News

Mary Poppins UK Tour

Mary Poppins the musical, News, Touring
Mary Poppins Tour 2016

CLICK FOR MARY POPPINS TOUR DATES & TICKETS BELOW https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyuPntT1woo Disney and Cameron Mackintosh are delighted to announce that their multi award-winning musical Mary Poppins will embark on a tour of the UK and Ireland, opening at Leicester Curve on Tuesday 13 October 2015. Cameron Mackintosh said  “It’s hard to believe that it is already 11 years since Mary Poppins first landed on the London stage. My goodness……time flies even faster than our beloved Nanny! I’m delighted to be bringing her back to the UK and for the first time to Dublin, after spreading her magic around the world. Since we originally staged the production we have found even more magical ways to stage this timeless tale and I’m sure you will find our new Mary practically perfect in every way”. The magical story of the world’s favourite Nanny arriving on Cherry Tree Lane has been triumphantly and spectacularly brought … Read more

Meet The Ladies Of The Hairspray 2015 Tour

Hairspray the musical, News, Touring
Tony Maudsley Hairspray

Casting was announced today for the Hairspray 2015 tour commencing in September at the Curve Theatre in Leicester before visiting over 25 venues across the UK. Tony Maudsley (ITV1’s Benidorm) will play Edna Turnblad. He will be joined by TV and stage actress and presenter Claire Sweeney (Educating Rita, Guys and Dolls) as Velma Von Tussle, Olivier Award nominated actor and much-loved Blue Peter presenter Peter Duncan (BBC1 Tumble) as Wilbur Turnblad and British singer and West End performer Brenda Edwards (Chicago, We Will Rock You, The X Factor) as Motormouth Maybelle. Freya Sutton will reprise the role of Tracy Turnblad alongside established musical theatre performer Jon Tsouras (A Chorus Line) who will play the role of Corny Collins. Dex Lee (The Scottsboro Boys) will play Seaweed, Ashley Gilmour (Miss Saigon) will play Link Larkin, Lauren Stroud (Wicked) will play Amber, Monique Young (Top Hat) will play Penny, and Karis … Read more

Olivier Award Nominations Announced 9 March

News, West End
Olivier Award winner Lesley Manville.

The nominations for the Olivier Awards 2015 with MasterCard will be announced by internationally acclaimed actors Lesley Manville and James McAvoy on Monday 9 March at Rosewood London, and simultaneously live streamed to audiences worldwide at 12:00 GMT (08:00 USA EDT) at www.olivierawards.com Lesley Manville, winner of the Olivier Award for Best Actress in 2014 for her searing performance in Ghosts, and multiple Olivier Award nominated James McAvoy, currently wowing audiences in The Ruling Class at the Trafalgar Studios, will be joined by some of London’s leading stage personalities and industry figures to celebrate the achievements of London theatre in 2014/15. The announcement covers all of the eligible categories for 2015 including the four shortlisted nominees for the This Morning Audience Award – the only Olivier Award voted for by the public. The Olivier Awards with MasterCard are the UK’s most prestigious stage honours and the star-studded ceremony will take … Read more

Alan Bennett’s The Lady In The Van On Film – First Look

News, Video
Alex Jennings and Maggie Smith in The Lady In The Van coming to cinemas in November 2015

We’re pleased to be bringing you this first look at the film adaptation of The Lady In The Van. Lady in the Van is adapted from the Alan Bennett play of the same name and is directed by Nicholas Hytner, who directed the original production at the Queen’s Theatre. Lady in the Van stars Maggie Smith, Alex Jennings, Frances de la Tour, Jim Broadbent and Gwen Taylor and arrives in cinemas in November 2015. The film tells the true story of the relationship between Alan Bennett and the singular Miss Shepherd, a woman of uncertain origins who ‘temporarily’ parked her van in Bennett’s London driveway and proceeded to live there for 15 years. We’re looking forward to this one.

Kinky Boots London Tickets on Sale Today

News, West End
Kinky Boots London Bound?

The UK premiere of Kinky Boots, the feel-good multi award-winning musical, will open in the West End on 15 September at the Adelphi Theatre, with previews from 21 August 2015. Kinky Boots London Tickets are on sale today. With a book by four-time Tony Award-winner Harvey Fierstein, music and lyrics by pop icon Cyndi Lauper, and direction and choreography by two-time Tony Award-winner Jerry Mitchell, Kinky Boots won the 2013 Tony Award for Best Musical, and the 2014 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album. Inspired by a true story and based on the Miramax film Kinky Boots tells the story of Charlie Price who has reluctantly inherited his father’s Northampton shoe factory. Trying to live up to his father’s legacy and save the family business from bankruptcy, Charlie finds inspiration in the form of Lola. A fabulous entertainer in need of some sturdy stilettos, Lola turns out to be the … Read more

REVIEW ROUND UP: Beautiful – The Carole King Musical

News, Reviews, West End
Gary Trainor, Ian McIntosh, Lorna Want, Katie Brayben in Beautiful. Photo: Brinkhoff Moegenberg

Beautiful – the Carole King Musical has now opened in London at the Aldwych Theatre. Here’s a summary of what the major critics had to say. Book tickets to Beautiful – The Carole King Musical. Stephen Collins BritishTheatre.com ★★★★★ Everything about the production seems fresher, lovelier and livelier than on Broadway. It’s a feast for eyes and ears and, when it is done, the feeling of elation is irresistible. I can count on one hand the number of musicals which have tempted me to dance along with the final tune, after the bows, but this show is another. And at its heart is the phenomenal Katie Brayben. This is the kind of musical one can see every week and not regret spending the time or money in so doing. Fundamentally fabulous and perfectly executed. Michael Billington The Guardian ★★★ Fans of the singer-songwriter Carole King may be happy just to … Read more

Meryl’s Cut Song From Into The Woods Released

News, Video
Meryl Streep as the Witch in Into The Woods

We are delighted to bring you this snippet of the new song written by Stephen Sondheim for Meryl Streep for the cinema adaptation of Into The Woods. The much talked about song was cut by the creative team who felt that the song did not work within the context of the show, but it now looks like the song will be included in the upcoming DVD release. Enjoy the snippet and pre-order your copy of the Into The Woods DVD now.

The 10 Best Long Running Shows In The West End

News, West End
Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre in London

What long running show 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 that cast changes can factor into the mix. Only Plays and Musicals which have been running for more than three years are included in this is list. So go see them! 1. Wicked Wicked is the prequel to The Wizard Of Oz. Long before Dorothy drops in, two girls meet in the land of Oz. One, born with emerald-green skin, is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. Wicked tells the story of how these two unlikely friends grew to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch. Wicked has become a phenomenon not only … Read more