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.

Funny Girl At The Savoy Theatre – Tickets On Sale Now

News, West End
Funny Girl starring Sheridan Smith at the Savoy Theatre. Tickets now on sale

Having broken box office records at the Menier Chocolate Factory a few months ago. It has been announced that legendary musical Funny Girl will transfer to the Savoy Theatre in London for a strictly limited season and tickets are now on sale. Starring Sheridan Smith and Darius Campbell, Funny Girl tells the fascinating bitter-sweet story of Fanny Brice (Smith), whose vocal talents and comedic ability see her rise from Brooklyn music hall singer to Broadway star, and her tempestuous relationship with gambler Nicky Arnstein. Featuring some of the most iconic songs in film and theatre history, including “People” and “Don’t Rain On My Parade”. This bold new production, with music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Bob Merrill, a book by Isobel Lennart from an original story by Miss Lennart, with revisions by Harvey Fierstein, is directed by Michael Mayer (Hedwig and the Angry Inch & Spring Awakening on Broadway). … Read more

Jeff Wayne’s The War Of The Worlds Comes To The Dominion Theatre

News, West End
The War Of The Worlds at the Dominion Theatre London

Following 8 years of international arena tours, Jeff Wayne’s The War Of The Worlds will make its theatrical stage debut at the Dominion Theatre in February 2016. Since its inception in 1978, Jeff Wayne’s original double album has become one of the most ground-breaking and bestselling musical works of all time – with over 15 million copies sold and 330 weeks in the UK Album Charts to date, a number one album in 11 countries, two international hit singles, a number-one music DVD, and huge critical acclaim across the globe (and probably the universe!). In a new production re-imagined for the stage, the iconic score will be played live and conducted on stage by Jeff Wayne. The show will include new music, star cast, and a full supporting company of performers – as well as video walls, the iconic Martian Fighting Machine, special effects and in 3D holography Liam Neeson … Read more

Laila The Musical UK Tour 2016

News, Touring
Laila The Musical Uk Tour 2016

From the creators of acclaimed award-winning musical Britain’s Got Bhangra comes a new contemporary musical – Laila. Director and Writer Pravesh Kumar (The Deranged Marriage, There’s Something About Simmy), Music Composer Sumeet Chopra (Break the Floorboards) and Lyricist Dougal Irvine (Departure Lounge, In Touch) have come together for a retelling of the greatest eastern love story – Laila Majnu. Originating in 7th century Persia, the bittersweet story of star-crossed lovers has been passed down through verse and song over centuries. It was popularized by 12th century Persian poet Nizami Ganjavi with his version Layla u Majnun and British poet Lord Byron described the story as the “Romeo and Juliet of the east”. Predating Shakespeare’s play by 700 years, it is said to have inspired the bard’s tragic love story. The story of young love and feuding families is being given a modern musical twist by the Laila creative team. Artistic … Read more

Glenn Close at the English National Opera

Events, News, West End
Glenn Close in Sunset Boulevard at the London Coliseum

Glenn Close was photographed on the stage of the London Coliseum this week ahead of her appearance as faded screen star Norma Desmond in a semi-staged production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard. Based on Billy Wilder’s classic film, Sunset Boulevard originally premiered in London at the Adelphi Theatre in 1993, where it ran for almost four years and played to nearly two million people. It went on to open on Broadway in 1994 to what was then, the biggest advance in Broadway history, $37.5million. Sunset Boulevard will run at the London Coliseum from 1 April – & May 2016 for 43 performances. BOOK NOW FOR SUNSET BOULEVARD Photos: Richard Hubert Smith

Goodnight Mister Tom UK Tour 2016

Touring
Goodnight Mister Tom returns this Christmas to the Duke Of York's Theatre

Following a season in the West End The Olivier award-winning Chichester Festival Theatre production of Goodnight Mister Tom will tour the UK. Now a modern classic, Michelle Magorian’s wonderfully uplifting tale is brought gloriously to life in this magical stage adaptation by David Wood. Set during the dangerous build up to the Second World War, Goodnight Mister Tom follows young William Beech, who is evacuated to the idyllic English countryside and forges a remarkable and heart warming friendship with the elderly recluse, Tom Oakley. All is perfect until William is suddenly summoned by his mother back to London. Winner of the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize and commended for the Carnegie Medal, Goodnight Mister Tom is now a world-wide literary favourite and BAFTA award-winning TV film (starring John Thaw), and continues to inspire audiences and bring generations together. GOODNIGHT MISTER TOM UK TOUR 2016 Tuesday 8 – Saturday 12 March 2016 … Read more

Don’t Miss These Great Christmas Shows

Features, News, West End
The Snowman at the Peacock Theatre

BritishTheatre.com is pleased top bring you our selection of fabulous Christmas shows which are now on sale for your enjoyment during the festive season. We hope that you and your family enjoy some of these amazing productions. SLAVA’S SNOW SHOW – ROYAL FESTIVAL HALL – BOOK NOW This is theatre like you’ve never seen before. Comedy and spectacle provide fun for the whole family, never more than when this incredible show fills the Royal Festival Hall with a heart-stopping blizzard of snow. No theatre or circus finale quite compares with this, and, as an added communal pleasure, Polunin and co release into the auditorium a batch of giant coloured balls that slowly bounce off upstretched arms, as if everyone had been invited to play a slow-motion, slightly ominous game of beach-ball. THE SNOWMAN – PEACOCK THEATRE – BOOK NOW When a young boy’s snowman comes to life on Christmas Eve, … Read more

Jamie Lloyd to direct Uzo Aduba, Zawe Ashton and Laura Carmichael in The Maids

News, West End
Uzo Aduba to appear in Jamie Lloyd's production of The Maids at Trafalgar Studios.

The Jamie Lloyd Company has announced that it’s first production for 2016 will be the UK premiere of a contemporary adaptation of The Maids by Jean Genet at Trafalgar Studios. The production will star Uzo Aduba (Orange Is The New Black), Zawe Ashton (Spendour) and Laura Carmichael (Downton Abbey). In a luxurious bedroom, two maids fantasise about killing their employer, playing out dangerous and sadistic scenarios as they plan her violent death. An intense psychological thriller seething with unique theatricality and brimming with intrigue, The Maids is a vicious analysis of the class system, and a provocative exploration of gender and sexuality. Uzo Aduba and Zawe Ashton will play the maids, Solange and Claire. Laura Carmichael will play Madam. Uzo Aduba said, ‘I wanted to be a part of The Jamie Lloyd Company because they’re interested in doing exciting work that is new, with a twist to it. It’s work … Read more

Tom – Tom Jones Musical UK Tour 2016

News, Touring
Tom, A Story Of Tom Jones The Musical UK Tour 2016

Theatre na nÓg have announced the full cast for the UK tour of the TNN production of Tom. A Story Of Tom Jones which will open at the Wales Millenium Centre, Cardiff on 7 March 2016. Step back in time to the dance halls, working men’s clubs and recording studios of the ‘60s where the legend of Tom Jones was born: a Valleys boy with a heart-stopping voice who dreamed of making the big time, no matter what it took. This inspirational story of self-belief and determination is performed live on stage by a phenomenal cast of actors and musicians, celebrating an ordinary man with an extraordinary talent who became a superstar on a world stage. Featuring hits of the era including ‘Ghost Riders in the Sky’, ‘Spanish Harlem’ and ‘Lucille’, we track Tom’s climb to stardom. Ending with some the hits that made him one of the most charismatic … Read more