Aisha Jawando News

Hackney Empire today announces casting for its highly anticipated 2017 Christmas pantomime, Cinderella, having last been staged at the venue in 2011.

The hit Broadway musical The Life makes its long awaited London debut, directed by the show's original Broadway director, Michael Blakemore, at Southwark Playhouse for a strictly limited season now through 29 April 2017, with press night on 29 March. Scroll down for exclusive, close-up stills from the show!

The hit Broadway musical The Life makes its long awaited London debut, directed by the show's original Broadway director, Michael Blakemore, at Southwark Playhouse for a strictly limited season now through 29 April 2017, with press night on 29 March. Watch  T'Shan Williams and Sharon D. Clarke perform 'My Friend' in the recording studio below!

The hit Broadway musical The Life makes its long awaited London debut, directed by the show's original Broadway director, Michael Blakemore, at Southwark Playhouse for a strictly limited season now through 29 April 2017, with press night on 29 March. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Michael Blakemore's stellar directing career encompasses everything from landmark productions at the National, where he was associate director, to West End and Broadway hits. He was the first director to win a Tony Award for both Best Director of a Play and a Musical in the same year (for Michael Frayn's Copenhagen and Kiss, Me Kate). Now, he's helming the long-awaited UK premiere of Cy Coleman musical The Life - a gritty exploration of 1980s New York's underbelly - which he first directed on Broadway in 1997. The show begins previews at Southwark Playhouse on 25 March.

The Life, which makes its long awaited London debut, directed by the show's original Broadway director, Michael Blakemore, will run at Southwark Playhouse for a strictly limited season from 25 March - 29 April 2017, with press night on 29 March. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the company in rehearsal below!

Full casting of the hit Broadway musical, The Life, includes John Addison (Jojo), David Albury (Fleetwood), Jalisa Andrews (Chichi), Matthew Caputo (Oddjob), Lawrence Carmichael (Snickers), Omari Douglas (Slick), Aisha Jawando (Carmen), Thomas-Lee Kidd (Bobby), Charlotte Reavey (April), Jo Servi (Lacy), Lucinda Shaw (Tracy), Johnathan Tweedie (Theodore), T'Shan Williams (Queen) and Joanna Woodward (Mary). They join the previously announced musical theatre stars Sharon D. Clarke (Sonja), who was recently appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2017 Queen's New Year Honours for services to drama, and Cornell S. John (Memphis).

The West End production of Motown the Musical has proven its popularity in London.

MOTOWN is getting a new Smokey! Not only that, but the Daily Mail writes that the West End production of Motown the Musical is extending through October 2017. Obioma Ugoala will join the cast as 'Smokey Robinson' starting July 4, 2016.

Last night (8 March 2016) marked the opening of the West End production of MOTOWN THE MUSICAL. With music and lyrics from the legendary Motown catalogue and book by Motown founder Berry Gordy, MOTOWN THE MUSICAL is directed by Charles Randolph-Wright. Last month, due to public demand, a further 200,000 tickets were released for sale taking bookings at the Shaftesbury Theatre to 18 February 2017. Click below to watch the stars strut the red carpet, including Gordy, director Randolph-Wright, Beverley Knight and more!

Last night (8 March 2016) marked the opening of the West End production of Motown the Musical. With music and lyrics from the legendary Motown catalogue and book by Motown founder Berry Gordy,Motown the Musical is directed by Charles Randolph-Wright. Last month, due to public demand, a further 200,000 tickets were released for sale taking bookings at the Shaftesbury Theatre to 18 February 2017.  BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at the opening night bash below!

The West End production of MOTOWN THE MUSICAL officially opens tonight 8 March 2016. With music and lyrics from the legendary Motown catalogue and book by Motown founder Berry Gordy, MOTOWN THE MUSICAL is directed by Charles Randolph-Wright. Let's see what the critics had to say...

The West End production of MOTOWN THE MUSICAL officially opens tonight 8 March 2016. With music and lyrics from the legendary Motown catalogue and book by Motown founder Berry Gordy, MOTOWN THE MUSICALis directed by Charles Randolph-Wright. 

The West End production of Motown the Musical is now in previews at the Shaftesbury Theatre, with press night on 8 March 2016. With music and lyrics from the legendary Motown catalogue and book by Motown founder Berry Gordy, Motown the Musical is directed by Charles Randolph-Wright.   The show recently released a further 200,000 tickets for sale taking bookings to 18 February 2017. Check out a first look below!

Just in time for previews, which start tonight 11 February in the West End, MOTOWN THE MUSICAL has announced an extension through 18 February 2017. The Daily Mail revealed this evening that 200,000 new tickets are now on sale.

Charl Brown (Smokey Robinson) and Sifiso Mazibuko (Marvin Gaye) join Cedric Neal (Berry Gordy) and Lucy St. Louis (Diana Ross) in the West End production of MOTOWN THE MUSICAL, beginning tonight 11 February 2016 with press night on 8 March 2016.

As rehearsals begin for the West End production of Motown the Musical, full casting is announced  led by Cedric Neal as Berry Gordy, Lucy St. Louis as Diana Ross, Charl Brown as Smokey Robinson andSifiso Mazibuko as Marvin Gaye. Check out a sneak peek below!

Over 350,000 new tickets are released for sale today (26 February 2015) for Beautiful - The Carole King Musical. Playing both in the West End and on Broadway, Beautiful - The Carole King Musical is now booking at the Aldwych Theatre to 13 February 2016.

The West End production of Beautiful - The Carole King Musical, opened last night, Tuesday 24 February 2014 at the Aldwych Theatre, London. Directed by Marc Bruni, Beautiful - The Carole King Musical has book by Douglas McGrath with words and music by Gerry Goffin, Carole King, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil.