Bush Theatre News

L. Frank Baum's beloved classic story of Dorothy and her friends in the land of Oz gets a reboot-literally-in a video game setting. OZ 2.5, a world premiere by Catherine Trieschmann, wraps up the Theatre for Young Audiences season at South Coast Repertory, today, May 22-June 7, on the Julianne Argyros stage. The production is directed by Shelley Butler.

Howard Davies will direct Steve Waters' new play TEMPLE, a fictionalised account of the events that took place during the 2011 Occupy demonstration outside St Paul's Cathedral. Simon Russell Beale will return to the Donmar stage to play the Dean having previously starred in The Philanthropist, Twelfth Night and Uncle Vanya (for which he won the 2003 Olivier Award for Best Actor). The show starts tonight, May 21, with an official opening slated for May 27. TEMPLE runs through July 25, 2015.

With Roundabout at Brighton Festival, James Graham's The Angry Brigade at the Bush Theatre, and Every Brilliant Thing on national tour, Artistic Directors of Paines Plough James Grieve and George Perrin today announce the company's Programme 2015 which sees 11 productions touring to 74 places.

Artistic Director of the Gate Theatre, Christopher Haydon, today announces the cast for his production of the world premiere of Elinor Cook's Image of an Unknown Young Woman - Oliver Birch (Chorus), Susan Brown (Candace), Wendy Kweh (Nia), Emilie Patry (Chorus), Isaac Ssenbandeke(Chorus), Anjana Vasan (Leyla), Eileen Walsh (Yasmin) and Ashley Zhangazha (Ali). The production opens on 8 June, with previews from 4 June, and runs until 27 June.

On 18 July 2015, The Bush Theatre will join forces with the Almeida Theatre, the Albany, and the Roundhouse for four synchronised Midnight Run events supported by UNESCO.

Having just finished a recorded-breaking run on Broadway, Scott Ellis' acclaimed production of The Elephant Man will transfer to London with the US cast starring Bradley Cooper, Patricia Clarkson and Alessandro Nivola this spring. The production is now confirmed to play a strictly limited season at the Theatre Royal Haymarket from tonight, May 19th until August 8th.

In the wake of the Charlie Hebdo massacre in Paris, the political controversy surrounding the release of The Interview, and continued suppression of plays, books, and art in American schools, libraries and museums, the battle for freedom of speech and expression is more essential than ever. Planet Connections Theatre Festivity will present an evening of world premiere plays by Erik Ehn, Halley Feiffer, Israel Horovitz and Neil LaBute addressing censorship in the arts in Playwrights for a Cause, to be held at 7:30pm on June 14, 2015 at the Sheen Center, located at 18 Bleecker Street.

Snapdragon Productions and Theatre Bench today announce the cast of Teddy will appear at Westfield London's West End Day on Sunday 17 May to exclusively perform three songs from the show 'Ready Teddy', 'Blue Without You' and 'Heartache Express'. They join the previously announced casts of Thriller Live, Let it Be and Beyond Bollywood and will perform twice at 1pm and 4pm in the Westfield Atrium.

Our New Girl by Nancy Harris, currently playing Profiles Theatre directed by Joe Jahraus, is a startling psychological drama about the darker side of modern parenthood. The show opens tonight, May 14, 2015, and BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

This summer, The Jetty - London's most exciting new riverside arts venue - is transformed into the Heartbreak Hotel, an intricately designed purpose built structure where the audience check-in to an immersive and unique theatre event.

Director Walter Meierjohann has announced the cast of the world premiere of The Funfair, the first HOME production in its brand new home at First Street in Manchester. An adaptation by Olivier Award-winning playwright Simon Stephens of Ödon von Horvath's classic 1932 play Kasimir and Karoline, the production features a cast of 13 actors and actor-musicians.

The world premiere of South African playwright Jessica Sian's Klippies comes to Southwark Playhouse in May, presented by Rive Productions and directed by Chelsea Walker with designs by Holly Pigott. The production runs tonight 13 May - Saturday 6 June 2015. Press night: Monday, 18 May 2015 at 8pm.

Alex Turner Productions today announces the full cast for the UK premiere of Tennessee Williams' One Arm adapted for the stage by Moises Kaufman. Josh Seymour directs Joe Jameson (The Divinity Student), Georgia Kerr (The Girl in the French Quarter), Peter Hannah (The Guard), James Tucker (Lester) and Tom Varey (Ollie Olsen). The company members play multiple roles around the central character of Ollie Olsen - characters weaving through the complex tapestry of his life. The production opens at Southwark Playhouse on 12 June, with previews from 10 June, and runs until 4 July.

Adam Karim (Sajit Khan), Assad Zaman (Saleem Khan), Dharmesh Patel (Abdul Khan), Salma Hoque (Meenah Khan) and Simon Nagra (George Khan) join the previously announced comedy award-winning actress Pauline McLynn (Ella Khan) and original West End cast members, Ashley Kumar (Tariq Khan) and Darren Kuppan (Maneer Khan) to complete the casting of the Khan family in the national tour of Ayub Khan Din's critically-acclaimed play East is East. The Khans are joined by Kammy Darweish (Mr Shah), Sakuntala Ramanee (Mrs Shah) and Sally Bankes (Auntie Annie). 

With Tamara Harvey's production of Pride &Prejudice to open shortly in the Crucible, Artistic Director Daniel Evans today announces the cast for his production of Lucy Prebble's The Effect - Stuart Bunce (Toby), Priyanga Burford (Dr James), Ophelia Lovibond (Connie), Henry Pettigrew (Tristan). The production opens on 30 June, with previews from 25 June, and runs until 18 July.

The world premiere production of THE INVISIBLE by Rebecca Lenkiewicz will be directed by Michael Oakley (The Life and Times of Fanny Hill, Bristol Old Vic; Variation on a Theme, Finborough). The production previews from 3 July (press night 8 July).

Berkeley Repertory Theatre will conclude its 48th season with Richard Bean's internationally acclaimed One Man, Two Guvnors, a sassy update of Carlo Goldoni's classic knee-slapper, The Servant of Two Masters. Set in 1963 Brighton, England, One Man, Two Guvnors is a brilliantly delicious mash-up of splendid comedy, British pantomime, and music-hall revues. The uproarious plot features a disarming and doltish Francis Henshall who finds himself trapped by farce into working for two bosses - who are connected in wildly improbable ways. He just has to keep them from discovering each other. Inspired insanity, high-low antics, and nimble wordplay ensue - all backed by live musicians paying homage to rockabilly and a certain Fab Four. Directed by David Ivers - artistic director of the Utah Shakespeare Festival - and with songs by Grant Olding, One Man, Two Guvnors is a riotous blast complete with a colorful cast of characters in a topsy-turvy world of love triangles and mistaken identities. It previews today May 8, 2015, opens today, May 15, 2015, and plays through Sunday June 21, 2015. Press night for One Man, Two Guvnors will be held today, May 15, 2015. Individual tickets start at $29 and can be purchased by phone at (510) 647-2949 or online at berkeleyrep.org.

The world premiere production of THE INVISIBLE by Rebecca Lenkiewicz will be directed by Michael Oakley (The Life and Times of Fanny Hill, Bristol Old Vic; Variation on a Theme, Finborough). The production previews from 3 July (press night 8 July).

L. Frank Baum's beloved classic story of Dorothy and her friends in the land of Oz gets a reboot-literally-in a video game setting. OZ 2.5, a world premiere by Catherine Trieschmann, wraps up the Theatre for Young Audiences season at South Coast Repertory, May 22-June 7, on the Julianne Argyros stage. The production is directed by Shelley Butler. Tickets are on sale now: www.scr.org.

Winner of an Edinburgh Fringe First 2014 and The Stage Awards for Acting Excellence, Sabrina Mahfouz's highly acclaimed Chef starring Jade Anouka now comes to London's Soho Theatre - Upstairs, 15th June - 4th July 2015.