Month: May 2017

Mark Gatiss joins actors and comedians in coming-out show

Events, LGBT, News, West End
Mark Gatiss leads celebrity coming out show

Mark Gatiss and other actors and comedians are lined up to take part in a charity gala presentation of a show about coming out. They will take the stage at the Lyric Theatre in London’s West End for Outings, a powerful, funny and confessional collation of over 20 true-life tales. It will play one night only on Monday 26 June, 2017. The show premiered to huge acclaim at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and has since delighted audiences on tour around the UK. It was created by award-winning writers after a campaign for submissions that was supported by Stephen Fry among many others. Now Outings comes to the West End for the first time, in an exclusive one-night gala presentation in aid of the LGBT+ helpine charity Switchboard. Alongside Gatiss who is a patron of Switchboard, the cast of over 20 – each telling a different story – will include comedians … Read more

Declan Bennett and Tyrone Huntley To Reprise Superstar Roles

News, West End
Book tickets for Jesus Christ Superstar at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre

Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre have announced that Declan Bennett (Jesus), Tyrone Huntley (Judas), David Thaxton (Pilate) and Peter Caulfield (Herod) will reprise their roles in Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s Jesus Christ Superstar when it returns this year. The show which was a sell-out last year went on to win the Evening Standard Award for Best Musical and the Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival. It also received a further five Olivier Award nominations, for Best Theatre Choreography, Best Lighting, Best Sound, Outstanding Achievement in Music and Best Actor in a Musical (for Tyrone Huntley). The production opens at the Lyric Opera of Chicago in April 2018. Jesus Christ Superstar is directed by Timothy Sheader, choreography by Drew McOnie, designed by Tom Scutt, musical supervision by Tom Deering, lighting design by Lee Curran and sound design by Nick Lidster for Autograph. The production has extended its run and … Read more

INTERVIEW: Mikhail Baryshnikov on Brodsky Baryshnikov

Features, Interviews
Book tickets for Brodsky Baryshnikov at the Apollo Theatre

Brodsky/Baryshnikov is a one-man show, performed by legendary dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov, based on the poems of Nobel laureate Joseph Brodsky. The production is an emotional journey deep into the poet’s visceral and complex compositions. Baryshnikov walks onto the stage unmasked and unguarded and tells us the story of their 22-year friendship that began in 1972 in an unnerving expose. Brodsky/Baryshnikov is Baryshnikov’s nostalgic tribute to his once dear friend. We managed to catch up with Mikhail Baryshnikov as he started his London performances and spoke about this new show:- Why are Brodsky’s poems so important to you? It was more than 50 years ago when I first read Joseph Brodsky’s poems and they hit me hard. Truth and grace in words and his works are extraordinarily relevant to the present. I try to be truthful to myself and to be as truthful as I can to my friend. Yes, it’s … Read more

Traverse boosts team with new associate director

News, Regional
Gareth Nicholls

Edinburgh’s Traverse Theatre has appointed a new associate director to help develop new work and direct productions. Gareth Nicholls, who has directed acclaimed shows at Citizens Theatre and The Tron Theatre in Glasgow, will work alongside artistic director Orla O’Loughlin and fellow associate director Zinnie Harris. His duties will include working on the dramaturgy of in-house commissions, overseeing open submissions, directing a range of ambitious new work, contributing to creative learning projects and assisting in both year-round and Edinburgh festival curation. He will also direct a production for this August’s festival. He said: “The Traverse has been fundamental to the development of theatre in Scotland for decades, encouraging, challenging and emboldening artists to say what they want to say in vibrant and uncompromising new ways. It champions the strongest voices and supports the brightest talent to tell stories that cut straight to the heart of what it means to be … Read more

Cast announced for Nativity! The Musical in Birmingham and on tour

News, Touring
Casting announced for Nativity The Musical UK Tour

West End stars are among cast announced for the world premiere of the musical of hit film Nativity! at Birmingham Rep and on tour. Daniel Boys will play Paul Maddens, a primary school teacher trying to put on a nativity show against the odds, while Simon Lipkin will play over-enthusiastic classroom assistant Mr Poppy. Sarah Earnshaw, who was part of the original London cast of Wicked, will play Paul’s ex-girlfriend, Jennifer Lore. They will be joined by Andy Barke, Jamie Chapman, Jemma Churchill, Gary Davis and Katia Sartini. Further casting and children’s casting are to be announced soon. Nativity! The Musical will be at The Rep from October 20 to November 12 before going on tour. It is in association with Jamie Wilson, Entertainment One Films, Ramin Sabi and Belgrade Theatre Coventry. Based on the 2009 comedy starring Martin Freeman and Marc Wootton, the musical will feature songs from the … Read more