London’s Bush Theatre branches out

Madani Younis in Uxbridge Road

From March 2016, as part of artistic director Madani Younis’ aim of creating a theatre that truly reflects the community, the Bush Theatre will undergo a major redevelopment. There are plans to create a second performance space, improve backstage facilities and build a new front-of-house area, as well as making the building fully accessible and more sustainable. During the building works, the Bush Theatre’s programme will move out into the local community, embracing the buildings and people of West London. Shows will include: the European premiere of Boys Will Be Boys, about representations of women in the male-dominated world of the city; This Place We Know, the first co-production between the Bush Theatre and Headlong; The Neighbourhood Project, a community project in collaboration with Look Left Look Right and featuring residents of Shepherd’s Bush; and a revival of The Royale, based on the story of the first African-American heavyweight champion … Read more

A fairytale cast for Branagh’s Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet at the Garrick Theatre

The Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company has revealed the full cast for Romeo and Juliet, the fifth production in the inaugural Plays at the Garrick season. Joining Lily James as Juliet, Richard Madden as Romeo and Derek Jacobi as Mercutio is Meera Syal as the Nurse. Meera Syal said: “I’m so looking forward to joining such an exciting and prestigious company, and to be performing Shakespeare with them in this, his 400th anniversary year.” Lily James is an actress of stage and screen who came to international prominence in Downton Abbey as Lady Rose and who has recently won acclaim for her role in Kenneth Branagh’s 2015 production of Cinderella in which she played the title character. Reuniting the stars of his celebrated film Cinderella, Kenneth Branagh and Rob Ashford will direct Shakespeareʼs heartbreaking tale of forbidden love. Derek Jacobi’s stage credits include Heartbreak House, King Lear, two productions of Twelfth … Read more

Miss Saigon Closing Today

Miss Saigon London Closing

Following a record-breaking run at London’s Prince Edward Theatre, Cameron Mackintosh’s revival of Miss Saigon closes in London today. Both shows today are Sold Out. The next show to grace the stage at the Prince Edward Theatre is Aladdin. Bookings for Aladdin are now open. Did you see Miss Saigon during it’s run. Please share your memories.

First Look At Miss Julie From Buckland Theatre Company

Buckland Theatre Company present Miss Julie

To launch their full scale production company, Buckland Theatre Company are presenting August Strindberg’s Miss Julie in a new translation by Michael Meyer at Camden’s Etcetera Theatre. Miss Julie is directed by Gary Condes, with Set and Costume design by Carla Goodman and Lighting and Sound design by Joe Price, the production will feature Laura Greenwood as Miss Julie, Charlie Dorfman as Jean and Danielle Henry as Kristin. Tickets are on sale now. Buckland Theatre Co. was founded by Charlie Dorfman in the spirit of collaboration and exploration, providing opportunities for creative investigation in a supportive environment. It has run weekly readings since April 2015, covering great works from Tennessee Williams, Eugene O’Neill, August Wilson and more. Miss Julie is the company’s debut production in a season of classic and modern texts to be announced later this year. Miss Julie runs until 19 March 2016 at Etcetera Theatre – Camden.

Casting Announced As Harry Potter Starts Rehearsals

The cast of Harry Potter An d The Cursed Child

As rehearsals begin, Producers Sonia Friedman and Colin Callender are delighted to announce that joining Jamie Parker (Harry), Noma Dumezweni (Hermione) and Paul Thornley (Ron) are Nicola Alexis, Helen Aluko, Jeremy Ang Jones, Rosemary Annabella, Annabel Baldwin, Jack Bennett, Paul Bentall, Anthony Boyle, Zoe Brough, Sam Clemmett, Morag Cross, Cristina Fray, Rudi Goodman, Claudia Grant, James Howard, Christiana Hutchings, Lowri James, Chris Jarman, Martin Johnston, Bili Keogh, Chipo Kureya, James Le Lacheur, Helena Lymbery, Barry McCarthy, Sandy McDade, Andrew McDonald, Tom Mackley, Adam McNamara, Poppy Miller, Tom Milligan, Jack North, Alex Price, Stuart Ramsay, Nuno Silva, Cherrelle Skeete, Esther Smith, Nathaniel Smith, Dylan Standen and Joshua Wyatt who complete the casting for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. The 42 strong company (including seven children who will alternate two roles) will be playing a variety of characters. Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John … Read more

Dick Van Dyke helps celebrate Disneyland’s 60th Birthday

Step in Time From Mary Poppins

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PFku4_rBTU With Mary Poppins performing to sell out houses across the UK, we thought we’d bring you this great clip celebrating Disneyland’s 60th birthday and the magic that is Mary Poppins. Dick Van Dyke, the original Bert from the iconic film joins a veritable army of sweeps for Step In Time. The television special also featured Derek Hough, Elton John, Idina Menzel and Jessie J. Enjoy this wonderful clip and don’t forget to book your tickets for the Mary Poppins UK tour.

Beautiful – The Carole King Musical Celebrates First Birthday

Beautiful - The Carole King Musical celebrate the show's 1st birthday in London

Beautiful – The Carole King Musical celebrated it’s first birthday last night at the Aldwych Theatre in London.  The birthday was also used as the occasion to mark the February birthdays of Carole King, Barry Mann and the late Gerry Goffin as well as the 45th aniversary of when King’s Grammy award-winning album Tapestry was released. It was announced today that Beautiful – The Carole King Musical will extend its current booking period until 18 February 2017. Carole King said: “I had the great pleasure of seeing the West End production of Beautiful on opening night in 2015 with my dear friends Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. We were all so moved that we joined the company onstage after the show in singing You’ve Got a Friend and of course we couldn’t help but think of Gerry Goffin, who passed away in 2014. I know that Gerry would join Barry, … Read more

FLASH SALE: Save 60% or more on Guys And Dolls

Guys And Dolls Tickets at Savoy Theatre

BritishTheatre.com is pleased to announce our latest Flash Sale for Guys And Dolls in London. For news on other great Flash Sales and Offers please join our mailing list. Nathan Detroit is desperate: he needs money for an illegal dice game, and he needs it fast. Not to mention a 14 year engagement with night club singer Miss Adelaide whose patience is finally running out. Enter notorious gambler Sky Masterson, a guy who can never turn down a bet, and straight laced missionary Sarah Brown, a doll with a heart of ice. The wager: Sky has to romance Sarah by taking her to Havana. Surely this is one bet Nathan absolutely can’t lose? Featuring some of Broadway’s greatest show stopping tunes, including Luck Be a Lady, Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat and My Time of Day. With dazzling choreography by world renowned Cuban ballet star Carlos Acosta and Andrew … Read more