Judi Dench News

Genius is an overused term these days, but there is really no other word to attribute to the late composer-lyricist Stephen Sondheim. From Follies, to Gypsy, to A Little Night Music to West Side Story; few other people have had such a profound impact on musical theatre.

The Mono Box’s extensive play and audio monologue libraries to be donated to Northern Academy of Performing arts, Powerhouse, Theatre503 and Theatre Royal Haymarket Masterclass Trust. Learn more about the collection here!

Steve Coogan will lead the first ever adaption of Stanley Kubrick’s iconic work, as the world premiere stage production of Kubrick’s timeless classic Dr. Strangelove prepares to open in the West End in Autumn 2024. Learn more about the production and how to get tickets here!

Dame Judi Dench is making her panto debut as the voice of the Magic Mirror in Snow White at Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds.

The Japan Art Association and Lord Patten of Barnes, Praemium Imperiale’s International Advisor in the UK, have announced the recipients of the 2023 Praemium Imperiale Awards. Learn more about the winners here!

We're falling into fall with a great Broadway read! This season, Broadway's best have put pen to paper to turn out theatre page-turners of every kind. From theatre biographies to theatre fiction; theatre books for kids to theatre history; check out our collection of 21 new Broadway books for every theatre lover's fall reading list.

The North American Tour of the Tony Award®-winning Best Musical Moulin Rouge! The Musical will welcome Gabrielle McClinton as Satine, Christian Douglas as Christian, Robert Petkoff as Harold Zidler, Sarah Bowden as Nini and Danny Burgos as Santiago beginning Wednesday, September 27 at the Benedum Center in Pittsburgh.  

Legendary British writer, broadcaster, ex-MP and TV star Gyles Brandreth launches his new podcast Rosebud on September 1 – St Giles’s Day. In this new series, Gyles will talk to famous and fascinating people about their first memories and first experiences.

The Barn Theatre in Cirencester has announced principal casting for the world premiere of I'm Sorry, Prime Minister, I Can't Quite Remember. Martin Jarvis will play ex-Prime Minister Jim Hacker and Clive Francis will play his former Permanent Secretary Sir Humphrey Appleby. They are joined by Michaela Bennison who will play Hacker's carer Sophie and Christopher Bianchi as High Court judge Sir David Knell.

The Shaw Society, the UK-based charitable organisation dedicated to celebrating the theatre and writings of Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw, proudly announces the election of two esteemed theatre icons, Dame Sian Phillips and Patricia Hodge OBE, as Trustees.

Dazzling Divas, written and performed by Issy van Randwyck, is a mesmerising musical journey illuminating the lives and work of legendary performers Billie Holiday, Marilyn Monroe, Patsy Cline, Janis Joplin, Mama Cass, Karen Carpenter and Dusty Springfield. The show runs through July 29 at The Mill at Sonning Theatre. Check out photos here!

Chicago Shakespeare is welcoming new artistic and executive leadership, who are set to bring fresh ideas, innovation, and creativity to the theater scene. Prepare to be amazed by the exciting changes happening at Chicago Shakespeare.

Twenty limited-edition Al Hirschfeld prints – signed by the iconic stage and screen stars featured in the image – are now available for auction, with all proceeds to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and The Al Hirschfeld Foundation.

The world première of Marcelo Dos Santos' new play Backstairs Billy looks at a pivotal moment in the 50 year relationship between the Queen Mother and her loyal servant William “Billy” Tallon.

Raise Your Hands! The Off Broadway cast recording of The Gospel According to Heather, a new musical with a book, music and lyrics by Paul Gordon. will be released on JAY Records. Produced by John Yap, the recording will feature the original cast of the Off Broadway production who gathered this week at Manhattan Studios to lay down the tracks.

The Actors' Church will hold its first Pride event this weekend as part of its Theatre in the Garden, its dedicated summer season filled with Shakespearean comedy, puppetry, comedy, musical theatre concerts and new takes on classic tales. 

After the success of Arcadia, The Questors Theatre will have more of Tom Stoppard's comic genius play out in the Judi Dench Playhouse with On the Razzle this summer.

Dazzling Divas is a mesmerising musical journey illuminating the lives and work of legendary performers Billie Holiday, Marilyn Monroe, Patsy Cline, Janis Joplin, Mama Cass, Karen Carpenter and Dusty Springfield.

This summer in the lead up to a camp take of On The Razzle15-22 July 2023, Director Simon Rudkin (Ghost Train) will take us on an immersive journey from the Regency period back to the present in his elegant adaption of Tom Stoppard's Arcadia.

More than a hundred years since it appalled critics, excited audiences and was reviled by the press, Henrik Ibsen’s Ghosts remains as engaging and challenging as ever. Independent Theatre will bring this controversial masterpiece of world theatre to Adelaide audiences this winter.