Bill Kenwright News

The Wizard of Oz promises to be the biggest theatre event of the West End year, combining all the much-loved songs from the Oscar-winning movie score with new songs by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, marking the first time they have worked together in over 30 years on a new production. Last night, Dorothy, Danielle Hope performed 'Over the Rainbow' at the Royal Variety Performance in London at the Palladium. Michael Crawford, who will play The Wizard, introduced the segment.

Richard O'Brien's outrageous classic The Rocky Horror Show finished an extensive national tour in Aylesbury with the Olivier Award winner David Bedella starring as the celebrated Frank 'n' Furter.

After last week's revelations, we return to the London Palladium to see how Production Manager Matt Towell and his team are getting on with the process of transforming the world-famous Theatre into the land of Oz…

EDWARD BAKER-DULY (Tin Man), DAVID GANLY (Lion), PAUL KEATING (Scarecrow), EMILY TIERNEY (Glinda) and HANNAH WADDINGHAM (Wicked Witch of the West) are to join Michael Crawford and Danielle Hope in Andrew Lloyd Webber's new production of THE WIZARD OF OZ, opening at The London Palladium in February 2011.

It's all change at the London Palladium! After yesterday's introductory video blog, in our latest update Matt Towell - The Wizard of Oz Production Manager - takes us on a (slightly noisy) tour of the London Palladium stage as his team begin the process of creating the wonderful world of Oz onstage at the world-famous theatre…

Howard Panter for The Ambassador Theatre Group and Bill Kenwright present Monty Python's Spamalot- A new musical lovingly ripped off from Monty Python and the Holy Grail By Eric Idle and John Du Prez

In our latest Wizard of Oz video blog we catch up with Production Manager Matt Towell as he talks us through the early stages of the show's production process. From flying effects to health and safety; working in a listed building to taking part in the 'sitzprobe'… the hard work has barely begun at the London Palladium!

Time for another video update from our Dorothy, Danielle Hope! Danielle tells us what she's been up to during her training at Arts Educational School in London, gives us her thoughts on the upcoming Wizard of Oz rehearsals, spills the beans on the Royal Variety Performance, and introduces her new website - which you can check out at www.daniellehope.co.uk.

Set to star in Andrew Lloyd Webber's new production of THE WIZARD OF OZ are Michael Crawford as The Wizard and Danielle Hope, the winner of the BBC's smash hit Over The Rainbow, when the show opens at the London Palladium next year. Variety has the first scoop from Jeremy Sams, who is directing and who has re-written the book. Sams tells the publication that:...

Following the tragic loss of much-loved Scottish actor Gerard Kelly, it has been confirmed that Andy Gray, a close friend of Gerard, will play the role of the narrator in Richard O'Brien's The Rocky Horror Show at the Kings Theatre in Glasgow from 8 November 2010.

Keith Jack, the hugely popular runner-up who finished just a hair's breadth behind winner Lee Mead in hit BBC series ‘Any Dream Will Do', takes on the title role, having won the hearts of the nation with his sparkling charisma and sensational singing voice.

BroadwayWorld.com is very excited to share with you the third entry in the new THE WIZARD OF OZ Blog that we'll be running on the site, following the show's path down the yellow brick road -- to the stage! In the final part of our video interview with Wizard of Oz Casting Director David Grindrod, he discusses the responsibilities of casting large-scale West End shows - and gives us a mysterious hint about those munchkins...

Keith Jack, the hugely popular runner-up who finished just a hair's breadth behind winner Lee Mead in hit BBC series ‘Any Dream Will Do', takes on the title role, having won the hearts of the nation with his sparkling charisma and sensational singing voice.

Following the tragic loss of much-loved Scottish actor Gerard Kelly, it has been confirmed that Andy Gray, a close friend of Gerard, will play the role of the narrator in Richard O'Brien's The Rocky Horror Show at the Kings Theatre in Glasgow from 8 November 2010.

In the second part of our video interview with West End Casting Director David Grindrod he gives us a further insight into his work on The Wizard of Oz and Over The Rainbow, the BBC TV search to find a Dorothy for the show - including his thoughts on some of the girls. Watch out for more from David, as he gives us some insights into other aspects of casting a West End show such as The Wizard of Oz.

According to a report by Baz Bamigboye for Uk Daily Mail, LOVE NEVER DIES lyricist Charles Hart has made some changes to the lyrics in the show, that will be implemented during their previously reported four-day break in November.

Gary Naylor sees two old crowdpleasers please and old, and young, crowd.

BroadwayWorld.com is very excited to share with you the first entry in the new THE WIZARD OF OZ Blog that we'll be running on the site, following the show's path down the yellow brick road -- to the stage!

Following the successes of Love Exposed in both London (Pizza on the Park) and New York (Don't Tell Mama), Harold Sanditen returns with Thoughts ‘Round Midnight, a brand new show of songs, exploring the those innermost thoughts we all can fall into late at night - loneliness, gratitude, jealousy, joy, love, fantasies, lost opportunities, and even revenge.

Following the successes of Love Exposed in both London (Pizza on the Park) and New York (Don't Tell Mama), Harold Sanditen returns with Thoughts ‘Round Midnight, a brand new show of songs, exploring the those innermost thoughts we all can fall into late at night - loneliness, gratitude, jealousy, joy, love, fantasies, lost opportunities, and even revenge.