Month: February 2019

Direct from London Palladium sell-out, The King and I in Woking

Following the critically acclaimed Broadway smash hit run of the The King And I and its box office sold out record breaking season at the world famous London Palladium, comes the announcement that the multi Tony Award winning production will be coming to the New Victoria Theatre, Woking in 2020 from Tuesday 7 – Saturday 18 April 2020 as a part of a nationwide tour.

Casting to be announced soon.

The West End critics heaped praise on The King And I, the Daily Mail “left the London Palladium on a bright cloud of music”, while the The Times awarded the show “Five stars for a sumptuous King and I” declaring it “a hit”. Daily Express hailed it “London’s theatrical event of 2018” whilst The Daily Telegraph concurred proclaiming the show “looks and sounds ravishing”. Another five stars were awarded from the Sunday Express and the Financial Times called it “simply spellbinding”.

Acclaimed Tony Award-winning Bartlett Sher will once again direct the production and be reunited with the celebrated creative team that brought this majestic production of The King And I to life at the Palladium in 2018.

The news of the tour comes hot off the heels of the cinema release of the live production of The King And I: From The London Palladium, which has become the biggest live event in cinemas of 2018. The production in cinemas took in excess of $2.5m at the box office and in the UK the film reached the number one spot, with more than double the box office of the next film, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. More than 135,000 movie goers packed cinemas across the globe for the initial performance to watch The King And I: From The London Palladium – filmed on stage at the iconic London Palladium. The film has already broken all equivalent records.

Set in 1860s Bangkok, the musical tells the story of the unconventional and tempestuous relationship that develops between the King of Siam and Anna Leonowens, a British schoolteacher whom the modernist King, in an imperialistic world, brings to Siam to teach his many wives and children. With one of the finest scores ever written including: Whistle a Happy Tune, Getting to Know You and Shall We Dance, featuring a company of over 50 world-class performers, and full scale orchestra, The King And I is a testament to the lavish heritage of gloriously romantic musical theatre – it is the greatest musical from the golden age of musicals.

Producer Howard Panter says: “The response from London audiences to this multi award-winning production of The King And I was unprecedented. Critical plaudits, Box Office records and standing ovations at every show – we were overwhelmed with the rapturous response. Coupled with the reaction to the Global cinema screenings of the film version – which is the biggest theatre event in cinemas of the year and number one at the Box Office. This really is musical theatre at its very best, so we are thrilled that we can now share this wonderous production with theatre lovers up and down the country next year.”

Listings

Tuesday 7 – Saturday 18 April 2020

Mon – Sat eves 7.30pm

Wed, Thu & Sat mats 2.30pm

Tickets from £15 fees apply

You can book tickets by calling the Box Office on 0844 871 7645 (Fees apply. Calls cost up to 7p per minute, plus your phone company’s access charge), Groups Booking Line 0333 009 5386 or online at www.atgtickets/woking (fees apply).

New Victoria Theatre, Peacocks Centre, Woking, Surrey, GU21 6G

Carriageworks Theatre, Leeds – until Saturday 9th February 2019

Reviewed By Dawn Smallwood

3***

Leeds Arts Centre presents Hamlet this season at the Carriageworks Theatre and the company is collaborating with Royal Shakespeare’s Open Stages to bring this Shakespeare’s tragedy on stage. Directed by Ken Taylor this production is about a young man who was ordered home from his college and to be told that his father was dead and that his mother remarried his uncle immediately after.

Hamlet looks at how the tragedy affects each of the characters and the impact and it has on the family and the kingdom. This is more so with Hamlet (Chris Connell) who, through a visit from the ghost of his father, vows revenge to his uncle after he learns that he murdered his father. A sequence of events unfold which leads to tragic consequences to those near and dear to him. Connell gives an excellent portrayal of Hamlet and the strong emotions of a troubled young man are certainly projected. Hamlet is certainly misunderstood as he is declared “mad” by his family and close associates however the tragedy certainly has had an impact on his mental health. Very good acting also comes from Stuart Gordon as the villainous Claudius and Rachel Vernelle as Gertrude in who was circumstantially much as a victim as Hamlet.

Hamlet is a classic tragedy which certainly explores each of the characters in depth and strong themes emerge such as greed, power, murder, revenge and to an extent, mental health. Mental health particularly affects Hamlet who had to deal with losing his father and being avenged and also Ophelia (Olivia Richardson) who struggled with Hamlet’s grief and their affected courtship and losing her father, Polinious (Howard Russell). Unlike Shakespeare’s comedies it doesn’t end all well and with an all-out fight between Hamlet and Laertes (Djo Fisher) which results in a dramatic tragic finale. It is felt that the play ended suddenly and perhaps a brief epilogue of some tribute to Hamlet by the King of Norway could have been added in.

Supported by traditional staging and costumes, courtesy of Ken Taylor, Rich Francis and the creative team, this is a very good production and the Leeds Arts Centre must take pride in delivering Hamlet especially it being abridged. It did not compromise the spirit of the story, particularly its tragic elements, whatsoever and enthusiastically well received from the appreciative audience.

FINAL TEN WEEKS FOR WEST END PRODUCTION OF

M O T O W N   T H E   M U S I C A L

Motown the Musical will conclude its run on 20 April 2019 having celebrated over 1330performances since its London premiere in February 2016.  The show received its world premiere in April 2013 in New York and opened in the West End three years later.  Motown the Musical closes in London inadvance of major refurbishments taking place at the Shaftesbury Theatre, while the UK tour continues across the country.

With music and lyrics from the Motown catalogue, which last month celebrated it sixtieth anniversary, book by Motown founder Berry Gordy and directed by Charles Randolph-Wright, Motown the Musical tells the story behind the legendary classic hits. 

The production features a fifteen-piece orchestra playing 50 Motown tracks including Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, I’ll Be There, Dancing In The Street, Stop!  In The Name of Love, My Girl and I Heard It through the Grapevine.  With just $800 borrowed from his family, Motown founder Berry Gordy, goes from featherweight boxer to heavyweight music mogul, discovering and launching the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye and many more.  Motown the Musical uncovers the true story of the legendary record label that changed music history and created the soundtrack of a generation.  

Motown the Musical has music supervision, orchestrations and arrangements by Ethan Popp, co-orchestrations and additional arrangements by Bryan Cook and dance arrangements by Zane Mark.  Choreography is by Patricia Wilcox and Warren Adams, scenic design by David Korins, costumes by Emilio Sosa, lighting by Natasha Katz, sound by Peter Hylenski and video by Daniel Brodie.  UK Associate Director is Tara Wilkinson, Conductor & UK Associate Music Supervisor is Gareth Weedon, UK Associate Set Designer is Andrew Edwards and UK Associate Lighting Designer is Alistair Grant and UK Sound Associate is Chris Full. 

Motown the Musical is produced in the West End by Kevin McCollum, Doug Morris, Berry Gordy and Adam Spiegel.

LISTINGS INFORMATION           

Theatre:                  Shaftesbury Theatre, 210 Shaftesbury Avenue, London WC2H 8DP

Dates:                    last performance 20 April 2019

Performances:          Monday – Saturday 7.30pm, Thursday & Saturday matinees at 2.30pm

Prices:                    Tickets from £20 plus £15 Lottery tickets available online

No booking fees via www.motownthemusical.co.uk, over the phone on 020 7379

5399 or in person at the Shaftesbury Theatre Box Office.

Box Office:              020 7379 5399

Website:                 www.motownthemusical.co.uk

Twitter:                   @MotownUK

Facebook:               MotownMusicalUK

The Grinch is coming to the UK to steal Christmas 2019!

New National Tour opens in Wimbledon on Friday 1 November

Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical – the record-setting New York Christmas sensation – is to play a UK Tour in 2019, ahead of a Christmas season at The Lowry.

Featuring the hit songs “You’re A Mean One Mr. Grinch” and “Welcome Christmas”, Max the Dog narrates the show, as the mean and scheming Grinch, whose heart is ‘two sizes too small’, decides to steal Christmas away from the Holiday loving Whos.

Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical will make its UK premiere at New Wimbledon Theatre on Friday 1 November 2019, play Glasgow, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Birmingham, before starting a 4-week Christmas season at The Lowry in Salford on Tuesday 10 December 2019.

Mel Marvin and Timothy Mason’s music and book breathe new life into this timeless story. Magnificent sets designed by John Lee Beatty and costumes designed by Robert Morgan are inspired by Dr. Seuss’ original illustrations and help to transport audiences to the whimsical world of Whoville, and to conjure the true meaning of Christmas.

This production is based on the show originally created by 3-time Tony Award winning director, Jack O’Brien and choreographer John DeLuca.

The show broke box office records for two consecutive years on Broadway. Since then, more than 2 million people across America have been thrilled by this heart-warming musical.

The announcement of the tour of the musical comes as a new movie of The Grinch – starring the voices of Benedict Cumberbatch and Angela Lansbury – is enchanting a whole new generation.

Simon Friend, producer of the UK production says:

“I am so thrilled that The Grinch will be travelling the UK next year, stealing Christmas all around the country! The musical has been enchanting audiences across the US for over a decade, and we have been lucky enough to secure some of the best theatres in the country for its UK premiere. We can’t wait to see the UK going green over the coming year!”

Celebrate Christmas with the show The New York Times calls “100 times better than any bedtime story!”

Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical is to be produced by Simon Friend, Running Subway Productions, Gavin Kalin and Phil McIntyre Entertainments. For more information please see: www.grinchmusical.co.uk

Pint of Wine Theatre Announces 2019 Season

Pint of Wine Theatre Company, an innovative theatre company providing opportunities for artists, technicians and practitioners to challenge the conventions on how theatre should be presented, is excited to announce its full 2019 season: the UK premiere of Michael John LaChiusa’s Queen of the Mist in April at the Jack Studio Theatre, a full production of the iconic Mame in December at the Cockpit Theatre, a new song and dance production with multi-disciplinary artist Lemington Ridley in the Autumn and a four night cabaret festival in June at the Bussey Building.

Blake Klein, Creative Producer of Pint of Wine, says: “This season will feature new works, rarely-staged classics and fresh looks at great storytelling. We will continue to challenge what is understood of and expected from the London fringe theatre scene and Pint of Wine is incredibly excited for the year ahead.”

Pint of Wine has also named their charity of the year as London Bubble Theatre Company, which it will support in various initiatives throughout the year. Klein says: “London Bubble Theatre Company’s work in supporting theatre makers of all ages though a wide range of programming goes to the heart of what we seek to do at Pint of Wine, and we look forward to partnering with them on various projects throughout 2019.” Proceeds of the 19 April performance of Queen of the Mist will be donated to support the Bubble’s Creative Enders Programme.

Formed in 2018, Pint of Wine is an innovative theatre company with a plan: they look to challenge, disrupt, engage, surprise and grow. Pint of Wine provides opportunities for artists, technicians and practitioners to push the limits on how theatre, dance, and cabaret should be done. They seek to challenge the conventions on how theatre should be presented and look to be disruptive in what is understood of and expected from the London fringe theatre scene. They look to be creative in their choice of source material, and to question how and where works are to be presented, always examining how to best engage with a modern audience.

Cast announced for Circa by Tom Ratcliffe
Old Red Lion Theatre, 418 St John Street, London EC1V 4NJ
Tuesday 5th – Saturday 30th March 2019

Thomas Flynn (Twelfth Night, The Rose Playhouse, RSC Dell; Tuckshop, Paines Plough Roundabout and The Lowry; PLAY,Hackney Showroom) and Daniel Abelson (Once In a Lifetime, Young Vic; The Mighty Walzer, Royal Exchange; The Seagull, Chichester Festival Theatre) will lead the cast in Tom Ratcliffe’s debut play, Circa, exploring the blurred identity of the gay relationship in the modern age. Investigating one man’s romantic life over a period of thirty years, Circa follows his different relationships and encounters.

Flynn and Abelson are joined by Antony Gabriel (This House, National Theatre; Posh, Royal Court; Amadeus, Old Vic), Joseph Rowe (Counting Stars, The Albany; Light Shining in Buckinghamshire, National Theatre; The Low Road, Royal Court) and Jenna Fincken (People, Places and Things, Oxford Playhouse; Gifted, The Pleasance; Circa, Vaults Festival and Theater de Meervaart in Amsterdam).

The twenty-first century. Being gay is supposedly more integrated than ever. Marriage is legal, parenthood is possible and #LoveWins is trending on twitter. The time has arrived to settle down with the man you love for a life of lasting companionship. But in a world where sex is readily available, and with a history of sexual freedom; what does it mean to be in a gay relationship in the modern age? And why are so many gay men still lonely?

Director Andrew Twyman comments, Circa is a rare find; a story that beautifully articulates a sweeping multigenerational search for love. I’m overjoyed to be working with five actors whose talent and sensitivity will make these truthful, complex characters sing and their stories soar.

ENJOY A CLASSIC LINE-UP AT

STORYHOUSE THIS SPRING

Opera and dance companies return to Chester for 2019

Beautiful ballet, stirring opera and contemporary dance are part of an unmissable cultural programme at Storyhouse this spring.

Theatregoers can look forward to the Storyhouse debut for the acclaimed Moscow City Ballet,alongside a return for English Touring Opera and the talented all-male dance company BalletBoyz.

The classics start this month with a double bill from Moscow City Ballet, presenting two of the world’s best loved ballets in classic Russian style and accompanied by a full orchestra.

Set to Tchaikovsky’s magical score, The Nutcracker will be performed on Thursday 21 February and Friday 22 February 2019, at 7.30pm each evening. The ballet tells the timeless story of Clara, who is whisked away on a fairytale adventure to the Land of Flowers by her Nutcracker Prince.

Moscow City Ballet present Victor Smirnov-Golovanov’s original interpretation, and features stunning costumes and sumptuous sets. This unmissable treat for all the family is the perfect introduction to Russian classical ballet.

The Nutcracker will be followed by the Moscow City Ballet performance of The Sleeping Beauty onSaturday 23 February 2019, with performances at 3pm and 7.30pm.

The Sleeping Beauty is the captivating tale of Princess Aurora, her gallant Prince, the Lilac Fairy, and evil fairy Carabosse who casts a spell on the princess. The curse can only be broken by true love’s kiss. The ballet features an enchanting and romantic score by Tchaikovsky, and dazzling choreography performed by some of Russia’s most talented dancers.

March sees the Olivier Award-winning English Touring Opera make a welcome return to Storyhouse following a successful visit last spring, this time with a season of Kings and Queens in the battle for love, loyalty and power.

The company will perform Macbeth at 7.30pm on Friday 15 March 2019, and Idomeneo at 7.30pmon Saturday 16 March 2019, withboth featuring a large chorus and live orchestra.

The witches have a prophecy – Macbeth will be King, but the crown comes at a terrible price of betrayal, murder, and revenge. The blood-soaked path to power is followed by two characters who are among the very finest created by Shakespeare.

Grant Doyle appears as Macbeth, with Madeleine Pierard as Lady Macbeth. The opera isdirected by James Dacre, conducted by Gerry Cornelius, and will be sung in English with English surtitles. Suitable for audiences aged 12 upwards. There is a pre-show talk at 6.30pm before the performance.

Idomeneo explores royalty, high ideals and deep emotions, and remains one the greatest of Mozart’s ‘opera seria’ (serious operas).

Returning from the Trojan War and caught in the midst of a storm, King Idomeneo promises the raging seas that he will sacrifice the first person he meets in return for his safe passage. But cruelly, the first person he encounters is his only son, Idamante. The rivalry between the princesses Ilia and Elettra for the heart of Idamante, coupled with a king’s ill-fated promise provide a rich, emotional drama and unforgettable music.

Idomeneo is directed by English Touring Opera’s General Director James Conway, conducted Jonathan Peter Kenny, and sung in Italian with English surtitles. Suitable for audiences aged 12 upwards. There is a pre-show talk at 6.30pm before the performance.

Applauded across the globe for their stunning live performances, films and television appearances,BalletBoyz return to Storyhouse on Thursday 4 April 2019 with two new works dance enthusiasts,Them & Us are both set to original scores by world-class composers. The performance starts at 7.30pm.

Them is the choreographic debut of the company dancers, under the direction of Artistic Directors Michael Nunn and William Trevitt, and is set to a score by emerging composer Charlotte Harding.

Tony Award-winner Christopher Wheeldon presents Us, with inspiration from his beautiful and critically acclaimed duet which featured in the company’s last show, Fourteen Days.With an extended score by cult singer/songwriter Keaton Henson, this new work explores the possibilities of before, during and after.  

Storyhouse Artistic Director Alex Clifton said: “At Storyhouse we’re committed to creating a diverse offer for our audiences. And this season we’re delighted to present a strong programme of opera and dance, both from companies new to us and also returning friends.

“Tchaikovsky’s enchanting classics are a great introduction to ballet, while BalletBoyz were a big hit with dance enthusiasts when they visited last spring so we can’t wait to see what they have in store this time. English Touring Opera are presenting a pair of works which are brilliantly powerful and dramatic.”

Tickets for all spring season shows at Storyhouse are now on sale.

Storyhouse has a dynamic pricing policy on the majority of shows, ensuring the earlier you book your tickets, guarantees the best seats at the lowest price.

The online version of the Storyhouse spring season 2019 brochure can be viewed by visitinghttps://issuu.com/storyhouselive/docs/storyhouse_spring_19

Website:         www.storyhouse.com

Facebook:       www.facebook.com/storyhouselive/

Twitter:           @StoryhouseLive

LISTING INFORMATION

MOSCOW CITY BALLET: THE NUTCRACKER

Dates: Thursday 21February 2019 – Friday 22 February 2019

Time: 7.30pm

MOSCOW CITY BALLET: THE SLEEPING BEAUTY

Date: Saturday 23 February 2019

Times: 3pm / 7.30pm

ENGLISH TOURING OPERA: MACBETH

Date: Friday 15 March 2019

Time: 7.30pm with a pre-show talk at 6.30pm

Macbeth will be sung in English with English surtitles

Suitable for audiences aged 12 upwards.

ENGLISH TOURING OPERA: IDOMENEO

Date: Saturday 16 March 2019

Time: 7.30pm with a pre-show talk at 6.30pm

Idomeneo will be sung in Italian with English surtitles

Suitable for audiences aged 12 upwards.

BALLETBOYZ: THEM & US

Date: Thursday 4 April 2019

Time: 7.30pm

STORYHOUSE

Hunter Street, Chester, CH1 2AR

HOW TO BOOK

Online:            Visit www.storyhouse.com

By Phone:       Call 01244 409 113

In person:       Visit the Ticket Kiosks at Storyhouse, Hunter Street, Chester, CH1 2AR

Dynamic Pricing: Book early to guarantee cheapest and best seats

EXTENDS BOOKING PERIOD AHEAD OF ITS FIRST WEST END PREVIEW TONIGHT!

Music and lyrics by six-time Grammy Award-nominee Sara Bareilles
Book by Jessie Nelson
Based upon the motion picture written by Adrienne Shelly
Directed by Tony Award-winner Diane Paulus

• Now booking to 19 October due to popular demand ahead of the show’s London premiere
• Smash star Katharine McPhee will play lead role of Jenna opposite 30 Rock’s Jack McBrayer, Laura Baldwin, Peter Hannah, David Hunter and Marisha Wallace
• Waitress will have its official opening night at London’s Adelphi Theatre on 7 March

Ahead of the first preview performance of Waitress in the West End tonight, it is announced that more tickets have been released and the show has extended its booking period to 19 October at theAdelphi Theatre. The Tony-nominated musical by Sara Bareilles will have its official opening night on 7 March. The production has also just announced that a limited number of day seats will be available to purchase in person from the theatre box office for £25 (from 10am, Mon-Weds performances only, subject to availability and at the box office’s discretion).

Currently playing its third year on Broadway, Waitress brings with it an all-female lead creative team – a West End musical first. Waitress stars Katharine McPhee (Smash) as Jenna, Emmy-nomineeJack McBrayer (30 Rock) as Ogie, Marisha Wallace as Becky, Laura Baldwin as Dawn, Peter Hannah as Earl, David Hunter as Dr. Pomatter and Shaun Prendergast as Old Joe.

The full company includes Kelly Agbowu, Laura Baldwin, Piers Bate, Nicole Raquel Dennis, Michael Hamway, Peter Hannah, David Hunter, Stephen Leask, Jack McBrayer, Chris McGuigan, Katharine McPhee, Olivia Moore, Nathaniel Morrison, Sarah O’Connor, Leanne Pinder, Shaun Prendergast, Charlotte Riby, Marisha Wallace and Mark Willshire.

Meet Jenna, a waitress and expert pie-maker who dreams of a way out of her small town and rocky marriage. Pouring her heart into her pies, she crafts desserts that mirror her topsy-turvy life such as “​The Key (Lime) to Happiness Pie” and “Betrayed By My Eggs Pie.” When a baking contest in a nearby county — and a satisfying run-in with someone new — show Jenna a chance at a fresh start, she must find the courage to seize it. Change is on the menu, as long as Jenna can write her own perfectly personal recipe for happiness.

Waitress also recently announced the first of its “Cast Album Karaoke” nights in London, meaning that theatre lovers who have always dreamt of singing on the West End stage will soon be able to make their dream a reality. The first ever karaoke nights will be held post-show on Tuesday 19 Februaryand Monday 18 March 2019. For the chance to sing one minute of any song from the show – live on stage and accompanied by the show’s musical director Katharine Woolley – interested audience members just need to sign up in the theatre before the performance.

Waitress opened on 24 April 2016 at Broadway’s Brooks Atkinson Theater. Based on the 2007 motion picture written by Adrienne Shelly, Waitress was the first Broadway musical in history to have four women in the four top creative team spots, featuring original music and lyrics by 6-time Grammy®​ ​nominee Sara Bareilles (“Love Song”, “Brave”), a book by acclaimed screenwriter Jessie Nelson (​I Am Sam​), direction by Tony Award winner Diane Paulus (​Pippin​, ​Finding Neverland​) and choreography by Lorin Latarro. The production is currently touring the US and has also announced it will have its Australian premiere in 2020 at the Sydney Lyric Theatre.

On its Broadway opening, Waitress was nominated for four Outer Critics’ Circle Awards, including Outstanding New Broadway Musical; two Drama League Award Nominations, including Outstanding Production of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Musical; six Drama Desk Nominations, including Outstanding Musical; and four Tony Award Nominations, including Best Musical.

Leake Street Gallery – until June 2019

Review by Heather Chalkley

4****

Be prepared for a profoundly moving experience that takes you on an experiential journey through Madiba’s life. This 100th anniversary world premiere exhibition was opened by Chief Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela, Nelson Mandela’s grandson. He was unphased by the particularly noisy position he stood in the exhibition, powering through with a commanding voice that carried the softness and strength of his grandfather. He recollected visiting Madiba in prison, the shame he felt seeing a relative in such a place and then the informal education he underwent as a result to understand his grandfather’s story. I spoke to him briefly afterwards, commending him on dealing with the challenge of a noisy space. Chief Nkosi replied that he is used to speaking at rallies so this was easy for him.

Zelda La Grange, Manager of Nelson Mandela’s private office until his death, gave a heartfelt address, stating the importance of keeping history alive in the minds of the young. Generations will come and go and memories will fade, unless we properly honour them. Not just righting the stories, but the people who lived through that history, who made history, to record their words and experiences first hand, commit them to permanent record, for generations to come.

This is very much reflected in the exhibition. No words are wasted, all are worth reading, listening to and every exhibit is due your proper respect and attention. It is a submersive experience, surrounding you with a variety of interactive stations, images, artefacts, visual and audio soundtracks. I will say this did get distracting at points, where volumes from one area were louder than another – these could be better balanced going forward. I do want to go back to revisit the exhibit dedicated to the UK support of the ANC and the fight against Apartheid – it was not quite complete today. These are small trifles compared to the over all impact of the exhibition. The final section ‘A moment with Mandela’ I found overwhelmingly powerful, as if Madiba was talking directly to me.

I recommend you go, take your children and your grandchildren. It is an important lesson in history that shows how Nelson Mandela continues to influence peace movements and the development of new democracies across the globe.

ACCLAIMED WEST END STARS

ANNOUNCED IN CAST FOR

INCLUDES:

• Cassidy Janson (Beautiful)
• Oliver Tompsett (Kinky Boots)
• Arun Blair-Mangat (Angels in America)
• Melanie La Barrie (Wicked)
• Jordan Luke Gage (Bat Out of Hell)
• Tim Mahendran (Spring Awakening)

Award-winning Miriam-Teak Lee previously announced to star as Juliet

NEW EXCLUSIVE: Hear Oliver singing Larger Than Life at www.andjulietthemusical.co.uk

& Juliet – the joyous new West End musical that imagines Juliet’s famous ending as just her beginning – today announces its cast.

Soaring with the music of Max Martin, the acclaimed song-writer of some of the biggest pop anthems of the last 30 years, & Juliet has previously announced that the award-winning Miriam-Teak Lee will star in the lead role of Juliet.

& Juliet brings together a host of acclaimed West End stars who have headlined some of the most celebrated shows of recent years: Cassidy Janson (Leading Ladies, Chess, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical); Oliver Tompsett (Kinky Boots, Wicked); Arun Blair-Mangat (Leave to Remain, Angels in America); Melanie La Barrie(Wicked, Matilda); Jordan Luke Gage (who starred in the lead role of Strat in Bat Out of Hell), and Tim Mahendran (Spring Awakening).

The production will play a limited season at Manchester Opera House, from Tuesday 10 September to Saturday 12 October, before beginning performances in London at The Shaftesbury Theatre on Saturday 2 November.

Tickets go on general sale on Monday, 11 February at 9am.

The ensemble includes Jocasta Almgill, Josh Baker, Alishia-Marie Blake, Ivan De Freitas, Rhian Duncan, Danielle Fiamanya, Kieran Lai, Nathan Lorainey-Dineen, Jaye Marshall, Grace Mouat, Antoine Murray-Straughan, Kerri Norville, Christopher Parkinson, Dillon Scott-Lewis, Kirstie Skivington and Alex Tranter.

Romeo & Juliet final scene. Juliet picks up the dagger and….gets a life.

A timely and timeless tale of one independent young woman, & Juliet is a riotous comic blast of fun and glorious pop music that proves when it comes to love, there’s always life after Romeo…

& Juliet soars with some of the biggest pop anthems from acclaimed songwriter Max Martin and recorded by artists including Backstreet Boys, Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Katy Perry and Ariana Grande, all brilliantly arranged by Tony® and Grammy Award-winning orchestrator Bill Sherman.

Brought to life by an award-winning creative team in an explosive fusion of styles, & Juliet will be directed by Luke Sheppard (In the Heights) with a book by David West Read (Schitt’s Creek), electrifying choreography from Jennifer Weber, stunning set design from Soutra Gilmour and costume design by Paloma Young.

Max Martin and Tim Headington present & Juliet, which is produced by Max Martin, Tim Headington, Theresa Steele, Jenny Petersson and Martin Dodd.