Benji Sperring News

The From Page to Stage season of new musical theatre has announced the casting for its three semi-staged readings: Whatsonstage Award nominee Beverley Klein (Platonov, Ivanov, National Theatre; Candide; ENO), Ian Reddington (EastEnders; Coronation Street), Gerard McCarthy (Beautiful Thing; Hollyoaks), Jodie Jacobs (Rock of Ages, Shafetsbury Theatre; Legally Blonde, Kilworth House) and Union J's Jaymi Hensley are all taking part in the season at Tristan Bates Theatre this autumn.

Hannah Grover, Gloria Onitiri, Marc Pickering, Michael Steedon and Sebastien Torkia star in THE STRIPPER, which opened last night at the St. James Studio and plays until 13 August. Based on the pulp fiction story by Carter Brown, with music and lyrics by The Rocky Horror Show creators Richard Hartley and Richard O'Brien, The Stripper is directed by Benji Sperring with set and costume design byTim Shortall, choreography by Lucie Pankhurst, musical direction and arrangement by Alex Beetschen and lighting design by Nick Farman. 

London is never short of theatre temptations, whether splashy West End shows, epic dramas or bold fringe offerings. From a magical mega-hit and musical revivals to plays with strong political resonance, here are some of this month's most eye-catching openings. Don't forget to check back for BroadwayWorld's reviews…

The Stripper will run at St. James Studio from 7 July to 13 August 2016, with press night on 11 July at 8pm. Based on the pulp fiction story by Carter Brown, with music and lyrics by The Rocky Horror Show creators Richard Hartley and Richard O'Brien, The Stripper will be directed by Benji Sperring (The Toxic Avenger) with set and costume design by Tim Shortall, choreography by Lucie Pankhurst, musical direction and arrangement by Alex Beetschen and lighting design by Nick Farman. The Stripper is produced by Niall Bailey and Chris Wheeler for Scala Theatre Ltd.

Hannah Grover (Annabelle/ Sherry Mendez/ Sarah Arkwright), Gloria Onitiri (Deadpan Dolores/ Patty Keller), Marc Pickering (Doc Murphy/ Miles Rovak/ Harvey Stern), Michael Steedon (Sheriff Lavers / Jacob Arkwright/ Steve Loomas) and Sebastien Torkia (Al Wheeler) start rehearsals today, 13 June, for The Stripper, playing at the St. James Studio from 7 July to 13 August 2016, with press night on 11 July at 8pm. Full cast biographies can be found below.

Tickets for all shows will go on sale to St. James Theatre members and friends on Monday 09 May at 10am and on general sale on Tuesday 10 May at 10am.

Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment in association with the King's Head Theatre, Guy James and Szpiezak Productions presents the European premiere of THE TOXIC AVENGER, directed by Benji Sperring with musical director Alex Beetschen. Performances run now through Saturday 21 May 2016. Click below for a new trailer featuring highlights from the show!

Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment in association with the King's Head Theatre, Guy James and Szpiezak Productions presents the European premiere of THE TOXIC AVENGER, directed by Benji Sperring with musical director Alex Beetschen. Press night was last night 26 April at 7.30pm, and performances run through Saturday 21 May 2016. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment in association with the King's Head Theatre, Guy James and Szpiezak Productions presents the European premiere of THE TOXIC AVENGER. Press night: Tuesday 26 April at 7.30pm. Run: Friday 22 April - Saturday 21 May 2016.

The citizens of Tromaville are crying out for a hero - enter Melvin Ferd the Third, an aspiring earth scientist determined to clean up the toxic waste problem. But when a corrupt Mayor and her government goons try to stop this heroic feat, Melvin is tossed into a vat of toxic waste and transformed into The Toxic Avenger, New Jersey's first superhero! 

Avenue Q star Julie Atherton is to play Janet in the highly anticipated Rocky Horror sequel, a role previously played by Jessica Harper in the film and made famous by Susan Sarandon in The Rocky Horror Picture Show. As well as her roles as Kate Monster and Lucy the Slut in the original London cast of Avenue Q, Atherton also starred as Sister Mary Robert in the first UK tour of Sister Act: The Musical and recently won critical acclaim in the title role inTherese Raquin at the Finborough Theatre and the Park Theatre. Her third album, Rush of Life, was released at the end of 2014.

King's Head Theatre Artistic Director Adam Spreadbury-Maher announces the theatre's work for the first 6 months of 2015, including a new play directed by Mike Bradwell, and the 21st anniversary production of Irvine Welsh's Trainspotting, with a 9-actor Edinburgh cast, plus, the long awaited stage premiere of Richard O'Brien's Shock Treatment, the equal/sequel to his cult hit The Rocky Horror Show.

After a sell-out show in January 2014 by Tarquin Productions, the WestEnders are delighted to invite you to the launch of the original cast recording of Valley of Song today, 1 July at 3.00pm at the Finborough Theatre.

After a sell-out show in January 2014 by Tarquin Productions, the WestEnders are delighted to invite you to the launch of the original cast recording of Valley of Song on Tuesday, 1 July at 3.00pm at the Finborough Theatre.

Commissioned by the Finborough Theatre from Cerberus Theatre, the UK premiere and the English world premiere of controversial German playwright Rolf Hochhuth's Sommer 14 - A Dance of Death in a brand new translation opens at the Finborough Theatre for a four week limited season on Tuesday, 5 August 2014 (Press Night: Thursday, 7 August at 7.30pm).

The Finborough Theatre's acclaimed Celebrating British Music Theatre series returns with Ivor Novello's very last musical, Valley of Song, playing a a two week run from Sunday, 12 January 2014. (Press Night: Tuesday, 14 January 2014 at 7.30pm).

The Finborough Theatre's acclaimed Celebrating British Music Theatre series returns with Ivor Novello's very last musical, Valley of Song, playing a week of Sunday and Monday evening and Tuesday matinee performances from Sunday, 5 January 2014 (Press Night: Monday, 6 January 2014 at 7.30pm), followed by a two week run from Sunday, 12 January 2014.

Our Winter Season includes all the strands of our multi-award-winning artistic policy with a rediscovery (R. C. Sherriff's The White Carnation, unseen in over 60 years); musical theatre (with the world premiere of a new British musical, Lost Boy, and the professional world premiere of Ivor Novello's very last musical, Valley of Song); and new writing with the debut of three new playwrights (Operation Crucible, Carthage, The Domino Heart). We also introduce a new series - TheGreatWar100 - which will present works commemorating the centenary of the First World War over the next five years.

Our Winter Season includes all the strands of our multi-award-winning artistic policy with a rediscovery (R. C. Sherriff's The White Carnation, unseen in over 60 years); musical theatre (with the world premiere of a new British musical, Lost Boy, and the professional world premiere of Ivor Novello's very last musical, Valley of Song); and new writing with the debut of three new playwrights (Operation Crucible, Carthage, The Domino Heart). We also introduce a new series - TheGreatWar100 - which will present works commemorating the centenary of the First World War over the next five years.