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.

Natasha J Barnes Cast As Cinderella For Palladium Panto

News, West End
Natasha J Barnes is to play Cinderella in the London Palladium Christmas Panto

We are absolutely delighted to announce that Natasha J Barnes will play the role of Cinderella in QDOS Entertainment’s production of Cinderella at the London Palladium. Natasha shot to fame when she took to the stage as Fanny Brice in the current production of Funny Girl when its leading lady was indisposed (Read our review). Natasha will be joined on stage by Suzie Chard and Wendy Sommerville who will play the Wicked Stepsisters. Natasha, Suzie and Wendy join the previously announced Paul O’Grady (The Wicked Stepmother), Julian Clary (Dandini), Amanda Holden (The Fairy Godmother), Lee Mead (Prince Charming), Paul Zerdin (Buttons), Nigel Havers (Lord Chamberlain) and Count Arthur Strong (Baron Hardup). Cinderella will be the first pantomime presented at the London Palladium for nearly three decades. Cinderella will be presented from 10 December 2016 to 15 January 2017. BOOK NOW FOR CINDERELLA

Harry Potter Gets Symphonic Treatment Live

Events, News, Touring

Harry Potter™ will make a magical Royal Albert Hall debut next year with a sensational live orchestral screening of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone™. This breathtaking, hotly-anticipated show will see the movie screened in high definition and in full on a 40-foot screen, as John Williams’ immortal score is played live on stage by a world-class orchestra and chorus. It will play for three performances only at the iconic London venue, bringing the movie’s beloved, Oscar-nominated music front and centre to create a new and unforgettable experience for Harry Potter fans. The Harry Potter™ film series is one of those once-in-a-lifetime cultural phenomena that continues to delight millions of fans around the world. Justin Freer, President of CineConcerts and Producer/Conductor of The Harry Potter Film Concert Series explains, “The Harry Potter film series is one of those once-in-a-lifetime cultural phenomena that continues to delight millions of fans around the world. It is with great … Read more

Half A Sixpence Transfers To Noel Coward Theatre

News, West End
Book now for Half A Sixpence at the Noel Coward Theatre

Following its critically-acclaimed, record-breaking run at the Chichester Festival Theatre, Cameron Mackintosh has announced that the production will open at the Noel Coward Theatre in London. Half A Sixpence will start previews on 29 October 2016, opening on 17 November and will book until 11 February 2017. The entire Chichester cast will transfer to the West End, starring newcomers Charlie Stemp as ‘Arthur Kipps’ and Devon-Elise Johnson as ‘Ann Pornick’ – alongside three times Olivier-nominated actor Ian Bartholomew as ‘Chitterlow’ and three times Olivier-nominated actress Emma Williams as ‘Helen Walsingham’. Based on H G Wells’s novel Kipps: The Story Of A Simple Soul, this production of Half A Sixpence is a completely fresh adaptation that reunites George Stiles and Anthony Drewe with Julian Fellowes (the creator of Downton Abbey). Together the team were responsible for adapting Mary Poppins for the stage. The score is inspired by and features several of … Read more

Real Life Story Of Performer’s Voice Loss Challenge Comes To Pleasance

News, Off West End
Can You Hear Me Running at the Pleasance Theatre London

Can You Hear Me Running? is based on the true story of Louise Breckon-Richards – a performer who lost her voice and tried to overcome it through running the London Marathon. Whilst auditioning for Mamma Mia! in 2009, Louise’s voice gave way, shattering her chances. Trying to move on, Louise swapped sheet music for trainers, embracing new challenges as she fought to re-find her voice. Playwright Jo Harper used Louise’s actual notes, blog entries and her personal diary, to show her journey as she meets a host of people, from voice professionals to new-age healers. Can you Hear Me Running? is a fun and thought-provoking one-woman show about defiance and beating the odds. Louise comments: I never imagined how losing the strength in one muscle would lead me to find another. When I lost my voice as a performer, I discovered my running legs and ran a marathon, which ultimately … Read more

In The Heights London Sets Closing Date

News, West End
In The Heights Kings Cross Theatre

In the Heights, the Tony and Olivier award-winning musical has announced that it will close at the King’s Cross Theatre on Sunday 8 January 2017. In The Heights won three 2016 Olivier Awards – Outstanding Achievement in Music, Best Choreographer and Best Supporting Actor for David Bedella. In The Heights is the creation of Lin-Manual Miranda,  whose latest musical Hamilton is Broadway’s hottest ticket, opening here in October 2017. Joining the cast of In The Heights from 16 September are Arun Blair-Mangat as ‘Benny’ (“Kinky Boots”); Juliet Gough as ‘Camilla’ (“Matilda”) and Stephanie Rojas as ‘Carla’ (“Wonder.land”). Sarah Naudi, who has been with the show since it opened at the Southwark Playhouse in 2014, will play the role of ‘Vanessa’ and Damian Buhagiar returns to the production as ‘Sonny’, having originated the role in 2014. Continuing their roles are: Sam Mackay as ‘Usnavi’ (“Wonder.land”); Gabriela Garcia as ‘Nina’ (“Ghost The … Read more

SPECIAL OFFER – Ghost at Wimbledon Theatre Tickets £25

News, Touring
Ghost The Musical New Wimbledon theatre Special Offer

Taking its inspiration from the classic movie, this innovative reimagining will feature an expanded book, new music and original staging. Ghost – The Musical has moved to the New Wimbledon Theatre for just 10 days from 1st September until 10th September! Walking back to their apartment late one night a tragic encounter sees Sam murdered and his beloved girlfriend Molly alone, in despair and utterly lost. But with the help of a phoney storefront psychic Sam, trapped between this world and the next, tries to communicate with Molly in the hope of saving her from grave danger… GHOST THE MUSICAL – SPECIAL OFFER – NEW WIMBLEDON THEATRE We are offering significant savings across all price levels: Top price tickets are £25 down from £39 with code MOLLY25 available at the New Wimbledon Theatre until Saturday 10th September. This offer includes Band A, B and C tickets for £25 plus booking … Read more

Drink, Drugs And Homosexuality Feature In New Old Red Lion Production

News, Off West End
If We Got Some More Cocaine I could Show You How I Love You at Old Red Lion Theatre

If We Got Some More Cocaine I Could Show You How I Love You, a new one-act  play developed out of The Minaturist’s 10th Birthday last November, will be presented at The Old Red Lion Theatre in September . The debut play of John O’Donovan, If We Got Some More Cocaine looks at gay love between two young men who haven’t seen much love in their short lives. A backdrop of violence, bravado and small-minded attitudes hangs behind this desperate rooftop drama. Ireland was the first country to legalise gay marriage by public vote last year, an exceptional turnaround considering homosexuality was only decriminalized by the government in 1993, after having their hands forced by the European court of human rights. If We Got Some More Cocaine… examines the defences and residual stigma associated with such a dramatic change in public perception in a short space of time, and the … Read more

The Top 100 Musicals Poll – Voting Now Closed

News
Vote now for the 100 greatest musicals of all time

We’re excited to say that after weeks of fervent discussions on our social network groups (Facebook and Twitter), voting has now closed for the BritishTheatre.com Top 100 Musicals Poll. We’re madly counting the ballots now and we will start advising the results from the 1st September 2016. Thank you for placing over 20,000 votes for musicals. We’ve had a quick look at the ballots and some interesting choices have been made. Don’t forget that this poll has been voted on by you the public, not any musical theatre professionals, and the results reflect your tastes. Get ready for the results.