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News Archive

Pygmalion at the Old Vic

Published: 16 May 2008

In Bernard Shaw’s 1916 play, Professor of Phonetics Henry Higgins bets his friend he can turn Cockney flower girl Eliza Doolittle into a RP-speaking lady in six months. The story… Read More

George Asprey brings out his wicked side

Published: 15 May 2008

Recently, actor George Asprey has been carving a bit of a niche for himself playing the bad guy – and he is thoroughly enjoying it too. After a year’s stint… Read More

Into The Hoods run extended

Published: 15 May 2008

Into The Hoods, the urban dance fairytale, has announced the second extension to its run at the Novello theatre and is now booking to 30 August. Into The Hoods is… Read More

Stockholm

Published: 15 May 2008

Todd and Kali are the perfect couple. Beautiful, intelligent and completely in tune with each other to the point of predicting each other’s movements and words. Tomorrow they will travel… Read More

Under Milk Wood

Published: 15 May 2008

Soft jazz plays as six figures stroll on to the Tricycle stage and sit on stools amid the seaside debris scattered across the set. As they sit, they fall into… Read More

The Good Soul Of Szechuan

Published: 15 May 2008

The world of the Szechuan slums engulfs the audience as, through Miriam Buether’s design, the Young Vic has once again been transformed to accommodate a new production. The entire auditorium… Read More

TV hopefuls win parts in Les Misérables

Published: 14 May 2008

Long running musical Les Misérables has announced a cast change with two actresses from recent BBC talent search shows taking on lead roles. Eponine will be played by Nancy Sullivan,… Read More

Matt Smith

Published: 14 May 2008

That Face actor Matt Smith tells Caroline Bishop why he loves playing a posh teen with an unhealthy addiction to his mother. Most actors think about the back story to their… Read More

Boris Godunov

Published: 14 May 2008

Boris has just been made leader and there are two girls floating around the stage in matching miniskirts looking uncannily like the cheeky girls – it seems politics hasn’t changed… Read More

39 Steps celebrates with Mackintosh & Globe-Trotter

Published: 14 May 2008

The cast and creatives of the London production of The 39 Steps were in celebratory mood last night, toasting both six Tony nominations for the sister production on Broadway, and… Read More

The Deep Blue Sea

Published: 14 May 2008

Passionate love doesn’t sit well in post-WWII Britain. It is too demonstrative for an era of restraint and good manners, too emotional for people who exclaim “gosh” rather than swearing,… Read More

British invasion launched on Tony Awards

Published: 13 May 2008

Six London transfers have collected a total of 35 nominations between them for the 2008 Tony Awards, the Broadway equivalent of the Laurence Olivier Awards.Sunday In The Park With George,… Read More

13 May 1997: Beauty comes to the West End

Published: 13 May 2008

First released as an animated movie featuring singing cutlery in 1991, Disney’s Beauty And The Beast began enchanting audiences at London’s Dominion on 13 May 1997.But the show almost didn’t… Read More

The Birthday Party

Published: 13 May 2008

When Harold Pinter’s The Birthday Party was first staged at the Lyric Hammersmith it was savaged by nearly all of the major critics, a mauling which could have signalled the… Read More

Cajun musical sizzles at The Scoop

Published: 12 May 2008

A new Cajun-inspired family musical version of Little Red Riding Hood is to be staged at outdoor theatre The Scoop at More London this summer, from 13 August to 7… Read More

Duke of York’s welcomes That Face

Published: 12 May 2008

The cast and creative team of That Face celebrated the show’s year-long journey from the intimate Royal Court Jerwood Theatre Upstairs to the West End last Friday, when Polly Stenham’s… Read More

Scoop’s summer of Hood and Blood

Published: 12 May 2008

Arguably the capital’s most accessible al fresco theatre, this is the sixth year that theatre company Steam Industry has utilised the amphitheatre next to City Hall, which holds 1,000 people,… Read More

Fiennes makes stage return in 2,000 Feet Away

Published: 9 May 2008

Joseph Fiennes is to return to the London stage for the first time since 2005’s Epitaph For George Dillon when he leads the cast of 2,000 Feet Away at the… Read More

Stellar cast gathers Under The Blue Sky

Published: 9 May 2008

Francesca Annis, Lisa Dillon, Chris O’Dowd, Dominic Rowan and Catherine Tate are among the cast for the West End premiere of Under The Blue Sky.David Eldridge’s tale of connected love… Read More

Rice on stage in extended Encounter

Published: 9 May 2008

Emma Rice, who directs the stage show Brief Encounter at the Cinema Haymarket, is to guest star in her own production this summer, as the show announces a four-month extension.… Read More

Manville revealed as Naked Skin lead

Published: 9 May 2008

Lesley Manville has been announced as the lead in Rebecca Lenkiewicz’s new play, Her Naked Skin, which will run from 24 July at the National’s Olivier theatre.The play takes place… Read More

Beau Jest

Published: 9 May 2008

James Sherman’s light-hearted, sweet romantic comedy has been a huge hit Stateside for years, yet this is the first time it has been produced in the UK, writes Caroline Bishop.… Read More

The Harder They Come(s) to the Playhouse

Published: 9 May 2008

Reggae musical The Harder They Come will receive its West End debut when it transfers to the Playhouse on 9 June.The production, based on the 1972 Perry Henzell film that… Read More

Half term dance at Sadler’s Wells

Published: 8 May 2008

Sadler’s Wells has a feast of dance productions taking place this summer half term, especially catered for families and designed to give kids a taste of modern dance. The Lilian… Read More

Nancy hopeful is one of Bob’s Women

Published: 8 May 2008

Amy Booth-Steel, the first contestant to be voted out of I’d Do Anything, has bounced back from defeat to land a part in new musical comedy All Bob’s Women.The 24-year-old… Read More

Panellists debate state of play

Published: 8 May 2008

A panel of experienced directors, producers and playwrights unanimously agreed that the production of plays in London’s Theatreland was in a healthy state, though many financial and artistic constraints existed.… Read More

Playhouse Disney Live! arrives in London

Published: 8 May 2008

As part of a UK tour, audiences will be given the chance to see their favourite characters from the Disney Playhouse channel live on stage at the Hammersmith Apollo this… Read More

Derren Brown: An Evening Of Wonders

Published: 8 May 2008

Possessor of the most terrifying goatee since Ming the Merciless, Derren Brown opened his new show of mental manipulation and psychological illusion last night. Matthew Amer protected his fragile mind.This… Read More

Susie McKenna

Published: 7 May 2008

Hackney Empire’s Associate Director tells Caroline Bishop there’s no place like home… As fictional EastEnder Peggy Mitchell likes to remind us, there is nothing more important than family. It is a… Read More

Musicals extend as Phantom goes digital

Published: 7 May 2008

Two of the West End’s favourite and longest running musicals, Chicago and The Phantom Of The Opera, have announced extensions to their already impressive London runs. Chicago, Kander and Ebb’s… Read More

Fruitful day for Dirty Dancing

Published: 6 May 2008

West End musical Dirty Dancing is going to be even more fruity than usual this summer as it holds a quirky new competition to celebrate National Watermelon Day. If you… Read More

Hard Hearted improv for Lyric spring

Published: 6 May 2008

Audiences for Hard Hearted Hannah And Other Stories, which runs at the Lyric Hammersmith from 15 May-7 June, will take a step into the unknown each night. Every performance of… Read More

Royal Court announces casting

Published: 2 May 2008

Julia Davis and Anna Madeley are to star in Mike Bartlett’s Contractions, set to open at the Royal Court on 4 June following previews from 29 May. Set in the… Read More

2 May 1985: Hopkins’s award-winning Pravda performance

Published: 1 May 2008

Before he was known the world over for portraying Chianti-loving, cultured, cannibalistic serial killer Hannibal Lecter, Anthony Hopkins was a talented stage performer. On 2 May 1985, he debuted in… Read More

The Year Of Magical Thinking

Published: 1 May 2008

After a successful Broadway run in 2007, Joan Didion’s play The Year Of Magical Thinking starring Vanessa Redgrave, has arrived on the London stage at the National’s Lyttelton theatre. Charlotte… Read More

Darius Danesh

Published: 30 April 2008

The new Rhett Butler in Trevor Nunn’s Gone With The Wind gives Caroline Bishop a lesson in self-confidence. Darius Danesh has had to take a break from his life in Los… Read More

Experienced ensemble play The English Game

Published: 30 April 2008

Richard Bean’s new play The English Game will feature a cast with a wealth of West End experience when it plays at the Rose Theatre, Kingston in June. Between them,… Read More

The City

Published: 30 April 2008

A couple sit at a table in their home relating their days at work. So far, so normal. But this is playwright Martin Crimp and director Katie Mitchell, so nothing… Read More

Tinderbox

Published: 29 April 2008

Do not go and see Tinderbox after a large meaty meal, for Lucy Kirkwood’s first full length play is set in a butcher’s shop like no other. Set sometime in… Read More

Ex-EastEnders perform In My Name

Published: 29 April 2008

Former Albert Square residents James Alexandrou and Ray Panthaki bring their Old Red Lion success In My Name to the Trafalgar Studio 2 in July. The dark comedy, which sold… Read More

Zorro at large in West End

Published: 28 April 2008

Zorro The Musical, the new stage show telling the story of the legendary Latino swashbuckler, comes to London’s Garrick theatre on 30 June (press night 15 July). The musical, which… Read More

Official London Theatre launches new design

Published: 25 April 2008

Welcome to the new, improved and far more stylish Official London Theatre, which has been given a 21st century makeover. Based on feedback from you, the users, and industry representatives,… Read More

Hello And Goodbye

Published: 25 April 2008

Set in 1960s South Africa under apartheid, Hello And Goodbye tells the story of two siblings who cannot escape their upbringing and the world they had no choice about being… Read More

Make music with the Royal Opera House

Published: 25 April 2008

The Royal Opera House is offering a series of fun musical workshops for children and families this coming half term, 27 to 31 May.Sounding Out For Families kicks off with… Read More

Betwixt! casting announced

Published: 24 April 2008

Ian McFarlane and Stephen Fletcher are to lead the cast of the fantasy musical Betwixt! at the King’s Head in May.The story evolves around fantasy novelist Bailey Howard and his… Read More

Harper Regan

Published: 24 April 2008

Following the brutal anger of Motortown, playwright Simon Stephens has written another play about a damaged central character, but this time it is an altogether more subtle and delicate portrayal… Read More

Danesh blew in With The Wind

Published: 23 April 2008

Filling the role of Rhett Butler in the new musical production of Gone With The Wind was “a nail biter” for producer Aldo Scrofani. While Jill Paice had been a… Read More

Divas spend summer at the Apollo

Published: 23 April 2008

Divas, the new dance spectacular from choreographer Peter Schaufuss, will receive its West End premiere at the Apollo theatre this summer. Running from 19 June until 5 July (press night… Read More

20 February 1908: Wyndham proposes creation of SWET

Published: 23 April 2008

Exactly 100 years ago, on Thursday 20 February 1908, actor-manager Sir Charles Wyndham held a luncheon at the Hyde Park Hotel in order to propose the creation of an association… Read More

21 February 1967: Olivier and McEwan do Dance Of Death

Published: 23 April 2008

On 21 February 1967, Laurence Olivier and Geraldine McEwan opened in a production of August Strindberg’s The Dance Of Death at the Old Vic, directed by Glen Byam Shaw.Strindberg’s darkly… Read More

22 February 1977: Privates On Parade makes award-winning premiere

Published: 23 April 2008

Peter Nichol’s World War II-set comedy Privates On Parade received its world premiere on 22 February 1977, when it was staged by the Royal Shakespeare Company at the Aldwych. The… Read More

25 February 1969: Dotrice opens Brief Lives at Criterion

Published: 23 April 2008

Roy Dotrice took a step to Guinness world record fame on 25 February 1969, when the award-winning actor opened in Brief Lives at the Criterion. His 400 performances at this… Read More

27 February 1962: Crawford makes West End debut

Published: 23 April 2008

Michael Crawford – actor, singer and entertainer – made his West End debut on 27 February 1962 as a 19-year-old, opposite seasoned performer Bob Monkhouse in the London premiere of… Read More

28 February 1968: Dench makes musical debut in Cabaret

Published: 23 April 2008

It was a risky choice to pick a classical actress known for her Shakespearean performances to play a morally dubious singer in a new musical, but that was what happened… Read More

05 March 1998: National Theatre premieres Not About Nightingales

Published: 23 April 2008

Tennessee Williams’s early play Not About Nightingales, which was written by the American playwright in 1938, was given a world premiere at the National’s Cottesloe theatre 60 years later on… Read More

06 March 1978: Conti asks Whose Life Is It Anyway?

Published: 23 April 2008

Brian Clark’s play Whose Life Is It Anyway? premiered at the Mermaid theatre in the city of London on 6 March 1978, with Tom Conti playing a man who tries… Read More

07 March 1989: Steel Magnolias brings Louisiana to London

Published: 23 April 2008

It is often said that there are many more strong male roles than strong female roles in the theatre. American drama Steel Magnolias took a small step towards redressing this… Read More

12 March 1980: Make And Break for 1970s TV names

Published: 23 April 2008

Two actors best known at the time for their television comedy performances opened in a new play at the Lyric Hammersmith on 12 March 1980. Leonard Rossiter and Prunella Scales… Read More

14 March 1994: The perils of messing with Beckett

Published: 23 April 2008

The considerable talents of Fiona Shaw and Deborah Warner are well suited to the idiosyncratic brilliance of Samuel Beckett’s work, but their collaboration on Footfalls, which opened on 14 March… Read More

19 March 1963: Oh! What A Lovely War premieres

Published: 23 April 2008

In a century of London theatre many new plays have had a huge impact on the theatrical scene and the wider community, but there have been few more acclaimed, harder-hitting… Read More

20 March 1986: Kramer’s Normal Heart in London

Published: 23 April 2008

Angels In America may be the better known play about the rise of HIV/AIDS, but Larry Kramer’s 1985 play The Normal Heart is probably the earliest, and, according to one… Read More

26 March 1924: Thorndike is first Saint Joan

Published: 23 April 2008

The role of Joan of Arc, as depicted by George Bernard Shaw in his play Saint Joan, is considered one of the most challenging parts an actress can play. The… Read More

27 March: Mousetrap’s little known records

Published: 23 April 2008

Many people know that at 55 years, The Mousetrap holds the record as the longest running show in theatre history. Less know of the records held by its long-serving cast… Read More

31 March 1953: Donat makes final stage performance

Published: 23 April 2008

Oscar-winning actor Robert Donat’s equally acclaimed stage career came to a suitably applauded end with his performance as Thomas A Becket in TS Eliot’s Murder In The Cathedral, which opened… Read More

01 April 1951: Garland debuts at Palladium

Published: 23 April 2008

In 1951 the London Palladium was in its hey day, welcoming a raft of international stars to its stage. One of those stars was a woman who had achieved huge… Read More

08 April 1936: Novello is The Happy Hypocrite

Published: 23 April 2008

Ivor Novello was a romantic matinee idol and Hollywood star in 1936, which is why it was something of a surprise to audiences at His Majesty’s to see him play… Read More

09 April 1987: Hopkins and Dench play ancient lovers

Published: 23 April 2008

Shakespeare’s tragedy Antony And Cleopatra has spawned numerous famous pairings in the title roles. On 9 April 1987 it was the turn of Anthony Hopkins and Judi Dench, who played… Read More

10 April 1957: Olivier is The Entertainer

Published: 23 April 2008

On 10 April 1957 Laurence Olivier, king of the classical stage, Hollywood leading man and husband of film star Vivien Leigh, appeared in a role that would change the direction… Read More

15 April 1975: Sondheim plays A Little Night Music

Published: 23 April 2008

Stephen Sondheim’s new musical A Little Night Music had already been a Tony Award-winning success on Broadway in 1973 when Harold Prince recreated his production in London two years later.… Read More

02 April 1930: Charles Laughton is On The Spot

Published: 23 April 2008

Edgar Wallace is one of the world’s most prolific crime writers, with 175 books, 24 plays, and many more poems and articles to his name. On 2 April 1930, one… Read More

1958: Censor meets its match

Published: 23 April 2008

When Tennessee Williams’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play and Broadway hit Cat On A Hot Tin Roof premiered in London 50 years ago this spring, it was to set in motion a… Read More

11 April 1983: Brothers spill first blood

Published: 23 April 2008

It is currently the third longest running musical in the West End, surpassed only by Les Misérables and The Phantom Of The Opera, but when Blood Brothers first graced a… Read More

18 March 1982: Bogdanov obscenity trial collapses

Published: 23 April 2008

The fight against censorship in the theatre prevailed when, on 18 March 1982, the case trying director Michael Bogdanov for gross indecency with regard to his production of The Romans… Read More

26 February 1981: The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas, had its UK premiere

Published: 23 April 2008

American musical The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas, had its UK premiere at the Drury Lane on 26 February 1981. The musical, with a book by Larry L King and… Read More

17 April 1917: Barrie’s Old Lady examines the effects of war

Published: 23 April 2008

To many, the name JM Barrie conjures only images of a green-clad young boy who wouldn’t grow up, by the name of Peter Pan. Yet the Scottish author was a… Read More
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