Richard Eyre News

The nominations for The Olivier Awards 2014 with MasterCard - the most prestigious event in the UK's theatrical calendar - were announced today (Monday, March 10) by Nigel Harman and Leigh Zimmerman with the full list of nominations available below and online at www.olivierawards.com.

Puccini's enduring favorite, starring an exceptional trio of singing actors in the leading roles, returns to Great Performances at the Met today, March 9 at 12 p.m. on PBS (check local listings).

Puccini's enduring favorite, starring an exceptional trio of singing actors in the leading roles, returns to Great Performances at the Met Sunday, March 9 at 12 p.m. on PBS (check local listings).

Jean-François Borras will make his Met debut in the title role of Massenet's Werther at this evening's performance, replacing Jonas Kaufmann, who is ill.

A first look at the new West End revival of musical comedy classic THE PAJAMA GAME starring Joanna Riding and Michael Xavier is now available to view.

In a letter to The Daily Telegraph, Andrew Lloyd Webber refuted the idea that his latest West End musical, STEPHEN WARD, is closing early because 'he was too much of a 'lone ego' on the project'. The West End production of STEPHEN WARD will complete its run at the Aldwych Theatre on 29 March 2014.

Two of opera's greatest artists, Jonas Kaufmann and Sophie Koch, will appear together in Massenet's sublime adaptation of Goethe's revolutionary and tragic romance, Werther, which will be shown Live in HD from the Met on Saturday, March 15, at 12:55 p.m., and on Sunday, March 16, at 12 p.m. A unique behind-the-scenes tour of the grand opera house takes place during intermission including interviews with the stars. To make the opera experience even more special, Bernard's (22 West Lane, Ridgefield) is offering a special $45 prix-fixe menu, or a free glass of wine with dinner, before these events when tickets are presented; reservations suggested. Visit ridgefieldplayhouse.org for a video preview. This Live in HD Series is underwritten by Jeanne Cook, Anita and Nicholas Donofrio, Liz and Steven Goldstone, Marilyn and Joe Kreitz, Joanne and John Patrick, Starbucks Coffee, Sabina and Walter Slavin, Taylor Zemo Foundation, The Ridgefield Press and Whistle Stop Bakery.

Ailyn Perez, winner of the Richard Tucker, Placido Domingo and Leonie Rysanek Awards, will make her Washington National Opera debut this March, stepping in for an indisposed colleague to star as Adina in Donizetti's L'elisir d'amore. This career milestone follows on the heels of the soprano's recent success at London's Royal Opera House, where she proved herself 'a must-hear' (Guardian) in the title role of Manon.

Tenor Jonas Kaufmann stars in the title role of the tortured poet in the Met's new production of Massenet's Werther, running through March 15, 2014. Check out the video below of Jonas singing 'O Nature.'

The West End production of Stephen Ward will complete its run at the Aldwych Theatre on 29 March 2014. Stephen Ward received its world premiere in December last year with a cast led by Alexander Hanson in the title role, Charlotte Spencer as Christine Keeler and Charlotte Blackledge as Mandy Rice Davies. With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Stephen Ward has book and lyrics by playwright Christopher Hampton and lyricist Don Black. The production is directed by Richard Eyre with set and costume designs by Rob Howell, lighting design by Peter Mumford, sound design by Paul Groothuis, projection design by Jon Driscoll, and choreography by Stephen Mear.

Just days after The Telegraph's Tim Walker initially reported that the West End musical may be concluding its run at the end of May, Baz Bamigboye of The Daily Mail has tweeted the the lights may go out even sooner than expected. The show previously received an extension through 31 May 2014.

Stai pianificando un viaggio a Londra? Non sai che musical vedere e/o vuoi sapere quali sono i migliori su piazza? Ecco un resoconto della mia esperienza londinese, nella speranza che il mio personalissimo punto di vista possa esserti d'aiuto nell'orientarti nel West End della Capitale inglese. Nello stilare questa 'graduatoria' ho fatto delle scelte un po' impopolari e aspetto di essere contraddetto. Ad ogni modo, enjoy it! Stai pianificando un viaggio a Londra? Non sai che musical vedere e/o vuoi sapere quali sono i migliori su piazza? Ecco un resoconto della mia esperienza londinese, nella speranza che il mio personalissimo punto di vista possa esservi d'aiuto nell'orientarvi nel West End della Capitale inglese. Nello stilare questa 'graduatoria' ho fatto delle scelte un po' impopolari e aspetto di essere contraddetto. Ad ogni modo, enjoy it!

Casting is now complete for the transfer of Julian Mitchell's ANOTHER COUNTRY, directed by Jeremy Herrin. Following a hugely successful run at Chichester's Minerva Theatre last year, it transfers to the Trafalgar Studios, Studio 1 for a limited season, 26th March - 21st June.

The original London cast recording of Andrew Lloyd Webber, Don Black and Christopher Hampton's new musical STEPHEN WARD is now available digitally from Amazon and iTunes.

The Metropolitan Opera announced that Robert Rattray has been appointed the company's new Assistant General Manager, Artistic. He will begin his tenure this August, when rehearsals begin for the 2014-15 season. Rattray replaces Sarah Billinghurst, who will retire at the end of the current season after 20 years at the Met.

Tenor Jonas Kaufmann will star in the title role of the tortured poet in the Met's new production of Massenet's Werther, opening tonight, February 18.

The Daily Mail reports that Carey Mulligan and Bill Nighy have signed on to star as former lovers in Stephen Daldry's upcoming West End revival of David Hare's SKYLIGHT. The production will begin performances June 6 at Wyndham's Theatre. This will be Mulligan's West End debut.

Experiencing a grand opera from the Met is a convenient and affordable reality, thanks to the Live in HD series at The Ridgefield Playhouse. Borodin's Prince Igor will be presented on Saturday, March 1, at 12 p.m. Massenet's Werther will thrill on Saturday, March 15, at 12:55 p.m. and on Sunday, March 16, at 12 p.m. For dinner-and-an-opera, Bernard's (22 West Lane, Ridgefield) is offering a special $45 prix-fixe menu, or a free glass of wine with dinner, before these events when tickets are presented; reservations suggested. Visit ridgefieldplayhouse.org for video previews of the Met Live in HD Series, which is underwritten by Jeanne Cook, Anita and Nicholas Donofrio, Liz and Steven Goldstone, Marilyn and Joe Kreitz, Joanne and John Patrick, Starbucks Coffee, Sabina and Walter Slavin, Taylor Zemo Foundation, The Ridgefield Press and Whistle Stop Bakery.

The Metropolitan Opera's 2014-15 season will feature 26 operas, three of them company premieres, in six new productions and 18 revivals showcasing the talents of the world's leading singers, conductors, and theater artists. The three operas that will have their first-ever Met performances, each staged by a director making his Met debut, are John Adams's The Death of Klinghoffer, conducted by David Robertson and directed by Tom Morris, opening October 20; Rossini's La Donna del Lago, conducted by Michele Mariottiand directed by Paul Curran, opening February 16, 2015; and Tchaikovsky's one-act operaIolanta, conducted by Valery Gergiev and directed by Mariusz Treli?ski. Iolanta will be presented in a double bill with a new staging of Bartók's one-act Duke Bluebeard's Castle,also conducted by Gergiev and directed by Treli?ski.

Peter Polycarpou, Gary Wilmot and Colin Stinton join the cast of the West End transfer of Chichester Festival Theatre's sparkling production of the Broadway smash hit musical, The Pajama Game, directed by Richard Eyre. Peter Polycarpou and Colin Stinton reprise their roles as Vernon Hines and Hasler, with Gary Wilmot taking over the role of Vernon Hines from 2 June. They join the previously announced Joanna Riding and Michael Xavier. The Pajama Game opens at the Shaftesbury Theatre on 13 May, with previews from 2 May, playing until 13 September 2014.