Menier Chocolate Factory News

West End Musical Theatre legend Hannah Waddingham (three times Olivier Award nominated star of Spamalot, Kiss Me Kate and A Little Night Music, WhatsOnStage Award winner for The Wizard of Oz) headlines KiwiFruits Productions 'SONDHEIM: Women' returning to The St James Theatre for an exclusive second concert on the 28th September 2013.

The Daily Mail reports that Simon Cowell has finally cast the actor who will portray him in the new X FACTOR musical I CAN'T SING, set to begin performances at the London Palladium on February 27. It's Nigel Harman, who won an Olivier for his role as 'Lord Farquaad' in SHREK THE MUSICAL in the West End. In addition, Cynthia Erivo, currently starring in Menier Chocolate Factory's revival of THE COLOR PURPLE, has been cast in the lead.

Simon Evans directs the world premiere of this exciting new play by Maureen Chadwick, creator and writer of award-winning dramas Bad Girls, Footballers' Wives and Waterloo Road. The Speed Twins, which runs for five weeks at Riverside Studios 3 from tonight 29 August - Saturday 28 September, is an exhilarating, intriguing and moving story about a long lost love between two women. Press night is Tuesday 3 September at 7.45pm.

The new musical SHIDA, written and performed by Jeannette Bayardelle -- whose Broadway appearances include leading roles in THE COLOR PURPLE and HAIR - will end its strictly limited engagement today, Wednesday, August 28 with the 8pm performance. SHIDA will have played 12 previews and 36 regular performances.

Off-Broadway's Vineyard Theatre -- where the hit comedy musical Avenue Q got its start -- is expanding its presence in London this summer and fall, according to an article by WhatsOnStage.

How do you become a director? Just take the plunge!

Just last week, Oprah Winfrey chatted with The New York Daily News about her long-professed desire to take to the stage. Now according to the New York Times, the media mogul is looking into bringing John Doyle's current reimagined production of THE COLOR PURPLE, which is currently playing at the Menier Chocolate Factory, to Broadway.

The full cast for To Sir With Love, joining the previously announced Olivier Award winning actor Matthew Kelly (Florian), is Mykola Allen (Denham), Harriet Ballard (Monica), Peta Cornish (Gillian), Kerron Darby (Seales), Ansu Kabia (Ricky), Paul Kemp (Weston), Heather Nicol (Pamela) and Nicola Reynolds (Clinty) and we've got the first photos of the cast in rehearsal!

Isla Blair and Nicholas Day complete the cast for the European premiere of Nicky Silver's The Lyons at the Menier Chocolate Factory 19th September - 16th November. They will join Tom Ellis, Katy Secombe, Charlotte Randle and Ben Aldridge, as previously announced.

Theatre Royal Bath has announced Richard Wilson will star in the final production of its Summer Season, A Little Hotel On The Side directed by Lindsay Posner and Cal McCrystal. Adapted by John Mortimer, this hilarious comedy by Georges Feydeau and Maurice Desvallieres will appear at Theatre Royal Bath from tonight 15th August - Saturday 31st August.

Donmar Warehouse presents Arnold Wesker's ROOTS, 03 October 2013 - 30 November 2013, Press Night: Tuesday 8 October 2013. Director: James Macdonald, Designer: Hildegard Bechtler, Lighting Designer: Guy Hoare, Sound Designer: Ian Dickinson for Autograph, Video Designer: Dick Straker

Sheffield Theatres today announce the full cast of the forthcoming The Winter's Tale, directed by Paul Miller, and a casting update for the company's Christmas show, Oliver! directed by Artistic Director Daniel Evans.

Olivier Award nominee and Theatre World Award winner Linzi Hateley, Clare Foster, and the legendary Louise Gold headline a cast of West End leading ladies at the St. James Theatre, Saturday September 7th 2013.

The full cast for To Sir With Love, joining the previously announced Olivier Award winning actor Matthew Kelly (Florian), isMykola Allen (Denham), Harriet Ballard (Monica), Peta Cornish (Gillian), Kerron Darby (Seales), Ansu Kabia (Ricky),Paul Kemp (Weston), Heather Nicol (Pamela) and Nicola Reynolds (Clinty).

El proximo 8 de noviembre en el Teatre Municipal de Girona la actriz traera por primera vez su espectaculo 'Lenny & Steve' acompañada al piano por Jason Carr. La ganadora de tres premios Olivier y protagonista de 'The Woman In White', 'Chicago', 'Ragtime' y 'Passion' actuara dentro del marco del Festival Temporada Alta 2013.

The new musical SHIDA, written and performed by Jeannette Bayardelle -- whose Broadway appearances include leading roles in THE COLOR PURPLE and HAIR -- will receive its world-premiere this summer Off-Broadway as an Ars Nova Summer Fling (511 W. 54 St. in Manhattan). Previews began July 19 and SHIDA's official opening night was this Wednesday, July 31. The Off-Broadway limited engagement runs through August 28. BroadwayWorld has photos from the opening night curtain call and festivities below!

In a clip from tonight's CONAN on TBS, guest Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother) talks about his nerves approaching his role in HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH on Broadway; Conan warns Harris to eschew the use of duct tape on his junk. Click below to watch the segment!

The new musical SHIDA, written and performed by Jeannette Bayardelle -- whose Broadway appearances include leading roles in THE COLOR PURPLE and HAIR -- will receive its world-premiere this summer Off-Broadway as an Ars Nova Summer Fling (511 W. 54 St. in Manhattan). Previews began July 19 and SHIDA's official opening night is Wednesday, July 31. The Off-Broadway limited engagement runs through August 28. BroadwayWorld has a first look at Bayardelle in action below!

Roundabout Theatre Company has announced the Broadway cast of The Winslow Boy, starring Tony nominee Michael Cumpsty as 'Desmond Curry', Academy & Tony Award nominee Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio as 'Grace Winslow', Alessandro Nivola as 'Sir Robert Morton' and Tony Award winner Roger Rees as 'Arthur Winslow'.