West End Plays: West End News - West End Tickets 2021

REVIEW: Light Shining In Buckinghamshire, Lyttleton Theatre ✭✭

Stephen Collins24th April 2015 Reviews, West End

Light Shining in Buckinghamshire by Caryl Churchill at the National theatre

There is an acute fascination in watching the richly intense banquet give way, bit by bit, to the advances of the common folk, to see the lavish table become stripped bare, and then transform into a place for measured debate instead of entitled excess. The wonderful lighting from Bruno Poet only accentuates the lush transition, as does Mary Chadwick’s atmospheric music. The hint of the regally attired Charles and his retinue, like a gorgeously detailed ghost, hovers in the background – there, but not there.

Nicole Kidman Returns To The West End Stage

Douglas Mayo25th February 201624th April 2015 News, West End

Nicole Kidman returns to the West End with the Michael Grandage Company in Photograph 51

Nicole Kidman will return to the West End stage with the Michael Grandage Company in September 2015. Kidman will play the role of Rosalind Franklin in Photograph 51, a new play by Anna Ziegler. The production is the play’s UK premiere and reunites Grandage and Kidman following their recent collaboration on the feature film Genius. Michael Grandage said , “We’re thrilled to be returning to the West End with Nicole Kidman in Photograph 51 at such a vibrant time for London theatre.” Does Rosalind Franklin know how precious her photograph is? In the race to unlock the secret of life it could be the one to hold the key. With rival scientists looking everywhere for the answer, who will be first to see it and more importantly, understand it? Anna Ziegler’s extraordinary play looks at the woman who cracked DNA and asks what is sacrificed in the pursuit of science, … Read more

Women On The Verge To Close

Douglas Mayo25th February 201623rd April 2015 News, West End

Women On The Verge Of a Nervous Breakdown The Musical to Close at the Playhouse Theatre London

It was announced today the Women On the Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown, currently playing at the Playhouse Theatre will close on May 23, 2015. Based on the 1998 Pedro Almodovar film of the same name, the show starred Tamsin Greig and Haydyn Gwynne, who both received Olivier Award nominations for their performances in the musical. Producers released a statement saying: “We’re very proud of this production, our superb cast and creative team, and the wonderful critical and audience response during the season.” It is believed the musical will now be staged outside the UK with productions planned for Germany, Japan and Australia. Meanwhile tickets are still available for performances up to May 23,2015.

REVIEW: Death Of A Salesman, Royal Shakespeare Theatre ✭✭✭

Stephen Collins26th May 201522nd April 2015 Regional, Reviews, West End

Death Of A Salesman by Arthur Miller at the Royal Shakespeare Company

The role of Willy Loman is very exacting, requiring great range and subtlety from the actor. The single greatest requirement, though, is for the actor to be Loman rather than to play him; there needs to be total immersion in the character, and the character’s different stages. It must be possible to see the Loman who so enthralled and impressed his sons, the Loman who believed in the Dream and to contrast that against the Loman who is engulfed, diminished, destroyed. Antony Sher gives a prickly, vigorous, erratically explosive performance. He might wear Loman’s skin but he never gets under it.

Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company At The Garrick

Douglas Mayo22nd June 201717th April 2015 News, West End

Kenneth Branagh Company announces further casting for The Winter's Tale and Harlequinade

Kenneth Branagh is back in the West End with a series of plays being presented at the Garrick Theatre under the banner of the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company. Commencing in October 2015 and running for a year this venture will be under the direction of central creative team which includes central artistic associates Rob Ashford, Christopher Oram and Director/ Adaptor Sean Foley. An ensemble of exception artists including Ron Brydon, Judi Dench, Lily James and Richard Madden are already confirmed with further casting to be announced. THE WINTERʼS TALE By William Shakespeare 17 October 2015 – 16 January 2016 READ OUR 6 STAR REVIEW Shakespeareʼs timeless tragicomedy of obsession and redemption is re-imagined in a new production co-directed by Rob Ashford and Kenneth Branagh, following their triumphant staging of Macbeth in Manchester and Manhattan. Judi Dench will play Paulina, Kenneth Branagh will play Leontes. ALL ON HER OWN / HARLEQUINADE … Read more

GALLERY: Gypsy Opening Night

Douglas Mayo25th February 201616th April 2015 Gallery, News, West End

Angela Lansbury and Imelda Staunton at the opening night of Gypsy in London

Gypsy opened last night in London in front of a star-studded audience and to critical raves. Starring Imelda Staunton as Mamma Rose, Peter Davison as Herbie and Lara Pulver as Louise, London’s original Momma Rose – Angela Lansbury was in the audience. Gypsy is directed by Jonathan Kent, with book by Arthur Laurents, Gypsy has music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim suggested by the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, choreography by Stephen Mear, designs by Anthony Ward, musical direction and orchestration by Nicholas Skilbeck, lighting by Mark Henderson and sound by Paul Groothuis. Read our review for Gypsy. BOOK TICKETS FOR GYPSY

A 6 Star Review – Why?

Douglas Mayo12th November 202116th April 2015 News, Reviews, West End

Imelda Staunton in Gypsy at the Savoy Theatre London

Every so often a piece of theatre surpasses expectations and gives a reviewer pause when writing his/her review. At the conclusion of the show, and after writing their review, it was time to settle on the star rating, which is normally marked up to five stars. Star ratings are an arbitrary process in any event, and always reflect the individual reaction to a particular performance. Only on one previous occasion has the reviewer approached me as Managing Editor to ask the question “What if 5 stars just isn’t enough?” On both occasions, the reviewers in question they both explained that they felt the shows were thrillingly performed and perfectly staged. 5 stars just didn’t seem enough. After consultation, an executive decision was made to allow certain extraordinary shows to be awarded BritishTheatre.com’s rarely awarded 6 Star rating. This is a rare accolade and is only awarded to the most exceptional … Read more

REVIEW: Gypsy, Savoy Theatre ✭✭✭✭✭✭

Stephen Collins24th April 201516th April 2015 Reviews, West End

Imelda Staunton in Gypsy at London's Savoy Theatre

Everyone in this company is superb in their part, everyone can really sing, really dance and really deliver the goods in terms of dramatic and comic acting. This is that rare beast: an exquisitely cast musical where the requirements of the parts have more importance in the casting process than potential box office draw or Twitter popularity. It is difficult to believe that there has ever been a better Rose than Staunton creates here.