Douglas Mayo

Douglas Mayo has had a life long love affair with musical theatre. He has authored several books on publicity and marketing for amateur theatre groups. He is in the process of developing a musical based on his original story concept.

FIRST LOOK: Tim Rice’s Blondel at the Union Theatre

Features, Gallery
Blondel the musical at the Union Theatre London

We are pleased to bring you these great first look production photos by Scott Rylander of Tim Rice’s Blondel at London’s Union Theatre. Following the trials and triumphs of an ambitious minstrel in King Richard the Lionheart’s court, Blondel will get its London premiere at the Union Theatre from Wednesday 21 June – Saturday 15 July 2017. Blondel has lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Stephen Oliver. The book is by Tom Williams and Tim Rice, with additional music by Mathew Pritchard. BOOK NOW FOR BLONDEL The Assassin (Michael Burgen) and Blondel (Connor Arnold)

Joanne Clifton and Ben Adams to star in Flashdance UK tour

News, Touring
Joanne Clifton and Bed Adams to star in Flashdance musical UK Tour

Selladoor Productions and Runway Entertainment have announced that the Flashdance the musical UK Tour will star Joanne Clifton and Ben Adams when it opens at the King’s Theatre Gasgow on 5 August 2017*. Flashdance – The Musical tells the inspiring and unforgettable story of 18-year-old Alex, a welder by day and ‘flashdancer’ by night, who dreams of going to the prestigious Shipley Dance Academy and becoming a professional dancer. When a romance complicates her ambitions, she harnesses it to drive her dream. Joanne Clifton will play Alex Owens. Strictly favourite Joanne appeared recently in the UK tour of Thoroughly Modern Millie. She also appeared in Irving Berlin’s Face The Music and as Marilyn Monroe in Norma Jeane Musical. Ben Adams will play Nick Hurley. Ben who has been singing and performing since he was eightis perhap best known as the lead singer of the award-winning band a1,who racked up 2 … Read more

Freddie Flintoff makes stage debut in Fat Friends the musical

News, Touring
Andrew Freddie Flintoff joins the Cast of Fat Friends the musical UK Tour

Producers Joshua Andrews and Adam Spiegel have today announced that sportsman and television personality Freddie Flintoff is to make his stage debut in Kay Mellor’s Fat Friends the musical which is to tour the UK later in 2017. Freddie will be playing Kevin Chadwick opposite Jodie Prenger as his fiance, Kelly. Freddie will appear in the show in Leeds, Southampton, Sheffield, Manchester, Birmingham, Bradford and Blackpool. One of the world’s most recognised cricket stars, Freddie Flintoff won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award in 2005 after playing a pivotal role in regaining the Ashes from Australia. Since the Lancashire Lad’s cricket career ended in 2010, he has forged a career as a much loved presenter and broadcaster. Appearing as a captain on Sky’s ‘A League of Their Own’, being crowned King of the Jungle in the first Australian version of ‘I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here!’, … Read more

Cast announced for Mrs Orwell at Old Red Lion Theatre

News, Off West End
Casting announced for Mrs Orwell

Producers have announced casting for the world premiere of Proud Haddock’s production of Tony Cox’s play Mrs Orwell at the Old Red Lion Theatre. Mrs Orwell will run from 1 – 26 August 2017. University College Hospital, London, 1949. George Orwell is in the last chapter of his life with a severe case of Tuberculosis. He still believes he has at least three novels in him so to keep his morale up he promptly proposes to friend Sonia Brownell (played by Bonas), a 30 year old assistant magazine editor. When Sonia learns that she is his only hope, she must decide whether to succumb to the advances of Lucien Freud or enter a platonic marriage with one of the country’s most renowned writers. The production will explore the private side of one of the most public icons of the 20th century. This theme of public and private contrasts will be … Read more

New Images Of The Cast Of Five Guys Named Moe

Features, Gallery, News, West End
New images of the cast Of Five Guys Named Moe

Underbelly Productions have today announced full casting for a brand new production of Clarke Peters’ Olivier Award-winning and Tony-Award nominated musical, Five Guys Named Moe. The production will open on 14 September 2017 in a new temporary theatre in Marble Arch, London. Edward Baruwa will play Nomax and the ‘Moes’ will be played by: Ian Carlyle (Four-Eyed Moe), Dex Lee (Know Moe), Idriss Kargbo (Little Moe), Timothy Martin (Big Moe) and Emile Ruddock (Eat Moe). Underbelly have also released the first look at how the inside of the new Marble Arch Theatre will look. Specifically designed for the production will be reminiscent of 1940s New Orleans Jazz clubs, occupying the whole space. There will be cabaret table seating in the centre of the space with a drinks table service. In addition to the theatre, there will be a connecting foyer designed in the style of a New Orleans courtyard with … Read more

Casting Announced For The Seagull at Lyric Hammersmith

News, Off West End
The Seagull at Lyric Hammersmith

The Lyric Hammersmith has announced casting for Simon Stephen’s new version of Anton Chekhov’s highly renowned play The Seagull which will be directed by Artistic Director Sean Holmes. The cast of The Seagull will include Adelayo Adedayo (Cuttin’ It, Dead Wait) plays Nina, Michele Austin (Medea, The Chain Play) plays Pauline, Paul Higgins (Luise Miller, Hope) plays Hugo Dorn, Cherrelle Skeete (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Three Days In The Country) plays Marcia, Nicolas Tennant (Three Kingdoms, Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night Time) plays Peter Sorin and Brian Vernel (Barbarians, Future Conditional) plays Konstantin, join the previously announced Lesley Sharp (Mother Courage and her Children, Uncle Vanya) who plays Irina Arkadina. Unrequited love. Creative jealousy. Guns. Vodka. And Art. Chekhov’s celebrated masterpiece is given vibrant new life in this dynamic new version by Olivier- award winning playwright Simon Stephens directed by Sean Holmes. Switching effortlessly between … Read more

FIRST LOOK: Audra McDonald brings Lady Day At Emerson’s Bar and Grill to London

Features, Gallery
Lady Day At Emerson's Bar and Grill tickets starring Audra McDonald

BritishTheatre.com are pleased to bring you Marc Brenner’s great first look production photographs of six-time TonyAward-winning sensation Audra McDonald who portrays jazz legend Billie Holiday in the award-winning acclaimed production Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill. The production which broke box office records at New York’s Circle In The Square is now playing at London’s Wyndham’s Theatre. Featuring songs including “Strange Fruit”, “God Bless The Child” and “What A Little Moonlight Can Do”, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill recounts Holiday’s life story through the songs that made her famous. Lady Day plays in London for a very limited season until 9 September 2017. Don’t miss the incredible Audra McDonald making her West End debut! BOOK TICKETS TO LADY DAY AT EMERSON’S DAR AND GRILL

REVIEW: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Broadway Cast Recording ✭✭✭✭✭

Broadway, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory the Musical, Music, Reviews
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Original Broadway cast Recording Review

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Broadway Cast Recording Sony Masterworks Broadway 5 Stars Order a Copy from Amazon.co.uk I was a HUGE fan of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory when it opened at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane with a score by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. Audiences were presented with a theatrical extravaganza, but what really struck me was the fabulous score which used only one song from the Gene Wilder film. Shaiman and Wittman had pulled off the near impossible by channelling the Wonka zeitgeist, creating new music for Charlie of the same calibre and Bricusse and Newley’s original film score. I was therefore interested to hear that for the Broadway production changes were to be made. More song moments from the film have been integrated, numbers from the London score cut (luckily the London cast album exists!) and new songs written. Christian Borle takes over the spoon … Read more