Darius Campbell News

Full casting is announced today for the tour of Funny Girl which enjoyed critically acclaimed and record-breaking sold-out runs at the Menier Chocolate Factory and Savoy Theatre.

The new London Cast Recording of FUNNY GIRL is now available.

Sheridan Smith brings her unique vocals and phenomenal performance as Fanny Brice to the London cast recording of the critically-acclaimed West End production of Funny Girl, to be released on Decca Records on 5th August.

As BroadwayWorld previously reported, Sheridan Smith has taken a leave of absence from Funny Girl at the Savoy Theatre due to 'stress and exhaustion.' Today, producers have confirmed that the actress will return to the West End production tonight in the role of Fanny Brice. Natasha J. Barnes has subbed for Smith since the end of May.

As BroadwayWorld previously reported, Sheridan Smith has taken a leave of absence from Funny Girl at the Savoy Theatre due to 'stress and exhaustion.'

Still gushing over Lin-Manuel Miranda and Hamilton winning a Pulitzer Prize? Didn't have time to check in on your favorite Broadway stars? Well don't worry BroadwayWorld has rounded up some of the biggest stories from this week from Broadway and beyond with BroadwayWorld's 'This Week in Pictures.'

Theatre in the West End. The transfer follows a sold-out run at the Menier Chocolate Factory, and the show is booking until October 8. Smith takes on Barbra Streisand's iconic role of Fanny Brice, the Brooklyn singer and comedienne who became a Broadway sensation under producer Florenz Ziegfeld. The cast also features Darius Campbell as Nicky Arnstein, Marilyn Cutts as Mrs Brice,Maurice Lane as Mr Keeney, Valda Aviks as Mrs Meeker, Gay Soper as Mrs Strakosh, Natasha J Barnes as Emma/Mrs Nadler, Bruce Montague as Florenz Ziegfeld, and Joel Montague as Eddie Ryan.

Last night, the Sheridan Smith-starring revival of FUNNY GIRL opened at the Savoy Theatre in the West End. The transfer follows a sold-out run at the Menier Chocolate Factory, and the show is booking until October 8. Smith takes on Barbra Streisand's iconic role of Fanny Brice, the Brooklyn singer and comedienne who became a Broadway sensation under producer Florenz Ziegfeld. The cast also features Darius Campbell as Nicky Arnstein, Marilyn Cutts as Mrs Brice, Maurice Lane as Mr Keeney, Valda Aviks as Mrs Meeker, Gay Soper as Mrs Strakosh, Natasha J Barnes as Emma/Mrs Nadler, Bruce Montague as Florenz Ziegfeld, and Joel Montague as Eddie Ryan.

With previews in full swing at the Savoy Theatre, director Michael Mayer continues to polish the new revival of FUNNY GIRL, starring Sheridan Smith, which premiered at Menier Chocolate Factory.

Following a sold-out Menier Chocolate Factory run, Sheridan Smith leads Michael Mayer's production of FUNNY GIRL into the West End. The Broadway classic is now playing at the Savoy Theatre, booking until October 8. As well as Smith's Fanny Brice, it features Darius Campbell as Nicky Arnstein, Marilyn Cutts as Mrs Brice, Maurice Lane as Mr Keeney, Valda Aviks as Mrs Meeker, Gay Soper as Mrs Strakosh, Natasha J Barnes as Emma/Mrs Nadler, Bruce Montague as Florenz Ziegfeld, and Joel Montague as Eddie Ryan.

The West End transfer of Funny Girl, receives its first preview tomorrow night, 9 April 2016 - with opening night on 20 April, at the Savoy Theatre. Michael Mayer directs Sheridan Smith as Fanny Brice, Darius Campbell as Nicky Arnstein, Marilyn Cutts as Mrs Brice, Maurice Lane as Mr Keeney, Valda Aviks as Mrs Meeker, Gay Soper as Mrs Strakosh, Natasha J Barnes as Emma/Mrs Nadler, Bruce Montague as Florenz Ziegfeld, and Joel Montague as Eddie Ryan.                

London is never short of theatre temptations, whether splashy West End shows, epic dramas or bold fringe offerings. From Kit Harington's Faustus and Glenn Close's Norma Desmond to Annie Baker's Pulitzer Prize-winner and a heist farce, here are some of this month's most eye-catching openings. Don't forget to check back for BroadwayWorld's reviews…

It's a hard life being an understudy. It's even harder when you're the understudy to a much-loved Olivier-winning star whose name is selling the whole show. That's the situation for Natasha J Barnes, Sheridan Smith's understudy as Fanny Brice in Funny Girl.

FUNNY GIRL returns to the London stage for the first time since its 1966 premiere in a sold-out run, led by Olivier and BAFTA award-winning actress Sheridan Smith as 'Fanny Brice'. The multi award-winning Michael Mayer directs the production, opening tonight, 2 December, at Menier Chocolate Factory before a West End transfer. Let's see what the critics had to say...

Earlier today, BroadwayWorld reported that West End-bound FUNNY GIRL star Sheridan Smith would love to bring the musical to Broadway. Now the Daily Mail reveals rumors that director Michael Mayer and Smith could take the show to the Great White Way in 2017. The site's Baz Bamigboye writes that for now it's 'Purely rumour, at the moment, but a lot of people would like to see it happen.'

Fanny's back. Michael Mayer's Funny Girl just began its pre-West End run at Menier Chocolate Factory and star Sheridan Smith already has her sights on the show's life beyond London. When asked if she's like to bring the show to Broadway, she told the BBC: 'I'd be daft if I said no. I would love to, that's my dream. But would they take a Lincolnshire girl to do a New York-Brooklyn girl?

FUNNY GIRL returns to the London stage for the first time since its 1966 premiere. The sold-out run, led by Olivier and BAFTA award-winning actress Sheridan Smith as 'Fanny Brice', will play through March 5, 2016 before transferring to the Savoy Theatre in the West End from 9 April. The multi award-winning Michael Mayer directs both productions; the first opens tonight 2 December 2015.

FUNNY GIRL returns to the London stage for the first time since its 1966 premiere tonight, November 20, 2016. The sold-out run, led by Olivier and BAFTA award-winning actress Sheridan Smith as 'Fanny Brice', will play through March 5, 2016 before transferring to the Savoy Theatre in the West End from 9 April.

Due to unprecedented demand, the Menier Chocolate Factory Production of Funny Girl transfers to the Savoy Theatre in London's West End, following the sold out run at the Menier Chocolate Factory which begins later this month. Michael Mayer's production, starring Olivier and BAFTA award-winning actress Sheridan Smith as Fanny Brice and with the cast from the Menier Chocolate Factory, will begin performances at the Savoy Theatre on 9 April 2016 for a strictly limited 12-week run until 2 July 2016. Check out first photos from the production below!

Wondering how the classic has been updated now that it's back in London? Harvey Fierstein, who reworked the book for FUNNY GIRL's UK return, said he immediately cut 40 pages from the script. 'There was a diamond in there and it needed to be cut out,' he told the Mail. 'It's not that I've cut it to make it shorter -- I've edited it to make it stronger.' Fierstein added that he 'reshaped the show so it's all seen through Brice's eyes.'