London is never short of temptations, whether splashy West End shows, epic dramas or bold fringe offerings. From gender-flipped Sondheim to David Hare and Martin McDonagh, here are some of this month's most eye-catching openings. Don't forget to check back for BroadwayWorld reviews, interviews and features!
Matthew Warchus' fourth season as Artistic Director of The Old Vic completes with an Arthur Miller double-bill, a World Premiere by Lucy Prebble and a special One Voice performance. These productions form Part 2 of the season, and follow the previously announced Part 1 consisting of ZooNation: The Kate Prince Company's production of SYLVIA; Annie-B Parson's 17c; Emma Rice's Wise Children; and A Christmas Carol - for which today we also announce further casting.
It was today announced that Lara Pulver, Stephen Mangan, Sharon D. Clarke and Paul Nicholas will join the cast of Guys and Dolls at the Royal Albert Hall. Pulver who recently won an Olivier Award for her performance in Gypsy, and is known for her roles in Sherlock and Spooks, will play Sarah Brown. Stephen Mangan, who was in the West End earlier this year in an anniversary production of Harold Pinter's The Birthday Party, joins the cast as the narrator. Clarke, most recently on stage in acclaimed Caroline, or Change, will take the role of General Cartwright and Nicholas will be Arvide Abernathy. They join previously announced cast including Adrian Lester, Jason Manford, Meow Meow, Clive Rowe and Joe Stilgoe. Guys and Dolls will come to the iconic London venue for three performances between 19 - 20 October, directed and choreographed by Stephen Mear (Gypsy, Hello Dolly!, Mary Poppins) and featuring the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra. This will be the first time it has ever been presented in its entirety at the venue.
Novelist Angela Carter's Wise Children is being brought to the Storyhouse stage next spring in a new theatrical production by 'visionary' director Emma Rice.
The Old Vic today announces the cast of Wise Children, which will have its world premiere at The Old Vic on 17 October, with previews from 8 October, ahead of its UK tour. The cast includes Sam Archer, Ankur Bahl, Stu Barker, Omari Douglas, Mirabelle Gremaud, Alex Heane, Paul Hunter, Melissa James, Bettrys Jones, Patrycja Kujawska, Etta Murfitt, Katy Owen, Ian Ross, Gareth Snook and Mike Shepherd.
On the first day of rehearsals for Emma Rice's inaugural production from her Bristol-based company Wise Children, the company announced tour dates to Bristol Old Vic, running from 23 Jan - 9 Feb 2019, with tickets going on sale today. Tickets will go on sale to priority bookers at noon today, with general on sale from 10am, Wednesday 29 Aug.
The Carol Tambor Theatrical Foundation announces the winner of this year's The Carol Tambor Best of Edinburgh Award, the highest honor at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
On July 28, 2018 NapaShakes will invite audiences to "Rock the Ground" when it presents the world-premiere cinema screening of Emma Rice's crowd-pleasing production from London's Shakespeare's Globe Theatre of A Midsummer Night's Dream. The screening will be followed by a Bollywood Disco Celebration to benefit NapaShakes.
Crowded Outlet announces its next production, beep boop, a multimedia clown show created by physical comedian Richard Saudek (Balls at 59E59), TV and film composer Jesse Novak ("BoJack Horseman," "The Mindy Project") and director Wes Grantom (Lone Star Spirits, Eager to Lose). beep boop will play a limited engagement at HERE (145 6th Ave, New York, NY 10013; enter on Dominick, 1 Block South of Spring), performing Thursday September 6th through Sunday, September 30th. The Opening is Saturday, September 8th.
Coventry's Belgrade Theatre is set to co-produce the latest venture from acclaimed theatre-maker and innovator Emma Rice next year, with the hotly anticipated Wise Children touring to the Theatre in Spring 2019.
On July 28, 2018 NapaShakes will invite audiences to "Rock the Ground" when it presents the world-premiere cinema screening of Emma Rice's crowd-pleasing production from London's Shakespeare's Globe Theatre of A Midsummer Night's Dream. The screening will be followed by a Bollywood Disco Celebration to benefit NapaShakes.
In Brixton, Nora and Dora Chance - twin chorus girls born and bred south of the river - are celebrating their 70th birthday. Over the river in Chelsea, their father and greatest actor of his generation Melchior Hazard turns 100 on the same day. As does his twin brother Peregrine. If, in fact, he's still alive. And if, in truth, Melchior is their real father after all...
On July 28, 2018 NapaShakes will invite audiences to 'Rock the Ground' when it presents the world-premiere cinema screening of Emma Rice's crowd-pleasing production from London's Shakespeare's Globe Theatre of A Midsummer Night's Dream. The screening will be followed by a Bollywood Disco Celebration to benefit NapaShakes.
Internationally celebrated cabaret sensation Le Gateau Chocolat makes a dazzling return to the Fringe this year with a show that seamlessly weaves from Whitney to Pavarotti, investigating his own objects of worship through the songs and music of his personal icons. Walking the tightrope between his public and private personas, Le Gateau Chocolat explores relationships with our icons from Kate Bush to Bjork, from Madonna to Meatloaf - the people, the moments, the books, the relationships that have come to shape us, or the ideal we aspire to.
Internationally renowned cabaret star Le Gateau Chocolat returns with a celebration of what makes us different in his reimagining of childhood favourite Hans Christian Anderson's The Ugly Duckling. Family-friendly glamour and glitz takes centre stage as Le Gateau Chocolat breaks out of his shell in his first work for children as he puts his own twist on the classic tale of identity and belonging.
St. Ann's Warehouse will present the U.S. Premiere of The Jungle, the immensely acclaimed Good Chance Theatre co-production with the National Theatre and Young Vic. Currently opening a five-month run at London's Playhouse Theatre on the West End, The Jungle comes to St. Ann's beginning December 4, 2018.
With THE STRANGE UNDOING OF PRUDENCIA HART and BORDERS, Spoleto Festival USA took advantage of the funky and guerilla potentials of the Woolfe Street Playhouse, but the best theatre this year was THE FLYING LOVERS OF VITEBSK, which brought a little cabaret ambiance to storied Dock Street Theatre.
The Old Vic is presenting two world premieres, a UK premiere and the return of a much loved, joyful Christmas hit production for Part 1 of Matthew Warchus' fourth season.
Kneehigh's production of Noel Coward's BRIEF ENCOUNTER, adapted and directed by Emma Rice, has been extended due to overwhelming public demand and will now run at the Empire Cinema Haymarket in London's West End until 9 September 2018, ahead of a World tour in 2019. Tickets are on sale today, Thursday 10 May.