A round-up of news and gossip from the West End this week, including Denise van Outen’s new one-woman show, gala nights at One Man, Two Guvnors and The Bodyguard, The Lion King reaches its 14th birthday and more.
Denise van Outen heads to West End?
West End producers will be watching Denise van Outen’s new one-woman show, Some Girl I Used To Know, with interest when it tours the UK next year.
The TV and stage star is much-loved by audiences and her new show, which begins at the West Yorkshire Playhouse on 5 February 2014, is tipped to find a London home if it does well on tour.
In the show Denise plays a media darling who has a successful career and supportive husband, and is set to music from the 80’s and 90’s. Given van Outen’s recent split from West End star Lee Mead, much attention will be on both her and the show.
Photo: One Man, Two Guvnors
Hit National Theatre comedy One Man, Two Guvnors became the longest running play at Theatre Royal Haymarket this week. Cast celebrated at a special gala. Read more.
Photo: The Bodyguard
The cast of The Bodyguard at the Adelphi Theatre celebrated this week with a special media night to welcome new cast members Beverley Knight as pop superstar Rachel Marron and Tristan Gemmill as her bodyguard Frank Farmer. The Thea Sharrock helmed musical continues to do well at the Adelphi Theatre in London.
Penelope Wilton is Bliss
A special series of National Theatre Platforms are currently underway to celebrate this month’s 50th anniversary of the theatre. And if there is any justice in the world then producers should be hysterically calling Penelope Wilton around now. She said on Tuesday in her Platform alongside playwright David Hare that she has always dreamed of playing Judith Bliss in Noel Coward’s Hay Fever but no one has ever asked her. PRODUCERS – YOU KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO. Read more.
The Lion King Teen
Disney’s The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre is well into his teenage years now as the show celebrates its 14th birthday on 19 October. This comes at the same time as the original Broadway production tops the $1 billion gross of ticket sales – the first time for a Broadway show. Read more.
Norris Nets National
Director Rufus Norris was named new artistic director of the National Theatre, taking over from Nicholas Hytner in Spring 2015. An Associate Director of the National Theatre, he recently directed James Baldwin’s The Amen Corner at the National Theatre, and new play Table in the National’s Shed venue written by his wife, playwright Tanya Ronder. Read more.
