UK / West End Theatre + Broadway News

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!

THE BODYGUARD Features Over 100,000 Swarovski Crystals

(5/14/2013) - Swarovski is the jewellery and crystal partner for The Bodyguard. The costumes for the show feature over 100,000Swarovski Elements and were worked on by a team of experts led by award-winning set and costume designer Tim Hatley. Describing the process of making a show come to life through his work, Tim Hatley said 'As a Theatre Designer, it's always a challenge to design a stage show that is based on a well-known book or film. Theatre has a visual language that is very different to film, and it's my job to create and develop visual ideas, make them specific and take advantage of a live theatrical environment.' He added: 'As a designer for both stage and screen, I have come to depend on the brilliance of Swarovski. There is simply no other crystal range giving choice of size, colour and sheer sparkle. The moment a stage light hits a Swarovski Element, there is magic. For The Bodyguard the Musical I have embellished leading lady Heather Headley's costumes with thousands of crystals.'

Joanne Shaw Taylor Confirms UK Tour with King King; Tickets on Sale Today

(5/14/2013) - Following her acclaimed performance alongside Annie Lennox at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee concert in June 2012, the release of her critically acclaimed third studio album Almost Always Never, and her recent sold out London Borderline concert, blues rock sensation Joanne Shaw Taylor is pleased to confirm four headline UK concerts in November including London's o2 Shepherd's Bush Empireon Thursday 28th November. Special guest is 'Best Band' & 'Best Album' 2012 in The British Blues Awards winner King King.

Felicity Kendal and More Star in Theatre Royal Bath's RELATIVELY SPEAKING at Wyndham's Theatre, Now thru Aug 31

(5/14/2013) - Theatre Royal Bath Productions presents Alan Ayckbourn's Relatively Speaking at London's Wyndham's Theatre for a limited run until Saturday 31st August. Previews begin tonight, 14th May 2013 with press night on Monday 20th May.

Shana Farr Makes London Debut at The Crazy Coqs, Now thru May 18

(5/14/2013) - Shana Farr, the multi-talented actress/singer who won the coveted Julie Wilson Award at the Mabel Mercer Foundation's 23rd Annual Cabaret Convention last October at Jazz at Lincoln Center, will make her London singing debut at The Crazy Coqs (20 Sherwood Street) in London, England, tonight, May 14 - 18, 8:00 PM with two late-night shows May 17 - 18, 10:30 PM.

Photo Flash: Ali Rasul Becomes 33rd Boy to Play BILLY ELLIOT in West End

(5/13/2013) - Today, 13 May 2013, 12 year old Ali Rasul from Hartlepool, will become the thirty-third boy to play Billy Elliot in the West End. Now in its ninth year at the Victoria Palace Theatre where the show is currently booking to 21 December 2013, Billy Elliot the Musical last month was awarded its fifth Laurence Olivier Award - the BBC Radio 2 Audience Award voted for by the theatregoing public. Also in April, Billy Elliot the Musical welcomed its 4 millionth patron to the Victoria Palace Theatre. Scroll down for photos of Rasul in action!

WE WILL ROCK YOU Celebrates 11 Years Tomorrow

(5/13/2013) - While We Will Rock You musical creators Queen's Brian May and Roger Taylor and writer Ben Elton spend time in New York with co-producer Robert de Niro for final cast and band auditions for the show's North American national tour which will open in October in Baltimore, the London production celebrates its 11th birthday tomorrow evening, May 14.

Assembly and Riverside Studios Present Casus' KNEE DEEP at Riverside Studios, May 28

(5/13/2013) - Internationally renowned circus company, Casus, brings the humanity into circus through a breathtaking and fragile display of skills withKnee Deep. The show runs at Riverside Studios following a hit run at the 2012 Edinburgh Festival, where it was described as 'awe inspiring' by The Guardian (***** star review). Knee Deep runs for a limited time only from 28 May to 22 June, with a special press performance on the 30 May.

BWW Reviews: KERRY ELLIS, London Palladium, May 12 2013

(5/13/2013) - Widely recognised as one of the leading ladies of the West End, Kerry Ellis embarked on the biggest solo performance of her career at the London Palladium. The evening promised to showcase songs from her most famous roles, her personal favourites and some surprises along the way.

Photo Coverage: Glen Hansard Visits West End ONCE

(5/13/2013) - Glen Hansard, Academy Award winner and co-writer of the music and lyrics for Once, visited the Phoenix Theatre to meet with Declan Bennett and Zrinka Cvitesic, the leading actors in the critically acclaimed West End production.

BWW Interviews: Nature Theatre Of Oklahoma's Kristin Worrell

(5/13/2013) - The critically acclaimed New York Theatre Company Nature Theater of Oklahoma will be making their eagerly anticipated UK debut at the Norfolk & Norwich Festival this May.

Shana Farr to Make London Debut at The Crazy Coqs, May 14-18

(5/10/2013) - Shana Farr, the multi-talented actress/singer who won the coveted Julie Wilson Award at the Mabel Mercer Foundation's 23rd Annual Cabaret Convention last October at Jazz at Lincoln Center, will make her London singing debut at The Crazy Coqs (20 Sherwood Street) in London, England, on May 14 - 18, 8:00 PM with two late-night shows May 17 - 18, 10:30 PM.

Alexander Andreou to Star in SOCRATES AND HIS CLOUDS at Jermyn Street; Full Cast Announced!

(5/10/2013) - The cast has been announced for Socrates and His Clouds at Jermyn Street Theatre. With Alexander Andreou (National Theatre, Manchester Royal Exchange) as Socrates, Paul Hutton as Strepsiades (Mack & Mabel Southwark Playhouse), and Jack Montgomery (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Mary Poppins), as Phidippides, this modern day re-interpretation of a classic Greek comedy will also feature Riana Athanasiou, Lucyelle Cliffe and Rahil Liapopoulou as The Chorus.

BWW Reviews: THE HOTHOUSE, Trafalgar Studios, May 9 2013

(5/10/2013) - As part of a season of politically-charged plays, the Trafalgar Studios and director Jamie Lloyd present a fast-paced witty production of Harold Pinter's tragi-comic play about cruelty and power in the modern world, starring Simon Russell Beale.

Colman Domingo and Forrest McClendon to Return to THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS at Young Vic

(5/10/2013) - According to The Stage, original Broadway cast members Colman Domingo and Forrest McClendon will reprise their roles of Mr Bones and Mr Tambo respectively, in The Scottsboro Boys at the Young Vic this Fall. The production is set to run October 18 through November 23.

Best Makes Directoral Debut With RSC's MACBETH, With Millson And Spiro

(5/10/2013) - Shakespeare's classic exploration of ambition, guilt and destiny opens at the Globe on 22 June 2013, the third and final play in the Season of Plenty's trio of supernatural Shakespeares. The production features Joseph Millson and Samantha Spiro as the murderous couple at the heart of the play, with Billy Boyd as Banquo and Gawn Grainger as Duncan. Celebrated cabaret artist Bette Bourne will play the Porter.

Sheffield Theatres Announces OLIVER! as Christmas Musical

(5/10/2013) - Sheffield Theatres today unveils Lionel Bart's multi award-winning masterpiece, Oliver! as this year's Christmas musical. The production will go on sale to members on Saturday 18 May and to the public on Saturday 25 May, along with four new shows that will visit the Lyceum Theatre next season.

DIRTY DANCING Returns to the West End, July 13

(5/10/2013) - Karl Sydow & Amber Jacobsen, the producers of the global phenomenon Dirty Dancing - The Classic Story on Stage, have announced that the record-breaking hit show will return to London's West End this summer, opening at the Piccadilly Theatre on Saturday 13 July 2013. This follows a hugely successful multi-record breaking nationwide tour across the UK and Ireland, which has been seen by over one million people since it launched in 2011. Tickets for Dirty Dancing at the Piccadilly Theatre go on sale at 9am on Monday 13 May from 0844 871 7630.

Mark Borkowski Presents ADVENTURE CAPITALISM Tonight

(5/10/2013) - Who are the great Mavericks in the world today? Is Google damaging our capacity to think originally? How can we channel the maverick in all our lives? In a series of events, talks and performance lectures, Mark Borkowski will answer all these questions and more. Drawing on his personal experience of working with some of the most inspiring, innovative and downright impossible thinkers, Mark will lift the lid on the role of mavericks in the 21st Century: and why they might be more vital now than ever before.

Photo Flash: Harry Melling, Indira Varma and More at THE HOTHOUSE's West End Opening

(5/9/2013) - Harold Pinter's macabre tragicomedy returns to London's West End in this new production directed by Jamie Lloyd (Donmar's Passion, Broadway's Cyrano de Bergerac, National Theatre's She Stoops to Conquer, Royal Court's The Pride). It follows the critically acclaimed and sold out Macbeth, starring James McAvoy, in a thrilling season of work for Trafalgar Transformed. Starring Simon Russell Beale (Privates on Parade, National Theatre's Timon of Athens and Collaborators) and John Simm (Elling, Sheffield Theatres' Hamlet and Betrayal), The Hothouse opened tonight, May 9, 2013, and BroadwayWorld has photos from the festivities below!