Hairspray To Tour Again in 2017

Hairspray UK Tour

Following the huge success of the current tour of Hairspray, Producer Mark Goucher has announced that the show will return at the end of 2017 for a second tour of the UK. The current tour of hairspray began at Leicester’s Curve Theatre and will conclude in May 2017. The production has been seen by just under a quarter of a million people with nine venues still to visit. Mark Goucher said: “I am delighted that after seeing this new production of Hairspray, Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman have personally extended the rights to the show, in order for us to embark upon a second UK tour. This next tour of Hairspray will give us the opportunity to bring the show to new venues which we were unable to visit in 2015/16 and also to return to theatres which welcomed the show during its current tour.” Hairspray is directed by Paul … Read more

New Mary Poppins Movie Sequel Announced

Mary Poppins the film

Whilst not strictly on the subject of British Theatre, we thought this news item might be of interest with the new national tour of Mary Poppins kicking off in a few short weeks. It has been announced today that Disney is developing a new live action film that will be a sequel to the studios beloved 1964 original film Mary Poppins. The film is to be directed by Rob Marshall (Into The Woods, Chicago, Nine) with Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (Smash, Hairspray, Catch Me If You Can, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) in charge of writing original songs. David Magee (Finding Neverland) will write the screenplay. Marc Shaiman today in a post to his Facebook page said “Scott & I have been holding onto this secret for a month and I can finally now post …the greatest news I could have ever imagined. For those who saw the video … Read more

Charlie And The Chocolate Factory Celebrate Start of 3rd Year.

Roni Page as Granmda Josephine

The cast and crew of Charlie And The Chocolate Factory  celebrated it’s second anniversary in the West End last Thursday with a special gala performance. Charlie And The Chocolate Factory has fast become one of the West End’s most popular stage musicals winning two Olivier awards in 2014 and repeatedly breaking box office records at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane where it has now been seen by over 1.3million people. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is directed by Sam Mendes. Featuring ingenious stagecraft, the wonder of the original story that has captivated the world for almost 50 years is brought to life with music by Marc Shaiman, and lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman, a book by award-winning playwright and adaptor David Greig, set and costume designs by Mark Thompson and choreography by Peter Darling. Charlie And The Chocolate Factory is now booking until 4 June 2016. BOOK TICKETS … Read more

REVIEW: Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, Theatre Royal Drury Lane ✭✭✭✭

Charlie And The Chocolate Factory At The Theatre Royal Drury Lane

Sam Mendes’ production of the musical adaptation of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is in excellent shape. Nothing indicates that more clearly than the show not missing a beat despite the fact that three understudies were called upon to perform. The company didn’t hiccup. Routines are polished and well-drilled; Mark Thompson’s wonderfully colourful, and sometimes colourless, costumes and sets are in pristine shape and conjure up the requisite sense of magic effortlessly. The tunefulness and sprightly fun of Marc Shaiman’s music remains infectious and sweet.

Charlie And The Chocolate Factory Extends Booking Period

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory musical London

Charlie And The Chocolate Factory continues its record-breaking run at London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane with the announcement that is will be extending bookings until 4th June 2016.  This new booking period will go on sale on 9th February 2015. Producers also revealed that Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory broke the record for the highest weekly gross sales for a third time, taking more than £1.1 million in the week commencing 29 December 2014. That week saw the 2,200 seat theatre – one of the largest in the West End – 100% full, for every single performance. The production celebrated its 700th performance in the West End on Saturday 24th January 2015. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is directed by Sam Mendes. Featuring ingenious stagecraft, the wonder of the original story that has captivated the world for almost 50 years is brought to life with music by Marc … Read more