Touring

£37m Storyhouse brings new theatre spaces to the north-west

News, Regional, Touring
Storyhouse Chester

An exciting new theatre has burst onto the scene in the north-west and the UK touring circuit with the opening of Storyhouse in Chester. At a cost of £37million, the former Grade II-listed Art Deco cinema has been transformed into a glorious new building housing a cinema and library with two new theatre spaces. The main theatre will transform in the spring and autumn from being an 800-seat proscenium arch, presenting national and international touring productions, to a more intimate 500-seat space in the summer and at Christmas with a thrust stage extended over the stalls. There is also a 150-seat studio, The Garret Theatre, with its own fourth-floor bar with panoramic views over Chester, as well as a 100-seat boutique cinema. Storyhouse opens with a run of four home-produced shows, performed in rep, by a new repertory company that is the largest in the UK outside the Royal Shakespeare Company and National … Read more

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

Looking back at nearly five years of Curious Incident

Features, News, The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time, Touring, West End
The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night Time

After nearly 1,500 performances, Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is nearing its end in London. Mark Ludmon looks back over its five-year run. Nearly five years – or 1,743 days – after Christopher Boone first set out to investigate The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time at the National Theatre, the show continues to earn standing ovations at its current home of the Gielgud. Audiences are wowed by Bunny Christie’s design, Finn Ross’s video effects, Steven Hoggett and Scott Graham’s movement direction, Simon Stephens’s writing, Mark Haddon’s story and, of course, the talent and physical prowess required to play the lead role of Christopher. After nearly 1,500 performances, the show will end its run in London on June 3. In that time, it will have been seen by over 1 million people in London, with Christopher played by 18 different actors including understudies. With many … Read more

Spamalot UK Tour

News, Touring
Spamalot Uk Tour

Following their acclaimed tours of Little Shop Of Horrors, Footloose and Avenue Q, Selladoor Productions in association with the Mercury Theatre Colchester will present a UK tour of Spamalot. Lovingly ripped off from the hugely successful 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail, this spammier than ever production is a riotous comedy full of misfit knights, killer rabbits, dancing nuns and ferocious Frenchmen. Join King Arthur as he travels with his hapless Knights of the Round Table on a divine mission to locate the elusive Holy Grail – with uproarious consequences. Written by Monty Python’s Eric Idle alongside John DuPrez, Spamalot won the 2005 Tony Award for Best Musical has enjoyed acclaimed runs around the world. Spamalot is directed by Daniel Buckroyd and designed by Sara Perks. Lighting is designed by David W Kidd and sound by Chris Bogg. Casting for Spamalot is to be announced soon. SPAMALOT UK … Read more

Cast announced for Nativity! The Musical in Birmingham and on tour

News, Touring
Casting announced for Nativity The Musical UK Tour

West End stars are among cast announced for the world premiere of the musical of hit film Nativity! at Birmingham Rep and on tour. Daniel Boys will play Paul Maddens, a primary school teacher trying to put on a nativity show against the odds, while Simon Lipkin will play over-enthusiastic classroom assistant Mr Poppy. Sarah Earnshaw, who was part of the original London cast of Wicked, will play Paul’s ex-girlfriend, Jennifer Lore. They will be joined by Andy Barke, Jamie Chapman, Jemma Churchill, Gary Davis and Katia Sartini. Further casting and children’s casting are to be announced soon. Nativity! The Musical will be at The Rep from October 20 to November 12 before going on tour. It is in association with Jamie Wilson, Entertainment One Films, Ramin Sabi and Belgrade Theatre Coventry. Based on the 2009 comedy starring Martin Freeman and Marc Wootton, the musical will feature songs from the … Read more

Our House UK Tour

News, Touring

Our House, The Madness musical will undertake a UK Tour from August 2017 in a new production directed by Immersion Theatre’s James Tobias and choreographed by the resident choreographer of Matilda The Musical, Fabian Aloise. On the night of his 16th birthday, Joe Casey takes the girl of his dreams, Sarah, out on their first date. In an effort to impress her with bravado, Joe breaks into a building site overlooking his home on Casey Street. When the police turn up, a split-second decision forces him to choose between himself and his heart as the story splits in two: one which sees Joe stay to face the music, and the other which sees him flee and leave Sarah to run from the police. As two very different paths unfold before him, the consequences of that choice will change his life forever. Deena Payne, best known for her role as Viv … Read more

Wait Until Dark UK Tour

Touring
Wait Until Dark UK Tour

The Original Theatre Company have announced that they will present the Wait Until Dark UK Tour. Frederick Knott’s gripping thriller will undertake a major revival and tour from August 2017 directed by Alastair Whatley and starring Jack Ellis as Mike, Karina Jones as Susy and Oliver Mellor as Sam Henderson. Graham Brooks and Tim Treloar will play Croker and Roat respectively, whilst Shannon Rewcroft and Thomas McCarron complete the cast as Gloria and Policeman. Set amidst the social turbulence of 1960s London, the play follows the story of Susy, a blind woman who, left alone in her apartment, becomes the victim of an elaborate scam hatched by a group of conmen. Susy is left to fend for herself, and eventually, finds a way to turn the tables on the conmen and give them a taste of life in the dark. Best known for his Thriller Dial M For Murder, Frederick … Read more

FIRST LOOK: National Theatre’s Jane Eyre UK Tour

Gallery, Touring
Jane Eyre UK Tour

We are pleased to bring you these great new production images by Brinkhoff/Moegenburg of Sally Cookson’s energetic and imaginative new adaptation of Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre which has just started a twenty-one city tour of the UK. 2017 marks the 170th anniversary of the first publication of Jane Eyre – a significant time to be touring Charlotte Brontë’s classic and much-loved story. This exciting new stage version of Jane Eyre was originally presented in two parts at Bristol Old Vic, and then transferred to the National Theatre, re-imagined as a single performance, playing to sold out houses at the NT’s Lyttelton Theatre. The production was devised by the original company, with set designs by Michael Vale, costumes by Katie Sykes, lighting by Aideen Malone, music by Benji Bower, sound by Dominic Bilkey, movement by Dan Canham and dramaturgy by Mike Akers. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE JANE EYRE UK TOUR