News

Critic’s Choice – Top 10 West End Musicals (31 March 15)

Features, News, West End
Siobhan McCarthy and Jeremy Secomb in Tooting Arts Club's Sweeney Todd.

What Musical should you see first in London? We have compiled this list to save you the trouble of working it out! It’s just our view – and everyone has one – based on our Reviewers’ thoughts. We will update the list regularly so new productions get on your radar and when original casts change that is factored in. Plays which have been running for more than three years are not included – this is a list for new or relatively new productions running in London. So go see them! 1. Beautiful: The Carole King Musical The throbbing, majestic and luminous heart of this production comes from Katie Brayben’s faultless, radiant and absolutely triumphant turn as Carole King. Brayben recreates the feel, the sound, the look of Carole King in a completely authentic and resonant way – she feels like the natural woman. Read Our Review | Book Tickets 2. … Read more

Sweeney Todd At ENO – First Look Photographs

Gallery, News, West End
Emma Thompson and Bryn Terfel in Sweeney Todd

Yet another Sweeney Todd sets up shop in London this week on a vastly different scale to the intimate affair at Harrington’s Pie And Mash Shop on Shaftesbury Avenue. Starring Emma Thompson, Bryn Terfel, Matthew Seadon-Young, Katie Hall, Philip Quast, Jack North, Alex Gaumond, Rosalie Craig and John Owen-Jones, this production runs until April 12 at the London Colliseum. Tickets are still available for Sondheim’s masterpiece at the ENO. Photos by Tristram Kenton

Hairspray UK Tour – Manchester And Liverpool On Sale Today

Hairspray the musical, News, Touring
Hairspray musical

Tickets for Hairspray The Musical in Liverpool and Manchester go on sale today. This new production of the award-winning musical starts it UK tour in September 2015 at the Leicester Curve and will then tour to 29 venues across the UK. It’s Baltimore 1962, where Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart, is on a mission to follow her dreams and dance her way onto national TV. Tracy’s audition makes her a local star and soon she is using her new-found fame to fight for equality, bagging local heartthrob Link Larkin along the way. Hairspray is directed by Paul Kerryson with choreography by Drew McOnie and musical direction by Ben Atkinson. Click Here for the full Hairspray UK Tour schedule

West End Men Announce New Tour

News, Touring
The West End Men are about to embark on their third UK Tour

The West End Men have announced that X Factor star Marcus Collins will be joining their new UK Tour. Following two hit tours in 2012 and 2013, the West End Men are preparing for their third tour. Joining Marcus Collins will be Glenn Carter, James Bisp and Alexis Gerred. The West End Men have appeared in West End hits including Jesus Christ Superstar, Hairspray, The Phantom Of The Opera, and Joseph And The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. The repertoire for this concert tour will include a showcase of much-loved musical theatre standards from shows including Les Miserables, West Side Story, and South Pacific alongside pop classics from artists as diverse as Queen and Stevie Wonder. Special guest star Nadia Forder will be appearing at concerts in Dublin, Watford, Guildford and Liverpool. The West End Men 2015 UK Tour Sunday 24th May 2015 Milton Keynes Theatre Monday 25th May 2015 The Swan … Read more

Farinelli And The King – Cast Announced – Tickets On Sale

News, West End
Mark Rylance in Farinelli at the Sam Wanamker Playhouse

Following a sell-out season at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, Claire Van Kampen’s new play Farinelli And The King will transfer to London’s Duke Of York’s Theatre for a strictly limited season commencing on September 14, 2015. Many of the cast of the original production will return to reprise their roles including award-winning actor Mark Rylance as King Philippe V of Spain, Sam Crane as Farinelli, Huss Harblya as Dr Jose Cervi, Meoldy Grove as Isabella Farnese, Colin Hurley as Metastasio and Edward Peel as De la Cuadra. The singing roles will be shared by Iestyn Davies and Rupert Enticknap. Set in eighteenth-century Spain, Claire van Kampen’s moving and mesmerising new play tells the intriguing true story of Farinelli, once the world’s most famous castrato and one of the greatest celebrities of his time, and his decision to trade fame and fortune in the opera-houses of Europe for a life of … Read more

Bomber’s Moon Transfers to Trafalgar 2

News, West End
James Bolam and Steve John Shepherd in Bomber's Moon.

Following it’s acclaimed run at the Park Theatre in 2014, the play Bomber’s Moon will transfer to Trafalgar Studios 2 from April 20, 2015. Former RAF gunner Jimmy finds his routine disrupted when sensitive care assistant David arrives – and his cantankerous outlook and colourful language seem to be more than David can handle. As Jimmy increasingly snaps back to the adrenaline-fuelled terror of his WWII bombing raids, and David’s new found faith is tested to breaking point, both men discover that a lasting peace is not easily won. With acerbic wit and searing honesty, Bomber’s Moon is a bittersweet tour-de-force, full of gritty realism and razor-sharp humour. The play by William Ivory will star James Bolam ( New Tricks, Born and Bred, The Likely Lads, When The Boat Comes In) and Steve John Shepherd (EastEnders, This Life). Bomber’s Moon will be directed by Matt Aston, designed by Laura McEwen, … Read more

Rachel Tucker – Back From Broadway At The St James Theatre

News, West End
Rachel Tucker to appear at the St James Theatre

Fresh from her acclaimed performances on Broadway in Sting’s musical The Last Ship, Rachel Tucker returns to the St James Theatre on Sunday 19th April with her all-new live solo show. Rachel is perhaps best known for her marathon run as Elphaba in Wicked, which saw her “green-up” for over two and a half years and over 1000 performances. Rachel’s theatre credits include Farragut North (Southwark Playhouse), We Will Rock You (Dominion Theatre), Tonight’s The Night (National tour), Rent (Olympia Theatre, Dublin), The Who’s Tommy (National tour), and The Full Monty (National tour). Rachel was also a finalist in the BBC series I’d Do Anything, which sought to find a performer to play Nancy in the West End. Rachel Tucker – Back From Broadway will play The St James Theatre on April 19 at 3pm and 7pm.

New Cast Announced For Charlie And The Chocolate Factory

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory the Musical, News, West End
Charlie and the chocolate Factory at the Theatre Royal Dury Lane

Now approaching its second anniversary, producers of the hit musical Charlie And The Chocolate Factory have announced the cast that will perform in the show into its third year. It was previously announced that Jonathan Slinger will be taking on the role of Willy Wonka. Alongside Jonathan will be Kraig Thornber (Grandpa George), Lara Denning (Mrs Bucket) and Mark Oxtoby (Jerry), among other new names. Original company members Ross Dawes and Derek Hagen will take over the roles of Mr Salt and Mr Bucket respectively. An unheard of two-thirds of the current cast will continue performing in Wonka’s factory. The continuing cast includes Roni Page, Myra Sands, Ross Dawes, Jasna Ivir, Paul J. Medford, Kate Graham Derek Hagen and Joe Allen, who have all been with the show since it opened in Spring 2013. Charlie And The Chocolate Factory continues to be one of the West End’s most popular stage … Read more