Editorial Staff 
There’s no stopping fans of musical theatre. For animator Simon Chong, it seemed perfectly obviously that the opening number from The Book of Mormon should be presented in the style of South Park. The result is this witty rendition of ‘Hello’ performed by many of the South Park regular characters. Enjoy! Book Now to The Book Of Mormon
It was announced today that Amanda Drew, Jack Lowden and Diana Quick will join Kristin Scott Thomas in Sophocle’s tragedy Electra which is being staged by The Old Vic in December. Best known for her work in television dramas such as Broadchurch and Silent Witness, Amandra Drew will play Chrysothemis, whilst Lowden, who recently won the Olivier for his work in Ghosts will play Orestes. Diana Quick, best known for playing Lady Julia Flyte in Brideshead Revistited, will play Clytemnestra. Find out more information about Electra
A new 100 seat theatre will launch in September in West London with the Stephen Sondheim musical Sweeney Todd. Based above the London Road pub,The Twickenham Theatre is the brainchild of theatre producer Tony Green. “By offering a new dedicated venue for quality theatre and other entertainment we can give locals the opportunity to experience some of the West End on their doorstep, and Londoners a reason to come to Twickenham,” he said. Sweeney director, Derek Anderson says: “By setting the production in the intimate confines of Twickenham Theatre’s fascinating space with an ensemble cast and some clever staging, we can present Sondheim’s grizzly masterpiece as the claustrophobically close, blood-curdling, musical thriller it truly is; and enable the diabolical intricacy of Sondheim’s lyrics to come to the forefront.”
Made In Dagenham, a new British musical will which will open at the Adelphi Theatre on Wednesday 5 November. Based on the hit British film, this new musical comedy will star international stage and screen actress Gemma Arterton in the lead role of Rita O’Grady, with Adrian Der Gregorian as her husband Eddie. Joining Gemma and Adrian are Steve Furst playing US Ford Executive Mr Tooley, Mark Hadfield as Harold Wilson, Sophie-Louise Dann playing Barbara Castle, Sophie Stanton as Beryl, Heather Craney as Clare, Sophie Isaacs as Sandra, Julius D’Silva playing Ford Dagenham boss Mr Hopkins and Naomi Frederick as his wife Lisa. Also joining the Made in Dagenham cast are Naana Agyei-Ampadu, Thomas Aldridge, Kate Coysten, Christopher Howell, Scott Garnham, Ian Jervis, Paul Kemble, Emma Lindars, Jo Napthine, Tracey Penn, Gemma Salter, Gareth Snook, Rachel Spurrell, Emily Squibb, Karli Vale and Rene Zagger. Director Rupert Goold said: “We have … Read more
Radio City Musical Hall played host to the Tony Awards last night.Hosted by Hugh Jackman, the event was a celebration of theatre. The nominees and winners are listed below:- WINNERS ARE BOLDED, BELOW Best Musical After Midnight Aladdin Beautiful — The Carole King Musical WINNER: A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical Ramin Karimloo, Les Miserables Andy Karl, Rocky Jefferson Mays, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder Bryce Pinkham, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder WINNER: Neil Patrick Harris, Hedwig and the Angry Inch Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical Mary Bridget Davies, A Night with Janis Joplin Sutton Foster, Violet Idina Menzel, If/Then Kelly O’Hara, The Bridges of Madison County WINNER: Jesse Mueller, Beautiful — The Carole King Musical Best Play Act One Casa Valentina Mothers and Sons Outside … Read more
The nearest thing I have seen to a perfect play, writes Alex Delaney. Vicky Jones’ award-winning first play, The One, explores the concept of romance in our present age. It is terrifyingly dark, indescribably hilarious, and holds its audience captive from the off. Exquisitely directed and faultlessly performed, it is the nearest thing I have seen to a perfect play. All of which makes it very hard to write a review that doesn’t read like a love letter. ‘The One’ takes place in the living room of a flat shared by Harry and Jo. The space is dominated by a large red sofa, which becomes both battlefield and boudoir as the play unfolds. Classical music swells, a starlit backdrop shimmers; our protagonists glide onto the stage and into a passionate embrace. It is every inch the fairy tale ending, just before ‘happily ever after’. This overblown sentimentality is abruptly and … Read more
The set of Being Shakespeare, Simon Callow’s one-man exploration of the life of our most treasured playwright , appears very simple at first glance: a small raised wooden platform dotted with objects – a sword, a globe, a paper crown, piles of books and a model carousel adorned with sprites. To the right, four wooden chairs are stacked. It is onto this bare space that Callow ambles and begins to speak. Initially he seems merely to lecture us on the facts of Shakespeare’s life but quickly he transforms as he begins to act. Callow plays kings, mothers, boys, teenage lovers, Romans, friends and countrymen; moving seamlessly between them and, with the smallest changes, embodying each character. It is a virtuosic performance. Being Shakespeare is, however, more than a collection of his Greatest Hits. Callow, and the play’s author Johnathan Bate, take us through the seven ages of a single man … Read more
Despite the first Act moving somewhat slowly, Act Two is when the musical really takes off with added cheekiness, inuendo and ridiculously outrageous farce, prompting much uncontrolled laughter from the audience. As a headlining show in the From Page to Stage series, Before the Night is Through is a delightfully jolly jaunt and proof that British musical theatre is alive and well.
