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Published: 31 August 2011
Stick Man, the woody creation of Waterstone’s Children’s Laureate Julia Donaldson, will spend his Christmas escaping from danger at Leicester Square theatre.The herbaceous hero will entertain children and adults with… Read More
NF Simpson, best known for his absurdist plays, died on Saturday 27 August following a stroke. He was 92.The son of a Baptist glass-blower, Simpson had his first play, A… Read More
Published: 26 August 2011
As Kids Week 2011 heads into its third week of offers and activities, more shows have released tickets to the family-friendly initiative.Hit London productions including Disney’s The Lion King, Shrek… Read More
As the new show celebrating the work of the world’s greatest female vocalists opens in London, Matthew Amer finds out about its stars’ thoughts on music and divas.New musical extravaganza… Read More
Stephen Ashfield and Ben Freeman are to become the new men in Carley Stenson’s life when they take over the roles of Emmett and Warner in Legally Blonde The Musical… Read More
Published: 24 August 2011
From “terrible” stand up to television presenter to West End star, Justin Lee Collins tells Caroline Bishop how one thing just keeps leading to another…So well does Justin Lee Collins… Read More
Kimberley Walsh, one fifth of chart-topping pop group Girls Aloud, is to replace Amanda Holden in the role of Princess Fiona in Shrek The Musical from 5 October. Walsh’s casting… Read More
There is a dark undertone simmering beneath Michael Yeargan’s postcard-perfect sets. The violet-hued sunsets belie the racial tension, sexual frustration and threat of death that hangs over the Seabees, soldiers… Read More
Published: 23 August 2011
Just when you thought bankers could not get a worse reputation, along comes OperaUpClose to re-style Don Giovanni as a modern money-monger.At Soho theatre, Mozart’s legendary lothario has very little… Read More
Betty Blue Eyes, the new Stiles and Drewe musical which opened at the Novello theatre in March, is to end its West End run on 24 September. It had been… Read More
Published: 22 August 2011
The West End’s spookiest evening of tuneful entertainment, Ghost The Musical, has proved such a hit in London that a Broadway production has been announced.A US production of Ghost The… Read More
As he takes to the stage in transatlantic drama The Faith Machine at the Royal Court, Kyle Soller talks to Caroline Bishop about his own decision to cross the pond… Read More
Meera Syal is to lead the cast of dark comedy The Killing Of Sister George at the Arts theatre from 5 to 29 October (press night 7 October). In this… Read More
Published: 19 August 2011
Award-winning actress Sophie Okonedo is to return to the London stage this winter to star in Joe Penhall’s new play Haunted Child at the Royal Court.In the drama, which opens… Read More
Actors Tom Goodman-Hill and Anthony Calf are to join the previously announced Thandie Newton in the forthcoming West End revival of Death And The Maiden.The tale of a former political… Read More
Published: 18 August 2011
Veteran actress Siân Phillips is to star in new show Lovesong, the latest play from The Hour writer Abi Morgan, which plays at the Lyric Hammersmith early next year.Phillips, who… Read More
Published: 17 August 2011
Two of the West End’s unsung stars, Harry Gabriel and Jo Hawes, could be carrying the Olympic torch as it makes its way through London next year.The pair, nominated for… Read More
As her breakthrough TV performance is repeated and she leads the cast of Top Girls in the West End, Suranne Jones talks to Matthew Amer about pigeonholes and pyjamas.It is… Read More
Feminism, food and shoulder pads; Caryl Churchill’s Top Girls might be rooted in the 80s, but its West End revival proves as pertinent as ever. I have not returned to… Read More
Published: 16 August 2011
Canadian company Mermaid theatre is to bring its touring stage adaptation of Eric Carle’s much-loved picture book The Very Hungry Caterpillar to the Rose theatre, Kingston from 5 to 7… Read More
Craig Gazey and Emily Head are to appear in thriller Third Floor at Trafalgar Studios from 11 October to 5 November (press night 13 October).Third Floor is a new play… Read More
Published: 15 August 2011
Elvis Presley, be-kilted jugglers and a seven-foot tiger; no, not my ideal dinner party – though throw in a tap-dancing badger and you’re close – but just a couple of… Read More
Members of the company of hit West End show War Horse are taking part in a Children’s Literature Festival at the Imperial War Museum this week. The festival, which runs… Read More
Published: 12 August 2011
Young children will have a second chance to meet Santa Claus this year as the famous reindeer owner returns to the Ambassadors theatre from 29 November to 31 December. Claus,… Read More
British actress and comedian Lizzie Roper is to replace Ellen Greene in new musical Betwixt! at Trafalgar Studio 2 from 22 August. The comic fantasy musical, which had been due… Read More
Published: 11 August 2011
English National Ballet is to return to the London Coliseum for the festive season with a revival of Wayne Eagling’s The Nutcracker and Strictly Gershwin.Eagling’s version of the classic fairytale… Read More
Scott Bakula, known to many as the star of cult American science fiction drama Quantum Leap, is to join the cast of Terrible Advice at the Menier Chocolate Factory this… Read More
Shakespeare’s Globe, situated on the banks of the Thames in old London town, couldn’t feel more northern at the moment if it had cobbled streets, a pet whippet and a… Read More
Published: 10 August 2011
Returning to musical theatre in South Pacific at the Barbican, Samantha Womack talks to Caroline Bishop about her heady past and the joy and terror of a new challenge. It’s… Read More
British actor John Wood, who received the CBE in 2007 for his services to drama, has died at the age of 81.The former Royal Shakespeare Company regular passed away in… Read More
Potted Panto, the irreverent romp through classic pantomimes, is to return to the West End this Christmas following an Olivier-nominated run last festive season. The production is the latest show… Read More
The Donmar Warehouse is known for its clean, clear productions which get to the heart of the play, and Anna Christie is no different.In fact Rob Ashford’s production makes Eugene… Read More
It was business as usual in the West End last night as all major shows went ahead. Today’s Kids Week launch at the Royal Festival Hall will also continue as… Read More
Published: 9 August 2011
There is something irresistible about Crazy For You at the Regent’s Park Open Air theatre that just makes you smile.It could be Ken Ludwig’s simple story, which follows Bobby, a… Read More
The former Chief Executive of the Society of London Theatre and Theatrical Management Association, Richard Pulford, has died following a long battle with illness.He stood down from his role as… Read More
Sam Attwater, star of West End hit Dreamboats And Petticoats and winner of the last series of Dancing On Ice, has thrown his support behind Kids Week 2011 and will… Read More
Published: 8 August 2011
Olly Fox is one of London theatre’s leading composers with credits at the National Theatre, Young Vic and West End. But nowhere invigorates him as much as Shakespeare’s Globe, for… Read More
Rare images of Marilyn Monroe are to be seen on stage in new musical Exposure, which is planned for the West End in spring 2012. The images are provided by… Read More
Published: 5 August 2011
Circus troupe The Flying Karamazov Brothers is to bring its London run to a close earlier than planned, playing its final performance on 20 August.The unique production, featuring a quartet… Read More
Former star of boyband Busted, James Bourne has written a new musical Out There, which will premiere as part of Youth Music Theatre UK’s summer season.Out There, co-written by Elliot… Read More
Apparently when the performers of Napoletango flew into Britain their luggage was lost in transit. Perhaps this explains the distinct lack of clothing in this eclectic show at the London… Read More
War, huh, what is it good for? Writing plays about, if the National Theatre’s new season of four short plays by four playwrights new to the South Bank venue is… Read More
Yes, Prime Minister, the stage version of the popular 1980s sitcom, is to remain in the West End after its run at the Apollo theatre ends on 17 September by… Read More
Published: 4 August 2011
It may still be 143 days until Christmas but Jackson’s Lane is already thinking about what present to give its audiences and has decided on an Enormous Turnip.The North London… Read More
As the 2011/12 football season begins to hot up, Soho theatre will be presenting a new play by Georgia Fitch set behind the scenes of the beautiful game.Fit And Proper… Read More
Published: 3 August 2011
Christopher Hampton’s When Did You Last See My Mother? is to be revived at the Trafalgar Studios this autumn, following the extended run of musical Betwixt!Set in 1965, When Did… Read More
I find most interviews enjoyable. Some are hard work. Very occasionally an interview comes along that inspires me and encourages me to change my life. David Hayman was one of… Read More
Leading actresses Tamzin Outhwaite, Nicola Walker and Claudie Blakley are to appear together at the Hampstead Downstairs in fellow performer Amelia Bullmore’s new play.Di And Viv And Rose, which is… Read More
Published: 2 August 2011
Comedian and host Marcus Brigstocke will be among an array of talented theatre stars coming together at the Royal Festival Hall on 10 August to launch Kids Week in the… Read More
Published: 1 August 2011
Former I’d Do Anything finalist Rachel Tucker is to continue playing Wicked’s leading witch Elphaba into 2012.Tucker and current Madame Morrible, Julie Legrand, have extended their contracts with the Oz-set… Read More
The stage adaptation of Beatles biopic Backbeat is to receive its West End debut this autumn, playing at the Duke of York’s theatre from September.The musical, based on the 1994… Read More
Published: 29 July 2011
Showstopper! The Improvised Musical is to enjoy a return West End visit at the Ambassadors theatre this autumn, playing on Tuesday and Wednesday nights from 20 September to 12 October.… Read More
Michael Crawford is to extend his stay playing the eponymous Wizard Of Oz at the London Palladium to 5 February 2012.The star, who has been playing the role since the… Read More
How should a highly acclaimed writer solve the issue of writer’s block? That’s not the question I asked myself this morning, staring at a blank computer screen, but the problem… Read More
Published: 28 July 2011
Frank, Sammy and Dean will offer the West End another dose of seasonal crooning this festive season when The Rat Pack Live From Las Vegas plays at the Wyndham’s theatre… Read More
Primeval star and former S Club 7 singer Hannah Spearritt is to make her stage debut in a revival of The Belle’s Stratagem at Southwark Playhouse this autumn.The Georgian stage… Read More
Lee Blessing’s tale of arms negotiators, A Walk In The Woods, is to return to the London stage at the Tricycle theatre this autumn. The production, which was originally performed… Read More
David Suchet is to return to the London stage next year in Eugene O’Neill’s Long Day’s Journey Into Night, which is scheduled for the Apollo theatre from 2 April to… Read More
Published: 27 July 2011
Edward Hall’s all-male Propeller company will tour the Shakespearean pairing of Henry V and The Winter’s Tale in 2012, bringing them to the Hampstead theatre from 4 to 21 July.The… Read More
Fate brought him to the British stage as Henry VI and now Richard III will take him back to America. Chuk Iwuji talks to Caroline Bishop about the international course… Read More
Soho Cinders, the latest musical from writing duo Stiles and Drewe, is to be given a one-off world premiere concert at the Novello theatre on 9 October. The concert performance,… Read More
Published: 26 July 2011
Proving that preparation for 2012 is a marathon rather than a sprint, more than half of the West End’s hit shows have recently extended their booking to be ready for… Read More
Further details have been released of Little Angel theatre’s 50th anniversary Christmas production, which will see the company’s founding family join forces with celebrated theatre company Kneehigh. A Very Old… Read More
Published: 25 July 2011
It can’t be often that a playwright can boast of having more than one show on in London at any one time, but Ken Ludwig has that pleasure this summer.… Read More
The critically acclaimed stage adaptation of Swallows And Amazons, which wowed crowds at the Bristol Old Vic in 2010, is to come to London’s Vaudeville theatre for a Christmas season.The… Read More
Lend Me A Tenor The Musical is to end its West End run at the Gielgud theatre on 6 August due to disappointing ticket sales. It had been booking to… Read More
Published: 22 July 2011
Karen Gillan, best known as Amy Pond in popular sci-fi drama Doctor Who, will make her professional stage debut in Inadmissible Evidence at the Donmar Warehouse from 13 October. Gillan… Read More
I’ve seen some odd things happen at Official London Theatre towers over the years, but nothing to match the borderline psychotic goings-on in the workplace in Ed Harris’s Mongrel Island.… Read More
Hollywood star Thandie Newton is to swap the film set for the stage when she appears in Ariel Dorfman’s Death And The Maiden in the West End. The production, directed… Read More
Published: 21 July 2011
The Railway Children, which won the 2011 Olivier Award for Best Entertainment earlier this year, is to extend its second stay in London to 8 January 2012. It had been… Read More
Being the wife of Tony Blair’s chief-of-staff, Jonathan Powell, when Britain went to war with Iraq gave journalist Sarah Helm a unique viewpoint on an extraordinary situation. In this, her… Read More
Published: 20 July 2011
After a long period of development, Ghost The Musical finally made its West End debut last night at the Piccadilly theatre. “I’ve just released a solo album and I made… Read More
Former Coronation Street star Lee Boardman and award-winning actress Lisa Eichhorn are to join Marc Warren in the stage adaptation of Cool Hand Luke at the Aldwych theatre this autumn.Boardman,… Read More
If the Lyttelton theatre were to see a psychiatrist, it would probably be diagnosed as bi-polar. On one night it houses the fun-filled hilarity of One Man, Two Guvnors, the… Read More
On paper, a stage adaptation of a film about a ghost who can walk through doors shouldn’t work. But the show that opened last night at the Piccadilly theatre defies… Read More