noel Coward Theatre in London

INTO THE WOODS

Open Air Theatre Regent’s Park, from 5 August 2010

Stephen Sondheim’s dark and humorous twist on the Brothers Grimm fairy tales, presented in the beautiful setting of the Open Air Theatre in Regent’s Park.

A talented cast includes Hannah Waddingham (A Little Night Music), Jenna Russell (Sunday In The Park With George), Helen Dallimore, Alice Fearn, Mark Hadfield, Beverly Rudd, Ben Stott and Michael Xavier.

Stephen Sondheim, who is 80 years old this year, is one of America’s greatest living composers of musical theatre, and his work includes A Little Night Music, Sunday In The Park With George, Assassins, Company and Follies.

Into The Woods is directed by Open Air Artistic Director Timothy Sheader, who directed last season’s popular production of Hello, Dolly!

Book tickets to Into the Woods at the Open Air Theatre in London

THE RAILWAY CHILDREN

Waterloo Station Theatre from 4 July 2010

A major new production of classic children’s story The Railway Children comes to London this summer in an exciting new venue at Waterloo Station. This new adaptation of E. Nesbit’s much-loved novel stars Marshall Lancaster, best known for playing DC Chris Skelton in BBC dramas Ashes to Ashes and Life on Mars, and Caroline Harker, WPC Hazel Wallace in A Touch of Frost.

In a venue within the former Eurostar terminal at Waterloo station, Mike Kenny’s new production will start previews from 4 July and is booking until September. A specially built auditorium at Waterloo will feature seating either side of the original railway track, and makes use of the old Gentleman’s saloon carriage from the original classic film plus a period steam train from the National Railway Museum in York.

The show will star Caroline Harker as Mother and Marshall Lancaster as Mr Perks, with other cast including David Baron, Nicholas Bishop, Louisa Clein, Elizabeth Keates, Steven Kynman, Roger May, Blair Plant, Amanda Prior and Sarah Quintrell.

The show is directed by Damian Cruden with design by Joanna Scotcher and music by Christopher Madin.

Book tickets to The Railway Children at Waterloo Station in London

AUTUMN HIGHLIGHTS:

Passion at the Donmar Warehouse, from 10 September 2010

Les Miserables at the Barbican Theatre, from 14 September 2010

Yes, Prime Minister at the Gielgud Theatre from 16 September 2010

Birdsong at the Comedy Theatre, from 18 September 2010

Flashdance at the Shaftesbury Theatre, from 24 September 2010

Onassis at the Novello Theatre, from 30 September

Les Miserables 25th Anniversary Concert at the O2 Arena, 3 October 2010

Fela! at the National Theatre, from 6 November 2010

The Master Builder at the Almeida Theatre, from 12 November 2010

Hollywood star Jeff Goldblum is back in London, following his sell-out success in Speed-the-Plow at the Old Vic.

This time Kavin Spacey is making his first Old Vic venture in the West End, with an Old Vic-produced revival of Neil Simon’s comedy The Prisoner of Second Avenue at the Vaudeville Theatre from 30 June to 11 September.

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.

The play is directed by Terry Johnson, flush from his Tony Award success for La Cage Aux Folles, and also stars Academy Award-winner Mercedes Ruehl.

Jeff Goldblum’s numerous film credits include The Fly, Jurassic Park, Independence Day and The Tall Guy. His Broadway credits include The Pillowman for which he won an Outer Critics’ Circle Award.

Book tickets to The Prisoner of Second Avenue at the Vaudeville Theatre in London.

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

Film and stage star Mercedes Ruehl will appear in the Old Vic in the West End’s new production of Neil Simon’s comedy The Prisoner of Second Avenue, at the Vaudeville Theatre from 30 June to 11 September.

In the show Ruehl stars as loyal wife Edna, who has to pick up the pieces when her husband, Mel, has a New York meltdown.

The play is directed by Terry Johnson, flush from his Tony Award success for La Cage Aux Folles, and also stars Hollywood’s Jeff Goldblum as Mel.

Mercedes Ruehl won an Oscar for her performance in The Fisher King and multiple awards including a Tony for her Broadway performance in Neil Simon’s Lost in Yonkers, alongside Old Vic Artistic Director Kevin Spacey.

Book tickets to The Prisoner of Second Avenue at the Vaudeville Theatre in London.