Frances News

New casting announced for the new National Theatre season. Full cast has been announced for Brian Friel's Translations including Colin Morgan and Ciaran Hinds, part of the Travelex season with thousands of tickets available at £15. Eric Kofi Abrefa and Thalissa Teixeira join Vanessa Kirby in the cast of Julie, part of the Travelex season with thousands of tickets available at £15. Sam Mendes directs The Lehman Trilogy, a co-production with Neal Street Productions, cast includes Adam Godley, Ben Miles and Simon Russell Beale. Full casting is announced for the award winning An Octoroon by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, transferring to the National Theatre in a co-production with the Orange Tree Theatre. The NT will tour to 30 venues in 27 towns and cities across the UK and Ireland, for a total of 83 playing weeks over the next year. Rufus Norris' Macbeth to tour to 18 venues across the UK and Ireland from autumn 2018. War Horse returns to the National Theatre marking the centenary of Armistice Day.

The annual festival of fearless storytelling returns to the Roundhouse for two weeks and a half week of bold performances from established and emerging spoken word artists. Internationally renowned American artist Saul Williams is a pioneer of slam poetry, and has worked with everyone from KRS_One to Allen Ginsberg, not to mention The Fugees, De La Soul and Nine Inch Nails. Drawn from his sixth album MartyrLoserKing, he headlines the festival with a story of a Burundi hacker who becomes an internet sensation when he hacks NASA. Written and recorded between Senegal, Reunion Island, Paris, Haiti, and New Orleans and New York, MartyrLoserKing is a multimedia project that engages the digital dialogue between the developed and developing worlds.

Portland Center Stage at The Armory's 2018-2019 season will feature 11 productions along with a special 10th anniversary return engagement of Storm Large in Crazy Enough, a show that had its world premiere at The Armory in 2009 and became one of the company's biggest hits.

Due to demand, The New Group has announced a one-week extension for the New York premiere production of David Rabe's Good for Otto. Previews begin tonight, February 20, in advance of an Official Opening Night on Thursday, March 8. Originally set to play a limited Off-Broadway engagement through April 1, this production now plays through Sunday, April 8 at The Pershing Square Signature Center (The Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre, 480 West 42nd Street).

Regent's Park Open Air Theatre have today announced their full programme of MOREoutdoor events to complete their 2018 season. Joining the already announced (and sold-out) Joe Lycett, the one-off comedy and film events all take place on Sunday evenings.

Philadelphia's Hop Along will release their third studio album Bark Your Head Off, Dog on April 6 on Saddle Creek. Along with CD, cassette, and black vinyl, there is also a tri-color striped vinyl that is limited to 750 copies and sold exclusively on the Saddle Creek Store. On album opener and lead single “How Simple,” Quinlan wrangles with what it's like to learn about yourself—which can get ugly. The theme carries through to new album track, “Not Abel,” where Quinlan turns the focus outward and sings about the ways other people can be disappointing, relative strangers and biblical figures. “Karl Ove Knausgaard wrote a great book called, 'A Time for Everything.' I'd say it inspired a lot of little moments, in this song especially,” shares Quinlan. “At one point he writes about Cain and Abel, but approaches it with a far more intimate, even mundane lens, completely unlike the Bible, which is pretty bare of any personal description. As you spend a few days with them, Cain becomes increasingly sympathetic.  It's a funny thing trying to examine beliefs. Sympathy and understanding complicate everything too much I suppose.”

Representing South Florida's only beer festival celebrating women, the 2nd annual FemAle Brew Fest has added an incredible list of participants. Presented by the Fem Collective, FemAle Brew Fest will offer attendees unlimited samples of beer and ciders all while listening to the sounds of some amazing female musicians. 'This festival has really taken a life of its own with wonderful relationships being developed among the many female brewers throughout the country and some incredible collaborations - some of which can be tried at the FemAle Brew Fest 2018,' said Frances Antonio-Martineau, Festival organizer and CEO of Fem Collective. 'We're excited to try some of these never before sampled beer at the festival.' Breweries: Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing // Accomplice Brewery & Ciderworks // 7venth Sun Brewery // Swamp Head Brewery // Left Hand Brewing Co // Barrel of Monks Brewing // Black Star Line Brewing Co // Dangerous Minds Brewing Co // Ballast Point Brewing // Big Storm Brewing Co // Broken Cauldon Brewing // Due South Brewing Co // Islamorada Beer Company // Bousa Brewing // MIA Beer Co // Tarpon River Brewing // Concrete Beach Brewery // Lagunitas Brewing Company // Proof Brewing Co // Fat Point Brewing // Orange County Brewers // Ellipsis Brewing // Red Cypress Brewing. Friends of FemAle Brew Fest Funky Buddha Brewery // Lauderale Brewery /// Invasive Species Brewing // Prosperity Brewing // Nightlife Brewing Music: Dj. LaTrice Perry // Drawing Bored // Summer Gill // Dyna Edyne // Mona Lisa Tribe. Food: 3030 Ocean (VIP) Sponsors: Fem Collective // UniteUs Group // Choose954 // 93.9MIA // Jameson Caskmates IPA // JM Lexus. Charitites: Pink Boots Society // Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale 'FemAle Brew Fest will give beer lovers the chance to meet and mingle with the women behind the brands,' added Antonio-Martineau. 'There will be a Beer Expert Lounge added this year to give attendees the opportunity to Meet the Experts.' FemAle Brew Fest will take place on March 24 at Huizenga Plaza in Fort Lauderdale. For more information about FemAle Brew Fest and a complete list of breweries, sponsors and vendors, visit the FemAle Brew Fest website. Follow FemAle Brew Fest on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@femalebrewfest). Event Information Beer Sampling: 2pm - 6pm VIP Admission: 2pm - 5pm Beer Enthusiast Admission: 2pm - 5pm General Admission: 3pm - 5pm Tickets available at: www.FemAleBrewfest.com Location: Huizenga Plaza Organizers: Main Organizer: Fem Collective Co-Organizer: UniteUs Group About Fem Collective Fem Collective is community of women collectively supporting the missions, issues and ambitions of women through networking and events. For more information about Fem Collective, please visit www.femcollective.com and @femcollective. About UniteUs Group UniteUs Group is an advertising and marketing consultancy developed under a new model that unites various synergistic entities under one umbrella to deliver progressive creative that benefits the client and various communities by ways of notoriety, innovation and profit. Opened in 2017 the consultancy applies experiences and a vast network of creative talent nurtured over two decades to execute either solely or with strategic relationships a range of services spanning Strategic Marketing, Interactive Marketing, Market Research, Guerilla Marketing, Public & Media Relations, Branded Content, Brand Design & Identity, Brand Activations, Brand Strategy, Creative Direction, Design & Production, Social Strategy & Execution, Media Planning/Buying, Event Curation, Experiential Marketing, Experience Design, Prototyping, Business Consulting. For more information about UniteUs Group, please visit www.uniteusgroup.com and @uniteusgroup.

Firehouse Theatre is proud to present the regional premiere of Tim Crouch's play AN OAK TREE. This unique performance experience revolves around a traveling hypnotist who discovers that the volunteer he's called up from the audience for his show is the father of a girl he accidentally killed in a car accident. As Crouch explains, for the grieving father 'nothing now is what it is. It's like he's in a play - but he doesn't know the words or the moves.'

The Donmar Warehouse today announces full casting for James Macdonald's new revival of William Congreve's Restoration comedy masterpiece The Way of The World. Haydn Gwynne will be playing the role of Lady Wishfort, replacing Linda Bassett who has sadly had to withdraw from the production before the start of rehearsals for personal reasons.

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts has announced the winners for THE EE BRITISH ACADEMY FILM AWARDS. The BAFTA Awards ceremony was held today, February 18th, at London's Royal Albert Hall. Among the top winners were 'Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri' and 'The Shape of Water.'

After the Wall, a multicultural, multidimensional, multidisciplinary, multimedia play about walls around the world and throughout time, takes the stage in a one night only preview at Howl! Happening. With comedy, drama, song, dance, projections, and soundscapes that envelop the audience, this theatrical extravaganza aims to shake us up and start the conversation.

Classic Spring is delighted to announce real-life father and son, Edward and Freddie Fox, are to play fictional father and son in Oscar Wilde's An Ideal Husband, from 20 April at the Vaudeville theatre. Also starring, in the role of Mrs. Cheveley, is Frances Barber. Directed by Jonathan Church, An Ideal Husband will play at the Vaudeville Theatre 20 April to 14 July 2018, before opening the Theatre Royal Bath Summer Season on 18 July to 4 August 2018.

The fourth annual Segal Center Film Festival on Theatre and Performance (FTP) has announced its lineup. The program includes a roster of more than 35 features, shorts, and documentaries by artists from Argentina, Belgium, Canada, China, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Lebanon, The Netherlands, Poland, Serbia, The United Kingdom, and the United States. The festival takes place on Thursday, March 1; Friday, March 2; and Saturday, March 3 at The Martin E. Segal Theatre Center, located at The Graduate Center, City University of New York, NYC, 365 Fifth Avenue, at 34th Street.

The Martin E. Segal Theatre Center announces the fourth annual Segal Center Film Festival on Theatre and Performance (FTP). The program includes a roster of more than 35 features, shorts, and documentaries by artists from Argentina, Belgium, Canada, China, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Lebanon, The Netherlands, Poland, Serbia, The United Kingdom, and the United States. The festival takes place on Thursday, March 1; Friday, March 2; and Saturday, March 3 at The Martin E. Segal Theatre Center, located at The Graduate Center, City University of New York, NYC, 365 Fifth Avenue, at 34th Street.

According to Deadline, the Oscar nominated THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING MISSOURI has passed $100 million in the global box office. It has reached $46.2 million in the domestic box office. Read more about it from Deadline here!

Lifeline Theatre welcomes ensemble member Andres Enriquez to his new staff position as casting director, beginning February 2018. Reporting directly to Artistic Director Dorothy Milne and Managing Director Allison Cain, Enriquez will be responsible for overseeing the audition processes for the company, collaborating closely with directors to fulfill the casting needs for Lifeline's three MainStage and three KidSeries productions every season.

Geva Theatre Center's 2017-2018 Season continues with The Diary of Anne Frank, by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett, newly adapted by Wendy Kesselman and directed by David Ira Goldstein, in the Elaine P. Wilson Stage from February 13 through March 18.

Rorschach's dark wit and visionary approach to design have met their match in Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig's sharp, fantastical adventure through the Chinese Land of the Dead - coming to Atlas Performing Arts Center March 23 - April 15.

THE PRINCE AND THE DRESSMAKER by Jen Wang comes out until today, and it is an absolutely fantastic graphic novel with an empowering message. It has the feel of a fairy tale while being its own original story. It's about a prince who loves to wear dresses, even though he has to do secretly, and the dressmaker who keeps his secret. The two become fast friends, and the story has so many awesome feels, and I JUST CAN'T. Plus, spoilers!!! Today, BroadwayWorld sat down to interview the author and illustrator, Jen Wang, and get you the goods on this hot new release!

The 15th Anniversary Reunion Concert benefit celebration of the 2002 Tony Award-winning Broadway production of Thoroughly Modern Millie was presented last night at The Minskoff Theatre. The concert starred two-time Tony Award® winner Sutton Foster, Tony Award® winner Gavin Creel, Tony Award® winner Harriet Harris and other original cast members for a one-night-only benefit to raise funds for The Actors Fund, the human services organization that helps everyone in entertainment and performing arts.