July 2014 | Page 5 of 6 | British Theatre

Jenna Russell and Jonathan Slinger headline Apollo transfer for Urinetown

Editorial Staff13th July 201411th July 2014 News, West End

It was announced today that Jenna Russell will return to the role of Penelope Pennywise in Urinetown when it transfers to The Apollo Theatre this September. Richard Fleeshman, however will not be returning to the show. In postings to Twitter, Richard cited “other commitments” as his reason for not returning but wished the production well. Other cast members from the St James’ production returning will return, including RSC actor Jonathan Slinger who plays Officer Lockstock and Eastenders‘ Marc Elliott who plays Mr McQueen. Others cast members resuming their roles from the run at The St James Theatre include Karis Jack (Little Sally), Cory English (Old Man Strong/Hot Blades Harry), Jeff Nicholson (Tiny Tom/ Dr. Billeaux), Katie Bernstein (Little Becky Two Shoes/Mrs. Millennium), Madeleine Harland (Soupy Sue), Rosanna Hyland (Hope Cladwell), Julie Jupp (Old Woman/ Josephine Strong), Aaron Lee Lambert (Billy Boy Bill/ UGC Executive), Mark Meadows (Senator Fipp), Joel Montague … Read more

REVIEW: Titus Andronicus, Globe Theatre ✭✭✭✭

Stephen Collins29th September 201811th July 2014 Reviews

Its great stuff and easily the best production Bailey has helmed. No wonder it had a return season. It’s a great production of a Shakespeare text that is not well known but if done like this often enough ought be one of the most popular.

REVIEW: Mr Burns, Almeida Theatre ✭✭✭

Stephen Collins17th July 201410th July 2014 Reviews

The performances are uniformly terrific. Especially excellent were the wonderful Wunmi Mosaku, Jenna Russell, Justine Mitchell and Michael Shaeffer – and Demetri Goritas’ precise breakdown in Act Two is harrowing, almost unfeasibly precise.

REVIEW: Shakespeare In Love, Noel Coward Theatre ✭✭✭✭✭

Stephen Collins17th July 20149th July 2014 Reviews

It is difficult to recall, at least over the course of the last seven years, a commercial production of a new play which has opened directly in the West End and which is as funny, dramatic, enthralling and educational.

Shakespeare in Love – First Look Photos

Editorial Staff15th July 20148th July 2014 Gallery, West End

The World Premiere Production of the stage adaptation of Shakespeare In Love is now in previews at the Noel Coward Theatre and BritishTheatre.com is pleased to be able to bring you this first look at the production. Produced by Disney and Sonia Friedman Productions and based on the Academy Award®-winning screenplay by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard, Shakespeare in Love has been adapted for the stage by Lee Hall (Billy Elliot). Featuring a company of 28 actors and musicians, one of the largest companies ever assembled for a play in the West End, plus a dog, this new play will be directed by Declan Donnellan and designed by Nick Ormerod, the driving force behind the world-renowned theatre company, Cheek by Jowl. Book Tickets to Shakespeare in Love

Cats comes to the London Palladium for Christmas

Douglas Mayo25th February 20167th July 2014 News, West End

Andrew Lloyd Webber, Trevor Nunn and Gillian Lynne were today joined by Producer David Ian to announce that Cats will be returning to the West End in a “new edition” of the show. Originally produced at The New London Theatre, the show ran for over 21 years confounding early naysayers who thought that a musical based on T.S Elliot’s Old Possum’s Book Of Practical Cats would never work. The show went on to be staged around the world conquering all before it. Lloyd Webber and his original creative team were excited to reveal that the London Palladium production would allow them to create a new blueprint for the show going forward for years to come. Lloyd Webber revealed that this production would allow him a chance to re-work Growltiger’s Last Stand, which he was never really happy with, and to re-work The Rum Tum Tugger as a modern day rapper. … Read more

REVIEW: Carousel, Arcola Theatre ✭✭✭✭✭

Stephen Collins17th July 20143rd July 2014 Off West End, Reviews

I would see it again and again if I could. It’s an amazing achievement on a tiny budget; with proper support it could run for ages. It’s better than many West End productions of musicals which do.

Phone hacking play gets West End transfer

Editorial Staff11th July 20142nd July 2014 News, West End

The National Theatre has another smash hit on its hands with the play Great Britain by Richard Bean starring Billie Piper and Robert Glennister. The play satirising the phone hacking scandal and other dubious press practices opened at The National Theatre shortly after the verdicts on real life phone hacking trials had concluded. News of the transfer comes just two days after the play opened. The play, starring Piper as an ambitious tabload news editor, was rehearsed in secret while the phone hacking trial was taking place. The play will move to the Theatre Royal Haymarket from 10 September.