Tag: west end

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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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Latest News

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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Latest News News

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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Come From Away Announces West End Extension

Come From Away Announces West End Extension

The Olivier and Critics’ Circle award-winning musical Come From Away celebrated its first birthday in the West End by announcing an extension through to 17 October 2020.

The joyous musical tells the remarkable true story of 7,000 stranded air passengers during the wake of 9/11, and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them. Cultures clashed, and nerves ran high, but as uneasiness turned into trust, music soared into the night and gratitude grew into enduring friendships.

On 11 September 2001 the world stopped. On 12 September, their stories moved us all.

The company of Come From Away West End. Photo Credit: Craig Sugden

The multi award-winning musical continues sold-out, record-breaking engagements on Broadway, in Canada, in Australia, and on a 60-city North American Tour. A feature film adaptation is also in the works.

From Monday 10 February 2020, Come From Away welcomed new cast members in the West End, including Tarinn Callender (Bob and others), James Doherty (Claude and others), Alice Fearn (Beverley/Annette and others), Kate Graham (Diane and others), and Alasdair Harvey (Nick/Doug and others), with Ricardo Castro, Stuart Hickey, Sorelle Marsh, Micha Richardson and Matthew Whennell-Clark.

They join Jenna Boyd (Beulah and others), Mary Doherty (Bonnie and others), Mark Dugdale (taking over the roles of Kevin T/Garth and others), Jonathan Andrew Hume (Kevin J/Ali and others), Harry Morrison (Oz and others), Emma Salvo (Janice and others), Cat Simmons (Hannah and others) and Chiara Baronti, Alexander McMorran and Jennifer Tierney.

Under the Musical Direction of Alan Berry (Keyboard/Accordion/Harmonium), the band includes Matt Bashford (Whistles/Irish Flute/Uilleann Pipes), Aoife Ní Bhriain (Fiddle), Oli Briant (Electric, Acoustic and Nylon Guitars), Ray Fean (Bodhrán/Percussion), Joey Grant (Electric Bass/Acoustic Bass), Justin Quinn (Acoustic Guitar/Mandolins/Bazouki) and Ian Whitehead (Drums/Percussion).

The company of Come From Away West End. Photo Credit: Craig Sugden

Come From Away features a book, music and lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein and is directed by Christopher Ashley, with musical staging by Kelly Devine, music supervision and arrangements by Ian Eisendrath, scenic design by Beowulf Boritt, costume design by Toni-Leslie James, lighting design by Howell Binkley, sound design by Gareth Owen, hair design by David Brian Brown, orchestrations by August Eriksmoen, and casting by Pippa Ailion CDG and Natalie Gallacher CDG.

In addition to winning 4 Olivier Awards (London) including “Best New Musical”, and recently the Critics’ Circle Theatre Award for “Best Musical” (London), Come From Away has scooped multiple awards across North America:  the Tony Award for “Best Direction of a Musical”, 5 Outer Critics’ Circle Awards (NYC) including “Outstanding New Broadway Musical”, 3 Drama Desk Awards (NYC) including “Outstanding Musical”, 4 Helen Hayes Awards (Washington DC) including “Outstanding Production of a Musical”, 4 Los Angeles Drama Critics’ Circle Awards, 4 Gypsy Rose Lee Awards (Seattle) including “Excellence in Production of a Musical”, 6 San Diego Critics Circle Awards including “Outstanding New Musical”, 3 Toronto Theatre Critics Awards including “Best New Musical”, 3 Dora Awards (Toronto) including “Outstanding New Musical/Opera” and “Outstanding Production”, and the 2017 Jon Kaplan Audience Choice Award (Toronto).

The company of Come From Away West End. Photo Credit: Craig Sugden

Come From Away was originally co-produced in 2015 by La Jolla Playhouse and Seattle Repertory Theatre, and presented in 2016 by Ford’s Theatre in Washington DC and Mirvish Productions at the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto, Canada, all in partnership with Junkyard Dog Productions. Come From Away (NAMT Festival 2013) was originally developed at the Canadian Music Theatre Project, Michael Rubinoff Producer, Sheridan College in Oakville, Ontario, Canada, and was further developed at Goodspeed Musicals’ Festival of New Artists, in East Haddam CT. The Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council and the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle WA also provided development support. 

Come From Away is produced in the UK by Junkyard Dog Productions and Smith & Brant Theatricals. The European premiere of Come From Away was co-produced with the Abbey Theatre, Ireland’s National Theatre.

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Come From Away announces new West End cast

As the Olivier Award-winning “Best New Musical” Come From Away enters its second year in the West End,  it welcomes new cast members from Monday 10 February 2020. This joyous musical tells the remarkable true story of 7,000 stranded air passengers during the wake of 9/11, and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them. Cultures clashed, and nerves ran high, but as uneasiness turned into trust, music soared into the night and gratitude grew into enduring friendships.

On 11 September 2001 the world stopped. On 12 September, their stories moved us all.

The multi award-winning musical continues sold-out, record-breaking engagements on Broadway, in Canada, in Australia and on a 60-city North American Tour. It has recently been announced that a tour of China will commence in Shanghai from May 2020, and a feature film adaptation is in the works.

The new cast of Come From Away in the West End will include Tarinn Callender (Bob and others), James Doherty (Claude and others), Alice Fearn (Beverley/Annette and others) Kate Graham (Diane and others), and Alasdair Harvey (Nick/Doug and others), with Ricardo Castro, Stuart Hickey, Sorelle Marsh, Micha Richardson and Matthew Whennell-Clark.

They join Jenna Boyd (Beulah and others), Mary Doherty (Bonnie and others), Mark Dugdale (taking over the roles of Kevin T/Garth and others), Jonathan Andrew Hume (Kevin J/Ali and others), Harry Morrison (Oz and others), Emma Salvo (Janice and others), Cat Simmons (Hannah and others) and Chiara Baronti, Alexander McMorran and Jennifer Tierney.

Under the Musical Direction of Alan Berry (Keyboard/Accordion/Harmonium), the band includes Matt Bashford (Whistles/Irish Flute/Uilleann Pipes), Aoife Ní Bhriain (Fiddle), Oli Briant (Electric, Acoustic and Nylon Guitars), Ray Fean (Bodhrán/Percussion), Joey Grant (Electric Bass/Acoustic Bass), Justin Quinn (Acoustic Guitar/Mandolins/Bazouki) and Ian Whitehead (Drums/Percussion).

Come From Away features a book, music and lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein and is directed by Christopher Ashley, with musical staging by Kelly Devine, music supervision and arrangements by Ian Eisendrath, scenic design by Beowulf Boritt, costume design by Toni-Leslie James, lighting design by Howell Binkley, sound design by Gareth Owen, hair design by David Brian Brown, orchestrations by August Eriksmoen, and casting by Pippa Ailion CDG and Natalie Gallacher CDG.

In addition to winning 4 Olivier Awards (London) including “Best New Musical”, Come From Away has scooped multiple awards all across North America:  the Tony Award for “Best Direction of a Musical”, 5 Outer Critics Circle Awards (NYC) including “Outstanding New Broadway Musical”, 3 Drama Desk Awards (NYC) including “Outstanding Musical”, 4 Helen Hayes Awards (Washington DC) including “Outstanding Production of a Musical”, 4 Los Angeles Drama Critics’ Circle Awards, 4 Gypsy Rose Lee Awards (Seattle) including “Excellence in Production of a Musical”, 6 San Diego Critics Circle Awards including “Outstanding New Musical”, 3 Toronto Theatre Critics Awards including “Best New Musical”, 3 Dora Awards (Toronto) including “Outstanding New Musical/Opera” and “Outstanding Production”, and the 2017 Jon Kaplan Audience Choice Award (Toronto).

Come From Away was originally co-produced in 2015 by La Jolla Playhouse and Seattle Repertory Theatre, and presented in 2016 by Ford’s Theatre in Washington DC and Mirvish Productions at the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto, Canada, all in partnership with Junkyard Dog Productions. Come From Away (NAMT Festival 2013) was originally developed at the Canadian Music Theatre Project, Michael Rubinoff Producer, Sheridan College in Oakville, Ontario, Canada, and was further developed at Goodspeed Musicals’ Festival of New Artists, in East Haddam CT. The Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council and the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle WA also provided development support. 

Come From Away is produced in the UK by Junkyard Dog Productions and Smith & Brant Theatricals. The European premiere of Come From Away was co-produced with the Abbey Theatre, Ireland’s National Theatre.

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Waitress star Lucie Jones to perform solo concert at Adelphi Theatre

Waitress star Lucie Jones will perform her first West End solo concert at the historic Adelphi Theatre on Sunday 16 February 2020 at 7pm. Accompanied by the 22-piece London Musical Theatre Orchestra, Lucie Jones Live at the Adelphi will be a celebration of all that Lucie has achieved to date across her multi-platform career.

Tickets for Lucie Jones Live at the Adelphi will go on sale at 10am on Wednesday 18 December via https://lwtheatres.co.uk/whats-on/lucie-jones-live-at-the-adelphi/

Lucie first came to prominence when she melted audiences’ hearts singing to millions on The X Factor in 2009. She represented the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 2017, where she placed 15th, the UK’s highest result since 2011.

She is now firmly at home on the stage, and over the last few years has played Elle in Legally Blonde, Holly in The Wedding Singer, Maureen in Rent, Molly in Ghost and Cosette in Les Misérables, before landing the much coveted lead role of Jenna in Waitress, which she currently plays 8 times a week at the Adelphi Theatre.

Lucie Jones Live at the Adelphi will be packed with old classics and modern hits, and Lucie will share stories from her remarkable career.

As Lucie’s time ‘at the diner’ draws to a close next summer, this is the perfect moment to celebrate all that she has done in a venue she now calls home.

Lucie Jones Live at the Adelphi is produced by Adam Blanshay Productions, and sponsored by Alpha Club.

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Sophie Isaacs to join the West End cast of SIX


Heathers and Cruel Intentions star Sophie Isaacs, who is currently starring as Goldilocks in Goldilocks and the Three Bears at the London Palladium, will be crowned the new Katherine Howard in the West End cast of SIX. She will join the production at the Arts Theatre on Tuesday 21 January 2020.

Sophie will replace Vicki Manser, who is leaving SIX to become the alternate Carole King in Beautiful – The Carole King Musical on a UK tour.

The current West End Queendom are Jarneia Richard-Noel (as Catherine of Aragon), Courtney Bowman (Anne Boleyn), Natalie Paris (Jane Seymour), Alexia McIntosh (Anna of Cleves), Vicki Manser (Katherine Howard), Danielle Steers (Catherine Parr), with Zara MacIntosh (Alternate Catherine of Aragon and Katherine Howard), Cherelle Jay (Alternate Anne Boleyn and Anna of Cleves), Hana Stewart (Alternate Jane Seymour and Catherine Parr), Collette Guitart (Dance Captain/Understudy).

Nominated for five 2019 OIivier Awards, including Best New Musical, Best Choreography and Best Costume Design, the West End smash hit SIX is the phenomenon everyone’s losing their head over.

The show’s 2018 debut at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe hastened its West End transfer which opened in January 2019. This homegrown histo-remixed pop-concert musical by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss is rocking the Arts Theatre, London, enjoying an open-ended run – currently booking to July 2020 – and playing to sold out houses.

And the Queens are going global: a Broadway transfer has been announced for February 2020 at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre, following north American runs in Chicago, Boston, Edmonton and Minnesota. SIX will also open in Australia at the Sydney Opera House in January 2020. It is currently selling out theatres across the UK in a 33-venue tour that continues to summer 2020.

SIX is written by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, with Direction by Lucy Moss and Jamie Armitage, Choreography by Carrie-Anne Ingrouille, Set Design by Emma Bailey, Costume Design by Gabriella Slade, Lighting Design by Tim Deiling, Sound Design by Paul Gatehouse, Musical Orchestration by Tom Curran, Musical Supervisor Joe Beighton, Associate Choreographer Freya Sands, Musical Director Katy Richardson, Associate Musical Director Arlene McNaught.

SIX is produced by Kenny Wax, Global Musicals and George Stiles.

Find Out More: www.sixthemusical.com/london

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Everything Changes News

Everything Changes (Week 1/4/19 – 7/4/19)

It’s time again for Everything Changes! This is the weekly feature that keeps you informed of shows that are opening and closing in the West End and Off-West End.

This week features Scary Bikers, which is opening at Trafalgar Studios 2, Nigel Slater’s Toast, which starts its run at The Other Palace, and the Donmar Warehouse revival of Sweet Charity.

Opening Up!

Scary Bikers – Trafalgar Studios 2 (from 2nd April)


Scary Bikers by John Godber opens at Trafalgar Studios 2 on 2nd April.
  • Location: Trafalgar Studios 2
  • Dates: 2nd Apr to 27th Apr 2019
  • Cast: John Godber & Jane Thornton
  • Creatives: John Godber (Author & Director), John Godber Company & Theatre Royal Wakefield

A new comedy about life, love and staying on your bike!

When retired miner Don and former private school teacher Carol meet by chance after both suffering a loss, they thought they’d found a new beginning. But a bike ride through Europe would test their budding romance, and the road to love is rocky when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object.

Join them on their hilarious and heartfelt journey, as they reconcile the past, debate the present and worry about the future. Whether they’re saddle sore in Southampton, blistered in Bordeaux or frazzled in Florence, one thing is for sure – it takes two to tandem!

Starring the double BAFTA and Olivier Award-winning partnership of John Godber and Jane Thornton, whose feature film Last Laugh was released October 2017.

Nigel Slater’s Toast – The Other Palace (from 4th April)

Toast starts performances at The Other Palace from 4th April.
  • Location: The Other Palace
  • Dates: 4th Apr to 3rd Aug 2019
  • Cast: Giles Cooper (Nigel Slater), Lizzie Muncey (Mum), Stephen Ventura (Dad), Marie Lawrence (Joan) & Jake Ferretti (Josh).
  • Creatives: Nigel Slater (Book), Henry Filloux-Bennett (Adaptation), PW Productions (The Lowry production) & Jonnie Riordan (Director)

Based on the British Book Awards Biography of the Year, Toast is the story of Nigel Slater’s childhood, told through the tastes and smells he grew up with.

From making the perfect sherry trifle to waging a war over cakes and from the pressured playground politics of sweets to the rigid rules of restaurant dining, this is a story of love, loss and… toast.

Sweet Charity – Donmar Warehouse (from 6th April)

Sweet Charity starts performances at Donmar Warehouse from 6th April.
  • Location: Donmar Warehouse
  • Dates: 6th Apr to 8th Jun 2019
  • Cast:
  • Arthur Darvill (Oscar Lindquist), Anne-Marie Duff (Charity Hope Valentine), Lizzy Connolly (Nickie), Lauren Drew, Jo Eaton-Kent, Will Haswell, Charlotte Jaconelli, Stephen Kennedy (Herman), Debbie Kurup (Helene), Martin Marquez (Vittorio Vidal), Ryan Reid, Amy Ellen Richardson (Ursula March), Danielle Steers (Carmen) & Shaq Taylor
  • Creatives:
  • Neil Simon (Book), Cy Coleman (Music), Dorothy Fields (Lyrics), Bob Fosse (Original Choreographer), Donmar Warehouse (Producer), Josie Rourke (Director), Wayne McGregor (Choreographer), Robert Jones (Design), Gareth Valentine (Musical Supervisor), Mark Henderson (Lighting), Nick Lidster (for Autograph) (Sound), Larry Blank (Orchestration), Mark Cumberland (Orchestration), Ralph Burns (Original Orchestration), Finn Ross (Video Design) & David Grindrod (CDG – Casting Director).

“The minute you walked in the joint, I could see you were a man of distinction, a real Big Spender…”

New York, 1967. Charity Hope Valentine is a dance hall hostess who “runs her a heart like a hotel – you’ve got men checking in and out all the time.” At the raw end of a long line of users and losers, she meets Oscar, a mild-mannered tax accountant, and Charity Hope Valentine once again puts her faith into love.

Josie Rourke returns to the work of Cy Coleman, who wrote the music for City of Angels, with the Broadway classic Sweet Charity. With choreography from the world-renowned Wayne McGregor, Rourke reunites with Anne-Marie Duff as Charity, and Arthur Darvill makes his Donmar debut as Oscar, for her farewell production as Donmar Artistic Director.

Another Opening Of Another Show

  • Where is Peter Rabbit? (Theatre Royal Haymarket, 3 Apr to 28 Apr)
  • Michael Starring Ben (London Palladium, 6 Apr)
  • Sunday Encounters – Anne Reid interviews Sir Derek Jacobi (Theatre Royal Haymarket, 7 Apr)
  • Ivan Putrov – Against The Stream (London Coliseum, 7 Apr)
  • Jekyll and Hyde (Bridewell Theatre, 2 Apr to 6 Apr)
  • Rumours of Fleetwood Mac – 40 Years of Rumours (Cadogan Hall, 2 Apr to 3 Apr)
  • Mouthpiece (Soho Theatre, 2 Apr to 4 May)
  • Seven and Half Years – The Musical (Bridewell Theatre, 2 Apr to 12 Apr)
  • Hush Now (Barons Court Theatre, 2 Apr to 6 Apr)
  • The Noises (Old Red Lion, 2 Apr to 20 Apr)
  • Thrill Me: The Leopold & Loeb Story (The Hope Theatre, 2 Apr to 20 Apr)
  • She Stoops to Conquer (LAMDA, 2 Apr to 11 Apr)
  • Keep Watching (The New Diorama Theatre, 2 Apr to 4 May)
  • Herstoric – The Year Without a Summer/A Mother’s War: Two New Hour-Long Musicals (Drayton Arms Theatre, 2 Apr to 6 Apr)
  • Elephant in the Room (Camden People’s Theatre, 2 Apr to 20 Apr)
  • Among Angels (Courtyard Theatre, 3 Apr to 27 Apr)
  • Deposit (Tower Theatre, 3 Apr to 13 Apr)
  • Intra Muros (Park Theatre, 3 Apr to 4 May)
  • The Cherry Orchard (LAMDA, 3 Apr to 11 Apr)
  • Pah-La (Royal Court – Jerwood Theatre, 3 Apr to 27 Apr)
  • Alleyne Dance – The Other Side of Me (The Place Theatre, 3 Apr)
  • A Land Without Jasmine (BAC – Battersea Arts Centre, 4 Apr to 6 Apr)
  • Too Many Men (Tristan Bates Theatre, 4 Apr)
  • Albert Quesada & Zoltán Vakulya – OneTwoThreeOneTwo (The Lilian Baylis Theatre, 4 Apr to 5 Apr)
  • Wow Everything is Amazing (BAC – Battersea Arts Centre, 4 Apr to 12 Apr)
  • Pomona (LAMDA, 4 Apr to 11 Apr)
  • So Here We Are (LAMDA, 5 Apr to 11 Apr)
  • The Magic of Motown – Reach Out (Cadogan Hall, 5 Apr)
  • A German Life (Bridge Theatre, 6 Apr to 11 May)
  • Dismantle This Room (Royal Court – Jerwood Theatre, 6 Apr to 27 Apr)
  • Oral (Camden People’s Theatre, 6 Apr to 7 Apr)
  • Maz Jobrani (Cadogan Hall, 6 Apr)
  • Home (Southwark Playhouse, 7 Apr)
  • Little Potatoes (Old Red Lion, 7 Apr to 8 Apr)
  • Hancock’s Half Hour (Leicester Square Theatre, 7 Apr)

Happy Trails!

Violet, Undetectable & Billy Bishop Goes To War are three shows that will close this week.

3 Apr

  • Rumours of Fleetwood Mac – 40 Years of Rumours (Cadogan Hall)
  • Alleyne Dance – The Other Side of Me (The Place Theatre)

4 Apr

  • Too Many Men (Tristan Bates Theatre)

5 Apr

  • Albert Quesada & Zoltán Vakulya – OneTwoThreeOneTwoOlivier de Sagazan – Transfiguration (The Lilian Baylis Theatre)
  • The Magic of Motown – Reach Out (Cadogan Hall)

6 Apr

  • Michael Starring Ben (London Palladium)
  • VIOLET (Charing Cross Theatre)
  • The Crown Dual (The King’s Head Theatre)
  • Undetectable (The King’s Head Theatre)
  • After Edward (Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre)
  • Jekyll and Hyde (Bridewell Theatre)
  • Hush Now (Barons Court Theatre)
  • Oranges & Ink (Tristan Bates Theatre)
  • Romance Romance (Above The Stag Theatre)
  • Herstoric – The Year Without a Summer/A Mother’s War: Two New Hour-Long Musicals (Drayton Arms Theatre)
  • A Land Without Jasmine (BAC – Battersea Arts Centre)
  • Half Me, Half You (Tristan Bates Theatre)
  • The Son (The Kiln)
  • Maz Jobrani (Cadogan Hall)
  • The Mission: Occupy Mars (BAC – Battersea Arts Centre)
  • Othello (Union Theatre)
  • Billy Bishop Goes to War (Southwark Playhouse)

7 Apr

  • Sunday Encounters – Anne Reid interviews Sir Derek Jacobi (Theatre Royal Haymarket)
  • Ivan Putrov – Against The Stream (London Coliseum)
  • Goodbye Norma Jeane (Above the Stag Theatre)
  • Home (Southwark Playhouse)
  • Oral (Camden People’s Theatre)
  • Hancock’s Half Hour (Leicester Square Theatre)
  • Little Potatoes (Old Red Lion)

This week isn’t necessarily a big week of changes, especially not in the West End. There is an exciting addition, however, in the form of the Donmar Warehouse revival of Sweet Charity. It will be interesting to see whether this production will get the same fortune as Donmar’s Sweat, and get a transfer after its run.

This week we we will sadly say goodbye to Violet at the Charing Cross Theatre as it will soon be making its journey to Japan, as it was a co-production between the UK and Japan. It seems unlikely that the production will be making a return to the UK so make sure you book your tickets before it leaves the Off-West End venue.