What a year for theatre 2019 has been! Remembering all of the amazing shows as part of the build-up to the BroadwayWorld UK Awards has been a complete joy, and it is my pleasure to present some thoughts about the shows that have left a distinct impression on my stagey mind.
Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment, Hope Mill Theatre and Ray Rackham Theatrical are delighted to announce that Harriet Thorpe and Tim Flavin will star as Vera and Beauregard respectively in the first professional UK revival of Jerry Herman's much loved musical MAME. They join the previously announced Tracie Bennett in the title role.
The Porters of Hellsgate Theatre Company presents Double Falsehood by Lewis Theobald, adapted from Cardenio, the lost play of Shakespeare and Fletcher, directed by Thomas Bigley and Alex Parker.
Following a highly succesful run at the 2018 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, My Left Right Foot: The Musical makes a stop in the Theatre Royal as part of the Brighton Festival and at the end of the National Theatre of Scotland production's own tour to Japan and various UK venues.
Final casting has been announced for the upcoming concert performance of Rodgers & Hammerstein's iconic musical CAROUSEL for one night only at Cadogan Hall on Sunday 19th May.
Dame Patricia Routledge has been announced for the upcoming concert performance of Rodgers & Hammerstein's iconic musical CAROUSEL for one night only at Cadogan Hall on Sunday 19th May. She will play the role of the Narrator.
National Youth Music Theatre and The Other Palace have announced the NYMT's 2019 summer season, which continues the NYMT's annual residency at The Other Palace for a third consecutive year and demonstrates their shared commitment to provide exceptional opportunities for young people in musical theatre.
Renowned actress Janie Dee is currently playing Phyllis in Follies at the National Theatre. Next month, she takes a break to be part of Hal Cazalet's new musical adaptation of Oscar Wilde's The Happy Prince.
Alex Parker has been the Musical Director for productions such as Barnum at the Menier Chocolate Factory and the UK Tour of Wonderland.
His latest project is a concert version of Carousel at Cadogan Hall. Alex spoke to BroadwayWorld about his career and conducting the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic.
Rodgers & Hammerstein's iconic musical CAROUSEL is to receive a concert performance for one night only at Cadogan Hall on Sunday 19th May. Joanna Riding and Janie Dee will reprise their performances as Julie Jordan and Carrie Pipperidge for the first time in twenty-seven years since appearing in the National Theatre's legendary production of CAROUSEL, which earned them both Olivier Awards. The two-time Olivier Award-winners are currently enjoying great acclaim and success in the National Theatre's revival of FOLLIES. Joining them will be Hadley Fraser as Billy Bigelow. The 1945 musical marks the second collaboration of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II and is based on Ferenc Molnar's 1909 play LILIOM.
Hit Broadway musical theatre concert Producers Club 11 London and Tony Award-winning Brian Zeilinger & Jack Maple for Take Two Theatricals have teamed up bring you WEST END CHRISTMAS AT CADOGAN HALL on Sunday 9th December 2018 at 6.30pm.
In 2019 Elmer the Patchwork Elephant celebrates his 30th Birthday and will be heading out on an extensive tour across the UK. The brand-new Live stage adaptation is based on the classic children's book series by David McKee and opens in The Churchill Theatre Bromley on 17th January 2019.
Club 11 London & Alex Parker Theatre Company in partnership announce that joining Rosalie Craig and Hadley Fraser in The Light Princess in Concert is TREVOR DION NICHOLAS [Genie in Aladdin - West End] who will be playing the part of KING DARIUS on Sunday 1st July 2018 at Cadogan Hall.
A gaunt Leon Russom conjures up more pathos than normal as the aged Prospero in the Porters of Hellsgate's production of THE TEMPEST. Whether it is due to the fact that the actor has been battling pneumonia, which took him out of the show opening weekend mid-performance, or that his interpretation of the role centers on the last actions of a dying man, this is a Prospero we haven't seen before.
Club 11 London & Alex Parker Theatre Company in partnership are excited to announce further casting for The Light Princess in Concert, featuring already announced Rosalie Craig and Hadley Fraser, at Cadogan Hall at 630pm, Sunday 1st July 2018, directed by Paul Foster and musical direction under Alex Parker.
The Magic of Animation was a wonderful celebration of music from animated films and the debut concert for new company West End Does. They performed a lovely mix of both classic and newer Disney songs, from shows like Moana and Frozen, along with some tunes from other animated movies like Anastasia and The Prince of Egypt. It seemed like they managed to find the nine performers in the West End who seem like actual fairy tale princesses and princes.
The Porters present the first show of their 12th Season: The Tempest marks their 26th Shakespearean Production. Longtime company member Alex Parker will make his directorial debut; Leon Russom returns to the boards to play Prospero.
Rob Houchen is one of the three directors of the new event company called West End Does which has its first concert, The Magic of Animation, on 6 May. The Guildford School of Acting graduate is best known for playing Marius in Les Miserables, Fleet in Titanic, and his many concert performances. Houchen has also released two EPs, featuring covers and his own original music.