Lee Simpson News

World premiere & UK tour, Autumn 2018. Presented by Lisa Hammond and Rachael Spence with Improbable and Royal Court Theatre. Supported by Arts Council England.

Norfolk & Norwich Festival has today announced the full programme for its 2018 Festival (11 - 27 May). The programme, which spans performance, theatre, music, visual arts, literature, circus, outdoor and family events, includes world and UK premieres, one-off spectaculars, and a host of free events across the Festival. The Festival will showcase renowned international artists from across the globe and countries as widespread as Syria, Australia and India, alongside the best local Norfolk and UK talent presented across the county, from Norwich city centre and Great Yarmouth to Wells-next-the-Sea.

The return of Mr. Swallow and circus-theatre spectacular Cirque Berserk! are amongst the latest shows to be announced in the Pleasance's ever-growing festival programme, along with a host of Fringe favourites on sale from 1st March.

Norfolk & Norwich Festival, the largest arts festival in the East of England and one of the four largest in the UK, has today announced the first shows of its 2018 Festival. The Festival will run 11 27 May with the full programme for 2018 to be announced in February. The programme will be the first presented under the new festival directorship, as Daniel Brine takes over from predecessor William Galinsky in January of 2018.

Hoopla Impro, or Hoopla!, are delighted to announce their official takeover and residency with The Miller Pub. This venture marks the creation of the UK's first full-time improv comedy venue, Hoopla at The Miller, with unscripted and spontaneously created performances programmed Monday to Saturday with up to 10 shows a night.

The Hollywood Bowl's production of Mamma Mia! begins tonight, July 28, at 8 PM and continues Saturday, July 29, at 8 PM and Sunday, July 30, at 7:30 PM.

Summer wouldn't be the same in Los Angeles without the Hollywood Bowl's annual offering of a star-studded Broadway musical; and this year will be no different when the mega-hit Mamma Mia! getting ready to ignite on one of the world's most iconic stages July 28 - 30.  BroadwayWorld TV's own Michael Sterling dropped in at rehearsals earlier this week to get a sneak peek at rehearsals and to speak with members of the cast.  Featured in Mamma Mia! are Corbin Bleu as Sky, Dove Cameron as Sophie, Jaime Camil as Sam, Tisha-Campbell-Martin as Tanya, Lea DeLaria as Rosie, Hamish Linklater as Harry, Jennifer Nettles as Donna, and Steven Weber as Bill.

This year, the Bowl's annual staged musical visits the 2001 international phenomenon about a young woman's plot to uncover the identity of her father among three of her mother's former loves, all of whom are invited to her wedding on a Greek island. But which man turns out to be her father and walks her down the aisle? Filled with ABBA's timeless songs, including 'Dancing Queen' and 'Voulez Vous,' get ready to have the time of your life July 28-29-30 seeing MAMMA MIA! at the Hollywood Bowl, directed and choreographed by Kathleen Marshall and conducted by David Holcenberg. Kathleen Marshall is one of Broadway's most celebrated artists. Honored numerous times for her work on stage and screen, she has won three Tony Awards (with six more nominations) and two Drama Desk Awards (four additional nominations). Marshall has also been nominated for both an Olivier and an Emmy. The MAMA MIA! production at the Hollywood Bowl marks her Los Angeles debut as a director/choreographer, and I recently was fortunate to speak with her, and stars Corbin Bleu and Lea DeLaria, about their excitement being involved in the musical extravaganza.

Final casting has been announced for the Hollywood Bowl's upcoming production of Mamma Mia!, Friday, July 28, at 8 PM, Saturday, July 29, at 8 PM and Sunday, July 30, at 7:30 PM. The new cast members are Tisha Campbell-Martin as Tanya, Hamish Linklater as Harry and Steven Weber as Bill.

The London Devised Theatre Intensive is a new two-week workshop for theatre makers to share and expand their practice of devising theatre. With a mix of masterclasses, peer practice exchange, creating performance, and professional development, the Intensive aims to inspire theatre makers, raise the profile of devised theatre, and foster international connections.

The Festival's theater offerings feature four North American premieres from the U.K., Syria, and Israel, challenging audiences to look backward and forward, while offering perspectives that confront assumptions about human nature.

The London Devised Theatre Intensive is a new two-week workshop for theatre makers to share and expand their practice of devising theatre. With masterclasses from guest artists including Bryony Kimmings, Kristine Landon-Smith (L'Ecole Philippe Gaulier; Tamasha Theatre), Tom Mansfield (Upstart Theatre), Nir Paldi (Theatre Ad Infinitum), and Lee Simpson (artistic director of Improbable), peer-to-peer practice exchange sessions, and creating performance, the Intensive aims to inspire theatre makers, raise the profile of devised theatre, and foster international connections.

Here they go again! Additional casting has been announced for the Hollywood Bowl's upcoming production of Mamma Mia!, Friday, July 28, at 8 PM, Saturday, July 29, at 8 PM and Sunday, July 30, at 7:30 PM. The new cast members are Corbin Bleu as Sky, Dove Cameron as Sophie, Lea DeLaria as Rosie, and Jennifer Nettles as Donna. The production also stars previously announced Jamie Camil as Sam.

Golden Globe, Critics' Choice, Teen Choice nominee, Imagen Award winner and Broadway actor Jaime Camil, of CW's Jane the Virgin, has been announced for the Hollywood Bowl's upcoming production of Mamma Mia!, the 2001 international phenomenon which will be this summer's annual staged musical at the Bowl. Camil will play the role of Sam Carmichael.

World premieres, new writers and ground-breaking adaptations have been announced for 2017 at the National Theatre.

Brussels-based BRONKS, one of Belgium's leading theatres for young audiences bring their acclaimed Edinburgh Fringe hit Us/Them to the Dorfman Theatre from 16 January 2017 (press night 20 January). 

Improbable today announces three new projects: a theatrical show - Lost Without Words; a participation project - Impro For Elders; and a move to Bristol for Devoted and Disgruntled 12. 

New work by Inua Ellams, Ya?l Farber, DC Moore, Lindsey Ferrentino and Nina Raine is announced today by Rufus Norris, Director of the National Theatre. Four world premieres and two European premieres are further announced as forthcoming productions for the National Theatre in 2017.  

Improbable has today announced the appointment of Ben Monks as Executive Director. Monks joins Improbable from his current position as producer for Supporting Wall, having co-founded the company in 2008. Monks will work closely with Artistic Directors Phelim McDermott and Lee Simpson, as Rachael Williams leaves the company after three years in the position. Joining Improbable in September 2016, Ben Monks will be integral to marking the company's upcoming 21st anniversary year and new programme of work, soon to be announced.

An Actor's Revenge: Theatre of Blood at The Alley Theater in Louisville