UK / West End Theatre + Broadway News

Paul Taylor-Mills to Direct BARE at London's Union Theatre, April 24-Today

(5/25/2013) - Thirteen years after its Los Angeles debut, the cult musical Bare will get its European premiere at the Union Theatre, running 24 April-25 May 2013, directed by Paul Taylor-Mills. Opening night is set for April 30 at 7.30pm. Cast to be confirmed.

Glenn Carter, Stephen Rahman Hughes and More Join THE WEST END MEN, Today

(5/25/2013) - Glenn Carter* (Jersey Boys, Jesus Christ Superstar, Whistle down the Wind), Stephen Rahman Hughes* (Emmerdale, Dream Team, Bombay Dreams, West Side Story), David Thaxton (Passion, Les Miserables) and Matt Willis (Wicked, Flashdance, Footloose and BRIT award winning member of Busted), join the previously announced Lee Mead (Wicked, Legally Blonde, BBC Series Winner of Any Dream Will Do) to complete The West End Men. All four will be joined by special guest star Kerry Ellis* (Wicked, Oliver, We Will Rock You, Born Free Tour with Brian May) for the limited run at the Vaudeville Theatre from 25 May to 22 June.

Blackman and Attwater To Star In UK Tour Of SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS

(5/24/2013) - Sam Attwater and Helena Blackman will star in a stunning new version of the classic musical Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.

Review Roundup: TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre

(5/24/2013) - Timothy Sheader's To Kill A Mockingbird opened at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre on 23 May 2013 and runs through 15 June 2013.

STAGE TUBE: CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY Makes Its West End Debut - The Audience Reacts!

(5/24/2013) - CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, the highly anticipated West End musical starring Olivier and Tony Award winner Douglas Hodge as Willy Wonka, began May 22, 2013. Watch as the very first audiences share their reactions to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, now in previews until 24 June at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

THE CONFESSION ROOM Concept Recording Released, With Casey, Chisnall, Gaumond & Hunter

(5/24/2013) - SimG Records, the leading independent British label devoted to new musical theatre writers and artists, is to release the concept recording of the new British musical The Confession Room, on Friday 31st May 2013.

PBS to Air SARAH BRIGHTMAN: DREAMCHASER: IN CONCERT Special, Aug 2013

(5/23/2013) - After making history on both stage and screen, pioneering the classical crossover genre, selling over 30 million albums worldwide, and becoming the only artist to perform the theme song at two Olympics, it's hard to imagine Sarah Brightman has a dream left to realize. Yet with her new album 'Dreamchaser,' Sarah is embarking on what she calls 'the greatest adventure I can imagine.' Inspired by the wonderment and beauty of space, 'Dreamchaser' is a reflection of Brightman's lifelong dream to travel into space.

West End LIVE Returns to Trafalgar Square, 22 and 23 June

(5/23/2013) - The annual festival West End LIVE - organised by Westminster City Council and the Society of London Theatre, in association withMasterCard - returns to Trafalgar Square 22 and 23 June 2013 for a weekend of free entertainment from some of London's top theatre productions and performers.

Michael Ball Headlines AN EVENING OF GERSHWIN At Kenwood House, With Ellis, Shannon & Beck

(5/23/2013) - Rouge Events are delighted to announce that Musical Theatre Legend and double Olivier Award winner Michael Ball is to host and perform at 'Summertime - An Evening of Gershwin', part of the Live by the Lake concert season set to take place in the majestic setting of Kenwood House on Sunday 1st September.

Olivier and Tony Winner Mark Rylance Becomes LIFT Patron

(5/22/2013) - LIFT is delighted that Olivier, Tony and BAFTA Award winning actor, director and writer Mark Rylance is its new patron.

Ned Campbell Awarded Radley College's Milligan Cup

(5/22/2013) - The Milligan Cup, for Musical Theatre Performance, was held in the Theatre on the evening of 21st May. There were twelve finalists, representing all Radley yeargroups.

X FACTOR Musical I CAN'T SING! Will Open at the London Palladium in March 2014

(5/22/2013) - Stage Entertainment UK and Syco Entertainment's X Factor musical, now titled I CAN'T SING!, will make its official debut at the Palladium on March 26, 2014, with previews beginning in February.

BWW Reviews: LIMBO, London Wonderground, May 20 2013

(5/22/2013) - LIMBO gives traditional circus entertainment a sophisticated re-vamp with a 1920s twist, complete with contortions, illusions, sword-swallowing and aerial acrobatics to make audiences gasp.

CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY Begins Tonight

(5/22/2013) - CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, the highly anticipated West End musical starring Olivier and Tony Award winner Douglas Hodge as Willy Wonka, begins tonight, May 22, 2013. Opening night is set for June 25.

OLIVER REED: WILD THING Receives London Premiere at St. James, July 30

(5/21/2013) - Arrow Media, Skullduggery and Seabright Productions present Oliver Reed: Wild Thing by Mike Davis and Rob Crouch, performed by Rob Crouch, and directed by Kate Bannister. It will receive its London premiere at the St. James Theatre Studio with performances beginning July 30, prior to an official opening Aug. 1, for a run through Aug. 18.

Review Roundup: Lindsay Posner's Revival of RELATIVELY SPEAKING

(5/21/2013) - Lindsay Posner's revival of Alan Ayckbourn's Relatively Speaking opened at the Wyndham's Theatre last night (20 May 2013). It runs through 31 August 2013.

THE PRIVATE EAR and THE PUBLIC EYE Receive 50-Year Revival, August 29

(5/21/2013) - THE PRIVATE EAR and THE PUBLIC EYE, by the acclaimed and multi-award winning British playwright Sir Peter Shaffer, will have their first major revival in 50 years, when they begin a nationwide tour from 29 August 2013, with a national press night at Guildford's Yvonne Arnaud Theatre on Friday 6 September.

The BWW Q&A: TOP HAT's Kristen Beth Williams

(5/21/2013) - We ask the tough questions of the lady stepping into Ginger Rogers's shoes...

John Barrowman to Host ABC's SING YOUR FACE OFF; Debbie Gibson Joins as Judge

(5/20/2013) - According to EW.com, John Barrowman (Torchwood, Arrow) will host ABC's new singing competition series Sing Your Face Off. Pop star Debbie Gibson has also signed on as a judge, alongside SNL's Darrell Hammond.

Donmar Warehouse Announces 2013 Autumn Season - ROOTS, THE SAME DEEP WATER AS ME & More

(5/20/2013) - Donmar Warehouse announces 2013 Autumn Season

LET IT BE Extends To January 2014 At Savoy Theatre

(5/20/2013) - LET IT BE, the spectacular West End show celebrating the music of The Beatles has announced an extension to its current run at the Savoy Theatre in London following an announcement last week that a production will also open on Broadway in July this year. The show is now booking until 18 January 2014. The show has established itself as one of the West End's most popular shows since it premiered in September 2012.

ATG Expected to Buy Broadway's Foxwoods Theater, Home of SPIDER-MAN, for $70 Million

(5/19/2013) - According to The Telegraph, Broadway's Foxwoods Theater could soon be purchased by the UK-based Ambassador Theater Group, which owns around 40 theaters across the pond. Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark currently runs at the Foxwoods.

Nikki Graham and Benedict Garett Join Lloyd Daniels in UP4AMEET? UK Tour

(5/17/2013) - Big Brother's NIKKI GRAHAME and BENEDICT GARRETT join X Factor heartthrob LLOYD DANIELS in hit naked comedy 'Up4aMeet?'

Tom Hanks May Bring LUCKY GUY to London

(5/17/2013) - Two-time Academy Award winner and 2013 Tony nominee Tom Hanks may be taking Nora Ephron's LUCKY GUY to London, The Daily Mail reports today. The actor is in talks for a West End opening in 2014, though it's reportedly far from a done deal.

Win Tickets To WEST END EUROVISION!

(5/17/2013) - Want to win tickets to West End Eurovision? Then we have the competition for you!

A DOLL'S HOUSE, Starring Morahan, Transfers To Duke Of York's In August

(5/17/2013) - Carrie Cracknell's critically acclaimed Young Vic production of A Doll's House will transfer to the West End for a strictly limited 12-week run beginning 8 August 2013, with Hattie Morahan reprising her award-winning role of Nora Helmer and Dominic Rowan playing Torvald.

THRILLER LIVE Becomes Longest-Running Show At The Lyric

(5/17/2013) - Lyric Theatre owner Nica Burns strikes a Michael Jackson pose with actors Ramon Mariqueo Smith and David Jordan to celebrate Thriller Live becoming the longest running show at the venue since it first opened in December 1888.

White And Earnshaw To Star In PAYBACK: THE MUSICAL From June

(5/17/2013) - Fresh and funny, Payback The Musical, with a sharp, original script and catchy score, recaptures the excitement of the very best traditional musicals. A new performance for the stage amongst revivals, this 2016 tale of love stretches from Brazil to England. Featuring a blend of jazz, Latin and traditional ballads, it's a wry, contemporary look at today's celebrity and story hungry media culture.

11.11 Productions' BOY'S LIFE to Transfer to King's Head Theatre, June 2

(5/16/2013) - An acclaimed production of the Pulitzer Prize-nominated American play Boy's Life, by Howard Korder, is to transfer to the King's Head Theatre following a sold-out run at the Etcetera Theatre in Camden.

BWW Reviews: LIZA ON AN E, The Vaudeville Theatre, May 15 2013

(5/16/2013) - Trevor Ashley makes his West End debut impersonating the one and only Liza Minnelli. Liza (on an E) runs until Saturday 18th May at the Vaudeville Theatre and is well worth a watch for anyone looking for an evening of glitzy, humorous fun.

Andrew Lloyd Webber Talks Theatre Restoration on FRONT ROW

(5/16/2013) - Andrew Lloyd Webber recently discussed the new restoration of the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, one of London's oldest theatres on BBC Radio's Front Row. In the interview, he reflects on the importance of London's historical theatres, how an interview on Front Row led to his next musical, and why he doesn't want a theatre named after him. CLICK HERE to listen to the full interview.

Open Air Theatre Announces Full Casting for 2013 Season - Jane Asher, Charlotte Wakefield & More!

(5/16/2013) - As previews begin for Timothy Sheader's production of To Kill a Mockingbird this evening, Regent's Park Open Air Theatre announce full casting for the 2013 season.

Wakefield, Xavier and Asher Announced In Casting For Open Air Theatre 2013 Season!

(5/15/2013) - Regent's Park Open Air Theatre have announced the casting for their forthcoming summer season of shows.

Photo Coverage: Lloyd Webber Unveils Drury Lane Restoration

(5/15/2013) - On the 350th anniversary of the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, Lord Lloyd Webber and The Really Useful Theatres Group are delighted to announce the stunning restoration of the Rotunda, Royal Staircases and Grand Saloon.

Photo Flash: National Youth Theatre Launches 2013 Season

(5/15/2013) - Paul Roseby, Artistic Director of the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain (NYT) today announced that the company's 2013 season would see the creation of a new Rep Company for 15 young actors, who will perform in all three shows in rep at London's Ambassadors Theatre. Check out the photos below!

Susan Boyle to Tour Scotland This July!

(5/14/2013) - Susan Boyle announced on her website today that she will be launching on a tour of Scotland this July called 'Susan Boyle In Concert', running seven nights as a lead-up to more potential shows in 2014.

Bonneville Announced As National Youth Theatre Patron At Launch Of West End Season

(5/14/2013) - Paul Roseby, Artistic Director of the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain (NYT) today announced that the company's 2013 season would see the creation of a new Rep Company for 15 young actors, who will perform in all three shows in rep at London's Ambassadors Theatre.

Imelda Staunton, Danny Webb and Toby Jones Lead The Royal Court's CIRCLE MIRROR TRANSFORMATION

(5/14/2013) - The full cast has been announced for Annie Baker's play Circle Mirror Transformation, which runs from 5 July - 3 August at the Rose Lipman Building in Haggerston as part of the Royal Court's Theatre Local project. The full cast will be Toby Jones, Imelda Staunton, Shannon Tarbet, Danny Webb and Fenella Woolgar.

CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY Cancels First Previews; Will Now Begin May 22

(5/14/2013) - CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, the highly anticipated West End musical starring Olivier and Tony Award winner Douglas Hodge as Willy Wonka, has been postponed. The first two previews - scheduled for May 17 and 18, respectively - have been cancelled and performances will now begin May 22 instead of May 23.

Photo Flash: First Look at Heather Headley in Swarovski Crystals from THE BODYGUARD

(5/14/2013) - Swarovski is the jewellery and crystal partner for The Bodyguard. The costumes for the show feature over 100,000 Swarovski Elements and were worked on by a team of experts led by award-winning set and costume designer Tim Hatley. Check out the photos below!