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Theatre app Todaytix is to introduce paperless tickets to the West End for the first time.

In a partnership with the Adelphi Theatre and the venue’s owner Really Useful Theatres, people using Todaytix to buy tickets will be able to use a mobile barcode for entry at the theatre.

The service marks the first time that digital tickets will have been used in the West End.

The technology will be available for the forthcoming production of Kinky Boots, which begins its run at the Adelphi on August 21.

Todaytix has also confirmed that it intends to roll out the service to other West End theatres over the next 12 to 24 months.

The ticketing app, which originated on Broadway in 2013, launched in the UK in June this year, aiming to make the West End “more accessible than ever”.

The Park Theatre in north London uses paperless ticketing, and Ticketmaster has also used the technology for music events. However, this will mark the first time that paperless ticketing has been used in the commercial West End.

Todaytix’s Brian Fenty and Merritt Baer said the new service would make going to the theatre easier than ever.

Sally Cookson’s re-imagining of Charlotte Brontë’s novel was first staged by the Bristol Old Vic last year, when the story was performed over two evenings. The production, which opens at the National Theatre on 8 September, will now be presented as a single performance.

Press materials state: “Almost 170 years on, Charlotte Brontë’s story of the trailblazing Jane is as inspiring as ever. This bold and dynamic production uncovers one woman’s fight for freedom and fulfilment on her own terms.”

Jane Eyre opens at the Lyttleton Theatre on 8 September.

John Heffernan will play the title role in the upcoming Young Vic production of Macbeth, opposite Anna Maxwell Martin as Lady Macbeth.

Directed by Carrie Cracknell and Lucy Guerin, the production runs from 26 November 2015 to 16 January 2016 before transferring to Birmingham REP and HOME in Manchester.

Heffernan recently starred in the RSC’s Oppenheimer, while other credits include Edward II (National Theatre) and the BBC series Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell.

Anna Maxwell Martin’s recent stage credits include King Lear at the National, Di and Viv and Rose at Hampstead Theatre and Measure for Measure at the Almeida.

The cast of Macbeth will also include: Mark Ebulue, Thomasin Gulgeç, Ira Siobhan Mandela, Ana Beatriz Meireles, Prasanna Puwanarajah and Clemmie Sveaas.

Also announced today, Romola Garai will play Isabella alongside Paul Ready as Angelo and Zubin Varla as the Duke in Joe Hill-Gibbins’ production of Measure for Measure (1 October to 14 November 2015).

The cast also includes Hammed Animashaun (Elbow/Provost), Tom Edden (Pompey), Ivanno Jeremiah (Claudio), John Mackay (Lucio), Sarah Malin (Escalus), Natalie Simpson (Juliet), Cath Whitefield (Mariana) and Matthew Wynn (Barnardine).

Emily Barclay and Sam Troughton will play an estranged couple in Marguerite Duras’ play La Musica, which is revived by Jeff James in the Maria studio from 24 September to 17 October.

And Rikki Henry’s production of Creditors by August Strindberg, in an adaptation by David Greig, will feature Jolyon Coy as Tekla, Tom Rhys Harries as Adolph and Gyuri Sarossy as Gustav.

Henry won the Genesis Future Directors Award for 2015. The play runs from 9 to 19 September in the Clare studio.

Mercury Musical Developments (MMD) and Musical Theatre Network (MTN) have announced that their first national showcase of new musical theatre,BEAM:2016 is open for submissions.

BEAM:2016 is taking place at the Park Theatre, London on 8th and 9th March 2016, and will encourage and develop musical theatre across the UK, identifying and supporting innovation, connecting practitioners and finding champions for original work.

The work to be included in BEAM:2016 will be found through an innovative series of pitching days. MMD and MTN will travel across the UK seeking out the artists making musical theatre today. At key producing venues from Scotland, England and Wales, the two companies hope to discover writers, as well as highlight the brilliant work being done by more established practitioners.

The first of these pitching days is taking place on 16th October 2015 at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, with other opportunities happening throughout October and November. Writers interested in applying for a pitching slot should check out http://www.mercurymusicals.com/what-we-do/beam-2016 or
http://www.musicaltheatrenetwork.com/what-we-do/beam2016/ for more information.

Caroline Routh, Executive Producer of MTN said “BEAM is going to provide an incredibly exciting opportunity for us to find those artists from all around the UK who are making new and innovative musical theatre, and we are thrilled that our showcase will help to contribute to their development and to the future of this artform.”

MTN and MMD will be tracking their progress across the country with videos and blogs as they meet different artists and venues. Follow them on Twitter via #FollowtheBeam

Further information:
BEAM:2016 is to be a two day event held at the Park Theatre, London on 8th-9th March 2016. The Park Theatre (winner of The Stage Best Fringe Venue of the Year 2015) have said: “As a non subsidised off West End theatre we’re acutely aware of how important it is to develop and nurture new work, and we’re thrilled to be hosting BEAM:2016 thereby supporting a number of exciting emerging theatre makers in the field of musical theatre.” Jez Bond | Artistic Director, Park Theatre

The showcase itself combines live pitches and book-in-hand presentations of new work from artists and venues around the UK. There will also be panel discussions, provocations, networking, installations/digital displays and two Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation Masterclasses. The first Masterclass will be a practical demonstration and discussion by leading industry figures on ‘Originating New Work’. The second will centre around the practicalities of workshops, industry showcases and backers auditions.

BEAM is a joint collaboration between MTN and MMD and is a key part of both organisations’ mission to support the development of new musical theatre. MMD is a not-for-profit membership organization that is dedicated to nurturing new musical theatre writing. Our membership of over 400 bookwriters, lyricists and librettist have access to a range of development and showcasing initiatives including seminars, masterclasses and professional residencies designed to further their craft and career. We actively seek out commissions, build professional networks and are ambassadors on behalf of all our members. MMD aim is to support and represent the writers who are shaping the future of British musical theatre. To find out more about MMD go to www.mercurymusicals.com

Musical Theatre Network is a membership organisation with a mission to create the environment that allows new musical theatre to flourish. Founded in 2005 it has grown into an organisation that has attracted members from across the industry, including independent producers, directors and writers as well as regional and major commercial producing companies. In 2012 it joined the Arts Council England National Portfolio (in partnership with MMD) and is one of only three organisations supporting the development of new musical theatre to be supported in this way. MTN runs a year round programme of development and networking events, an annual conference and an Awards scheme in Edinburgh focused on broadening the conversation about what musical theatre can be.

Over 140,000 new tickets are released for sale today (14th August 2015) for the critically acclaimed five-star West End production of Bend It Like Beckham The Musical, now booking at the Phoenix Theatre to 20th February 2016.

Also announced today is that the original cast album is now available to buy on digital platforms including iTunes and Amazon mp3. This will be followed on 11th September 2015 with the release of the CD by Sony Classical, a division of Sony Music Entertainment. Recorded over several performances at the Phoenix Theatre to capture the excitement of a live performance, with music and lyrics by Howard Goodall and Charles Hart, the Bend It Like Beckham original cast album features seventeen tracks from the show including Girl Perfect, Heer, Bend It, People Like Us, UB2 and Glorious.

The cast is led by Natalie Dew who plays football crazy Jess with Lauren Samuels as Jules, a player with the Harriers, a local women’s football team, and Jamie Campbell Bower as their coach Joe. Sophie-Louise Dann plays the role of Paula with Jamal Andréas as Jess’ good friend Tony. Preeya Kalidas plays Pinky, Jess’ sister, with Tony Jayawardena and Natasha Jayetileke as her parents, Mr and Mrs Bhamra.

Sohm Kapila, Buckso Dhillon-Woolley and Harveen Mann play Aunties, Irvine Iqbal and Karl Seth play Uncles, with Sejal Keshwala, Serina Mathew and Sharan Phull as Cousins. Rakesh Boury, Jorell Coiffic-Kamall, Tom Millen, Daniel Bolton play footballers, with Teetu played by Raj Bajaj. The Harriers are played by Michelle Bishop, Lisa Bridge, Chloe Chambers, Genesis Lynea,

Kayleigh McKnight, Leanne Pinder, Kirstie Skivington and Danielle Young. Rekha Sawhney and Shahid Khan are the production’s Indian Heritage Singers.

Bend It Like Beckham The Musical is a celebratory fusion of culture, music, emotions and fun, bursting with warmth, humour and heart. Jess needs extra time. She is facing the most important decision of her life: live up to family expectations of university, career and marriage, or follow in the footsteps of her hero David Beckham. When the talented teenager is spotted playing football in Southall, a world of unexpected opportunities opens up before her. But as her sister’s traditional Indian wedding approaches, can she keep her family happy and still follow her dreams?

With lyrics by Charles Hart, music by Howard Goodall the original cast album of Bend It Like Beckham The Musical also features Rail Gaddi music by Kuljit Bhamra, Sadaa Charhdi Kalaa and Sacheh Bahd Shah Punjabi texts by Gurinder Chadha. Orchestrations by Howard Goodall and Kuljit Bhamra, electronic rhythm sequences are programmed by Howard Goodall and musical direction is by Nigel Lilley. Live sound (theatre) is designed by Richard Brooker, assisted by Ross Portway. Live sound (theatre) is mixed by Roisine Mamdani, assisted by Michaela O’Brien. The album is mixed and engineered by Gary Thomas, assisted by Joshua Thomas at Vale Audio Facilities and mastered by Ben Turner. The live album Creative Producer and Editor is Howard Goodall and the Executive Producer is Tris Penna.

Directed by Gurinder Chadha, with original music by Howard Goodall and lyrics by Charles Hart, Bend It Like Beckham The Musical has a new book by Paul Mayeda Berges & Gurinder Chadha; choreography and musical staging by Aletta Collins; set design by Miriam Buether; costume design by Katrina Lindsay; lighting design by Neil Austin; sound design by Richard Brooker; musical direction by Nigel Lilley and orchestrations by Howard Goodall & Kuljit Bhamra.

Bend It Like Beckham The Musical is produced in the West End by Sonia Friedman Productions, Deepak Nayar Productions, Bend It Films, Fischer & Vaswani Productions, Tanya Link Productions & Zeilinger Productions, Lost Marbles & Two Way Split, Delman Jacobson, DOIT Media & Entertainment (India) and Reliance Entertainment.

The hit comedy musical show that exposes the latest gossip and celebrates the hits and flops of Theatreland is back for a limited run at Waterloo East Theatre 24th November to 6th December 2015.

Jest End is London’s answer to Forbidden Broadway and has been going from strength to strength since the birth of the show at Jermyn Street Theatre 2007.

Home grown and created by British composer Garry Lake ( Composer/Lyricist of Social Media Musical ‘LIKE ME’ ) Jest End continues to provide London audiences with a fresh up to date comedy, one that is proving to be a smash hit for musical theatre fans of all ages.

With a theatrical tongue placed firmly in the cheek of the West End, Jest End will take on the latest and most popular musicals in this fantastic new production, including; WICKED, BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM, MATILDA, LES MISERABLES, BILLY ELLIOT, GUYS AND DOLLS, SUNNY AFTERNOON, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, JERSEY BOYS, AND MANY MANY MORE.

Lake will continue to direct, accompanied by Choreographer and long term creative companion Rebecca Howell, as well as Musical Director James Doughty.

The latest cast of Jesters is yet to be announced, but with the track record of the show attracting some of the finest voices in the West End including; Louise Dearman & Rachel Tucker, it’s a given that Lake will not disappoint.

So, if you’re stuck to make a decision on what show to take in, why not visit Waterloo East Theatre and watch them all at once.

Jest End
Waterloo East Theatre
Tuesday 24th November to Sunday 6th December 2015
http://www.waterlooeast.co.uk/

 

The producers of the forthcoming UK tour of Terence Rattigan’s FLARE PATH, directed by Justin Audibert, have announced the full cast, headed by the previously announced Leon Ockenden as Peter Kyle, Olivia Hallinan as Patricia Graham and Philip Franks as Squadron Leader Swanson.

They will be joined by Adam Best as Flying Officer Count Skriczevinsky, James Cooney as Percy, Simon Darwen as Sergeant Miller (Dusty), Stephanie Jacob as Mrs Oakes, Shvorne Marks as Mrs Miller (Maudie), Siobhan O’Kelly as Countess Skriczevinsky (Doris), William Reay as Corporal Jones (Wiggy), Holly Smith as Maid and Alastair Whatley as Flight Lieutenant Graham (Teddy).

FLARE PATH is produced on tour by Alastair Whatley for The Original Theatre Company and Anne-Marie Woodley and Jon Woodley for Birdsong Productions Ltd.
Official website: www.flarepaththetour.com Twitter: @flarepathtour Facebook: @flarepaththetour

 

 

Flare Path 2015 TOUR SCHEDULE
18 – 29 August Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne
1 – 5 September Richmond Theatre
7 – 12 September Theatre Royal, Bath
15 – 19 September Festival Theatre, Malvern
22 – 26 September Exeter Northcott Theatre
28 September – 3 October Cambridge Arts Theatre
5 – 10 October Salisbury Playhouse
12 – 17 October Theatre Royal Winchester
19 – 24 October The New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich
3 – 7 November The Belgrade Theatre, Coventry
10 – 14 November Liverpool Playhouse
16-21 November The Palace Theatre, Southend
23 – 28 November Yvonne Arnaud, Guildford

PW Productions present

The Woman In Black

Adapted by Stephen MALLATRATT                                               

from the novel by Susan HILL                                                     

 

A father and son pairing started this week in The Woman In Black, one of the most exciting, gripping and successful theatre events ever performed, now in its 26th year in the West End in a production revisited by original director Robin Herford.

Christopher Godwin plays Arthur Kipps and Tom Godwin plays The Actor.

Christopher Godwin’s recent theatre credits include The Two Merchants of Modena (RSC), The Crucible (Old Vic), Versailles (Donmar Warehouse), This House (National Theatre), A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The City Madam, Cardenio (all RSC), Henry IV Parts I and II (Shakespeare’s Globe) andThe Invisible Man (Menier Chocolate Factory). TV credits include The Hollow Crown, A Young Doctor’s Notebook, Lead Balloon and Waking the Dead.

Tom Godwin’s theatre credits include: Macbeth (Park Avenue Armory, New York); The Little Mermaid(Bristol Old Vic); To Kill A Mockingbird (Regents Park Open Air); Cinderella (Tobacco Factory at St James Theatre); Bingo (Young Vic); Taming Of The Shrew (Shakespeare’s Globe), Get Santa! (Royal Court); The Crash Of The Elysium (Punchdrunk); Earthquakes In London (Headlong / National Theatre);ENRON (Headlong: Noel Coward Theatre West End, and Victory (Arcola). Television includes: The Hollow Crown, My Mad Fat Diary, Doctors, Family Tree, Psychoville, Holby City, Voyages Of Discovery, Grease Monkeys, Anchor Me, Sword of Honour. Film: About Time, Alice Through The Looking Glass and The Danish Girl

Unanimously acclaimed by the critics, The Woman In Black combines the power and intensity of live theatre with the cinematic quality of film noir.  More than seven million people have been transported into a terrifying world in an unremitting drama that has them literally jumping out of their seats.

The Woman In Black was first performed at the Theatre-By-The-Sea in Scarborough in 1987. The original production received rave reviews, paving the way for future productions throughout the country. It reached the West End in 1989 where it has been a major success ever since. Its success has subsequently reached a global level, having spread to the US, South America and through to the Tokyo theatre scene, and beyond.

A major motion picture version of The Woman In Black was released in February 2012, starring Daniel Radcliffe. It became the highest-grossing British horror film ever, taking more than $100 million worldwide

Listings information

THE WOMAN IN BLACK

Adapted by Stephen Mallatratt

from the novel by Susan Hill

Directed by Robin Herford

Design by Michael Holt

Lighting by Kevin Sleep

Cast: Christopher and Tom Godwin

The Fortune Theatre

Russell Street

London WC2

Box Office 0844 871 7626

www.thewomaninblack.com

Booking until 16th December 2016

Prices

Stalls £47.50, £37.50
Dress Circle £47.50, £37.50
Upper Circle £27.50, £19.50

Performance times:

Tuesday – Saturday at 8pm

Tuesday & Thursday at 3pm, Saturday at 4pm

By guest reviewer – 12 year old Francesca Turton

 

On the 9th of August I went to see American Idiot at the Arts Theatre in London.
It was a musical play about the lives of three American teenage boys after 9/11 and how they feel they need to ‘do something’ and get out into the world.
Like ‘We Will Rock You’ built a story around Queen’s music, American idiot uses Green Day songs to create a story. The three boys, who were best friends, went on to lead totally different lives during the following year.
Some of the scenes concentrated on just one of the teenager’s life and sometimes it showed all three on different areas of the stage at the same time. This was very good because you could compare how they were living simultaneously.
There was a good mix of songs, from solo ballads, duets and whole cast rock numbers. Although my favourite Green Day song is still Boulevard of Broken Dreams, I particularly liked 21 Guns in the show as the 3 main girls sang it, including Amelia Lily (of X Factor fame). My mum loved Wake Me Up When September Ends.
One of the things I found interesting was the fact that the guitarists were on stage virtually all the time – and it was very funny when one of the main characters made reference to them.
For the final song, the three leads all sang and played acoustic guitar together which sounded really great, then as the song went on the whole cast joined in, also playing their guitars. I wonder how many of them played the guitar before they joined the show?
We didn’t buy a programme until after the show and were very surprised to see that we had been watching the understudies in some of the lead roles – we would never have known as they were absolutely brilliant. I even managed to get my photo taken with two of them as they left the theatre.
I enjoyed it greatly and would recommend it to anyone, especially Green Day fans, although there was a lot of swearing and adult themes in the show so I wouldn’t advise taking a young child to see it.

 

Full review at https://www.facebook.com/pages/TATT-Turton-at-the-Theatre/853875411371589