Features

Audra McDonald’s journey to Lady Day in London

Features, Gallery, West End
Audra McDonald in concert at Leicester Square Theatre

Mark Ludmon hears from Audra McDonald about her “long journey” to playing Billie Holiday on stage I fell in love with the voice of Audra McDonald when I first saw her perform as part of the Divas at the Donmar season in 1999. Combining a pure soprano with emotional intensity, she was already a three-time Tony winner for Carousel, Ragtime and Master Class and went on to appear in more musicals and serious dramas, including Raisin in the Sun which earned her another Tony award. Despite a stellar career on the American stage and screen and a number of best-selling solo albums, she has remarkably never performed in a musical in London’s West End. This is about to change when she takes to the stage of the Wyndham’s Theatre to play Billie Holliday in the transfer of her 2014 hit Broadway show, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill. It … Read more

FIRST LOOK: New Harry Potter And The Cursed Child Cast – May 2017

Features, Gallery, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child West End, West End
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child new cast portraits - May 2017

On the 24 May 2017, the new cast of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child take over from their wonderful wizarding predecessors at London’s Palace Theatre and we are delighted to bring you these first look studio portraits of the shows new leads by Charlie Gray. Please welcome Jamie Glover as Harry Potter, Emma Lowndes as his wife Ginny Potter alongside Theo Ancient as their son Albus Potter; Thomas Aldridge as Ron Weasley, Rakie Ayola as Hermione Granger andHelen Aluko as their daughter Rose Granger-Weasley; and James Howard as Draco Malfoy and Samuel Blenkin as his son Scorpius Malfoy. Since premiering in June 2016 at the Palace Theatre, the show has won 22 major theatre awards. Harry Potter recently became the most awarded production in the history of the Olivier Awards, winning nine awards including Best Director and Best New Play. Read our review. BOOK TICKETS FOR HARRY POTTER AND … Read more

FIRST LOOK: The Colour Purple In Concert at Cadogan Hall

Features, Gallery
Book tickets for The Colour Purple at Cadogan Hall

We are pleased to bring you these great rehearsal images by Scott Rylander of the cast of The Colour Purple in Concert which is being held this Sunday 21 May at London’s Cadogan Hall. The Color Purple tells the inspiring and unforgettable story of a woman who, through love, finds the strength to triumph over adversity and discover her unique voice in the world. The Color Purple is being staged to raised funds for The British Theatre Academy, a unique performing arts programme that has inspired and nurtured the talent of thousands of young performers over the past 30 years. The concert will feature a chorus of over 40 current BTA participants. The cast features Wendy Mae Brown (Ghost, Kiss Me Kate), Calvin Cornwall ( Disney’s Aladdin, Jesus Christ Superstar), Tyrone Huntley (Dreamgirls, Jesus Christ Superstar), Rachel John (The Bodyguard, Memphis), Hugh Maynard (Miss Saigon, The Lion King), Seyi Omooba … Read more

Top 100 Greatest Musicals Poll – Number 6 – West Side Story

Features
Top 100 Greatest Musicals - West Side Story - Number 6

West Side Story with book by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by a then-aspiring young lyricist (although he wanted to write both music and lyrics) Stephen Sondheim is one of the truly great musicals of all time. In taking Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and transposing its story to the gang culture and conflicts of 1950’s New York, its composers created a musical which is as timeless as its source material. Originally directed and choreographed by the legendary Jerome Robbins, West Side Story opened on Broadway in 1957 where it ran for 732 performances. Surprisingly, when you look back the show only won two Tony Awards in 1958 for Choreography and Scenic Design. The big winner that year was The Music Man! There is little doubt that the popularity of West Side Story grew as a result of the movie adaptation made in 1961 which was co-directed by … Read more

Pulse Festival Ipswich 2017 Preview

Features, Regional
Pulse Festival Ipswich Preview 2017

The 17th Pulse Festival at the Wolsey Theatre is almost upon us, and, once again, a huge range of contemporary performance is being presented across the 10-day festival, from June 1st-10th. Still a teenager, the festival can afford to remain challenging, occasionally confrontational, but containing loads of promise! Picking out what may be worth seeing is always a tricky feat, as so much sounds exciting and deserves attention! One thing the festival does really well is encourage new talent, and the Suitcase Prize day is a prime example of this. The prize is awarded for the best environmentally sustainable show that can be toured on public transport, and last year’s winner, On The Run, will present their show, Tell Me Anything,  at the end of the day. (2nd June) A new commission for this year, Testing Ground, is launched to develop new work by D/deaf and disabled artists and companies. … Read more

FIRST LOOK: On The Town at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

Features, Gallery, West End
On The Town at Regent's park Open Air Theatre. Book Now!

With an incredible Bernstein score and Olivier Award-winner Drew McOnie directing and choreographing, On The Town hits Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre in London on May 19. They have now released these great rehearsal pictures for what is set to be the venue’s biggest dance musical yet. We are pleased to bring you these great rehearsal photographs by Johan Persson. Danny Mac, Fred Haig and Samuel Edwards play Gabey, Chip and Ozzie – roles made famous on film by Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra and Jules Munshin – and Siena Kelly, Lizzy Connolly and Miriam-Teak Lee take the roles of Ivy, Hildy and Claire. The cast also features Maggie Steed as Madame Dilly and Naoko Mori as Lucy Schmeeler. It runs to July 1. BOOK TICKETS FOR ON THE TOWN AT REGENT’S PARK

Top 100 Greatest Musicals Poll – Number 7 – Billy Elliot

Features, Touring
Top 100 Musicals - Number 7 - Billy Elliot

It’s not often that a British film captures the imagination of the world but Billy Elliot did just that. Released in 2000 the film was a sensation worldwide thanks to its honesty, sincerity and humour.  The story of a boy who favoured ballet shoes over boxing gloves, it was set against the background of the UK Miner’s strike. Billy Elliot features music by Elton John with book and lyrics by Lee Hall who had also written the film’s screenplay. The production was directed by Stephen Daldry and choreographed by Peter Darling. Billy Elliot premiered at London’s Victoria Palace Theatre in May 2005, having abandoned plans to open in Newcastle Upon Tyne. Billy Elliot played 4600 performances in London and is now undergoing its first UK national tour. Further productions opened in Australia in 2007 and on Broadway in 2008. In Australia, the show won seven Helpmann Awards including Best Musical … Read more