Mervyn Millar News

BWW speaks to Russell Dean about bringing The Hit to the 2018 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

David Williamson's love of magic began at a young age and has led him to an amazing career! His current role as the Ringmaster and emcee of Circus 1903 - The Golden Age of Circus has taken him all around the globe and now is in the heart of its North American tour, coming to The Theater at Madison Square Garden this April. This thrilling, nostalgic, and electric masterpiece, from the producers of The Illusionists and the puppeteers behind War Horse, features incredible stunts, acrobatics, and life-size puppets - making it perfect for the whole family!

Come one, come all to CIRCUS 1903-THE GOLDEN AGE OF CIRCUS that has landed in Chicago with plenty of razzle dazzle circus acts and exhilarating feats to make this show a treat for the whole family. Directed by Neil Dorward, and featuring two magnificently rendered elephant puppets from Significant Object, the artistic company that was also behind WAR HORSE, CIRCUS 1903 is a feast for the eyes and recalls the delights of a classic traveling circus.

I recently had the chance to chat with Jess Spalis, a UK-based artist who is currently traveling across the United States with CIRCUS 1903—THE GOLDEN AGE OF CIRCUS. The circus will arrive in Chicago on March 21. In preparation for the upcoming engagement, Spalis discussed her work as part of a team of six bringing two life-size elephant puppets to life in the show, as well as her background as an actor and an aerialist.

The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center is currently seeking applications for the 27th annual National Puppetry Conference. 

C.S.Lewis' timeless story The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe is a perfect fit for the festive season. It has had several stage reincarnations over the years and the fact that it has been revisited again at the Birmingham Rep is a testament to its appeal. The theatre last staged the show in 2009 as a co-production with West Yorkshire Playhouse whom presented the original production in both 2004 and 2007 to critical acclaim. This year it is solely produced by Birmingham Repertory Theatre Company and directed by Tessa Walker, who returns after directing A Christmas Carol at the theatre in 2013.

Birmingham Repertory Theatre is off to Narnia this Christmas with a magical adaptation of C. S. Lewis's much-loved novel, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe from 20 November to 16 January.

The Ring Cycle Plays, a bold new theatrical adventure from The Scoop's award-winning, resident company, Gods and Monsters Theatre Limited, is a unique opportunity for opera buffs and fantasy fans alike to gain a new insight into Richard Wagner's extraordinary chronicle by encountering The Ring Cycle operas performed as plays without the usual operatic scores. Press night is this coming Friday 15 August. Scroll down for a first look at the cast in action!

London's Free Open-Air Theatre Season 2014 continues with THE RING CYCLE PLAYS, devised by Phil Willmott and Mervyn Millar, and adapted from Richard Wagner's librettos by Lisa Kuma . Season: 6 - 31 August, Wednesday - Sunday: 6.00pm - 6.45pm THE RHINE GOLD; 7.00pm - 7.45pm THE VALKYRIE; 7.45pm - 8.30pm Break; 8.30pm - 9.15pm SIEGFRIED; 9.30pm - 10.15pm TWILIGHT OF THE GODS. Press Night: Friday 15 August from 6.00pm.

London's Free Open-Air Theatre Season 2014 continues with THE RING CYCLE PLAYS, devised by Phil Willmott and Mervyn Millar, and adapted from Richard Wagner's librettos by Lisa Kuma . Season: 6 - 31 August, Wednesday - Sunday: 6.00pm - 6.45pm THE RHINE GOLD; 7.00pm - 7.45pm THE VALKYRIE; 7.45pm - 8.30pm Break; 8.30pm - 9.15pm SIEGFRIED; 9.30pm - 10.15pm TWILIGHT OF THE GODS. Press Night: Friday 15 August from 6.00pm.

Paul McCartney has collaborated with some of the biggest names in the world. In recent years his videos have featured a stellar line up of guests including Meryl Streep, Johnny Depp, Kate Moss, Jude Law, Tom Ford, Sean Penn and Natalie Portman.

The Kennedy Center presents The National Theatre of Great Britain and Bob Boyett production of War Horse from tonight, October 23 to November 11, 2012 in the Kennedy Center Opera House.

The Kennedy Center presents the National Theatre of Great Britain and Bob Boyett production of War Horse from October 23 to November 11, 2012 in the Kennedy Center Opera House. Winner of five 2011 Tony Awards® including Best Play and based on the beloved novel by Michael Morpurgo and adapted by Nick Stafford, the tour of War Horse is directed by Bijan Sheibani based on the original Tony Award®-winning direction by Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris, and presented in association with Handspring Puppet Company of South Africa. Michael Morpurgo's novel, War Horse, is also the inspiration for Steven Spielberg's feature film of the same name, which earned six Academy Award® nominations including Best Picture. Press night will take place on Thursday, October 25, 2012 at 7:30 p.m.

Crow is a major new production inspired by Ted Hughes' poetic creation, from Handspring Puppet Company UK, the sister company to Handspring Puppet Company South Africa. Mervyn Millar will direct Matthew Dunster's adaptation with choreography from one of Britain's rising stars in dance, Ben Duke. This much anticipated world premiere will be presented as part of the Greenwich+Docklands International Festival at The Borough Hall at Greenwich Dance. Crow is co-commissioned by the Royal Borough of Greenwich and the London 2012 Festival.

WAR HORSE, the hugely acclaimed, award-winning production based on Michael Morpurgo's novel, adapted by Nick Stafford, opened at the New London Theatre on Friday April 3rd, due to overwhelming demand. The West End run followed the production's second sell-out season at the National Theatre which finished on 18 March.

WAR HORSE, the hugely acclaimed, award-winning production based on Michael Morpurgo's novel, adapted by Nick Stafford, will open at the New London Theatre on 28 March 2009 (with a press night on Friday 3 April), due to overwhelming demand. The West End run follows the production's second sell-out season at the National Theatre which finishes on 18 March.

Full casting is now confirmed for the West End Transfer of the National Theatre?s sell-out production of Michael Morpurgo?s War Horse, adapted by Nick Stafford. War Horse will run at the New London Theatre from 28 March booking until 26 September with press night on 3 April.

WAR HORSE, the hugely acclaimed, award-winning production based on Michael Morpurgo's novel, adapted by Nick Stafford, will open at the New London Theatre on 28 March 2009 (with a press night on Friday 3 April), due to overwhelming demand. The West End run follows the production's second sell-out season at the National Theatre which finishes on 18 March.

Simon Russell Beale, Zoe Wanamaker and Alex Jennings will star in productions for London's National Theatre during the 2007 fall season.