Allen Martin News

The Fairground Theatre Company will present a cabaret of new musical theatre writing - The Writers' Playground - at the Union Theatre on Sunday September 7.

Julie Atherton and Paul Spicer have a long and varied history with new and contemporary musical theatre, both as individuals and as a pair. Together they co-founded Notes from New York, a concert series designed with the intention of introducing London to new musical theatre and making it cool, and celebrated its 5 year anniversary with a fully staged production of Jason Robert Brown's cult musical The Last 5 Years. They were also the original team behind Taking Notes, a summer course developed to share their skills with aspiring actors. This summer, they continue their mission to inspire a new generation of musical theatre performers with Onstage Acts, a week long enrichment programme in new and contemporary musical theatre featuring masterclasses with casting directors, agents, composers and directors, as well as performers currently working in the West End and beyond. Ahead of the course's launch on August 4th, Julie and Paul shared some of their favourite contemporary musical theatre moments from the careers which made them West End theatre's reigning experts on the subject.

Stage Acts Productions, the team behind You'll Never Walk Alone, the recent West End gala concert in aid of the Philippines Typhoon Appeal, launch Onstage Acts, a summer course exploring new and contemporary musical theatre.

Connecticut Repertory Theatre (CRT) will present Legally Blonde the Musical onstage at the Harriet S. Jorgensen Theater today, April 24-May 4. The 2007 winner of London's Olivier Award for Best Musical, stars Courtney Hammond as the intelligent, self-assured and fashion conscious Elle Woods. For tickets and information, call 860-486-2113 and visit www.crt.uconn.edu.

Rebecca Trehearn and Simon Bailey join Alice Fearn, Sophie Linder-Lee and more for launch of West End Switched Off at the St James Studio.

Connecticut Repertory Theatre (CRT) will present Legally Blonde the Musical onstage at the Harriet S. Jorgensen Theater April 24-May 4. The 2007 winner of London's Olivier Award for Best Musical, stars Courtney Hammond as the intelligent, self-assured and fashion conscious Elle Woods. For tickets and information, call 860-486-2113 and visit www.crt.uconn.edu.

Audacious, surprising, fresh. Parallel Productions are delighted to be able to bring you the launch of their brand new album, West End Switched Off.

WestEndFest is back for its first concert of 2014 on 2 March at The Actors Church in Covent Garden. It was founded two years ago by West-End theatre actress Sabrina Aloueche and Parnell Page, and has since become a hugely popular bi-annual celebration combining dance, comedy, songs and raising money for charity.

Now Interval Productions have decided to give audiences a chance to see selections from all of their pieces under the same roof at The Cockpit Theatre on Sunday February 9th, featuring as many original cast members as possible, and of course some new talent, as always.

Following a four-year absence from the festive theatrical calendar, the West End's popular seasonal concert offering Christmas in New York will return by popular demand for one night only at the Palace Theatre in London today 9th December 2013, prior to which it will play its first ever regional date at the Palace Theatre in Manchester on Saturday 7th December 2013.

Following a four-year absence from the festive theatrical calendar, the West End's popular seasonal concert offering Christmas in New York will return by popular demand for one night only at the Palace Theatre in London on Monday 9th December 2013, prior to which it will play its first ever regional date at the Palace Theatre in Manchester tonight, 7th December 2013.

Forever a champion of new musical theatre THE TORI PARTY will feature special guests, the boys of 'The 8th Fold' - a new musical with music & lyrics by Gianni Onori and book by Ava Eldred and Gianni Onori, which recently celebrated it's world premiere in concert in the west end's Duchess theatre to commemorate Remembrance Sunday. Also Featuring: Paul Spicer (Producer and Actor Fame, Avenue Q), Ambra Caserotti (Rent), Ben Cousin (Streets, Hackney Empire), Matt Wills (Singer/Song Writer). With Musical Direction by Susanna Squires (Another Way).

Forever a champion of new musical theatre THE TORI PARTY will feature special guests, the boys of 'The 8th Fold' - a new musical with music & lyrics by Gianni Onori and book by Ava Eldred and Gianni Onori, which recently celebrated it's world premiere in concert in the west end's Duchess theatre to commemorate Remembrance Sunday. Also Featuring: Paul Spicer (Producer and Actor Fame, Avenue Q), Ambra Caserotti (Rent), Ben Cousin (Streets, Hackney Empire), Matt Wills (Singer/Song Writer). With Musical Direction by Susanna Squires (Another Way).

Following a four-year absence from the festive theatrical calendar, the West End's popular seasonal concert offering Christmas in New York will return by popular demand for one night only at the Palace Theatre in London on Monday 9th December - and will play its first ever regional date at the Palace Theatre in Manchester on Saturday 7th December 2013.

Gary Naylor sees three slices of contemporary London life.

The full, star-studded line-up for the official Gala Launch of Parallel Productions and West End Switched Off has now been revealed! Jordan Lee Davies, Jeremy Legat, Sabrina Aloueche and Ambra Caserotti will lead the cast.

The full, star-studded line-up for the official Gala Launch of Parallel Productions and West End Switched Off has now been revealed! Jordan Lee Davies, Jeremy Legat, Sabrina Aloueche and Ambra Caserotti will lead the cast.

Parallel Productions present their official Gala Launch. A fusion of cabaret and concert, musical theatre and acoustic arrangements, the night will host a cast of established musical theatre performers, alongside some new talent, singing stripped back acoustic versions of musical theatre songs. The Launch will be held at the Battersea Barge, at 8pm on Wednesday 4th September.

Another Way, a new musical about being on the cusp of greatness, featuring the songs of up-and-coming singer/songwriter Benedict, rearranged specially for the production, will get its world premiere at The Cockpit theatre from Wednesday 11 September - Saturday 5 October.

STREETS is a brand new kind of musical with a live soundtrack, featuring an original score by young Scottish composer Finn Anderson, with music produced by Bless Beats, and Directed by Adam 'Bo' Boland. The music is performed live by musicians, singers, and beat boxer, Pikey Esquire.