Derek Jacobi will play Mercutio opposite Lily James as Juliet and Richard Madden as Romeo in the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company production of Romeo and Juliet at the Garrick Theatre. The production will run from 12 May 2016 until 13 August 2016.

Kenneth Branagh said: “Sir Derek Jacobi has been an inspiration to so many actors and audiences throughout his brilliant career. To see him in Shakespeare is an event in itself. It’s an honour to welcome this wonderful artist to our season of Plays at the Garrick.”

Derek Jacobi said: “It’s always a privilege to return to Shakespeare. The role of Mercutio is an exciting and intriguing challenge to take on. I’m particularly happy to tackle it in the company of Richard Madden and Lily James, with whom I had such an exciting working relationship in Cinderella.”

Derek Jacobi’s stage credits include Heartbreak House, King Lear, two productions of Twelfth Night(Olivier Award; Best Actor), The Tempest, Macbeth, Richard III and Richard II, Much Ado About Nothing(Olivier Award; Best Actor), Cyrano De Bergerac (London Critics Circle Theatre Award; Best Actor),Ivanov, Antony and Cleopatra and three productions of Hamlet (also directed). Derek has performed in many productions with both Chichester Festival Theatre and NT Old Vic Theatre including Three Sisters, As You Like It, Love’s Labour’s Lost, Othello, Love For Love, Black Comedy and Hadrian VII.

Derek’s film credits include Cinderella, Grace of Monaco, The King’s Speech, A Bunch of Amateurs, The Golden Compass, Gosford Park, The Children’s Midsummer Night’s Dream, Gladiator, Joan Of Arc: The Virgin Warrior, Hamlet, Aladdin, Henry V, Three Sister and Othello.

Derek’s television credits include Last Tango in Halifax, Titanic, Joe Maddison’s War, Margot, The Old Curiosity Shop, Doctor Who: Series III, Miss Marple: Murder at the Vicarage, The Jury, Frasier, The Secret Garden, Cyrano De Bergerac, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Hamlet; Prince of Denmark, King Richard The Second, Markheim and The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes.

The Winter’s Tale, Harlequinade, The Painkiller, Romeo and Juliet and The Entertainer make up the inaugural season of work for the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company. The Company presents Plays at the Garrick, a series of plays that bring together an exciting group of actors led by Rob Brydon, Judi Dench, Derek Jacobi, Lily James and Richard Madden. Performances begin on 17 October 2015.

 

ROMEO AND JULIET WILL RUN FROM 12 MAY 2016 UNTIL 13 AUGUST 2016 AT THE GARRICK THEATRE

FOR TICKETS VISIT www.branaghtheatre.com

ROMEO AND JULIET
12 May 2016 – 13 August 2016
Press performance: 25 May 7pm
Captioned Performance: 31 May 7.30pm
Audio Described Performance: 7 June 7.30pm
Performances Monday – Saturday with 2.30pm matinee performances on Wednesdays and Saturdays excluding 14 May and 25 May.

With summer just around the corner, flying rehearsals are well under way at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre for their forthcoming production of Peter Pan which opens on 15 May and runs until 14 June.

Hiran Abeysekera takes off as Peter Pan using a series of wires and bungee ropes: “When you’re flying high up there” says Hiran, “it’s the most amazing feeling. But you are constantly reminded that you’re not a bird, you’re just a human. My life is totally in the hands of the counter weight, and they’re all solid – they’re brilliant guys! They have to know what the rhythm of the scene is, what the rhythm of my character is, I have to feel them as well. It’s not me flying, it’s them flying me and we have to understand each other’s bodies and rhythms to make it work. It’s quite minutely specific. But it’s really thrilling. You feel like a superhero for a bit, a little jump can take you 30 feet up in the air!”

George Llewelyn Davies, killed in action in WW1, was one of the children who inspired this iconic character. Remembering him, and a generation of lost boys, Timothy Sheader and Liam Steelrediscover J. M. Barrie’s original stage play. Alongside Hiran Abeysekera in the title role is David Birrell as Captain Hook, Beverly Rudd as Smee and George Bukhari as Nibs. Recommended for all ages 9+. Flying scheme created by Wired Aerial Theatre (@wiredaerial | wiredaerialtheatre.com)

West End stormers and multiple award winners Mischief Theatre Company are set to bring their riotous new show Peter Pan Goes Wrong to Newcastle Theatre Royal in July.  Expect lashings of slapstick and mayhem galore, oh, and a crocodile that ticks! From Wed 1 to Sat 4 July 2015

 

Mischief Theatre exploded onto the West End stage with phenomenal success last year with The Play That Goes Wrong, the first of their ‘Goes Wrong’ hit shows. Now after winning the Whatsonstage Award for Best New Comedy  2014 and Oliver Award for Best New Comedy 2015, the company is flying high and promises a barrel-full of laughs with its new show.

 

The play introduces ‘The Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society’ who are attempting to stage J.M. Barrie’s classic tale of Peter Pan, but as the title suggests, everything that can go wrong… does, as the accident prone thesps embark on a thrilling adventure to Neverland with hilariously disastrous results. A highly physical comedy packed with finely-tuned mayhem and Buster Keaton inspired slapstick, Peter Pan Goes Wrong delivers a fast-paced show with split-second timing and ambitious daring.

 

Mischief Theatre Company started at the Old Red Lion in London, then transferred their first show to the West End where it enjoyed two successive runs at the Trafalgar Studios, whipping critics, audiences and celebrity fans into a frenzy of delight. Producers Kenny Wax (of Top Hat fame) and Stage Presence Ltd picked up the show and produced a two-act version of the play, which enjoyed a sell-out UK tour and swiftly followed with a West End transfer to the Duchess Theatre, where it is currently playing to packed houses. The company have just announced an extension through until September 2015 in the West End. Peter Pan Goes Wrong first premiered with a small-scale production at The Pleasance London in December 2013. This new 2014/5 production has been developed and redesigned for a number one UK tour.

 

Triple Olivier award-winning producer Kenny Wax says: “We took a huge gamble in transferring The Play That Goes Wrong into the West End; a new comedy starring ‘no one famous’ by unknown writers. And yet our sold out show is delighting packed houses night after night. Marketeers will tell you that there is only one thing that can create such a ‘hit’ and that is great word of mouth. I have no doubt that Peter Pan Goes Wrong will be met with the same tremendous reaction.”

 

Mischief Theatre was founded in 2008 by a group of graduates of The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) and began as an improvised comedy group. The recent success of The Play That Goes Wrong has put Mischief firmly in the spotlight, attracting critical acclaim and international attention from theatre producers worldwide. The company is led by Artistic Director Henry Lewis and Company Director Jonathan Sayer.

 

Co-written by Mischief Theatre company members Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields, Peter Pan Goes Wrong is directed by Adam Meggido, with set designs by Simon Scullion, costume designs by Roberto Surace, lighting design by Matt Haskins and sound design by Ella Wahlstrom. The production will be performed by an ensemble cast of ten, featuring: Laurence Pears, Cornelius Booth, Alex Bartram, James Marlowe, Chris Leask, Leonie Hill, Naomi Sheldon, Matt Cavendish, Harry Kershaw and Rosie Abraham. The company will be casting local children at each venue to play ‘the Lost Boys’.

 

Peter Pan Goes Wrong is produced by Kenny Wax Ltd and Stage Presence Ltd. A donation from every ticket sold is given to Great Ormond Street Hospital.

 

Peter Pan Goes Wrong is at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Wed 1 until Saturday 4 July 2015. Tickets are available from £11 (save 50p per ticket by booking online) and can be purchased from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 or select your own seat and book online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk

Opening Night £15 Ticket Offer! (Partial View Seats remain at £11 on Opening Night)

 

The show is billed as ‘hilarious, raunchy and insightful’

Off-Broadway show Cougar The Musical is receiving its UK premiere at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry next month.

Written by American Donna Moore, the show is billed as “a hilarious, raunchy and insightful new musical about three women of a certain age saying yes to life and learning that true happiness lies within.”

The production, which runs from 16 May to 6 June in the Belgrade’s B2 studio, will be directed by Patricia Benecke and will star Dawn Hope (The Scottsboro Boys), Suanne Braun (Mamma Mia!), Pippa Winslow (Other Desert Cities) and Barnaby Hughes.

Moore said: “When I first heard the term ‘Cougar’, I was doing stand-up comedy and writing The UnBalancing Act, a show about my divorce – and I thought, ‘How come we have to place a derogatory name on an older woman?’

“I wanted to write a play that humanised the cougar which showed that women come in all shapes and sizes and that each woman is special no matter what. My thesis statement is that a woman who dates a younger man should be called a woman.”

The score for Cougar – The Musical includes “Shiny and New”, “On The Prowl”, “I’m My Own Queen” and “Say Yes”.

Tickets for the Belgrade production are on sale now.

The UK tour of Godspell in Concert is to close two months early, producers announced this morning.

The final performance will be at the Princess Theatre, Torquay on Wednesday 6 May.

It had been scheduled to play 28 venues up to 3 July.

Russell Scott, Producer & Musical Director of the show said “It is with a heavy heart we announce the early closure of Godspell in Concert. We have had an incredible journey and despite rave reviews,audience acclaim and standing ovations, ticket sales have been disappointing, and so after five glorious weeks with the most amazing company, cast and creative team, we are announcing early closure.

“It is difficult to pinpoint exactly why ticket sales have been so poor. However, without exception, every single performance has proven just how amazing the production is – the audiences have absolutely loved it. We have done everything we can to try and keep the show alive and running as long as possible, but we are now at the point where we have no option but to announce early closure.

“We would like to thank everyone who has put so much into making the production so amazing. Everyone has given 100% all the way – we could not have asked for more. We look forward to raising the roof at the final dates this week and next.”

The UK tour followed a sold-out critically acclaimed West End charity gala at the Lyric Theatre that also reunited most of the original West End cast, including David Essex, Marti Webb and Gay Soper.

The tour was produced by Russell Scott and Mark Pettitt for Godspell in Concert UK Ltd.

WEST END PREMIERE

NOTHING IS QUITE AS IT SEEMS

BIGGEST MAGIC SHOW IN DECADES SET TO THRILL WEST END THIS SUMMER

DEATH-DEFYING ESCAPOLOGY, GRAND STAGE ILLUSIONS, STATE-OF-THE-ART TECHNOLOGICAL MAGIC AND UNPLUGGED UP-CLOSE-AND-PERSONAL SLEIGHT OF HAND

IMPOSSIBLE, the biggest magic show in decades, is set to thrill audiences in London’s West End this summer at the Noël Coward Theatre. The show will feature the very best magicians and tricksters from around the world, fusing dazzling grand stage illusions, up-close-and-personal magic, cutting-edge technological tricks and death-defying escapology in a fast-paced, breath-taking spectacular for every generation.

A HOST OF WORLD-CLASS MAGICIANS TO PERFORM INCONCEIVABLE FEATS OF MAGIC AND ILLUSION

Celebrating its global premiere this July in London, where Harry Houdini and the superstars of illusion stunned Victorian audiences on stage, IMPOSSIBLE will re-establish the UK capital as the epicenter of innovation and spectacle, hosting the greatest magic show on Earth. Directed by Anthony Owen, the multi-award winning producer and magic consultant behind Channel 4’s Derren Brown, IMPOSSIBLEbrings eight world-leading performers together live on-stage for the very first time. Featuring a stunning range of magical artistry, from astonishing acts of epic proportions to dumbfounding up-close sleight of hand, be ready to be mesmerized and baffled by these incredible illusionists.

The confirmed line-up includes: modern-day Houdini, daredevil and TV escapologist Jonathan Goodwin; mind-blowing mind-reader Chris Cox; psychological trickster Katherine Mills; boundary breaking magician Ben Hart and spell-binding digital marvel Jamie Allan, with more acts still to be announced.

FOR 5 WEEKS ONLY FROM 24 JULY – 29 AUGUST 2015 AT THE BEAUTIFULLY RESTORED NOËL COWARD THEATRE

LISTINGS INFORMATION

IMPOSSIBLE
Noël Coward Theatre, St Martin’s Lane, London WC2N 4AU

Friday 24th July – Saturday 29th August 2015
Monday – Saturday evenings at 7.30pm
Matinee performances: Tuesday and Saturday at 3.00pm
Booking details:  0844 482 5141
Access bookings: 0844 482 5137
Press Night: TBC
Website: www.impossiblelive.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ImpossibleTheShow
Twitter: @ImpossibleShow

Ticket prices: £10, £20, £40, £60. Premium tickets are also available

ON ELECTION EVE THE ROYAL COURT THEATRE STAGES NICK GILL’S SATIRE OF POLITICAL RHETORIC

Nick Gill’s new short play: beneverunerstoost, directed by Artistic Director Vicky Featherstone, is to be given a one-off script-in-hand reading at the Jerwood Theatre Downstairs on Wednesday 6 May 2015.

Playwright Nick Gill has dismantled, mangled and welded back together the words of our would-be leaders David Cameron, Nick Clegg and Ed Miliband to create a new play about the language of politics. It will be performed script-in-hand on the set of The Twits on the eve of one of the most closely-run elections in history.

Vicky Featherstone, Artistic Director of the Royal Court Theatre said:

“Even before we were drowning in the current political rhetoric and searching for the truth behind the proclamations, Nick Gill was developing this razor sharp explosion of language and promises from our party leaders. It seemed too good an opportunity to miss, putting the work of this brilliant young playwright into the election mix and giving the audience an opportunity to be part of the development of this new play and thrilling new voice.”

Commenting on the inspiration for beneverunerstoost playwright Nick Gill said:

“I wanted to look at the break between political language and political intention, whether our rulers really do think they’re working in society’s ultimate best interests, where the dishonesty starts to creep in, where the hypocrisy comes from, and what relationship political discourse has with reality.”

They want all the power they can have. What will they say to get it? And how will you react at the ballot box on Thursday?

 

In a culture of loopholes, misused statistics, and refusals to be held accountable, the words of David Cameron, Nick Clegg and Ed Miliband are dismantled, mangled and welded back together for your entertainment.

 

The script in hand staging of beneverunerstoost, will take place Wednesday 6 May, 5.30pm in the Jerwood Theatre Downstairs. Cast to be announced.

EMILY HALL SELECTED FOR RESIDENCY TO PRODUCE BRAND NEW SITE RESPONSIVE OPERA PROJECT AT CORINTHIA HOTEL LONDON OPENING IN SEPTEMBER

Ground-breaking composer Emily Hall has been selected from eleven finalists to produce a site responsive opera piece at the Corinthia Hotel London. After entering the hotel’s Artist in Residencecompetition – a search to find a composer or company to produce a brand new opera inspired piece inside the distinguished five star hotel- Emily Hall’s idea was selected by a panel of music and arts industry leaders.

The artists had all responded to a brief for a site-responsive, opera themed work, with nowhere in the hotel off limits. The winner was chosen this morning at the Corinthia London by a panel which included opera luminaries Alex Beard CBE, Chief Executive of the Royal Opera House, Joseph Calleja, internationally acclaimed award-winning tenor and James Conway, Artistic Director and Chief Executive of English Touring Opera among others.

Emily Hall’s vision,  currently titled Seek and Hide, will use recordings and live performers to weave the sound and language of the hotel into a sonic tapestry that seeps into the very fabric of the building. On receiving the prize she said: I am delighted to be able to create something that everyone here can come back and enjoy.

Alex Beard said: It has been immensely difficult to select a winner from such an experienced and exciting shortlist but a huge pleasure to see so many bold ideas and new adaptations. I hope people who experience the finished production will be as excited and surprised as I was by the vision. I very much look forward to coming back in September to see the finished piece.

Corinthia Hotel London Senior Commercial Director Matthew Dixon said: Over the last four years our Artist in Residence programme has meant the Corinthia Hotel London has found a way to support some of the best new British talent in the arts. I’m delighted to see the programme grow year on year.

Following a month’s residency over this summer in which Emily Hall will immerse herself in the workings of the hotel, the project will premiere to audiences and guests alike in September of this year.

The announcement marks the fourth Artist in Residence competition at Corinthia. Previous residencies saw winning commissions from aspiring filmmakers Zawe Ashton and David Petch (2014), immersive theatre company Look Left Look Right (2013) and photographic artist Noémie Goudal (2012).

 

CASTING UPDATE

FOR THE FIRST EVER UK & IRELAND TOUR OF
HIT WEST END AND BROADWAY PRODUCTION

TOUR DIRECTED BY NIGEL HARMAN

The monster hit UK and Ireland Tour of SHREK THE MUSICAL is delighted to announce full casting as it enters its second triumphant year on the road. Coming direct from London, where it was seen live on stage by nearly a million people, the production has attracted huge audiences and five star reviews, ‘taking ogre’ venues up and down the country on its first ever UK and Ireland Tour.

Birmingham Mail
‘A fabulous musical which sends everyone away feeling happy’ *****

The 2015 company will star Dean Chisnall who will continue his role as beloved swamp-dwelling ogre ‘Shrek’, the role he previously played in the West End. Bronté Barbé will also star as damsel in distress ‘Princess Fiona’, joining continuing cast members Idriss Kargbo as Shrek’s wisecracking sidekick ‘Donkey’ and Gerard Carey as pint-sized villain ‘Lord Farquaad’.

They will be joined by a full company of fairy-tale characters including Laura Baldwin, Nikki Bentley, Jennifer Caldwell, Alexander Day, Candace Furbert, Will Haswell, Keith Henderson, James Lacey, Will Jennings, Iain Mattley, Christina Modestou, Sam Murphy, Amy Oxley, Ryan Reid, Jacqui Sanchez, Jake Small, Oliver Tester, Dawn Williams, Kerry Winter and Kevin Yates.

Bristol Post
‘Shrek The Musical is simply Shrektacular – a musical extravaganza for big kids and little kids alike.’*****

The UK & Ireland tour of SHREK THE MUSICAL is directed by Nigel Harman who starred as Lord Farquaad in the west end production, winning him the 2012 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical. SHREK THE MUSICALopened at the Grand Theatre in Leeds on Wednesday 23rd July 2014 and has since delighted audiences all around the country, including Glasgow where it is currently playing until 17th May 2015. It then continues its journey around the UK and Ireland, visiting Sheffield, Norwich, Southampton, Plymouth, Milton Keynes, Bradford, Wolverhampton, Edinburgh, Sunderland, Liverpool, Cardiff, Wimbledon and Salford.

Manchester Evening News
‘A perfect mixture of music, dance and performance comedy, with a sprinkling of fresh gags and slightly risqué humour to keep adults on their toes.’
(Winner of 2014 CityLife Award for Best Musical)

SHREK THE MUSICAL, originally directed by Jason Moore and Rob Ashford, is based on the story and characters from William Steig’s book Shrek! and the Academy Award®-winning DreamWorks Animations feature film.

SHREK THE MUSICAL opened on Broadway in 2008 before touring to nearly 150 cities in the USA and Canada. Productions of SHREK THE MUSICAL have played in Spain, Poland, France, Malaysia, China, Brazil, Italy, Denmark, The Netherlands, Estonia, Israel and Turkey. The UK and Ireland tour is presented by Dreamworks Theatricals, Neal Street Productions, Playful Productions, Lee Menzies, Ron Kastner, Tulchin/Bartner Productions, Saracen Films, Mark Cartwright, Gavin Kalin, Glass Half Full Productions/Just For Laughs Theatricals.

TOUR SCHEDULE

Wednesday 29 April 2015 – Sunday 17 May 2015
KING’S THEATRE, GLASGOW
www.atgtickets.com/glasgow
0844 871 7648

Wednesday 27 May 2015 – Sunday 7 June 2015
LYCEUM THEATRE, SHEFFIELD
www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk
0114 249 6000

Tuesday 9 June 2015 – Sunday 28 June 2015
NORWICH THEATRE ROYAL
www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk
01603 630 000

Wednesday 8 July 2015 – Sunday 26 July 2015
MAYFLOWER THEATRE, SOUTHAMPTON
www.mayflower.org.uk
02380 711 811

Tuesday 28 July 2015 – Saturday 15 August 2015
THEATRE ROYAL, PLYMOUTH
www.theatreroyal.com
01752 267 222

Tuesday 18 August – Sunday 6 September 2015
MILTON KEYNES THEATRE
www.atgtickets.com/milton-keynes-theatre
0844 871 7652

Wednesday 9 September 2015 – Sunday 27 September 2015
BRADFORD ALHAMBRA
www.bradford-theatres.co.uk
01274 432 000

Wednesday 30 September 2015 – Sunday 11 October 2015
WOLVERHAMPTON GRAND THEATRE
www.grandtheatre.co.uk/
01902 42 92 12

Tuesday 20 October 2015 – Sunday 8 November 2015
EDINBURGH PLAYHOUSE
http://www.atgtickets.com/edinburgh
0844 871 3014

Wednesday 11 November – Sunday 22 November 2015
SUNDERLAND EMPIRE
www.atgtickets.com/sunderland
0844 871 3022

Wednesday 25 November 2015 – Sunday 6 December 2015
LIVERPOOL EMPIRE
www.atgtickets.com/liverpool
0844 871 3017

Tuesday 8 December 2015 – Sunday 10 January 2016
WALES MILLENNIUM CENTRE, CARDIFF
www.wmc.org.uk
029 2063 6464

Wednesday 20 January 2016 – Sunday 31 January 2016
NEW WIMBLEDON THEATRE
www.atgtickets.com/wimbledon
0844 871 7646

Tuesday 2 February 2016 – Saturday 20 February 2016
THE LOWRY, SALFORD
www.thelowry.com
0843 208 6000

 

Dusty, a unique new multi-media show celebrating the musical icon Dusty Springfield, will receive its world premiere at the Charing Cross Theatre, with previews beginning 25th May 2015 and press night on 3 June 2015. Tickets are now on sale for this thirteen week run with booking to 22 August 2015.

Cast: Ellie Ann-Lowe (Mary O’Brien), Francesca Jackson (Nancy), Stewart McCheyne (DJ Dave Dean), Ben Tolley (Johnny Franz), Leo Elso (Dion O’Brien/Tom Springfield), Joe Vetch (Douggie Reece), Joan Walker (Kay O’Brien), Graham Kent (Gerard ‘OB’ O’Brien), Tristan Pate (Vic Billings), Allyson Ava Brown (Martha Reeves), Danielle Kassarata (Maddie), Arabella Rodrigo (Norma) and ensemble members Bex Leung, Cleo Jaeger and Marianna Neofitou.

With original music by the legendary artist Dusty Springfield, audiences will see and hear Springfield on stage using the most up-to-date 3-D technology and digital media. Combined with a musical theatre format of live performance, music and dance, Dusty follows the highs and lows of Springfield’s rise from middle class suburban London to the recording of her seminal album Dusty in Memphis.

Including classic footage of Dusty performing her story as seen through the eyes of Nancy Jones, one of Dusty’s childhood friends and other key figures who accompanied her on her journey, Dusty celebrates the life of one of Britain’s most influential recording artists.

Written by Kim Weild and Duncan Sibbald with dramaturg Jack Bradley, Dusty is directed by Chris Cowey with set designs by Phil Lindley, lighting by Eugene O’Connor, choreography by Lyndon Lloyd and sound by Paul Gavin and James Nicholson. Musical direction is by Dean Austin.

Dusty is produced in the West End by Freddie Madden, Michael Linnit, Patrice Wilson and Darren DeVerna with Andrew Green as Executive Producer and Paul Howes as Associate Producer.

LISTING INFORMATION
Theatre: The Arches, Villiers Street, London WC2N 6NL
Dates: 25 May – 22 August 2015
Press Night: 3 June 2015 at 7pm
Performances: Monday – Saturday 7.30pm, Thursdays at 2.30pm & Saturdays at 3pm
Tickets: until 6 June tickets £15 – £25
Then £20.00 – £49.50, no booking fees in person at theatre, booking fee applies for phone and web bookings
Box Office: 08444 930650
Website: www.thedustyshow.com or www.charingcrosstheatre.co.uk
Twitter: @dusty_show
Facebook: dustyshow