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.

Florian Zeller Takes On The West End With Three Productions

News, Off West End, West End
Florian Zeller

With the announcement that Florian Zeller’s The Father will return to the West End by popular demand comes news that two other Florian Zeller plays are to be produced. So who is Florian Zeller? Florian Zeller is a French novelist and playwright. His work has been translated into several languages, including English. He won the prestigious Prix Interallié in 2004 for his novel Fascination of Evil (La Fascination du Pire) and several Molière Awards for his plays. The Molières are considered France’s highest theatrical honour. Florian Zeller wrote his first novel Artificial Snow when he was twenty-two years old. His second novel, Lovers or Something Like It was well received but it was his third novel, Fascination of Evil (the 2004 Prix Interallié winner) which made him a household name in France. The book was selected for the Prix Goncourt. Theatre credits include L’Autre, Le Manège, Si tu mourais (Prix … Read more

Newton Faulkner Heads Cast Of American Idiot On Tour

Touring Reviews
Newton Faulkner joins the cast of American Idiot on Tour

It has been announced that Newton Faulkner, the Double Platinum selling artist will join the cast of American Idiot, Green Day’s Tony Award-wining musical. Newton will take on the role of Johnny from May 2016 after Matt Thorpe who will play the role from 19 March at the Curve Theatre until 7 May at the New Theatre Oxford. Newton Faulkner said “My first ever band was essentially a Green Day cover band, with one of the guys currently in the show, Lucas Rush, so it’s amazingly strange to be reunited under these circumstances. I can’t wait. The first record I ever bought was Dookie, so yea, I was a massive Green Day fan, still am.” Newton will join the previously announced X Factor finalist Amelia Lily (Whatsername), Alexis Gerred (Tunny), Llandyll Gove (Gerard), Lucas Rush (St Jimmy) and Steve Rushton (Will), who will all be reprising their critically acclaimed roles … Read more

Rehearsal Images: Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version Of The War Of The Worlds

Gallery, News, West End
The War Of The Worlds now on sale at the Dominion Theatre

With performances of Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of The War Of The Worlds starting next week, BritishTheatre.com is pleased to bring you these images from the rehearsal room. The West End debut of the multi-award winning musical phenomena includes David Essex, Jimmy Nail, Daniel Beddingfield, Michael Praed, Madalena Alberto and Heidi Range with an incredible 3D hologram of Liam Neeson. Following numerous sell out arena tours of the UK, The War Of the Worlds comes to the Dominion Theatre in this new production spectacularly reimagined for the stage. Jeff Wayne’s musical version of The War Of The Worlds runs at the Dominion Theatre from 8th February 2016. Book Now! Photos: Mark Yeoman

Glee’s Amber Riley To Headline UK Premiere Of Dreamgirls

News, West End
Dreamgirls will make its UK Premiere in November 2016 at the Savoy Theatre starring Glee's Amber Riley, directed by Casey Nicholaw

It was announced today thet Amber Riley will make her West End debut in the UK premiere of the Tony-Award winning Dreamgirls, which is to be presented at The Savoy Theatre from November 2016. Dreamgirls will be directed by Olivier and Tony-Award winning Casey Nicholaw. Best known for her role as Mercedes Jones in the musical comedy sensation Glee, Riley will take on the iconic role of Effie White . Amber Riley says: “I am so honoured and excited to not only be playing such an iconic role, but also to be working with Sonia Friedman and Casey Nicholaw. Working on the West End is now a dream realised, I just feel like this is going to be something special!” Inspired by R&B music acts in 1960s America, Dreamgirls transports you to a revolutionary time in American music history. Dreamgirls charts the tumultuous journey of a young female singing trio, … Read more

Michael Crawford Returns To The West End In The Go-Between – On Sale Now

News, West End
Michael Crawford stars in The Go-Between. Tickets now on sale

Award-wining star Michael Crawford, remown for originating the role of the Phantom in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom Of The Opera and beloved around the world for his role as Frank Spencer in Some Mothers Do Have Them, will return to the West End in a new production of The Go-Between this summer. Michael Crawford plays Leo Colston, a man who can no longer hide from the memories of his past. Memories of the gloriously hot summer of 1900 and of his days spent in Norfolk come flooding back. Spending the holidays with the family of his school friend Marcus in their luxurious country home, the young Leo finds himself acting as the go-between for the beautiful upper-class Marian and tenant-farmer Ted who are embroiled in a forbidden secret love affair. The innocent Leo gets caught up in the adult atmosphere of deceit and manipulation as he risks everything in … Read more

Dominic Cooper to star in The Libertine at Theatre Royal Haymarket

News, Regional, West End
Dominic Cooper in The Libertine

Dominic Cooper returns to the stage this year to play debauched 17th Century rake the Earl of Rochester in The Libertine. This sexually charged masterpiece by award-winning playwright Stephen Jeffreys will play a limited run as part of the 2016 summer season at Bath Theatre Royal from 31 August to 17 September prior to the West End’s Theatre Royal Haymarket from 22 September to 3 December 2016. Full casting has yet to be announced for The Libertine which will be directed by the Olivier and Tony Award-winning Terry Johnson. John Wilmot, the second Earl of Rochester is a charismatic poet, playwright and rake with a legendary appetite for excess. Yet this most ardent of hedonists is forced to reconsider everything he thinks and feels when a chance encounter with an actress at the Playhouse sends him reeling. With flair and wit, this wild romp through 1670s London offers an incisive … Read more

FIRST LOOK: Rehearsal Photos For The UK Tour Of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Gallery, News, Touring
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang UK Tour

We are pleased to bring you this first look inside the rehearsal studio for the UK and Ireland tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Chitty Chity Bang Bang has music and lyrics by Richard M Sherman and Robert B Sherman, who were also responsible for Mary Poppins, The Slipper and the Rose, The Aristocats and The Jungle Book. The Sherman Brothers have won two Academy Awards with a further nine nominations, two Grammy Awards and they have received 21 gold and platinum albums. The tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang features Jason Manford (Caractacus Potts), Martin Kemp (the Childcatcher), Michelle Collins (Baroness Bomburst) and Phill Jupitus (Baron Bomburst). Directed by James Brining, Artistic Director of the West Yorkshire Playhouse, the tour of the much loved Sherman Brothers musical kicks off in Southampton on Wednesday 10 February. BOOK TICKETS NOW FOR CHITTY ON TOUR

New Cast Announced as Jersey Boys Celebrates 8th Birthday in London

Jersey Boys the musical, News, West End
Jersey Boys announce a new cast as the show enters its 8th anniversary in London

From Tuesday 15 March, there will be four new Seasons joining the cast of Jersey Boys at the Piccadilly Theatre ahead of its 8th Anniversary on 18 March. This is the first time since the show opened in London that all four Seasons have changed. Jersey Boys is the remarkable true story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons and their rise to stardom from the wrong side of the tracks. These four boys from New Jersey became one of the most successful bands in pop history, were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and sold 175 million records worldwide, all before they turned 30. The show is packed with their hits, including Beggin’, Sherry, Walk Like A Man, December, 1963 (Oh What a Night), Big Girls Don’t Cry, My Eyes Adored You, Let’s Hang On (To What We’ve Got), Bye Bye Baby, Can’t Take My Eyes … Read more