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Posts Tagged "we will rock you"

2 Feb
2012

Thursday Theatre News: Chariots of Fire, Danny DeVito, Noel Sullivan, Abigail’s Party and Educating Rita

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This week’s London Theatre update comes with the news that for the eighth consecutive year, London’s theatre reached record revenue levels. The sales figures for the Society of London Theatre’s members was more than £500 million for the third year in a row. Congratulations to all involved: it’s just another nod to the fact that London’s theatre scene is one of the greatest in the world.

So what’s coming up in this melting pot of money, success and creativity? Well, this week I’ve learnt the Hampstead Theatre is getting in on the mania for all things Olympic by staging a theatrical adaptation of the Oscar-winning film, Chariots of Fire. The play will run from 9 May to 16 June. Mike Bartlett (who wrote Cock and Earthquakes in London) is writing the script, and Hampstead Theatre’s Artistic Director, Edward Hall will direct. More details on the casting of the two runners (Scottish Christian Eric Liddell and English Jew Harold Abrahams) in due course.

Two chaps who won’t be donning the running shorts(!) are Danny DeVito and Richard Griffiths, because they’re to appear in Neil Simon’s The Sunshine Boys at the Savoy Theatre.

The play is a classic comedy of showbiz and friendship from the 1970s; or you might know it from the Oscar-winning film starring George Burns and Walter Matthau; or the high-profile TV version with Woody Allen and Peter Falk. This will be DeVito’s West End debut; he’s better known for his film acting, including Terms of Endearment, Batman Returns, Junior and Twins. In contrast, his co-star Richard Griffiths is a regular on the London stage, including The History Boys, The Habit of Art, Rules of the Game, and The White Guard. It’ll make an interesting pairing: I can’t wait.

This Week’s London Cast News

More next week.

29 Sep
2011

Thursday Theatre News: Matilda, The Globe, Idina Menzel, Anthony Sher and Lauren Samuels

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If you’re excited about catching up with Glee tonight, you might also want to look into securing tickets to see Idina Menzel at the Royal Albert Hall next month. Idina, who plays Rachel Barry’s mum, is performing a one-off show accompanied by the London Philharmonic Orchestra on 6 October.

Do you have tickets for Matilda previews? Then you may be contacted by the RSC to rearrange your dates: the first five previews have been cancelled, and opening night has been rescheduled for 24 November. Executive Producer Andre Ptaszynski explains the delay:

“Matilda has a cast made up of three different teams of young actors and four young actresses in the title role. This means that, unlike other shows, we cannot extend everyone’s working hours, take shortcuts and reduce the number of dress rehearsals to meet the date of the first preview.”

The other big news this week comes from Shakespeare’s Globe. I was lucky enough to head down there this week to find out all about their incredible Globe to Globe season. Artistic Director Dominic Dromgoole was as inspiring as ever with his tales of far-off places desperate to perform at what’s become the world’s “temple to Shakespeare”. There’s not enough space to tell you about all of it here, but check out their incredible website to whet your appetites. Tickets go on general sale on 17 October. See you there!

This Week’s Cast News:

28 Jul
2011

Thursday Theatre News: 2012, Thandie Newton, Karen Gillan and David Suchet

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This week seems to have been dominated by news of London 2012. And London’s theatreland has been getting in on the action too. More than 20 shows have released tickets for the Olympic period, to ensure audiences can book theatre tickets if they’re coming to town for the Olympics or the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

For a full list of shows that have extended their booking into 2012, check out the Official London Theatre website.

Edward Hall’s all-male theatre company Propeller have also announced their 2012 plans. They’ll perform their Shakespearean pairing of Henry V and The Winter’s Tale at the Hampstead Theatre from 4 to 21 July.

Before we get to that all-important Olympic year, there’s still exciting casting news to think about. This week’s announcements include:

  • Hollywood star Thandie Newton, who’ll appear in Ariel Dorfman’s Death And The Maiden at the Comedy Theatre from October
  • Doctor Who star Karen Gillan (Amy Pond) is making her professional stage debut in Inadmissible Evidence at the Donmar, also in October
  • Another debut, this time from Hannah Spearritt (who you’ll know from Primeval, or if you’re my age, S Club 7!) in The Belle’s Stratagem at the Southwark Playhouse from September
  • And finally, a real favourite of mine, David Suchet’s going to be back on the London stage in Eugene O’Neill’s Long Day’s Journey Into Night, at the Apollo Theatre. You’ll have to wait til next April for that one, I’m afraid.

Last of all if you’re a fan of London theatre: don’t forget Kids Week, next month!

21 Apr
2011

Free Tickets for Williams and Catherines at the tkts Booth Next Friday

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Are you called William or Catherine? Do you fancy a free trip to the theatre?

Then head down to the tkts booth on Leicester Square early on the morning of the big day (Friday 29 April): if you’re among the first 10 Williams and Catherines in the queue, you can get one free ticket to the show of your choice!

You can choose a show on the big day itself, or book ahead (subject to availability).

What show would you go for? A wedding theme (Mamma Mia!); a Queen theme (We Will Rock You); or a ROYAL wedding theme (Betty Blue Eyes)?! Or something totally different: check out our Top 10 London Musicals for something to inspire you.

14 Mar
2011

Legally Blonde and After The Dance Triumph at the Laurence Olivier Awards

Posted by in Dance, Opera, Theatre 2 Comments

Hit West End Musical Legally Blonde won three gongs last night at the Laurence Olivier Awards, UK theatreland’s “Oscars”.

Star of the show Sheridan Smith won Best Actress in a Musical, and co-star Jill Halfpenny took the prize for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical. The show also won the Best New Musical award.

The National Theatre’s revival of Terence Rattigan’s After the Dance took four awards, including Best Revival, Best Actress for Nancy Carroll and Best Actor in a Supporting Role for the ever-excellent Adrian Scarborough.

These two shows were the biggest winners at the prestigious Laurence Olivier Awards, held last night at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.

Other prizes went to Roger Allam for playing Falstaff in Henry IV at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre (Best Actor), David Thaxton for Passion at the Donmar Warehouse (Best Actor in a Musical) and Howard Davies: best director for The White Guard at the National.

Clybourne Park, which is currently playing at Wyndham’s Theatre won Best New Play, and the Entertainment Award went to The Railway Children at Waterloo Station (which is, happily, coming back to London in a few months’ time).

The BBC Radio 2 Audience Award went to We Will Rock You.

Sadler’s Wells’ production Babel won two dance awards, including Best New Dance Production. One of the biggest shocks of the night was the Best New Opera Award, given to La Boheme by OperaUpClose, which started life in the 35-seat Cock Tavern pub theatre in North-West London, and beat much grander-scale shows at the Royal Opera House, London Coliseum and Young Vic.

Finally, Best Musical Revival went to Stephen Sondheim’s Into The Woods, staged by the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.

At the ceremony’s climax, Sondheim received a special prize in recognition of his contribution to theatre.
Sir Cameron Mackintosh described the composer and lyricist as a “true legend”, paying tribute to his “unique theatrical muscle”.

“His sense of theatrical adventure knows no bounds, his subjects… have shown us all no subjects are taboo,” Sir Cameron said.

Read more about the Oliviers here. Do you agree with the judges’ decisions? Let us know in the comments below.

3 Mar
2011

Thursday Theatre News: Ruby Wax, Railway Children and War Horse

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I’ve got three quick bites of theatre news for you this week.

If you’re not able to catch Ruby Wax at the Menier Chocolate Factory, where she’s currently performing Losing It (until 19 March), you’ll be pleased to hear she’s coming back in the summer.

You can now catch her show, which deals with the darkest moments of depression through poignant prose and funny songs for five weeks from 17 May.

Second up: great news about a return London journey for The Railway Children. The hit London show is back at its unique venue inside the former Eurostar terminal at Waterloo Station from 18 June until 4 September. If the you know anyone who’s a fan of E Nesbit’s book, trains, or just fantastic family entertainment, I’d thoroughly recommend taking them along to this show…

Finally, another fantastic family hit gets a cast refresh. Nicola Stephenson and Patrick Robinson join the cast of War Horse next week. The actors are best known for inhabiting the hallways of Holby General; they’ll now be playing in Michael Morpurgo’s Second World War drama at the New London Theatre.

Stephenson will play the protagonist’s mother, left worrying for her son’s life when he runs away to worn-torn France in search of his beloved horse, Joey. The actress’s numerous TV credits include Clocking Off, Law And Order and Larkrise To Candleford. Robinson plays German soldier Friedrich Muller. In addition to Casualty, Robinson is well known for his work on ITV drama The Bill. The pair joins War Horse as it enters its fifth year; the show’s recently celebrated its one millionth customer.

Finally, have you voted for your favourite show in the BBC Radio 2 Olivier Audience Award? The shortlist makes decisions difficult, with 4 fantastic musicals fighting it out for this year’s prize:

Have your say now at www.olivierawards.com/vote. The winner will be announced at the Olivier Awards on 13 March.

24 Feb
2011

Royal Mail Launches West End Musical Stamps

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Royal Mail launched a set of new stamps today commemorating seven decades of popular UK musicals.

The eight stamps depict some of our favourite West End shows including Queen musical We Will Rock You, Oliver!, Blood Brothers and Billy Elliott.

Launching the new stamps in London today Queen members Roger Taylor and Brian May said: “We’re thrilled that We Will Rock You has been immortalised on a Royal Mail stamp. The image on the stamp takes us back to when we were touring as Queen and embodies the rock and roll music that we wanted to celebrate in We Will Rock You the musical.”

The full list of eight stamps and their values are as follows:

  • 1st – First Class inland letter rate Oliver!
  • 1st – First Class inland letter rate Blood Brothers
  • 1st – First Class inland letter rate We Will Rock You
  • 1st – First Class inland letter rate Monty Python’s Spamalot
  • 97p – Rest of World airmail up to 20gm Rocky Horror Show
  • 97p – Rest of World airmail up to 20gm Me and My Girl
  • 97p – Rest of World airmail up to 20gm Return to the Forbidden Planet
  • 97p – Rest of World airmail up to 20gm Billy Elliot

The musicals stamps are available now at all Post Offices and online at www.royalmail.com/stamps

19 Aug
2010

Thursday Theatre News: Mackenzie Crook, Ralf Little, Chris Fountain and Matt Willis

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This week’s theatre news is all about cast announcements.

Firstly, former Busted star Matt Willis will be wielding a welding torch in Flashdance next month, alongside West End regular Victoria Hamilton-Barritt. The kitsch 80s musical, which is choreographed by Arlene Phillips, will be Matt’s West End debut. Good luck, Matt!

Another teen idol, Hollyoaks star Chris Fountain is also coming to the West End this September. Chris will lead the cast of new musical Departure Lounge at the new Waterloo East Theatre, alongside Verity Rushworth and Liam Tamne, who both previously starred in Hairspray.

A second soap star to head to the London stage from September is Kevin Kennedy. You and I know him better as Curly from Corrie. But from 6 September, he’ll play Pop in the Queen rock musical, We Will Rock You.

Finally for musicals this week is the news that Sally Dexter is to join Sister Act, taking over from Whoopi Goldberg in the role of Mother Superior from the end of the month. They’re pretty big shoes to fill, but we think London stage regular Sally’s got the feet for the job!

And last but not least, Mackenzie Crook (who was so brilliant in the multi-award-winning Jerusalem last year) and Ralf Little (from BBC sitcoms The Royle Family and Two Pints Of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps) will star in The Aliens at the Bush Theatre, which starts previews from 15 September. This is the UK premier of this new play by Annie Baker, about two professional dropouts musing on magic mushrooms and music…

Finally, next Sunday (29) there’ll be a particularly special performance at the London Palladium. The Front of House team and stage crew will emerge from their places behind the scenes and take to the stage for one night only. The unique variety show is raising money for The Theatrical Guild, a charity for Backstage & Front of House staff and U Can Ask Angels, an organisation which helps families affected by disability. You can book tickets to Gareth Parnell’s Sunday Night at the London Palladium here.

17 Jun
2010

Thursday Theatre News: Tonys, We Will Rock You, Antony Sher, and Estelle Parsons

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Earlier this week, Broadway’s Tony Awards were a real pat on the back for London’s theatre scene.

Gongs went to several shows which began in London: the Donmar’s Red (about Mark Rothko) won six in all, including Best Play. And two productions from the Menier Chocolate Factory, La Cage Aux Folles and A Little Night Music, won four between them.

The total of 10 awards from 28 nominations for London productions is an impressive showing for West End transfers. Congratulations to everyone involved!

Back home, I’ve got X-Factor news. Remember Brenda Edwards? Well she’s coming to the West End on Monday as Killer Queen in We Will Rock You. She’s replacing the current Killer Queen Mazz Murray for 10 weeks over the summer. Break a leg, Brenda!

Other cast news includes heavyweight thesp Antony Sher (a multi-Laurence Olivier Award winner, no less) returning to the London stage. He’ll play in Arthur Miller’s Broken Glass at the Tricycle Theatre from late September. Miller’s popular in London at the mo: if you can’t wait til September to catch some of the great writer’s work, check out The Crucible or All My Sons, both currently playing in London.

And finally, Oscar-winner Estelle Parsons is to make her West End debut in Deathtrap later this year. (If you’re about my age, you’ll remember her best as the grandma in Roseanne.)

Deathtrap is about a struggling playwright whose student asks for help writing a new thriller. The student visits his mentor’s secluded house and a series of eventful twists and turns ensues…

But what an exciting cast Deathtrap is going to have. Alongside Estelle and London theatre regulars Claire Skinner (the mum in the BBC’s Outnumbered) and Simon Russell Beale, Jonathan Groff is also making his West End debut.

Yes, it’s time to stop swooning and get booking, Glee fans: Jesse St James is coming to London!

Also: any theatre lovers in London this weekend should get down to Leicester Square for West End Live. But you knew that already, right?!

11 Feb
2010

Have Your Say About London Theatre in the Olivier Awards

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Yes, there might be a lot of buzz about the Oscars around at the moment, but here in London, theatre-lovers like me are more interested in the Oliviers!

On 21 March at the Grosvenor House Hotel, the Laurence Olivier Awards 2010 will be announced.

The annual award ceremony is the most prestigious in London theatre, and the highlight of the theatrical year in London.

You can read a full list of the runners and riders on the Official London Theatre website. The judging panel consists of dedicated theatregoers and experts.

But there’s an exciting new award for 2010 where YOU can vote for the winner. The Audience Award goes to the long-running London show with the most votes from the following shortlist:

Vote for your favourite, and you’ll be entered into a prize draw to win four tickets to the winning show. You’ve got until 5pm on 17 March to have your say.