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Adrian Lukis To Star in Being Mr Wickham UK Tour This Autumn

Adrian Lukis, who starred in the renowned BBC TV adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, returns to the role of Mr Wickham this Autumn following the acclaimed online production of Being Mr Wickham earlier this year.  

Original Theatre Company, the award-winning producer of hit online productions of Birdsong and Apollo 13: The Dark Side of the Moon and stage productions including the 5-star revival of Alan Bennett’s The Habit of Art and A Splinter of Ice, will present the 2021 tour. 

Written by Adrian Lukis and Catherine Curzon, this one-man play about one of Jane Austen’s most charmingly roguish characters, is directed by Guy Unsworth and designed by Libby Watson. 

Adrian Lukis in Being Mr Wickham (photo James Findlay)
Adrian Lukis in Being Mr Wickham (photo James Findlay)

“Mr. Wickham is blessed with such happy manners as may ensure his making friends – whether he may be equally capable of retaining them is less certain.” 

Join Pride and Prejudice’s most roguish gentleman, George Wickham, on the eve of his sixtieth birthday, to lift the sheets on exactly what happened thirty years on from where we left him. Discover his own version of some very famous literary events. What really happened with Darcy? What did he feel about Lizzie? What happened at Waterloo? Not to mention Byron… 

The 2021 tour will play Belgrade Theatre, Coventry (30 September-2 October), The Theatre Chipping Norton (4-5 October), Theatr Clwyd (8-9 October), Darlington Hippodrome (11-12 October), York Theatre Royal (14-16 October), The New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich (19-20 October), Connaught Theatre, Worthing (21-22 October), Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford (28-30 October), The Haymarket, Basingstoke (1-2 November) and Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne (4-6 November). 

“I’m thrilled to be reunited with my old friend, George Wickham. Having spent years defending his dubious reputation, I look forward to finally setting the record straight, with the assistance of the immensely talented Original Theatre Company.” 

Adrian Lukis, on the production

Adrian Lukis in Being Mr Wickham (photo James Findlay)
Adrian Lukis in Being Mr Wickham (photo James Findlay)

Rarely off the small screen, Adrian Lukis’s most recent TV credits include Channel 4’s Feel Good, the 2019 mini-series A Christmas Carol starring Guy Pearce, Vera, Poldark, Bulletproof, Collateral, The Crown, Red Dwarf, Grantchester, Black Mirror, Blair Toast in Toast of London, Downton Abbey, New Tricks and Death in Paradise. He also stars in the new Netflix series Anatomy of a Scandal, due to be streamed this year. Films include Judy, Dolittle, City Slacker and Bertie & Dickie. Recent theatre credits include The Price (Theatre Royal Bath), The Seagull (Chichester Festival Theatre/ National Theatre) and Versailles (Donmar Warehouse). 

Being Mr Wickham is produced by Alastair Whatley and Tom Hackney for Original Theatre Company. The Director is Guy Unsworth, Designer is Libby Watson, Sound Designer is Max Pappenheim and Lighting Designer is Johanna Town.  

Alastair Whatley, Artistic Director of Original Theatre Company, said: “Guy Unsworth’s production of Adrian’s and Catherine’s fantastic play was one of the highlights from our recent online season. Originally live streamed from the beautiful Theatre Royal in Bury St Edmunds but without an audience physically with us in the room, it’s a real thrill to be able to get the show on the road and visit theatres up and down the country.” 

For tour details, visit: https://www.originaltheatre.com/our-productions/being-mr-wickham/about-the-show.  

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Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella Extends West End Run Until May 2022

Carrie Hope Fletcher, Victoria Hamilton-Barritt, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella, Photo Credit Tristram Kenton

Andrew Lloyd Webber, Emerald Fennell and David Zippel’s Cinderella, a twist on the classic fairytale, has announced that it has extended its West End run.

The West End run will now play at the Gillian Lynne Theatre until 29 May 2022, with tickets for the extension now on sale.

Rebecca Trehearn, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella, Photo Credit Tristram Kenton
Rebecca Trehearn, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella, Photo Credit Tristram Kenton

Carrie Hope Fletcher leads the new production as title character Cinderella, with Ivano Turco as Prince Sebastian and Victoria Hamilton-Barritt playing The Stepmother. Rebecca Trehearn is The Queen, Georgina Castle and Laura Baldwin, as Cinderella’s stepsisters Marie and Adele, Gloria Onitiri plays The Godmother and Caleb Roberts is Prince Charming.

The production is a complete reinvention of the classic fairytale, written by and based on an original idea from Emerald Fennell, the Oscar winning writer of the recently released, critically acclaimed film Promising Young Woman, and scriptwriter/Executive Producer of the of international smash hit Killing Eve.  As an actress she is known to millions as Patsy in the BBC’s Call The Midwife and as Camilla Parker Bowles in the Netflix hit The Crown. 

The Ball, Ensemble, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella, Photo Credit Tristram Kenton
The Ball, Ensemble, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella, Photo Credit Tristram Kenton

Cinderella has a brand new score from Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by David Zippel, a multi-award winner for Broadway productions including City of Angels, The Goodbye Girl, The Woman in White and Liza at the Palace, as well as for work on film including Disney’s Hercules and Mulan, both of which received Oscar nominations.

The full company also includes Michael Afemaré, Lydia Bannister, Michelle Bishop, William Bozier, Lauren Byrne, Sophie Camble, Tobias Charles, Vinny Coyle, Nicole Deon, Jonathan David Dudley, Dominic Adam Griffin, Michael Hamway, James Lee Harris, Leah Harris, Kate Ivory Jordan, Kelsie-Rae Marshall, Georgina Onuorah (who will play the role of Cinderella at certain performances), Andy Rees, Alexandra Waite Roberts, Sam Robinson, Giovanni Spano, Lauren Stroud, Georgia Tapp and Matthieu Vinetot.

The production reunites legendary composer Andrew Lloyd Webber with director Laurence Connor and choreographer JoAnn M Hunter, who previously worked on the Olivier Award winning international hit School of Rock and the recent, sold out production of Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at The London Palladium, which returns to the venue this Summer. 

The creative team also includes Designer, Gabriela Tylesova (Sweeney Todd, Love Never Dies),  Sound Designer, Gareth Owen (& Juliet, Come From Away), Lighting Designer, Bruno Poet (Tina: The Musical, Billie Eilish at Steve Jobs Theatre) and Co-Musical Supervisor, John Rigby (The King and I, The Phantom of the Opera).

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West End Live 2021 Lineup Announced

West End LIVE is finally back on stage in 2021, heralding the triumphant return of London’s world-leading theatre industry!

Forming part of Westminster City Council’s Inside Out Festival and the Society of London Theatre’s #BackOnStage campaign, West End LIVE will see Trafalgar Square transformed into an open-air theatre like no other, treating thousands of theatre fans to free performances from the West End’s top shows over the weekend of 18 and 19 September. 

This year’s event features the first ever West End LIVE appearances from award-winning musicals Hamilton and The Book Of Mormon, as well as an exciting roster of new shows – including The Prince Of Egypt, Disney’s Frozen, Dear Evan Hansen, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella, Back To The Future: The Musical and Pretty Woman: The Musical – alongside many established favourites.

In total, over 30 shows and acts will take to the stage for this unique celebration of theatre, a joint production by Westminster City Council and the Society of London Theatre (SOLT).

Julian Bird, Chief Executive of SOLT, said:

‘It is fantastic to be able to bring West End LIVE back this year. I can’t think of a better way to fully welcome back our beloved productions and celebrate the incredible talent, resilience and creativity on our stages, and to put on an unforgettable show for the countless theatre lovers who have supported our industry so passionately in its time of need.’

Cllr Rachael Robathan, leader of Westminster City Council, said:

‘I have been proud of all the West End LIVE shows we have staged in partnership with SOLT over the years – but this year’s event is particularly momentous as it shows the world the West End is back in business.’

‘The stellar line-up for this year’s West End LIVE weekend draws a line under that. We look forward to welcoming people back safely to Trafalgar Square for a free, two-day taster of their favourite musicals – old and new. Enjoy the magic this September – West End LIVE is back!’

West End LIVE welcomes Sky VIP as a supporting partner for the first time, after working with SOLT and a raft of London shows over the past year to create exclusive videos for their Sky VIPs, giving vital opportunities to performers during the pandemic.

The event also continues its partnership with Magic Radio, with an array of leading Magic presenters co-hosting the stage across the weekend, including Emma B, Tom Price, Sonali Shah and more to be announced.

Official London Theatre will be backstage throughout the weekend sharing exclusive behind-the-scenes content across our social channels.

The event will be BSL interpreted by Sue MacLaine and Marco Nardi.

How much do tickets cost ?

West End LIVE will remain free and unticketed as in previous years. To keep everyone safe, however, all attendees aged 18 and over will be asked to demonstrate their Covid status to gain entry to the event.  

List of shows appearing at West End LIVE 2021

More shows are likely to be announced in the lead-up to the event

& Juliet 

Amélie The Musical

Back To The Future The Musical

The Book Of Mormon

The Choir Of Man

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella

Come From Away

Dear Evan Hansen

Doctor Who: Time Fracture

Dreamgirls UK Tour

English National Opera

Fantastically Great Women Who Changed The World 

Disney’s Frozen

Grease UK Tour

The Great Gatsby

Hamilton

Heathers The Musical

Jersey Boys

Les Misérables

Disney’s The Lion King

Magic Goes Wrong

Magic Mike Live

Mamma Mia!

Mary Poppins

Matilda The Musical

The Phantom Of The Opera

Pretty Woman: The Musical

The Prince Of Egypt

Rock of Ages UK Tour

Six

The Last Five Years 

Tina – The Tina Turner Musical

Find out more at www.westendlive.co.uk

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The Only Way Is Essex star Jess Wright to make theatrical debut this Autumn

 The Only Way Is Essex star Jess Wright will be making her theatrical debut in Girls Just Wanna Have Fun this Autumn!

Since appearing on our screens in 2010 as a regular on ITV2’s flagship show The Only Way Is Essex, she has established herself as one of the most popular TV personalities in the UK, with her own e-commerce site and the hugely successful, elegant clothing line SISTAGLAM. 

In the last ten years, she’s built up a portfolio of business interests not to mention more than 1 million Instagram followers and more than 1.46 million followers on Twitter.

In 2017, Jess appeared on ITV’s hit show Dance Dance Dance and released FI7NESS by Jessica Wright, a seven-week fitness programme. 

Jess Wright, said: “I’m really excited. I’ve loved performing since I was little, and I’ve always wanted to be on stage. This show means a lot to me and the other girls since we were meant to do it last year. But now theatres are open again we’re finally getting our chance! It’s going to be a proper girl’s night out and everyone that comes along to join in the fun is going to have a blast!”

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun is co-written by Julie Coombe and the show’s director John MacIsaac. With choreography by Hayley Jane Simmons and musical arrangements by Ross Johnson. a brand-new touring comedy from the writers of the hugely successful comedy sketch show Hormonal Housewives.

Directed by John MacIsaac this brand-new musical comedy will launch at Thursday 9th September 2021. Jess Wright will share the role of Jocelyn with Stephanie Dooley from CBBC’s Creeped Out and will join the company from 8th October at Charter Hall, Colchester.  

Jess Wright will be performing alongside the Legendary Nolan Sister Maureen Nolan in the role of Karen, X-Factor Finalist Niki Evans takes on the role of Jackie and completing the line-up is Olivier Award Winner Leanne Jones in the role of Angie. 

The cast of Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun will take a no-holds-barred comedy romp through everything life throws at a modern-day woman. Sex, diets, men, fashion, chocolate, wine and more wine all feature in a riotous script that promises to be the girl’s night out to remember. 

The show will also feature some of the biggest and most iconic of all pop anthems including 9 to 5, We Are Family, Get The Party Started, I’m In the Mood For Dancing and of course Cyndi Lauper’s classic Girls Just Wanna Have Fun. By the end of the night everyone will be dancing in the aisles!

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stream.theatre announces new list of shows streaming this month!

stream.theatre

Even more quality drama, children’s theatre, concerts and dance will be streaming through to March!

stream.theatre have added even more exclusive events to their schedule in the coming months to give you your theatre fix.

Weekends in February now includes smash hit concerts with theatre favourites: Lambert Jackson’s Live at the Phoenix Arts Club series starts from 12 February, with concerts from David Hunter & Lucie Jones, Nicole Raquel Dennis & Sam Tutty and Collabro.

From Saturday 30 January, there are 5 new pieces of children’s theatre available on demand to help keep children entertained at home.  From Garfield, the musical with cattitude, to Grimz Fairytales, the hip-hop fable story dance-pop sensation, there is something for children of all ages.

March sees the streaming premiere of critically acclaimed musical. Daddy Long Legs, by Paul Gordon & John Caird and based on the classic novel, streams from 8 March and stars Róisín Sullivan as Jerusha Abbott and Eoin Cannon as Jervis Pendleton.

For dance fans, Geometry of Fear streams from 8 March. This extraordinary piece is created by Zimbabwean born and Welsh raised brothers Anthony and Kei Matsena, and is a work synthesised by the legacy and output of revolutionary British Sculptor ‘Elisabeth Frink’ and the seismic changes caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic and the Black Lives Matter Movement.

Book tickets and find out more at stream.theatre

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The World’s Longest-Running Play The Mousetrap Will Re-Open In The West End On 23 October 2020!

Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap – the longest running show in the world, which had to be suspended when the Coronavirus Pandemic resulted in the closure of UK theatres – is to re-open in the West End on Friday 23 October.

The brilliant thriller, which has played in London since 1952, is to re-open at the St. Martin’s Theatre in accordance with the Government stipulations for Stage Four of the recently announced Road Map for the return of live theatre and music.

I recognise that for the vast majority of West End productions, operating with social distancing is simply not possible. I produce other shows which will also be unable to re-open under these restrictions. We are very fortunate with The Mousetrap that, with the help of our stakeholders, we are able to adapt our economic model to be able to re-open. Whilst this cannot be a long-term exercise, we believe it is a crucial first step in restoring live theatre to the London landscape.

From examinations of the operational requirements of the building, we are able to adhere to necessary social distancing on stage, backstage and throughout the auditorium and public spaces. The recent announcement of the government’s road map therefore brings our re-opening into immediate focus.

It feels very symbolic that The Mousetrap will be amongst the first – and potentially the very first – West End show to open its doors again. As well as being the longest running play in the world, Agatha Christie is the best-selling novelist this country has ever produced. She had already left a legacy for us to take great pride in. Her name being back up in lights in the West End, heralding the beginning of the end of a very dark time in the history of the theatre, means she will rightly remain one of the most celebrated figures in our cultural life.

Adam Spiegel, producer of The Mousetrap

Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap is the world’s longest-running play. The West End production was originally adapted from Christie’s radio play, Three Blind Mice, written for the Royal family in 1947. 

The Mousetrap has been intriguing and delighting audiences for as long as Queen Elizabeth II has been on the throne. It is the genre-defining murder mystery from the world’s best-selling novelist of all time. 

As news spreads of a murder in London, a group of seven strangers find themselves snowed in at Monkswell Manor, a stately countryside guesthouse. When a police sergeant arrives, the guests discover – to their horror – that a killer is in their midst. One by one, the suspicious characters reveal their sordid pasts. Which one is the murderer? Who will be their next victim?

The Mousetrap will celebrate 70 years in London in 2022. It has been performed 28,200 times in London and sold over 10 million tickets. To celebrate the 50th anniversary in 2002, The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh attended a special Gala performance.

The cast when the production re-opens will be: Eleanor McLoughlin (Mollie Ralston ), Neil Ditt (Mollie Ralston), Alexander Wolfe (Christopher Wren), Brenda Longman (Mrs Boyle ), Damien Matthews (Major Metcalfe), Lizzie Muncey (Miss Casewell ), Tony Timberlake (Mr Paravicini) and Paul Hilliar (Sergeant Trotter).

The Mousetrap is directed by Ian Talbot OBE and produced by Adam Spiegel Productions.

For more information and box office: www.uk.the-mousetrap.co.uk

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Sheridan Smith to Reprise Role of Cilla Black in 2020 UK Tour of Cilla The Musical

Sheridan Smith to star in Cilla the Musical UK Tour
Sheridan Smith to star in Cilla the Musical UK Tour

After much speculation, producers have confirmed that Sheridan Smith will revisit her award-wining portrayal of the late Cilla Black to star in Bill Kenwright’s stage production, Cilla The Musical, written by BAFTA award-winning writer Jeff Pope. 

The musical will open at the Liverpool Empire for a 4 week residency commencing 23rd September 2020, ahead of a UK tour to Aylesbury, Edinburgh, Birmingham and Leeds.

Sheridan wowed fans and critics alike with her portrayal of the nation’s favorite singer and TV personality in Jeff Pope’s BAFTA award-winning ITV series.  “Mesmerising… a joy to watch… she really does embody the young Cilla perfectly…” (Independent).  Her acclaimed portrayal of the British icon won Sheridan both a 2015 National TV Award and a 2015 TV Choice Award, and went on to see her nominated for a BAFTA (2015) and a second international EMMY Award (2015).

Hailed “The Greatest Theatre Star of her Generation” by The Evening Standard and with nearly two decades of television, film and theatre success, Sheridan Smith is widely considered Britain’s favourite actress.  After starting a career in such sitcoms as The Royle Family, Two Pints of Lager, Gavin & Stacey and Benidorm, she starred in Jonathan Creek (2013) and went on to receive acclaim for a succession of television dramas such as Mrs Biggs (2012), Cilla (2014), The C Word (2015), Black Work (2015) and The Moorside (2017).  Sheridan was named Best Actress at the 2013 BAFTA TV Awards for Mrs. Biggs. 

Sheridan Smith reprise role of Cilla Black in the 2020 UK Tour of Cilla The Musical

Theatre credits include her first Olivier Award nomination for Little Shop of Horrors at the Menier Chocolate Factory and her first Olivier Award and WhatsOnStage Award for her role as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde.  Following this, she won an Olivier Award and an Evening Standard Theatre Award for her role of Doris in Flare Path. Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler at The Old Vic gave her another WhatsOnStage Best Actress Award.  She also enjoyed a hugely celebrated run in the West End as Fanny Bryce in Funny Girl. 

Cilla The Musical is a spectacular and heart-warming musical adaptation of the TV series. The 2017 debut tour was met with five-star reviews and standing ovations up and down the UK and was nominated Best New Musical in the WhatsOnStage Awards.

The story follows the extraordinary life of an ordinary teenage girl from Liverpool, Priscilla White, and her rocky, yet incredible, rise to fame. By the age of just 25 she was recognized as international singing star Cilla Black. By 30 she had become Britain’s favorite television entertainer headlining series of Blind Date, Surprise Surprise and many more.  The musical score features the ultimate soundtrack to the 60’s including Cilla’s greatest hits Anyone Who Had a Heart, Alfie and Something Tells Me, alongside a backdrop of the legendary “Liverpool Sound”.

Jeff Pope is an award-winning writer for film and television. Film credits include Pierrepoint: The Last Hangman (Timothy Spall); Essex Boys (Sean Bean, Tom Wilkinson); Philomena (Judi Dench, Steve Coogan) for which Jeff picked up a Golden Globe, BIFA and London Critics Circle nominations and BAFTA and Venice Film Festival wins for Best Adapted Screenplay and most recently the critically acclaimed Stan & Ollie (Steve Coogan, John C. Reilly).

TV work includes the BAFTA winning ITV drama Mrs Biggs (starring Sheridan Smith), the multi-award winning Dirty, Filthy Love; Cilla (starring Sheridan Smith) and Lucan (starring Rory Kinnear). As a producer, Jeff has helmed a number of award-winning dramas including Mo, a bio-pic based on the life of politician Mo Mowlam, the BAFTA winning See No Evil – The Moors Murders; Appropriate Adult (Starring Dominic West and Emily Watson), which earned five BAFTA awards; as well as a Golden Globe nomination in the acclaimed BBC One drama The Moorside and more recently A Confession (starring Martin Freeman).

Cilla 2020 UK Tour Dates

Liverpool, Empire Theatre Wed 23 Sep 2020 – Sat 17 Oct 2020  atgtickets.com/Liverpool0844 871 3017
Aylesbury, Waterside TheatreMon 19 Oct 2020 – Sat 24 Oct 2020 atgtickets.com/Aylesbury0844 871 7607
Edinburgh, Playhouse TheatreMon 26 Oct 2020 – Sat 31 Oct 2020 atgtickets.com/Edinburgh0844 871 3014
Birmingham, The Alexandra TheatreMon 02 Nov 2020 – Sat 07 Nov 2020 atgtickets.com/Birmingham0844 871 3011
Leeds, Grand TheatreMon 09 Nov 2020 – Sat 21 Nov 2020leedsgrandtheatre.com0844 848 2700
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Singin’ in the Rain to Embark on 2021 UK Tour

Michael Harrison and Jonathan Church are today delighted to announce that Chichester Festival Theatre’s Olivier Award-nominated production of Singin’ in the Rain will embark on a major UK and Ireland tour in 2021, following a strictly limited five-week season at Sadler’s Wells this Summer. Singin’ In The Rain opens at Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury on Thursday 21 January 2021.

Singin’ in the Rain also reunites the original director Jonathan Church with choreographer Andrew Wright.

This production of Singin’ in the Rain opened at Chichester Festival Theatre and extended due to unprecedented public demand, before a transfer to London which received huge critical acclaim and four Olivier Award nominations.

It played to more than 750,000 people…. some leaving the theatre a little wetter than when they arrived! In fact the iconic rain scenes:

  • Use 6k litres of water, equivalent to 5 tonnes (here’s a list of things which also weigh 5 tonnes: 2 Rhinos, 11 Grand Pianos or 30 Panda Bears!)
  • Uses over 100 metres of heavy duty rubber hose
  • Takes 15 minutes to drain. Afterwards it is recovered, it is then re-cycled, cleaned and used again
  • Heats the water to 37 degrees for performer comfort!

Singin’ in the Rain features songs by Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed, including Make ‘em Laugh, Good Morning, Moses Supposes and Singin’ in the Rain. Original screenplay and adaptations are by Betty Comden and Adolph Green. Reuniting the original Chichester production team, Singin’ in the Rain will be directed by Jonathan Church, with Olivier Award-nominated choreography by Andrew Wright. The production is designed by Simon Higlett, with lighting by Tim Mitchell.

The stage production of Singin’ in the Rain is based on the classic Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film, regularly voted the most popular film musical of all time.

After Sadler’s Wells, Singin’ in the Rain will return to Japan. This will be the third season the production has played in the country. Singin’ in the Rain will play in Tokyo, from the end of September 2020, ahead of the UK tour.

Michael Harrison Entertainment and Jonathan Church Productions present the Chichester Festival Theatre and Stage Entertainment Production of Singin’ in the Rain.

SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN 2021 TOUR DATES

Thursday 21– Sat 30 JanuaryThe Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury Box Office: 01227 787787www.marlowetheatre.comGeneral On Sale Monday 23 March
Tues 9- Sat 13 FebruaryTheatre Royal, NewcastleBox Office: 08448 11 21 21www.theatreroyal.co.ukGeneral On Sale Friday 13 March
Tues 9– Sat 13 MarchRoyal Concert Hall, NottinghamBox Office: 0115 989 5555www.trch.co.ukGeneral On Sale Friday 13 March
Tues 16– Sat 20 MarchLeeds Grand Theatre Box Office: 0844 848 2700www.leedsgrandtheatre.comGeneral On Sale Wednesday 29 April
Tues 23– Sat 27 MarchFestival Theatre, EdinburghBox Office: 0131 529 6000www.capitaltheatres.com/your-visit/festival-theatreGeneral On Sale Monday 27 April
Tues 30 March – Sat 3 AprilCliffs Pavilion, Southend Box Office: 01702 351135www.thecliffspavilion.co.ukGeneral On Sale Friday 20 March
Tues 6 – Sat 10 AprilBirmingham HippodromeBox Office: 0844 338 5000www.birminghamhippodrome.comGeneral On Sale Monday 27 April
Tues 20 – Sat 24 AprilWales Millennium Centre Box Office: 029 2063 6464www.wmc.org.ukGeneral On Sale Monday 23 March
Tues 27 April – Sat 1 MayLyceum Theatre, Sheffield Box Office: 0114 249 6000www.sheffieldtheatres.co.ukGeneral On Sale Soon
Tues 11– Sat 15 MayHis Majesty’s AberdeenBox Office: 0844 871 7646www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/his-majestys-theatreGeneral On Sale Friday 20 March
Tues 18 – Sat 22 MayMayflower Theatre, SouthamptonBox Office: 023 8071 1811www.mayflower.org.ukOn Sale Now
Tues 8 – Sat 12 JuneAlhambra Theatre, BradfordBox Office: 01274 432 000www.bradford-theatres.co.ukGeneral On Sale Soon
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Don Black to receive Special Award at Olivier Awards 2020 with Mastercard

Renowned lyricist Don Black will be honoured with this year’s Special Olivier Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to theatre.

In a prolific career spanning six decades, Black has provided lyrics for many musical theatre productions, working with Andrew Lloyd Webber on Tell Me On A Sunday, Aspects Of Love, Whistle Down The Wind and Stephen Ward. 

His collaboration with Christopher Hampton on Sunset Boulevard won them a Tony Award for Best Book in 1995. Other stage credits include A. R. Rahman’s musical Bombay Dreams, John Barry’s Billy and Brighton Rock, and Frank Wildhorn’s Dracula, The Musical.

Alongside his theatre work, Black’s output includes numerous film and television themes, as well as hit songs. He has written lyrics for Quincy Jones, Lulu, Meat Loaf, Michel Legrand and Debbie Wiseman, among many others. 

Black is particularly known for his long association with the James Bond films, starting with the Thunderball theme in 1965, and continuing with John Barry’s Diamonds Are Forever and The Man With The Golden Gun. A further collaboration with Barry on the title song of the film Born Free won Black a 1966 Academy Award for Best Song.

‘The Society of London Theatre is delighted to honour Don Black with the Special Award, marking an extraordinary career encompassing many genres, but particularly musical theatre. Lyricists often do not receive the recognition they deserve, despite their words being known and loved by audiences worldwide – and having personally known Don for over 25 years, it makes it a particular pleasure to celebrate his impact on the face of theatre.’

Kenny Wax, President of the Society of London Theatre

The Special Award is given each year to recognise an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to theatre over the course of their career. Past recipients include Matthew Bourne, Kenneth Branagh, Stephen Sondheim, Judi Dench, Alan Bennett, Sam Mendes, Maggie Smith, Harold Pinter, Alec Guinness, John Gielgud, Joan Littlewood and Ian McKellen.

The Olivier Awards, widely recognised as Britain’s most prestigious stage honours, take place on Sunday 5 April at the Royal Albert Hall, hosted by Jason Manford. Nominations were announced earlier this week and are available to view on the Olivier Awards website.

#OlivierAwards

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Darren Day and Gareth Gates to star in Footloose UK Tour

Selladoor Productions have announced that musical theatre favourite Darren Day will join the cast of Footloose The Musical as Reverend Moore in the brand-new UK Tour opening at the New Wimbledon Theatre on the 24 April.  Following two critically acclaimed tours and due to huge popular demand an additional 11 venues have today been added to the tour schedule (for full details visit www.footloose-musical.com). 


Darren will join Gareth Gates* on stage Geri Allen, Holly Ashton, Jess Barker, Ben Barrow, Alex Fobbester, Josh Hawkins, Lucy Ireland, Evie Rose Lane, Ben Mabberley, Daniel Miles, Tom Mussell, Samantha Richards, Dionne Ward Anderson and Anna Westlake.

Darren Day’s first starring theatre role was in Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat with an extensive career in the West End including Summer Holiday, Copacabana and Grease.   Tours include Alfie, Carousel, Great Expectations, Godspell, The Rocky Horror Show, We Will Rock You and many more – most recently Mame, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Bob in Rita Sue and Bob Too and new musical Bumblescratch at the Adelphi Theatre.

Darren’s television career has included roles in  Sky’s Stella, Hollyoaks and Holby City, as well as many presenting appearances. Darren was a finalist in the 2016 series of Celebrity Big Brother. Recent feature films include White Island, Name of the Game, Rudy and Demon Eye as well as The Krays – Dead Man Walking.

Darren is also an established recording artist and has made guest appearances as a singer on a wide range of television shows.

“I’m truly happy and excited to be a part of this brilliant production. I was a teenager in the 80’s, which is such an impressionable age for movies and music. This is one of the most iconic films and soundtracks from my teenage years.  I can remember hearing Footloose on the radio for the first time and thinking… what a tune! It’s been a while since I went out on tour with a musical and am very much looking forward to going back to my musical theatre roots around the UK. See you all in the Spring!”

Darren Day

City boy Ren thinks life is bad enough when he’s forced to move to a rural backwater in America. But his world comes to a standstill when he arrives at Bomont to find dancing and rock music are banned. Taking matters into his own hands, soon Ren has all hell breaking loose and the whole town on its feet.

Based on the 1980s screen sensation which took the world by storm, Footloose The Musical sizzles with spirit, fun and the best in UK musical talent. With cutting edge modern choreography, you’ll enjoy classic 80s hits including Holding Out for a Hero, Almost Paradise, Let’s Hear It For The Boy and of course the unforgettable title track Footloose.

Footloose The Musical will be presented by Selladoor Productions and Runaway Entertainment, and will be directed by Racky Plews, with choreography from Matt Cole, musical supervision by Mark Crossland and design by Sara Perks with lighting design from Chris Davey and sound design from Chris Whybrow.

Everybody cut loose for a night of dazzling excitement music and dancing!

Tickets are on sale now! #EverybodyCutLoose

*Please note Gareth Gates will perform on the tour until 26 September 2020 but will not be performing on 24th and 25th March/ 29th – 6th April / 5th – 9th May / 13th – 17th May / 6th – 12th June / 10th – 15th August