News

A Filthy Take On Hamlet Comes To TheatreN16

News, Off West End
Book now for Gertrude The Cray at Theatre N16

Howard Barker’s Gertrude – The Cry is to be presented at Theatre N16 in a co-production with LWL Entertainment Ltd from 12-30 June 2016. Combining feminism, sex and objectification into his own take on Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Howard Barker’s Gertrude is a complicated, challenging and utterly filthy play. The titular Gertrude will be played by Izabella Urbanowicz (Truth and Reconciliation, Royal Court Theatre; The Session, Soho Theatre; Hamlet Peckham, The Bussey Building; What You Will: Pop Up Shakespeare, Shakespeare’s Globe; and The Crimson Petal and the White (BBC/Origin Pictures)). She also currently stars in I’m Not Jesus Christ at Theatre N16. The cast will also include Alexander Hulme (Abominations, Etcetera Theatre, and The Glass Protégé, Park Theatre) as Claudius, Jamie Hutchins (Hello Norma Jeane, Park Theatre) as Hamlet, Stephen Oswald (Nobody’s Business, King’s Head Theatre) as Cascan, LJ Reeves (Antigone, The Hope Theatre) as Ragusa, David Zachary (The Kissing Dance, Ye … Read more

Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer Of The Year and Stiles And Drewe Prize Winners Announced.

News, West End
Courtney Bowman winner of the Stephen Sondheim Strudent Performer Of The Year Award

The Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performers Of The Year Award and the Stiles And Drewe Prize for Best New Song were held yesterday at London’s Novello Theatre. Clustered inside the theatre on a sunny London afternoon, the programme was hosted by Julian Ovenden and with performances from Ovenden, Sophie Louise Dann, Natasha Cottriall and former winners of the Performer Of The Year Award. Courtney Bowman won the Student Performer Of the Year Award (£1000 prize) with her performances of Me And My Town from Anyone Can Whistle and The Driving Lesson from the musical Heart Of Winter written by Tim O’Connor. Speaking to BritishTheatre.com after the event Courtney said: “I’m so surprised to have won, because everyone involved was so brilliant. There are no two people who are the same out of the twelve of us, and it’s so refreshing to watch and learn from other performers. Being thrown together … Read more

Dearman and Pitt-Pulford Join Together for Side Show The Musical

News, Off West End
Side Show at Southwark Playhouse

Producers have announced that Louise Dearman and Laura Pitt-Pulford will play conjoined twins Daisy and Violet Hilton in the much anticipated UK premiere of the Broadway musical Side Show at Southwark Playhouse. Inspired by the true story of conjoined twins Daisy and Violet Hilton, Side Show is a remarkable musical about love, acceptance and embracing the unique. Louise Dearman (Daisy) is best known for being the first actress to star as both Glinda and Elphaba in the hit musical Wicked, playing both roles to great acclaim in the West End. Her many other theatre credits include Miss Adelaide in Guys and Dolls (UK Tour), Bianca in Kiss Me Kate (Royal Albert Hall), Mrs D in The Water Babies (Leicester Curve), Eva Peron in Evita (UK Tour) and Jan in Grease (West End). Laura Pitt-Pulford (Violet) received a 2016 Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance … Read more

Natasha J Barnes To Play Fanny As Sheridan Smith Takes Leave Of Absence

News, West End
Book now for Sheridan Smith as Fanny Brice in Funny Girl at London's Savoy Theatre

Producers have announced that Natasha J Barnes will play the role of Fanny Brice in Funny Girl at the Savoy Theatre for a short period whilst Sheridan Smith takes 2 – 4 weeks leave of absence from the production due to stress and exhaustion. Barnes played the role for the completion of the run at the Menier Chocolate Factory, and again this week at the Savoy – her performance receiving plaudits from audience members and critics alike. The entire team at Funny Girl is thinking of Sheridan, and know she is getting the rest and support she needs during this very difficult and stressful time. We will all miss her enormously and send her our love and best wishes – and we are looking forward to her return to the show in due course. Meanwhile, we are thrilled to support the wonderful Natasha J Barnes who will be taking on … Read more

Wonderland UK Tour

News, Touring
Wonderland UK Tour

Please be aware that the remaining dates on the Wonderland UK Tour have been cancelled. Following sold out international seasons in Tampa, Texas and Tokyo, the multi Grammy, Tony and Drama Desk Award nominated Frank Wildhorn’s Wonderland will receive its UK and European première in this brand new British production. Wonderland will open at the prestigious Edinburgh Playhouse from 20th to 28th January 2017 ahead of a UK tour, the first half of which takes in Sunderland, Birmingham, Southend, Oxford, Grimsby, York, Bromley, Derry, Belfast, Woking, Blackpool, Southampton and Manchester, with the second half of the tour due to be announced in Spring. Hailed by the New York Times as “inspirational”, Wonderland is an enchanting musical adaption of Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. Here a timely and touching mother and daughter story, it’s an adventurous exploration of who we are, who we want to … Read more

Little Voice Casting For Union Theatre Announced

News, Off West End
Book now for Little Voice at the Union Theatre

The Rise and Fall of Little Voice will be the last production presented at the Union Theatre at its current location. Leading the cast is Charlotte Gordon (Memphis, Viva Forever) as Mari Hoff, Ken Christiansen (Lord Of The Flies, An Inspector Calls) as Ray Say and Carly Thoms (Thoroughly Modern Millie, Sound Of Music) as LV. Pther cast includes Glenn Adamson as Billy, Mandy Dassa as Sadie and James Peake as Mr Boo/Phone Man. The Olivier Award winning comedy by Jim Cartwright, tells the story of LV, a painfully shy girl who spends most of her time listening to her late father’s collection of old records and perfecting her astonishing impersonations of classic divas. But when her mother’s scheming boyfriend attempts to create the show of the century with Little Voice as its star – will all go according to plan? Or will LV find her voice in another way? … Read more

Wicked Announces International Tour Cast

News, Touring, West End, Wicked the musical
Book tickets for Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre

Hit musical Wicked, has announced its international touring cast today. Jacqueline Hughes (Elphaba), Carly Anderson (Glinda), Bradley Jaden (Fiyero), Steven Pinder (The Wizard and Doctor Dillamond), Kim Ismay (Madame Morrible), Iddon Jones (Boq), Emily Shaw (Nessarose) and Jodie Steele (Standby for Elphaba) will lead the cast at the Alhambra Theatre, Bradford from Wednesday 20 July 2016 (and on its subsequent international tour). Wicked, which features the hit song ‘Defying Gravity’, will open at the Alhambra Theatre, Bradford on Wednesday 20 July 2016 and play for 5 weeks only, until Sunday 21 August 2016. Bradford will be the only UK city to host the spectacular musical outside London in 2016. This critically acclaimed, multi record-breaking touring production will then travel directly to the MasterCard Theatres at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, where it opens on 29 September 2016. Wicked will then continue touring internationally until January 2018. The full cast of … Read more

Lady Day Performances Postponed As Audra Announces Pregnancy.

News, West End
Lady Day at Emerson's bar And Grill London Season postponed

Audra McDonald and her husband, actor Will Swenson have announced that they are expecting a baby. As a result the London Summer season of Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar And Grill are to be postponed. Speaking from New York where she is currently starring in the Broadway production of Shuffle Along, Or The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed, Audra McDonald said: “Who knew that tap dancing during perimenopause could lead to pregnancy? Will and I are completely surprised—and elated—to be expecting a new addition to our family. I am so very grateful to everyone in New York and London for allowing me to rearrange my schedule to accommodate this little miracle. Of course, I’m disappointed I have to postpone my West End debut in Lady Day, but I look forward to rescheduling as soon as possible.” The couple married in 2012. While this is … Read more