FIRST LOOK: Disney’s Frozen the musical, Denver USA

Disney’s stage adaptation of Frozen had its world premiere on September 14 at the Denver Centre for the Performing Arts’ Buell Theatre. We hope that you enjoy Deen van Meer’s wonderful production photos. Frozen stars Cassie Levy (Else), Patti Murin (Anna), Jelani Alladin (Kristoff), John Riddle (Hans), Robert Creighton (Weselton), Kevin Del Aguila (Oaken), Timothy Hughes (Pabbie), and Andrew Pirozzi (Sven). Rounding out the cast of 40 are Alicia Albright, Tracee Beazer, Wendi Bergamini, Ashley Blanchet, James Brown III, Claire Camp, Lauren Nicole Chapman, Spencer Clark, Jeremy Davis, Kali Grinder, Ashley Elizabeth Hale, Zach Hess, Donald Jones, Jr., Nina Lafarga, Ross Lekites, Austin Lesch, Synthia Link, Travis Patton, Adam Perry, Jeff Pew, Olivia Phillip, Noah J. Ricketts, Ann Sanders, Jacob Smith, and Nicholas Ward. Audrey Bennett and Mattea Conforti share the role of Young Anna and Brooklyn Nelson and Ayla Schwartz share the role of Young Elsa. Britain’s own Michael … Read more

A fairytale cast for Branagh’s Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet at the Garrick Theatre

The Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company has revealed the full cast for Romeo and Juliet, the fifth production in the inaugural Plays at the Garrick season. Joining Lily James as Juliet, Richard Madden as Romeo and Derek Jacobi as Mercutio is Meera Syal as the Nurse. Meera Syal said: “I’m so looking forward to joining such an exciting and prestigious company, and to be performing Shakespeare with them in this, his 400th anniversary year.” Lily James is an actress of stage and screen who came to international prominence in Downton Abbey as Lady Rose and who has recently won acclaim for her role in Kenneth Branagh’s 2015 production of Cinderella in which she played the title character. Reuniting the stars of his celebrated film Cinderella, Kenneth Branagh and Rob Ashford will direct Shakespeareʼs heartbreaking tale of forbidden love. Derek Jacobi’s stage credits include Heartbreak House, King Lear, two productions of Twelfth … Read more

The Winter’s Tale Tops UK Cinema Box Office

A Winter's Tale with Judi Dench

Having sold out it’s entire run at the Garrick Theatre, the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company‘s production of Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale topped the UK Box Office Charts this week when it grossed £1.1 million at screenings around the country. The Winter’s Tale was screened to 520 cinemas across the UK and 1300 cinemas worldwide. Encore broadcasts will be held across the UK during the Christmas period. The screening of the production beat The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2 to claim the top spot. The Winter’s Tale, Shakespeare’s timeless tragicomedy of obsession and redemption, which opened to critical acclaim at London’s Garrick Theatre on 7 November, is reimagined in a new production co-directed by Rob Ashford and Kenneth Branagh. Judi Dench plays Paulina opposite Kenneth Branagh as Leontes. Kenneth Branagh said: “To be able to celebrate our production of The Winter’s Tale with cinema audiences is a true privilege. I would … Read more

REVIEW: All On Her Own – Harlequinade, Garrick Theatre ✭✭✭✭✭

Harlequinade at the Garrick Theatre starring Zoe Wanamaker and Kenneth Branagh

The revival of Harlequinade, directed by Branagh and Ashford, now playing at the Garrick Theatre (in a 100 minute experience that includes All On Her Own and no intervals) is something of a revelation. Mostly, Harlequinade is seen in conjunction with The Browning Version, one of Rattigan’s masterpieces, usually as a curtain raiser. To my mind, that combination has never worked and Harlequinade has always seemed pale and irksome by comparison with The Browning Version. But, here, released from the curtain raiser position, placed directly in the spotlight, splendidly set up by the intense darkness of All On Her Own, the play can shine.

REVIEW: The Winter’s Tale, Garrick Theatre ✭✭✭✭✭✭

Judi Dench in The Winter's Tale

Dench’s verse speaking is unrivalled. She picks each word and gives it full, accurate weight, landing the sense, purpose and exact emotion of every glittering phrase. She is wily, wise and wonderful. Her pained berating of Leontes when she tells him Hermione is dead is one of the greatest moments in theatre I have ever witnessed. So powerful, it knocks the breath from your body.

REVIEW: A Damsel In Distress, Chichester Festival Theatre ✭✭✭✭✭

A Damsel In Distress at Chichester Festival theatre

The cast, like a fine soufflé, is full of first rate choices and rises to the occasion in exactly the right way. The singing here is glorious. The Gershwins make a lot of demands upon singers and Williams ensures that every note is hit truly and that the froth and bubble in the music is given full release. The dance routines in Nice Work If You Can Get It, Stiff Upper Lip, I Can’t Be Bothered Now, French Pastry Walk and Fidgety Feet are effortlessly engaging, thrilling to watch. As you emerge from the auditorium, it is impossible not be cheery.