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Popular Productions is an international producer of quality theatre and entertainment with over thirty major productions to its name. Based in London and Dubai its producers are Lucy Magee & John Payton.

Most recently the company presented ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’ to huge success. This followed a Middle East tour of ‘The Woman in Black’ at the ‘First Group Theatre’ in Dubai and the ‘Al Jaheli Theatre’ in Abu Dhabi. Preceding this was the Timeout Dubai Nightlife Award winning production of ‘The Sound of Music’ at the Bahrain Summer Festival, BIECC. This followed the sell-out production of ‘OLIVER!’ (First Group Theatre). Other productions include: The UAE premiere of Stephen King’s horror ‘Misery’ starring UK TV and West End’s Darren Day and Yvonne O’Grady (First Group Theatre).

The 2011 record-breaking sell out production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s ‘The Sound of Music’ (First Group Theatre) and the Middle East premiere of Disney’s new musical ‘Camp Rock’ (First Group Theatre). Other productions include: ‘When Harry Met Sally’ (First Group Theatre ‘Fame’ (First Group Theatre), ‘Blood Brothers’, (First Group Theatre), ‘The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged (First Group Theatre)’ ‘Stones in His Pockets’ (First group Theatre & Centrepoint Theatre, DUCTAC), ‘Disney High School Musical 2’ (Centrepoint Theatre, DUCTAC), ‘Annie’ (Madinat Theatre),‘Disney High School Musical’ (Centrepoint Theatre, DUCTAC), ‘Blues Brothers Unlimited’, (Centrepoint Theatre, DUCTAC); John Godber's comedy 'Teechers' and Neil Simon's comedy musical 'They're Playing Our Song' (Madinat Theatre), Willy Russell's 'Educating Rita', (Madinat Theatre); The hit London revival of the West End comedy musical 'I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change', (West End and Dubai); John Osborne's classic play 'Look Back in Anger' (Madinat Theatre) and the critically acclaimed production of Stephen King's thriller 'Misery' which starred Susan Penhaligon and Michael Praed (Kings Head Theatre, London).

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[London Fringe, 2005]
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Review: John Adams's EL NINO Finally Arrives at the Met After World Travels


Back in December, I saw the chamber version of John Adams’s EL NINO—dubbed EL NINO: NATIVITY RECONSIDERED—at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. Pared down to its essence, it was wonderful, starred two of the singers who made their debuts in the premiere at the Met, soprano Julia Bullock and bass-baritone Davone Tines plus countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo, who were at their best. It was a somber evening in a dramatic setting—a far cry from the oratorio/opera’s over-the-top welcome to Lincoln Center last night, in Lileana Blain-Cruz’s production that made me wonder what Franco Zeffirelli might have done with it. Think the Parisian throngs in Act II of the Met’s LA BOHEME (which, of course, is one of the Met’s most popular productions with audiences).

LUMINATION OF THE FORGOTTEN Comes to Hong Kong Rep


Lumination of the Forgotten runs from 18th May to 2nd June at the Hong Kong City Hall Theatre. Tickets are now available at URBTIX outlets.

THE ART OF CARE World Premiere & More Set for Mosaic Theater Company 2024-25 Season


Mosaic Theater Company is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a season centering iconic artists and new plays. See the full lineup and learn how to purchase tickets.

Seattle Opera Closes Season With THE BARBER OF SEVILLE


One of the most popular operas in history, Gioachino Rossini’s comedy The Barber of Seville returns to the Seattle Opera stage to close out the company’s 60th-anniversary season.

Auditions Scheduled For ANNE OF GREEN GABLES The Musical At Wake Forest Renaissance Centre


Auditions announced for the musical 'Anne of Green Gables' at Wake Forest Renaissance Centre. Open auditions on Feb 22 and callbacks on Feb 24. Singers and actors of all ages welcome. Rehearsals begin in March. Don't miss this heartwarming production!

Farmers Alley Theatre Presents NATIVE GARDENS By Karen Zacarias


Farmers Alley Theatre announces the upcoming production of Native Gardens in Kalamazoo, MI. Check out the press release for more details.

Tweed & Company Announces Their 2024 Season; A Stunning Lineup in Both Tweed and Bancroft


Tweed & Company announces their 2024 season with a lineup of five major theatrical productions in Tweed and Bancroft. Tickets go on sale November 21st.

National Theatre Live Will Release DEAR ENGLAND and VANYA to UK and Ireland Cinemas


The National Theatre will release two new National Theatre Live productions to audiences in cinemas across the UK and Ireland this winter. Following sold-out runs, Dear England and VANYA will be new to NT Live, alongside the re-release of Olivier-award winning production, Skylight. 

Review: MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE, Peacock Theatre


If using the relaxing music of dinner party favourite Sting as the basis for a wild and inventive hip hop dance show isn’t an act of iconoclastic bravado, then what is?

Photos: First Look at IOLANTHE at the London Coliseum


Following a series of successful hits which have cemented the English National Opera’s (ENO) place as a major home for Gilbert & Sullivan’s works, Cal McCrystal’s  Iolanthe returns to the London Coliseum for its first revival this October. Check out all new production photos here!

FROZEN, ANASTASIA, JERSEY BOYS & More Set for Tuacahn's 2024 Season


Tuacahn has revealed its 2024 season featuring five productions that have never before graced the Tuacahn stages. Learn how to purchase tickets!

IOLANTHE Returns to the London Coliseum in October


Cal McCrystal’s Iolanthe returns to the London Coliseum for its first revival this October. Learn more about how to get tickets here!

OUR UPPISH AND DEFIANT FELLOWS Comes to the National Theatre in Prague This Month


Our Uppish and Defiant Fellows comes to the National Theatre in Prague this month. Performances run 31 August 2023 - 25 March 2024.

New Village Arts to Present A WEEKEND WITH PABLO PICASSO


New Village Arts (NVA), North County's cultural hub, will bring back to its stage one of the most popular productions of 2019, Herbert Siguenza's tour-de-force performance of A WEEKEND WITH PABLO PICASSO. 

SPACE QUEST: A NEW MUSICAL to Play Riverside Arts Center in July


The independent theater company Northern Town Parodies has announced the upcoming premiere of their newest original musical, Space Quest - an all-new, imaginative story delivering fantastical surprises at every turn!

DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS Opens At Arizona Broadway Theatre


Beginning Friday, May 5, take a trip to the French Riviera, as two conmen battle for the heart-and the wallet-of an American heiress, in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, based off the critically-acclaimed 1988 MGM film. Arizona Broadway Theatre's (ABT) production of this musical extravaganza is based on a book by Jeffrey Lane and will run until June 4.

Fort Salem Theater Announces Extended 2023 Line-Up Featuring ROCKY HORROR, FOOTLOOSE, and More


Fort Salem Theater has unveiled its extended 2023 season, featuring a lineup of exciting shows that will cater to audiences of all ages. Following a successful start with 'Spring Awakening,' the theater will showcase a range of popular productions and exciting events now through December. 

World Premiere Play MIDDLETON HEIGHTS Examines AAPI Experience And The American Dream


In the world premiere of an original play commissioned by The Umbrella Stage Company, Hortense Gerardo's Middleton Heights unravels a wry, charming and honest tale that follows Meena and her Filipino family as they assimilate to life in a fictional Midwestern suburb of Cleveland, Ohio.

THE GREAT GATSBY Comes to Leeds Next Month


There's just one month to go before Northern Ballet's The Great Gatsby opens at Leeds Grand Theatre for a two week run from Wednesday 8 to Saturday 18 March.

Highland Park Players Presents BE OUR GUEST! A CULINARY CABARET


Hungry for something different? Highland Park Players is continuing into its 35th illustrious season with something sweet to please your ears, eyes AND stomach! “Be Our Guest: A Culinary Cabaret!” will run Saturday March 4th at 7:00 pm and Sunday March 5th at 2:00 pm at the Highland Park Community House.

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