Month: June 2015

Asking Rembrandt at The Old Red Lion Theatre

News, Off West End
Asking Rembrandt at the Old Red Lion Theatre

Scealta Mora presents the World Premiere of Asking Rembrandt by acclaimed playwright Steve Gooch. This new play examines the working life of the famous artist, as well as when art and emotion overlaps. Based around the few known facts of Rembrandt’s relationship with patron Jan Six, as well as mistress Hendrickje Stoffels, this new play looks at the perils of the commissioning process through the working life of this most formidable artist. Told with irreverent, award-winning wit, Asking Rembrandt offers an intimate insight into the studio and personal life of one of history’s most innovatory figures. Casting includes Liam McKenna as Rembrandt, John Gorick as Jan Six, Esme Patti-Ford as Henni and Loz Keystone as Titus. Asking Rembrandt will be directed by Jonathan Kemp, whose numerous credits include the Offie-nominated Prostitutes Marry in May at Waterloo East and the national touring production of The Picture Of Dorian Gray, and Dr … Read more

Duncan James Photoshoot For Priscilla

News, Touring
Duncan James Stars in the 2015 tour of Priscilla Queen Of The Desert hitting the road in August 2015.

Things are gearing up over at Priscilla HQ, as she gets set to tour the UK again, this time with the gorgeous Duncan James on board. Producers have just released this promo video for Duncan’s first photo shoot the results of which you can see on this page. Based on the smash-hit movie, Priscilla Queen Of The Desert is the heart-warming, uplifting adventure of three friends who hop aboard a battered old bus searching for love and friendship and end up finding more than they could have ever dreamed of. With a dazzling array of outrageous costumes and a hit parade of dancefloor classics including It’s Raining Men, I Will Survive, Hot Stuff, Finally, Boogie Wonderland, Go West, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, and I Love The Nightlife, rush to get your tickets today for this wildly fresh and funny hit musical that will take you on a journey to … Read more

Theatre 503 Autumn Season Announced

News, Off West End
Theatre 503 presents Cinderella and the Beanstalk

Theatre 503’s Artistic Director Paul Robinson has just announced its Autumn season for 2015. The company promotes quality new writing which is “game-changing, relevant, surprising, mischievous, visually thrilling and theatrical.” The Autumn Season is as follow:- And Then Come the Nightjars (2nd – 26th September) And Then Come the Nightjars charts one farm’s struggle to survive the march of history. Fierce with rage and achingly tender in turn, the play is a story of enduring friendship and a requiem for rural England. And Then Come the Nightjars marks Theatre503’s first co-production with Bristol Old Vic. Valhalla (30th September – 24th October) Valhalla explores the boundaries of scientific research and tests the endurance of human love. A scientific researcher and his wife on the brink of a transformational discovery escape to an isolated Nordic research facility. Cracks begin to appear in their marriage and they are forced to choose between conflicting … Read more

New Miss Saigon Documentary Released on July 6

News, Video, West End
Miss Saigon DVD

Just as the creation of the original production of Miss Saigon was documented on film, so to the current revival will have a documentary dedicated to it. The documentary titled The Heat Is Back on is the most comprehensive look at the staging of a West End musical according to Producer Cameron Mackintosh. Mackintosh told The Stage “Having a camera crew watch every stage of the process over a long time meant we were able to get every single element of the show. We thought it would be interesting to not just showcase Miss Saigon, but to show the kind of work that goes into a big musical.” Miss Saigon has been seen by over 40 million people worldwide. From the process of casting 40 actors from 18 different countries, to the reinvention of the staging, including the famous helicopter scene, The Heat is Back On takes us on a … Read more

Cast Announced For Gate’s The Christians

News, Off West End, Regional
The Christians by Lucas Hnath plays the Gate Theatre and the Traverse Theatre as part of the Edinburgh Festival

Casting has been announced for the UK Premiere of The Christians by Lucas Hnath which forms part of the Gate’s Icons and Idols Season. The company of The Christians includes William Gaminara (Pastor), Jaye Griffiths (Pastor’s Wife), Stefan Adegbola (Associate Pastor), Lucy Ellinson (Congregant) and David Calvitto (Elder). For the last twenty years, Pastor Paul has been building his church. Starting in a modest storefront, he now presides over a flock of thousands. Idolised by his followers, today should be a day for joy and celebration. But the sermon that Paul is about to preach will shake the very foundations of his followers’ beliefs. As fractures spread throughout his congregation, Paul must fight to prevent his church from tearing itself apart. This is the UK première of Lucas Hnath’s remarkable exploration of faith and community in the modern world. Featuring a full-scale community choir, it asks profound questions about what … Read more

Lord Of The Dance – Dangerous Games Breaks Box Office Records

News, West End
Michael Flatley

Last Monday, following a performance on ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent, sales for the West End show Lord Of The Dance: Dangerous Games broke box office records at the Dominions Theatre for the highest number of tickets sold and most money taken in one day. Michael Flatley said, “We’re delighted to have made a little bit of history in the West End. London and the UK in general have been very good to us and we feel very at home here.” Lord Of The Dance continues at the Dominion Theatre until 5th September and is currently also on tour around the UK until 4th July 2015.

Jonathan Church Sets Up New Production Company

News, Touring, West End
Jonathan Church starts own production company

Following on from the announcement of his departure from Chichester Festival Theatre after the 2016 Season, Jonathan Church today announces that he will be establishing a new, independent production company, Jonathan Church Productions Limited (JCPL), as a platform to continue the development of both his producing and directing output in the future. Jonathan’s new company is being supported by Delfont Mackintosh Theatres (DMT) who, as well as becoming a minority shareholder in the Company, will be providing JCPL with a development fund to enable Jonathan to create new work for West End theatres and beyond. Jonathan intends to build on the commercial and artistic success of his tenure at Chichester – whose latest London transfer is the acclaimed new production of Gypsy – by creating artistically ambitious work in the West End, on tour across the UK and internationally. He will also continue the exploration of his directing career in … Read more

Xanadu The Musical Comes To Southwark Playhouse

News, Off West End
Xanadu comes tot he Southwark Playhouse

The UK premiere of the Tony nominated musical comedy Xanadu is coming to the Southwark Playhouse in a season running from 16 October – 21 November 2015. The musical based on the 1980 cult movie which starred Olivie Newton John and Gene Kelly is being directed by Paul Warwick Griffin and designed by Morgan Large, with choreography by Nathan M. Wright. Kira, the magical and beautiful Greek muse, descends from the heavens of Mount Olympus for Venice Beach, California, on a quest to inspire a struggling artist, Sonny, to achieve the greatest artistic creation of all time – the first roller disco… Well hey, it is 1980! But, when Kira falls into forbidden love with the mortal Sonny, her jealous sisters take advantage of the situation and chaos abounds. Xanadu features the chart topping songs from the film: “Magic”, “Suddenly”, “I’m Alive”, “Evil Woman”, “All Over the World” and of … Read more