West End Plays: The latest West End news and venues. Buy West End tickets for musicals, plays and other theatre events.
Watching David Leveaux’ stylish revival at the Donmar Warehouse, Closer seems not so much a play about people who don’t have children yet as a play about grown up children. Games, set-ups, lies, betrayals, revenge, secrets – the machinations of the four characters (who are the strangers who become lovers/lovers who become strangers) resemble schoolyard activities. Marber’s dialogue is sharp, ugly and vicious; it is often very funny too.
BritishTheatre.com is pleased to bring you this special video from the cast of The Commitments to celebrate St Patrick’s Day. If you haven’t seen The Commitments, it’s the story of Jimmy Rabbitte, a young working class music fan, who shapes an unlikely bunch of amateur musicians into an amazing live act, the finest soul band Dublin has ever produced. The Commitments has been bringing the people’s music to the people of London playing to packed out houses since the show opening in September 2013 at the Palace Theatre. The family friendly show has been extended twice due to over whelming popular demand. The show is packed with classic soul songs including, Think by Aretha Franklin, (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction by the Rolling Stones, Papa Was A Rolling Stone by The Temptations, Knock on Wood by Eddie Floyd, In The Midnight Hour by Wilson Pickett, Try A Little Tenderness by … Read more
If your view of Greek tragedy is that it should be interminable, histrionic, lyrical, grand and unfathomably disturbing, then this Antigone is not for you. But if you are open to the possibility that Greek tragedy can tap into the fears and troubles of any generation, then this is an irresistible production, compelling and disturbing.
Although there are a few moments when the old girl creaks slightly, for the most part the staging feels contemporary and interest is snapped to attention right from the very start, when the slightly menacing words of the auctioneer herald the commencement of proceedings. The sequences in the Phantom’s lair, complete with boat, candles and ornate organ are almost hypnotic; tendrils of smoke wrap around the imagination, infusing the action and music with intrigue. Harriet Jones is beautiful, petite and alluring, exactly as Christine Daaé should be. Vocally, as the Phantom, Kieran Brown’s fine, high-baritone is silky, seductive, and powerful.
https://youtu.be/jAkqc-O1lfI Before rehearsals began, the West End cast of the new British musical Bend It Like Beckham took to the streets of Southall, West London where the musical is set to produce this song from the show. Natalie Dew plays football crazy Jess with Lauren Samuels as Jules, a player with the Harriers, a local women’s football team, and Jamie Campbell Bower as their coach Joe. Ronni Ancona will play Paula, Jules’s Mum, with Jamal Andréas as Jess’ good friend Tony. Preeya Kalidas plays Pinky, Jess’ sister, with Tony Jayawardena and Natasha Jayetileke as her parents, Mr and Mrs Bhamra. London previews for Bend It Like Beckham begin on May 15. Tickets are on sale now.
Let It Be is a musical celebration of the Beatles and the many, many glorious hits that they recorded during the decade from 1906 to 1970. The show does not offer up any pretence at being a juke box musical with biographical elements, it simply gives audiences a mostly chronological hit smorgasboard, the likes of which will never be equaled by any other pop group.
It has just been announced that Lenny Henry will host the 2015 Olivier Awards in a ceremony to be held at the Royal Opera House on Sunday April 12. A celebrated comedian and performer for many years, Henry made his West End stage debut in 2003, receiving great acclaim for his performance in So Much Things To Say at Wyndham’s Theatre. Since then, he has gone on to have many notable stage roles, including the title role in the Northern Broadsides production of Othello, which toured the UK and had a successful run at London’s Trafalgar Studios. He returned to Shakespeare in 2011 taking to the stage at the National Theatre’s Olivier auditorium in the role of Antipholus of Syracuse in The Comedy Of Errors. In 2013 he won Best Actor at the Critics’ Circle Theatre Awards for his portrayal of Troy Maxson in Fences. Most recently, he starred in … Read more
As Billy Elliot celebrates 10 years in London, Thomas Hazelby from Doncaster becomes the fortieth boy to play the title role in the award-winning musical. Ten year old Thomas Hazelby said: “I am 10 years old and I live with my mum, dad and sister Maya in Doncaster. I started dancing at the age of three at my mum’s dance school, Hazelbiz Performers Academy. I was lucky enough to win my first national award when I was five years old at the British Championships. Before auditioning for Billy Elliot I trained with Miss Hatton on the Royal Ballet School Associate programme. The best day of my life was when I was offered the role of Billy Elliot. My favourite hobby is football, and I support Manchester United. Before joining Billy, I played for South Kirby Knights FC as well as for the Norton Junior school cricket team. I would like … Read more
