Photos: Taboo at the Brixton Club House

Production photos of Taboo at the Brixton Club House.

Taboo, the Olivier Award winning Boy George musical, gets a London revival directed by co-creator Christopher Renshaw.

Set in London’s decadent 1980s club world, where figures such as Leigh Bowery and Boy George dominated, the show is playing in the apt venue of Brixton Club House until 23 December 2013.

The cast includes Paul Baker as club promoter Philip Sallon, Sam Buttery as Leigh Bowery, Matthew Rowland as Boy George, Alistair Brammer as Billy, Sarah Ingram as Josie, Michael Matus as Derek/Petal, Niamh Perry as Kim, Adam Bailey as Marilyn, Owain Williams as Steve Strange, Katie Kerr as Sue Tilley and Daniella Bowen as Janey.

Photos by Roy Tan.

LINKS

Book tickets to Taboo at the Brixton Club House

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Photo Exclusive: The Baker’s Wife at the Union Theatre

Photo Exclusive: The Baker’s Wife at the Union Theatre

Lisa Stokke (Guys and Dolls, Mamma Mia!) and Michael Matus (Lend Me A Tenor) star in Wicked composer Stephen Schwartz’s The Baker’s Wife at the Union Theatre in London, until 15 October 2011.

With a book by Joseph Stein (Fiddler on the Roof), based on La Femme du Boulanger by Marcel Pagnol and Jean Giono, this musical love story is set in 1935 in a small French village and explores the nature of marriage and relationships.

Direction is by Michael Strassen.

Photos by Roy Tan.

LINKS

Union Theatre website

Lend Me A Tenor to close early at the Gielgud

Lend Me A Tenor, the musical comedy by Peter Sham and Brad Carroll, is to close early at the Gielgud Theatre in London.

Based on Ken Ludwig’s award-winning play, the show opened on 15 June but has failed to find an audience and will now close on Saturday 6 August 2011.

The producers, Martin Platt and David Elliott, said in a statement that, “Despite mostly wonderful notices from the press, great feedback from our audiences and nightly standing ovations, this has not translated into growing sales and we feel it is in everyone’s best interests to close the production on August 6th.”

The show stars Matthew Kelly, last seen in the West End in the short-lived production of Sign of the Times at the Duchess Theatre, and Joanna Riding, who previously starred in The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, also at the Gielgud, and which also closed early.

Other cast include Damian Humbley, Michael Matus, Sophie-Louise Dann and Cassidy Janson, with direction by Ian Talbot.

Critics largely enjoyed the show, with Michael Coveney in the Independent saying that, ““Sure, the whole shebang’s a bit of a throwback, but it’s fun and finished to a very high standard”, but others, including Nick Curtis in the Standard, found that there was, “a disjunction here between retrogressive comedy and modern musical sentiment, and the result is blandness.”

The next confirmed production at the Gielgud is not until November, with a stage adaptation of movie classic The Ladykillers.

LINKS

SPECIAL OFFER: Book tickets to Lend Me A Tenor at the Gielgud Theatre in London

Lend Me A Tenor – Reviews Round-up

Lend Me A Tenor The Musical To Close On Saturday 6 August

LEND ME A TENOR THE MUSICAL, the uproarious new musical comedy by Peter Sham and Brad Carroll, based on Ken Ludwig’s award-winning play, which opened at the Gielgud Theatre earlier this summer to some rave reviews, is to close. Despite receiving a series of 4-star reviews and standing ovations, the production’s last performance will be Saturday 6 August.

Producers Martin Platt and David Elliott said, “We wish to thank the extremely dedicated cast of LEND ME A TENOR THE MUSICAL, author Peter Sham and composer Brad Carroll and everyone who has taken part in the project.

Despite mostly wonderful notices from the press, great feedback from our audiences and nightly standing ovations, this has not translated into growing sales and we feel it is in everyone’s best interests to close the production on August 6th.”

Lend Me A Tenor The Musical stars Matthew Kelly as ‘Henry Saunders’, Joanna Riding as ‘Maria Merelli’, Damian Humbley as ‘Max’, Michael Matus as ‘Tito Merelli, Sophie-Louise Dann as ‘Diana Divane’, Cassidy Janson as ‘Maggie Saunders’, and Gay Soper, Jane Quinn and Michelle Bishop as the ‘Ladies of the Opera Guild’. The production is directed by Olivier award-winning director Ian Talbot and choreographed by Tony-nominated choreographer Randy Skinner. The production is designed by Paul Farnsworth, with lighting by Tim Mitchell, and sound by Terry Jardine and Nick Lidster. The Musical Supervisor is Tony Award Winner Paul Gemignani, the Musical Director is Colin Billing, and orchestrations are by Chris Walker.

LEND ME A TENOR THE MUSICAL is produced by Martin Platt and David Elliott and Eileen & Allen Anes with Jason E. Grossman and M. Kilburg Reedy.

Release issued by: Target Live

LINKS

SPECIAL OFFER: Book tickets to Lend Me A Tenor at the Gielgud Theatre in London

Lend Me A Tenor – Reviews Round-up

Lend Me A Tenor at the Gielgud Theatre – Round-up of Reviews

A round-up of reviews of Lend Me A Tenor at the Gielgud Theatre starring Matthew Kelly and Joanna Riding.

Lend Me A Tenor is the new musical comedy directed by Olivier award-winning director Ian Talbot (High Society, Anything Goes) and choreographed by Tony-nominated choreographer Randy Skinner (42nd Street, White Christmas).

The show features mistaken identities and unexpected romance and is based on the award-winning West End and Broadway hit comedy by Ken Ludwig.

Lend Me A Tenor stars Matthew Kelly and Joanna Riding alongside Damian Humbley, Michael Matus, Sophie-Louise Dann, Cassidy Janson, Gay Soper, Jane Quinn and Michelle Bishop.

See a round-up of Lend Me A Tenor reviews, below.

LINKS

SPECIAL OFFER: Book tickets to Lend Me A Tenor at the Gielgud Theatre in London

Production photos of Lend Me A Tenor at the Gielgud Theatre starring Matthew Kelly and Joanna Riding

Matthew Kelly and Joanna Riding star in Lend Me A Tenor at the Gielgud Theatre in London.

Lend Me A Tenor is the uproarious new musical comedy which is currently running at the Gielgud Theatre.

The hilarious show features mistaken identities and unexpected romance and is based on the award-winning West End and Broadway hit comedy by Ken Ludwig.

The multi-talented cast stars award-winning actors Matthew Kelly and Joanna Riding alongside Damian Humbley, Michael Matus, Sophie-Louise Dann, Cassidy Janson, Gay Soper, Jane Quinn and Michelle Bishop.

It’s 1934, and the world’s greatest tenor Tito Merelli has come to Cleveland, Ohio, to save its Grand Opera Company by singing Verdi’s Otello. When he is unexpectedly incapacitated, Max, the opera director’s meek assistant, is given the daunting task of finding a last-minute replacement. Chaos ensues – including a scheming soprano, a tenor-struck ingénue, a jealous wife, shrimp gone bad and the Cleveland Police department.

The company also features Jemma Alexander, Karen Aspinall, Natasha J. Barnes, Nick Butcher, Kelly Chinery, Sharon Eckman, Daniel Farrow, Andrew Keelan, Kara Lane, Connor McAllister, Haydn Oakley, Stephen Oliver-Webb, Ryan Pidgen, Jeremy Secomb, Emma Sewell, John Stacey, Robert Traynor, and Michelle White.

This brand-new production is directed by Olivier award-winning director Ian Talbot (High Society, Anything Goes) and choreographed by Tony-nominated choreographer Randy Skinner (42nd Street, White Christmas).

LINKS

SPECIAL OFFER: Book tickets to Lend Me A Tenor

More News on Lend Me A Tenor

Full Casting Announced For Lend Me A Tenor The Musical Opening At The Gielgud Theatre On 15 June

The full cast has been announced for the West End production of LEND ME A TENOR THE MUSICAL, the uproarious new musical comedy by Peter Sham (book and lyrics) and Brad Carroll (music), which opens at the Gielgud Theatre on 15 June, with previews from 2 June.

Matthew Kelly will star as ‘Henry Saunders’ (Executive Director of the Cleveland Grand Opera), Joanna Riding will star as ‘Maria Marelli’, Damian Humbley will star as ‘Max’ (Henry Saunders’ assistant, and the opera prompter), Michael Matus will star as ‘Tito Merelli, (the Great Italian tenor known as ‘Il Stupendo’), Sophie-Louise Dann will star as ‘Diana Divane’ (Prima Donna of the Cleveland Grand Opera), Cassidy Janson will star as ‘Maggie Saunders’ (Henry Saunders’ daughter), and Gay Soper, Jane Quinn and Michelle Bishop will star as the ‘Ladies of the Opera Guild’.

It’s 1934, and the world’s greatest tenor Tito Merelli has come to Cleveland, Ohio, to save its Grand Opera Company by singing Verdi’s Otello. When he is unexpectedly incapacitated, Max, the opera director’s meek assistant, is given the daunting task of finding a last-minute replacement. Chaos ensues – including a scheming soprano, a tenor-struck ingénue, a jealous wife, shrimp gone bad and the Cleveland Police department.

LEND ME A TENOR THE MUSICAL is a riotous, unpredictable explosion of mistaken identities and unexpected romance – based on the award-winning West End and Broadway hit comedy by Ken Ludwig.

The company also features Jemma Alexander, Karen Aspinall, Natasha J. Barnes, Nick Butcher, Kelly Chinery, Sharon Eckman, Daniel Farrow, Andrew Keelan, Kara Lane, Connor McAllister, Haydn Oakley, Stephen Oliver-Webb, Ryan Pidgen, Jeremy Secomb, Emma Sewell, John Stacey, Robert Traynor, and Michelle White.

This brand-new production is directed by Olivier award-winning director Ian Talbot (High Society, Anything Goes) and choreographed by Tony-nominated choreographer Randy Skinner (42nd Street, White Christmas). The production is designed by Paul Farnsworth, with lighting by Tim Mitchell, and sound by Terry Jardine and Nick Lidster. The Musical Supervisor is Tony Award Winner Paul Gemignani, the Musical Director is Colin Billing, and orchestrations are by Chris Walker.

LEND ME A TENOR THE MUSICAL is produced by Martin Platt and David Elliott and Eileen & Allen Anes.

Release issued by: Target Live

LINKS

More news on Lend Me A Tenor

Lend Me A Tenor The Musical Swoops Into The West End Opening At The Gielgud Theatre On 15 June

Following a critically acclaimed run at the Theatre Royal Plymouth in 2010, LEND ME A TENOR THE MUSICAL, the uproarious new musical comedy by Peter Sham (book and lyrics) and Brad Carroll (music), will open at the Gielgud Theatre on 15 June, with previews from 2 June.

It’s 1934, and the world’s greatest tenor Tito Merelli has come to Cleveland, Ohio, to save its Grand Opera Company by singing Verdi’s Otello. When he is unexpectedly incapacitated, Max, the opera director’s meek assistant, is given the daunting task of finding a last-minute replacement. Chaos ensues – including a scheming soprano, a tenor-struck ingénue, a jealous wife, shrimp gone bad and the Cleveland Police department.

LEND ME A TENOR THE MUSICAL is a riotous, unpredictable explosion of mistaken identities and unexpected romance – based on the award-winning West End and Broadway hit comedy by Ken Ludwig.

Matthew Kelly will star as ‘Henry Saunders’ (Executive Director of the Cleveland Grand Opera), Damian Humbley will star as ‘Max’ (Henry Saunders’ assistant, and the opera prompter), Michael Matus will star as ‘Tito Merelli, ‘Il Stupendo’ (the great Italian tenor), and Sophie-Louise Dann will star as ‘Diana Divane’ (Prima Donna of the Cleveland Grand Opera). Further casting will be announced.

This brand-new production is directed by Olivier award-winning director Ian Talbot (High Society, Anything Goes) and choreographed by Tony-nominated choreographer Randy Skinner (42nd Street, White Christmas). The production is designed by Paul Farnsworth, with lighting by Tim Mitchell, and sound by Terry Jardine and Nick Lidster. The Musical Supervisor is Tony Award Winner Paul Gemignani and the Musical Director is Colin Billing.

LEND ME A TENOR THE MUSICAL is produced by Martin Platt and David Elliott, in association with Eileen & Allen Anes.

Release issued by: Target Live

LINKS

Sign up to hear about booking and tickets to Lend Me A Tenor

CASTING: Wolfboy, Dirty Dancing, Oliver!

Emma Rigby and Daniel Boys in Wolfboy; Ray Quinn to strut his stuff in Dirty Dancing at the Aldwych Theatre; Russ Abbot takes over from Griff Rhys Jones in Oliver!

WOLFBOY

Former Hollyoaks star Emma Rigby and recent Avenue Q lead Daniel Boys will appear at the Trafalgar Studios this summer to star in the psycho-sexual musical thriller Wolfboy (6 – 31 July).

The 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.

The musical 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.

Emma Rigby won a Best Actress British Soap Award in 2008 for her role on TV’s Hollyoaks playing Hannah Ashworth.

Daniel Boys appeared on BBC talent show Any Dream Will Do in 2007  and has since performed in a number of concerts and events including a special guest artist on John Barowman’s UK tour, and is a regular on BBC Radio 2′s Friday Night is Music Night.

The cast also includes Paul Holowaty and Gregg Lowe.

Book tickets to see Wolfboy at the Trafalgar Studios in London

DIRTY DANCING

X Factor and Dancing on Ice star Ray Quinn is to join the cast of Dirty Dancing at the Aldwych Theatre this summer, from 26 July to 27 November 2010.

Quinn, who recently appeared as Danny in Grease at the Piccadilly Theatre, will play the role of Billy Kostecki, Johnny Castle’s cousin, in the show for a limited season from 26 July. He will sing two iconic songs from the show – “Do You Love Me?” and “(I’ve Had) the Time of My Life”.

Other cast includes Martin Harvey as Johnny Castle and Hannah Vassallo as Baby.

Dirty Dancing is now in its fourth year at the Aldwych Theatre and brings the action and music of the iconic film to the stage.

Special offer: Save £22.50 on tickets to Dirty Dancing at the Aldwych Theatre in London

OLIVER!

He stepped in for Rowan Atkinson last year and proved such a hit that Russ Abbot is to make his return to the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in June, starring as Fagin in Cameron Mackintosh’s big-budget production of Oliver!

Taking over the role from Griff Rhys Jones from 14 June, Abbot will join Kerry Ellis as Nancy, Steven Hartley as Bill Sikes and Stephen Moore as Mr Brownlow.

No stranger to the role of Fagin, Abbot played the part in Mackintosh’s 1997 revival of the show at the London Palladium and then on tour.  The comedian and actor best known for his TV appearance including “The Russ Abbot Show” has also appeared in numerous musicals including My Fair Lady and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Doctor Dolittle and The Producers.

Special offer: Save £21 on tickets to see Oliver! at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London

LEND ME A TENOR

Sally Ann Triplett and Matthew Kelly are to star in a new production of Lend Me a Tenor the Musical this autumn. The show will run at the Theatre Royal Plymouth from 24 September and then transfer to the West End (theatre to be announced).

Peter Sham and Brad Carroll’s musical, based on Ken Ludwig’s comedy, will be directed by Ian Talbot.

Other cast members include Damian Humbley and Michael Matus.

Links: Theatre Royal Plymouth