West End

West End Plays: The latest West End news and venues. Buy West End tickets for musicals, plays and other theatre events.

Shakespeare’s Globe Announces First Season Under Emma Rice

News, Touring, West End
Emma Rice - Artistic Director Shakespeare's Globe

Shakespeare’s Globe today announced Emma Rice’s inaugural season as Artistic Director which will be entitled the Wonder Season. The season will comprise A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Taming Of The Shrew, Macbeth, 946 The Amazing Story Of Adolphus Tips and Imogen, whilst Jonathan Munby’s The Merchant Of Venice starring Jonathan Pryce will open at the Liverpool Playhouse, tour nationally and internationally and return to the Globe stage in October. The Sam Wanamaker Playhouse will host a touring production of The Two Gentlemen of Verona and Kneehigh’s The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk. Designer Les Brotherston will install a magical forest which will spill from the piazza onto London’s Bankside welcoming everyone to the Globe’s season of Wonder. A Midsummer Night’s Dream directed by Emma Rice will play from 30 April – 11 September, Caroline Byrne’s The Taming Of The Shrew will play from 13 May – 6 August, and Macbeth will … Read more

Cast Announced For Motown The Musical

News, West End
Motown The Muiscal

BOOK NOW FOR MOTOWN Full casting has been announced for the West End production of Motown The Musical which opens at London’s Shaftesbury Theatre on 11 February 2016. Motown the Musical tells the story of how Berry Gordy turned a loan of $800 into the musical powerhouse that was Motown Records. Motown the Musical will star Cedric Neal as Berry Gordy, Lucy St Louis as Diana Ross, Charl Brown as Smokey Robinson and Sifiso Mazibuko as Marvin Gaye. They are joined by Keisha Amponsa Banson as Mary Wells, Cindy Belliot as Anna Gordy, Samuel Edwards as Jackie Wilson, Tanya Nicole Edwards as Florence Ballard, Portia Harry as Teena Marie, Aisha Jawando as Martha Reeves, Joshua Liburd as Eddie Kendricks, Simeon Montague as Jermaine Jackson, Cleopatra Rey as Gladys Knight, Brandon Lee Sears as Tito Jackson, Jordan Shaw as Stevie Wonder, Cherelle Williams as Mary Wilson. other members of the cast … Read more

CRITICS CHOICE: Danny Coleman-Cooke’s Pick of 2015

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

We asked each of our reviewers to nominate their favourite show of 2015. Danny Coleman-Cooke was quick with his reponse – Sweeney Todd by Tooting Arts Club with Jeremy Secomb and Sionhan McCarthy. Sweeney Todd was a spell-binding production that remained in my head for days afterwards. An eerie and perfectly chosen venue combined with a first-class cast and some highly intelligent staging. The most intimate and engaging production I’ve ever seen that rightly got a standing ovation afterwards. It was so good that even Sondheim gave it rave reviews! The show was transferred to a recreation of Harrington’s Pie And Mash Shop on Shaftesbury Avenue with the help of Cameron Mackintosh. See choices from Tim Hochstrasser and Douglas Mayo

CRITICS CHOICE: Tim Hochstrasser’s Pick Of 2015

Reviews, West End
Henry V at Temple Church

My best revival recommendation would go to Antic Disposition’s HENRY V played in the evocative setting of Temple Church. It is very hard to find something new to say about one of the most familiar plays in the canon, but this production developed a fully thought through and reconfigured setting in the period of the First World War that fused precisely and informatively with the original.

Harry Potter Lead Casting Announced

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child West End, News, West End
Harry Potter And The Cursed Child cast

The producers of Harry Potter And The Cursed Child have announced that Jamie Parker, Noma Dumezweni and Paul Thornley will take on the roles of Harry, Hermoine and Ron respectively. J.K. Rowling said: “I’m so excited with the choice of casting for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. I can’t wait to see Jamie, Noma and Paul bring the adult Harry, Hermione and Ron to life on stage next summer.” Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is one play presented in two parts. Both parts are intended to be seen in order on the same day (matinee and evening), or on two consecutive evenings. Previews begin 7 June 2016 with the Opening performances of Part One and Part Two on Saturday 30 July 2016. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is currently booking to 27 May 2017. Find Out More About Harry Potter And The Cursed Child

Billy Elliott Announces West End Closure

News, Touring, West End
Billy Elliot 5th Birthday

Producers have announced that after 4600 performances, Billy Elliot will close at the Victoria Palace Theatre on 9 April 2016 to allow for planned theatre refurbishments. The closure will co-incide with the shows eleventh birthday, with the show having been seen by over 5.25 million people in London and nearly 11 million people worldwide. Billy Elliot has grossed over $800 million worldwide and is the winner of over 80 theatre awards internationally. Based on the Oscar nominated film released in 2000 and set in a northern mining town against the background of the 1984/’85 miners’ strike, Billy’s journey takes him out of the boxing ring and into a ballet class where he discovers a passion for dance that inspires his family and whole community and changes his life forever. Elton John said: “I’ve said it before and it still remains true, Billy Elliot has been one of the most rewarding … Read more

20 Years Of Cirque Du Soleil In London

News, Video, West End
Book now for Amaluna by Cirque Du Soleil in London and Manchester

https://youtu.be/SCcT5I8X38s It’s almost time for our yearly treat which comes int he form of Cirque Du Soleil at the Royal Albert Hall. To celebrate Cirque’s 20th year performing in London, they’ve produced this incredible video showing highlights from all of their London shows. Their current show Amaluna opens at the Royal Albert Hall on January 16, 2016. BOOK TICKETS NOW FOR CIRQUE DU SOLEIL’S AMALUNA