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The National Theatre’s production of People, Places and Things will transfer to Wyndham’s theatre from March next year.

Duncan Macmillan’s new play opened at the Dorfman Theatre in September to excellent reviews, which heralded a stand-out turn from Denise Gough.

Gough will reprise her role as Emma, an actress whose life has been turned upside down by drink and drug addiction.

People, Places and Things is the latest collaboration between theatre company Headlong and the National Theatre, followingEarthquakes in London and The Effect.

The show, which is directed by Jeremy Herrin, is playing at the National until 4 November and tickets for the West End run go on sale from 22 October.

People, Places and Things opens at Wyndham’s on 15 March and has a press night on 23 March.

Dick Whittington and his trusty cat Tommy return to the heart of London from 1st to 31st December 2015 in the beautifully restored Wilton’s Music Hall.

The oldest surviving grand music hall anywhere in the world, Wilton’s Music Hall will be staging its first traditional family pantomime. Dick will be treading the golden streets of London looking to make his fortune and of course there are dames, baddies, romance, danger and evil rats a-plenty in toe.

For veteran comedian, actor, writer and broadcaster Roy Hudd, it was love at first sight. Having spent decades writing, directing and performing in pantomime, Roy Hudd fell in love with Wilton’s and has written this special version of Dick Whittington especially for the venue itself. The story will take the audience on a magical voyage from London’s docks to a far-off Sultan’s Palace and back.

Roy, an authority on the history of musical hall entertainment, said: “Together with music hall, pantomime is Britain’s great contribution to the world of popular entertainment. To be part of a true family show in the oldest music hall in Europe is a dream come true.”

Directing is Roy’s wife, Debbie Flitcroft, who readily admits that she’s learnt everything she knows about pantomime from her other half whom she met whilst working on her first ever pantomime at The Theatre Royal Nottingham. This will be her 14th year directing pantomime, but her first guiding her old man. Debbie has hand-picked a stellar cast of season panto performers including; Simon Burbage, Gareth Davies, Nicole Davis , Steven Hardcastle, Amelia Rose Morgan , Ian Parkin & Josh Tevendale. Like Roy, Debbie is bowled over to be working with such a terrific cast at the magical venue that is Wilton’s Music Hall.

The spectacular Dick Whittington will be a delight for all the family this Christmas. So if you’re looking for an alternative to busy high street crowds and want that traditional tingly Christmas feeling, come on down to Wilton’s; get cosy and warm the cockles of your heart, enjoy a tiddly wink or warm cup of mulled wine, gorgeous mince pies and mouth-watering food from Bliss Catering. The sheer magical beauty of Wilton’s music hall will truly encapsulate the festive season.

Ticket Information
1-31 December 2015
Matinee show start-time: 2pm
Evening show start-time: 7pm

The West End production of Disney’s The Lion King celebrates its 16th birthday today.

The multi award-winning musical opened at London’s Lyceum Theatre on 19th October 1999 and has since been seen by over twelve million people. It is the fourth longest-running musical currently playing in the West End, behind Les Miserables, The Phantom of the Opera and Mamma Mia!, and the sixth longest-running West End musical of all time.

The Lion King is the powerful and moving story of Simba – the epic adventure of his journey from wide-eyed cub to his destined role as King of the Pridelands.

Once the Lion Prince Simba is born, his evil uncle Scar is relegated to second in line to the throne. Scar plots to kill both Simba and his father, King Mufasa, before proclaiming himself King. Simba however, survives the plot. He is however, led to believe that his father died because of him and so he decides to flee the kingdom.

The stage musical is based on Disney’s 1994 animated film of the same name and made its world premiere on Broadway in 1997, following a short run at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Director Julie Taymor’s reimagined story features a book by Roger Allers and Irene Mecchi and Hans Zimmer’s original film score, along with Music by Elton John, Lyrics by Tim Rice and additional songs by Julie Taymor, Mark Mancina and Lebo M, who also produced the choral arrangements. It also has Choreography by Garth Fagan, Scenic Design by Richard Hudson, Lighting Design by Donald Holder, Mask and Puppet Co-Design by Michael Curry and Julie Taymor, Costume Design by Julie Taymor, Hair and Make-Up Design by Michael Ward, Sound Design by Steve Canyon Kennedy and Musical Supervision by Clement Ishmael. It is produced by Disney Theatrical Productions.

The musical features actors in in animal costumes and incorporates the use of puppetry.

The Lion King won six Tony Awards on Broadway, including Best Musical, and the West End production went on to be nominated for eight Lawrence Oliver Awards, winning Best Theatre Choreographer and Best Costume Design. The musical is a global hit and has now been seen by over 75 million people across six continents, having played in such places as Hamburg, Madrid, Tokyo, Paris, Sydney, and many more. The first ever UK tour of the show was launched in 2012.

The West End production overtook Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera last year as the most successful musical of all time, grossing $6.2 million worldwide. In January 2015, Disney released licensed 30-minute and 70-minute school versions of The Lion King for primary and secondary schools.

The current West End cast stars Jonathan Andrew Hume as Simba. The principal line-up also features Ava Brennan as Nala, George Asprey as Scar, Shaun Escoffery as Mufasa, Brown Lindiwe Mkhize as Rafiki, Howard Gossington as Zazu, Richard Frame as Timon, Keith Bookman as Pumbaa, and Nadine Higgin, David Blake and Mark McGee as hyenas Shenzi, Banzai and Ed. The role of Young Simba is shared by Geoffrey Berrisford, Kai Kennan-Felix, Taylor Keenan-Felix and Amir Wilson. The role of Young Nala is shared by India Brown, Indie Gjesdal, Amma Ris, and Kira Spencer Brown.

The Lion King remains one of the best loved West End musicals ever as it enters its record-breaking 17th year in London. Happy 16th birthday to The Lion King! Here’s to many more years to come…

 

The Lion King
Lyceum Theatre
21 Wellington Street
London, WC2E 7RQ
Evenings: Tuesday to Saturday 7.30pm
Matinees: Wednesday, Saturday amd Sunday 2.30pm
Running Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Age Restrictions: The Lion King is recommended for children aged 6 and over. Under 3s will not be admitted.

WICKED, the West End musical that tells the incredible untold story of the Witches of Oz, welcomed its 7 millionth visitor on Saturday 17th October 2015. Andrew Bell attended the performance with his wife Katie Bell and enjoyed a back stage visit with the cast after the performance.

Wicked is now in its 10th year and around the world, Wicked has been seen by nearly 50 million people in 13 countries and won over 100 international awards. The original Broadway production remains “Broadway’s biggest blockbuster” (The New York Times) after 12 years at the Gershwin Theatre. Wicked won the much coveted 2015 Olivier Audience Award.

Wicked stars: Emma Hatton (Elphaba), Savannah Stevenson (Glinda), Oliver Savile (Fiyero), Liza Sadovy (Madame Morrible), Tom McGowan (The Wizard), Sean Kearns (Doctor Dillamond), Daniel Hope (Boq), Katie Rowley Jones (Nessarose), Natalie Andreou (Standby for Elphaba) and Carina Gillespie (Standby for Glinda).

Based on the international best-selling novel by Gregory Maguire that ingeniously re-imagined the stories and characters created by L. Frank Baum in ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’, Wicked tells the incredible untold story of an unlikely but profound friendship between two sorcery students. Their extraordinary adventures in Oz will ultimately see them fulfil their destinies as Glinda The Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.

Wicked has music and lyrics by multi Grammy and Academy Award-winner Stephen Schwartz, a book by Winnie Holzman, musical staging by Wayne Cilento and is directed by two-time Tony Award-winner and Olivier Award nominee Joe Mantello. Wicked is based on the novel ‘Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West’ by Gregory Maguire.

Wicked is produced by: Marc Platt, Universal Stage Productions, The Araca Group, Jon B. Platt and David Stone. Executive Producer (UK): Michael McCabe.
Wicked Musical London
Apollo Victoria Theatre
17 Wilton Road, London, SW1V 1LG
Running Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
Age Restrictions: Recommended for ages 7 and over (children under 4 not admitted).
Show Opened: 27th September 2006
Evenings: Monday to Saturday 7.30pm
Matinees: Wednesday and Saturday 2.30pm

 

Irving Berlin’s family paid a special visit to watch the show, and to meet the cast and producers Brian Eastman and Christabel Albery, of The Smallest Show on Earth on stage at the Mercury Theatre, Colchester on 8 October 2015

Behind the scenes footage from the ELF Original London Cast Soundtrack recording session.The London premiere of the musical ELF is based on the 2003 New Line Cinema hit starring Will Ferrell.  ELF features a book by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin, with songs by Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin. The cast of the London production is led by Ben Forster, Kimberley Walsh, Joe McGann and Jessica Martin.

 

On Silva Screen Records – release date 23 October 2015

NEWCASTLE THEATRE ROYAL VOTED MOST WELCOMING IN THE UK

Newcastle Theatre Royal has been voted the most welcoming Theatre in the entire UK.  This major industry award was made yesterday at the 2015 UK Theatre Awards held in London’s Guildhall.

Over 256 theatres of all sizes from across the UK entered the award, which is voted for entirely by the public.  In total over 40,000 votes were cast for theatres up and down the country – the most since the award was created in 2013. Last week the Theatre Royal team was told they had been shortlisted as regional winner for the North East but the news that they had secured the top award was not announced until 3pm yesterday afternoon.

 

The My Theatre Matters! UK’s Most Welcoming Theatre Award in association with Smooth Radio is one of the most coveted of the UK Theatre Awards – the only nationwide awards to honour outstanding achievement in theatre throughout the United Kingdom.

 

Over 400 UK Theatre members and guests attended the Awards ceremony in London compèred by musical theatre star Michael Xavier, with appearances from guest presenters including Sir Patrick Stewart OBE, Barbara Windsor MBE, Richard Wilson OBE, Anne Reid MBE and Lee Mead.

 

Theatre Royal Chief Executive Philip Bernays was down in the capital to receive the award: “We are so honoured with this win – in the UK theatre sector this is probably the most coveted accolade of all.  We strive to excel in everything that we do in order to attract the biggest audiences and the best shows in what is a very competitive market, and the word ‘Welcome’ continues to be our central mantra. This award is an outstanding achievement and true testament to the effort and dedication of our staff, who always go ‘one step beyond’.”

 

There are nineteen awards on offer in total, covering a huge wealth of merit in the industry ranging from Best New Play to Best Design, Best Show for Children, and Achievement in Opera. Another notable winner was Theatre Royal regular and Friends’ Patron Matthew Bourne who won The Stage Award for Outstanding Contribution to British Theatre.

 

Theatre Royal Chairman Cllr Ged Bell, said: “We were shortlisted for this award last year and narrowly missed out, and it’s a great delight to us to have won it in 2015 – when there were more nominations and votes cast than ever before.  We believe that our team are indeed one of the most dedicated and passionate in the country, and they are thoroughly deserving of this honour.  A big thank you to them, and of course to our audiences and supporters for voting for us.”

 

Rachel Tackley, President of UK Theatre, said: “We have been delighted to see the tremendous level of support for theatres across the United Kingdom.  Theatres play a hugely valuable role in our local communities and this vote, along with the My Theatre Matters! campaign, provides a platform for the public to tell their stories about how important their local venue is to them.”

 

It’s been a good month for the Theatre – last Monday, Newcastle Theatre Royal also won Receiving Venue Team of the Year in the prestigious Technical Theatre Awards (TTA) which recognises the staff who work behind the scenes and highlights the excellence of one venue which stands out above all others, as voted for by touring theatre technicians.

The Theatre Royal’s Annual Report for 2014/15 details record breaking figures for the charity. It was the Theatre’s best ever in terms of ticket sales, with a total of £10.3m worth of tickets sold, 44 visiting theatre, opera, ballet and dance companies welcomed and 406 performances presented to a staggering 405,681 people. The attendance for the year was also at 80% capacity, which is an astonishing 21% above the national average.

“MAMMA MIA!”

NOW BOOKING TO 22 OCTOBER 2016

AT LONDON’S NOVELLO THEATRE

The global smash hit musical MAMMA MIA! at London’s Novello Theatre is now extending its booking period until 22 October 2016, taking the show through to its 18^th playing year in London.

MAMMA MIA! stars Dianne Pilkington as Donna Sheridan, Mazz Murray as Tanya, Jo Napthine as Rosie, Gabriella Williams as Sophie Sheridan, James Darch as Sky, Richard Trinder as Sam, Alasdair Harvey as Harry, Charles Daish as Bill, Louise Young as Ali, Stephanie Fearon as Lisa, Dan Partridge as Pepper and Rory Phelan as Eddie. At certain performances, the role of Donna Sheridan is played by Shona White.

From West End to global phenomenon, MAMMA MIA! is Judy Craymer’s ingenious vision of staging the story-telling magic of ABBA’s timeless songs with an enchanting tale of family and friendship unfolding on a Greek island paradise.  To date, it has been seen by 60 million people in 49 productions in 16 different languages grossing more than $2 billion at the box office.

MAMMA MIA! originally opened in London at the Prince Edward Theatre on 6 April 1999, before transferring to the Prince of Wales Theatre in 2004.  The musical re-opened at the Novello Theatre in 2012.

 

The London production of MAMMA MIA! has been seen by more than 10% of the entire UK population.  The show has celebrated over 6,500 performances in London and has broken box office records in all three of its London homes.  In 2011, it became the first Western musical ever to be staged in Mandarin in the People’s Republic of China.   

 

Produced by Judy Craymer, MAMMA MIA! The Movie, starring Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan, is the highest grossing live action musical film of all time.

 

With music & lyrics by Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus, MAMMA MIA! is written by Catherine Johnson, directed by Phyllida Lloyd and choreographed by Anthony Van Laast. The production is designed by Mark Thompson, with lighting design by Howard Harrison, sound design by Andrew Bruce & Bobby Aitken, and musical supervision, additional material & arrangements by Martin Koch.

 

MAMMA MIA! is produced by Judy Craymer, Richard East & Björn Ulvaeus for Littlestar in association with Universal.

 

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Novello Theatre

Aldwych

London WC2B 4LD

Monday to Friday Prices:  £65.00, £37.50, £20.00, £15.00

Saturday Prices:  £67.50*, £52.50, £39.50, £25.00, £15.00

*£69.50 from 26 October 2015

Please note: Saturday pricing applies to all performances 26-30 October 2015, 28 December 2015 – 2 January 2016, 15-20 February 2016, 25 March – 9 April 2016, 30 May – 4 June 2016 and 25 July – 3 September 2016.

A £2.25 per ticket booking fee applies to tickets booked online, and a £2.75 per ticket booking fee applies to tickets booked by phone. No booking fee on tickets purchased in person at the Novello Theatre Box Office.

All prices include £1.25 restoration levy.

Early Bird Pricing – anyone booking four months or more in advance of the performance they are attending (Monday to Thursday performances only) will be able to purchase £65 tickets for £45, a saving of £20 on the regular top price, but only through Delfont Mackintosh Theatres, either online, in person at the theatre, or by calling the Novello Theatre Box Office.

Performance Times:

Monday – Saturday 7.45pm

Matinees – Thursday & Saturday 3.00pm*

*extra Tuesday matinees on 27 October 2015, 16 February 2016 and 9 & 23 August 2016

Christmas 2015/16 Performance Schedule

Monday 21 December                              7.45pm

Tuesday 22 December                             3.00pm and 7.45pm

Wednesday 23 December                        3.00pm and 7.45pm

Thursday 24 December                            NO PERFORMANCE

Friday 25 December                                 NO PERFORMANCE

Saturday 26 December                            3.00pm and 7.45pm

Monday 28 December                              3.00pm and 7.45pm

Tuesday 29 December                             3.00pm and 7.45pm

Wednesday 30 December                        3.00pm and 7.45pm

Thursday 31 December                            3.00pm

Friday 1 January                                       7.45pm

Saturday 2 January                                  3.00pm and 7.45pm

Currently booking to 22 October 2016

The performance lasts 2 hours and 35 minutes (including a 15-minute interval)

Box Office: 0844 482 5115

http://www.mamma-mia.com/

http://www.facebook.com/mammamiamusical

http://twitter.com/MammaMiaMusical