Marianka Swain - Page 31

One of the UK's most popular magicians, Jamie Raven, is set to host a special series of intimate shows at The Magic Circle in London. Long shrouded in mystery, The Magic Circle has been a worldwide beacon for the art of magic since its creation in 1905. Ahead of a nationwide tour this November, Jamie Raven will now be inviting audiences inside the hallowed organisation for a unique once-in-a-lifetime chance to witness its many secrets. 

On 26-29 August the National Theatre brings a jam-packed programme of work to the River Stage Festival. Experience the joy that is Brassroots; exquisite techno and house sets from Charisma; and the unrivalled Dom Coyote, who has performed and written music for some of the world's most exciting theatre companies. A further highlight will be a free outdoor screening of the acclaimed NT production, One Man, Two Guvnors starring James Corden, who won a Tony for the role of Francis Henshall.

Hampstead Theatre presents the UK premiere of Pulitzer Prize-winning Tony Kushner's The Intelligent Homosexual's Guide to Capitalism and Socialism with a Key to the Scriptures, directed by Olivier Award-winning Michael Boyd. Tamsin Greig will play the role of Empty having last been seen at Hampstead Theatre in William Boyd's Longing.

The Menier Chocolate Factory today announces the full company for a major new revival of Tom Stoppard's TRAVESTIES - the first London revival in over 20 years. Patrick Marber directs Clare Foster (Cecily), Freddie Fox (Tristan Tzara), Tom Hollander (Henry Carr), Forbes Masson (Lenin), Peter McDonald (James Joyce), Amy Morgan (Gwendolen), Sarah Quist (Nadya) and Tim Wallers (Bennett). The production - which opens on 4 October, with previews from 22 September and runs until 19 November - is now completely sold out, breaking Menier box office records by becoming the first play to sell out ahead of its opening in the theatre's history.

Sheffield Theatres are searching for three exceptional young local performers to appear in their whip-crackin' Christmas musical, Irving Berlin's ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, which runs from Thursday 8 December to Saturday 14 January at the Crucible.

Don't miss X-Factor's Rhydian in the charming, kooky and hilarious 1950s musical, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, at the Lichfield Garrick this September.

Swedish director Maria Aberg came to the UK to study at Mountview aged 20. She's since become a bold force in British theatre, with work ranging from Hotel at the National Theatre and Wildefire at the Hampstead to numerous productions for the RSC. Her most recent, Marlowe's Doctor Faustus, features lead actors Sandy Grierson and Oliver Ryan sharing the roles of Faustus and Mephistopheles, deciding on the night who plays which by striking matches. The production transfers to the Barbican next month as part of the RSC's London Season.

The Touring Consortium Theatre Company and Royal & Derngate Northampton are pleased to announce full casting for Charles Dickens' literary masterpiece A TALE OF TWO CITIES, opening at Royal & Derngate on Saturday 10 September 2016, with a national press night on Wednesday 14 September, and touring the UK until November.

HighTide Festival, internationally renowned for discovering some of the UK's best new playwrights and producing new plays, has today announced the full ancillary programme for the 2016 Festival (8-18 September) - its 10th anniversary. Spanning performance, music, visual arts, literature and talks, it also includes world premiere productions from new and established HighTide writers. For the full festival programme, visit www.hightide.org.uk

Ryan Molloy, Cassie Compton, Greg Oliver and Jack Donnelly star in the world premiere of the new British rock musical '27'. 

It's deja vu all over again, as the Matilda dream team reconvenes to bring the beloved Bill Murray-starring 1993 movie to stage. Serious expectations, then, but you wouldn't know it from this fearless, fleet-footed and impressively cohesive show - destined to be a smash hit because of, not despite, its glorious idiosyncrasies.

West End megastar Kerry Ellis got her break understudying Martine McCutcheon in My Fair Lady, and has since played leading roles in numerous hit shows, including We Will Rock You, Wicked, Les Miserables, Oliver! and Cats. She's also collaborated with Brian May on several albums and tours. Her next big project is the UK premiere of American musical Murder Ballad, alongside Ramin Karimloo, Victoria Hamilton-Barritt and Norman Bowman. Ellis plays Sara, torn between her poetry student husband and bad-boy bartender lover.

Artistic Director of the Old Vic Matthew Warchus, composer and lyricist Tim Minchin, choreographer Peter Darling, and designer Rob Howell, four of the creators of the international sensation Matilda The Musical, have joined forces with writer Danny Rubin to collaborate on a new musical based on his 1993 hit film Groundhog Day. The brand-new musical had its opening last night at London's Old Vic.

The path from screen to stage hasn't always been a smooth one, and celluloid success is no guarantee of musical triumph (just ask the Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark team). But London is currently awash with popular medium-jumpers, from Aladdin and The Bodyguard to new musical Groundhog Day, which opened last night at the Old Vic. Here are 10 of the best screen to stage adaptations.

Direct from a 33-week UK tour and following sell-out hit shows Midnight Tango and Dance 'Til Dawn, Strictly superstars Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace will bring their final ever theatre show to the West End this autumn. Their most moving production yet, THE LAST TANGO, will open at the Phoenix Theatre on Thursday 22 September.

Following sell-out performances in 2013, Regent's Park Open Air Theatre's acclaimed production of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, adapted for the stage by Simon Reade, returns this year to close the 2016 Summer Season ahead of a major UK Tour in September. Opening at the Churchill Theatre, Bromley, the tour will then visit Norwich, Cambridge, Salford, Leicester, Woking, Truro, Birmingham and Richmond, with further dates in 2017.

Snow White - The World's Biggest Pantomime, which was scheduled for 19-22 December at the Barclaycard Arena and 28-30 December at The SSE Arena, Wembley, has been postponed

Casting has been announced for THE AMERICAN WIFE, a new thriller coming to Park Theatre from 7 September - 1 October. Looking at the real human cost behind the war on terror and myriads of misinformation, the full cast includes: Julia Eringer, Vidal Sancho, George Taylor, Emilio Doorgasingh, Mitchell Mullen, Anne Wittman, Sanee Raval, Sophie Angelson, Lucia Henry Peragine and Sascha Petrou. The Press Night is Friday 9 September, 7pm.  

Sam Hodges, Director of Nuffield Theatre, today announces the cast for his world premiere production of Nick Dear's new play DEDICATION - SHAKESPEARE AND SOUTHAMPTON, which investigates the relationship between William Shakespeare and the 3rd Earl of Southampton. Tom McKay plays Shakespeare and Tom Rhys-Harries plays Henry Wriothesley, the 3rd Earl of Southampton. The production opens on 20 September, with previews from 9 September, runs until 8 October.

The Gate Theatre today announces that Ellen McDougall has been appointed as its new Artistic Director. McDougall, who takes up the position in March 2017, is currently an Associate Artist at the Gate, served as Associate Director for two years from 2012, and directed an acclaimed production of Idomeneus at the theatre in 2014. She replaces Christopher Haydon who leaves to pursue a Clore Fellowship and a number of freelance opportunities.