Hugh Durrant News

Qdos Entertainment today (Friday 24 May 2019) announce that Paul O'Grady will return to the London Palladium in Goldilocks and the Three Bears to play The Evil Ringmaster. Joining O'Grady and making his Palladium Panto debut will be Matt Baker as Joey the Clown who will star alongside season regulars Julian Clary as The Ringmaster, Paul Zerdin as Silly Billy, Nigel Havers as Daddy Bear and Gary Wilmot as Dame Betty Barnum.

Theatre audiences are certainly less easy to shock these days than they were back in 1973 when Richard O'Brien's outrageous musical The Rocky Horror Show first debuted at the Royal Court. These days gender is a much more fluid concept and cross-dressing is commonplace rather than quirky. Shows such as Everyone's Talking About Jamie and Kinky Boots have The Rocky Horror Show to thank for elevating cross dressing to the mainstream. Despite the fact that the show is no longer radical, here's still something deliciously teasing about a show that celebrates an alternative sexual reality and the joy of grown men wearing fishnets.

Richard O'Brien's cult rock and roll musical Rocky Horror Show launches its 2019 World Tour with a festive stint at Brighton's Theatre Royal.

Charlie Stemp will return to the London Palladium to play The Prince in this year's Pantomime, Snow White at the London Palladium along with Danielle Hope who will play the title role of Snow White. They join the previously announced Dawn French as The Wicked Queen, Julian Clary as The Man in The Mirror, Paul Zerdin as Muddles, Nigel Havers as The Understudy, Gary Wilmot as Mrs Crumble with Vincent and Flavia as The King and The Queen for this strictly limited 5 week run.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater announces the cast for the North American premiere of Jessica Swale's exuberant new comedy Nell Gwynn, September 20-November 4, 2018. The music- and dance-filled play took London audiences by storm when it debuted at Shakespeare's Globe, followed by a celebrated run on the West End. Director of the original London production, Christopher Luscombe, helms the new Chicago Shakespeare production. Star of Broadway and the West End Scarlett Strallen appears as Nell; Chicago leading actor Timothy Edward Kane performs the role of King Charles II.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater announces the cast for the North American premiere of Jessica Swale's exuberant new comedy Nell Gwynn, September 20-November 4, 2018. The music- and dance-filled play took London audiences by storm when it debuted at Shakespeare's Globe, followed by a celebrated run on the West End. Director of the original London production, Christopher Luscombe, helms the new Chicago Shakespeare production. Star of Broadway and the West End Scarlett Strallen appears as Nell; Chicago leading actor Timothy Edward Kane performs the role of King Charles II.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents the North American premiere of Jessica Swale's exuberant new comedy Nell Gwynn, September 20-November 4, 2018. The music- and dance-filled play took London audiences by storm when it debuted at Shakespeare's Globe, followed by a celebrated run on the West End. Director of the original London production, Christopher Luscombe, helms the new Chicago Shakespeare production. Star of Broadway and the West End Scarlett Strallen appears as Nell; Chicago leading actor Timothy Edward Kane performs the role of King Charles II.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater announces the cast for the North American premiere of Jessica Swale's exuberant new comedy Nell Gwynn, September 20-November 4, 2018. The music- and dance-filled play took London audiences by storm when it debuted at Shakespeare's Globe, followed by a celebrated run on the West End. Director of the original London production, Christopher Luscombe, helms the new Chicago Shakespeare production. Star of Broadway and the West End Scarlett Strallen appears as Nell; Chicago leading actor Timothy Edward Kane performs the role of King Charles II.

Qdos Entertainment today (27 April 2018) announces that they will return to the West End for a third year with Snow White at the London Palladium for a strictly limited 5 week run. Performances will begin at the iconic pantomime venue on Saturday 8 December 2018 running until Sunday 13 January 2019. Directed by Michael Harrison, public booking opens on Friday 4 May 2018.

We'll be updating the list of nominees LIVE throughout this evening's Olivier Awards from London's Royal Albert Hall - winners are indicated IN BOLD!

Today, Elaine Paige and Alexandra Burke announced the nominations for the Olivier Awards 2018 with Mastercard, UK's most prestigious stage honours. The 2018 awards are set to be an exciting occasion with original new work dominating the categories and a significant number of artists receiving their first ever Olivier nominations. Catherine Tate will host the Awards at the Royal Albert Hall on Sunday 8 April and they will be broadcast to the UK and worldwide.

Julian Clary (Spirit of the Bells), Elaine Paige (Queen Rat), Ashley Banjo (The Sultan) and Diversity (The Sultan's Special Advisors),Paul Zerdin (Idle Jack), Nigel Havers (Captain Nigel), Gary Wilmot (Sarah the Cook), Charlie Stemp (Dick Whittington), Emma Williams (Alice Fitzwarren) and Lukus Alexander (Eileen the Cat) comprise the principal casting for Dick Whittington at the London Palladium this Christmas.

Emma Williams and Lukus Alexander complete the principle casting for the London Palladium Pantomime this Christmas playing the role of Alice Fitzwarren and Eileen the Cat respectively. 

Elaine Paige (Queen Rat), Ashley Banjo and Diversity (The Sultan and his Entourage), Gary Wilmott (Sarah the Cook) and Charlie Stemp (Dick Whittington) will join the previously announced Julian Clary (Spirit of the Bells), Paul Zerdin (Idle Jack) and Nigel Havers (Captain Nigel) in the line-up for Qdos Entertainment's London Palladium production of Dick Whittington.

Jessica Swale's play about the unlikely heroine who went from lowly orange seller to national treasure features a stand-out titular performance by Laura Pitt-Pulford.

Here's a full list of Olivier Award nominees and winners - updating LIVE

Today, past winners Denise Gough and Matt Henry announced the nominations for the Olivier Awards 2017 with Mastercard, the most prestigious event in the UK's theatrical calendar. The 2017 awards are set to be the biggest yet, as they make their debut at the Royal Albert Hall on Sunday 9 April.

English Touring Theatre's Artistic Director Richard Twyman today announces full casting for the tours of Jessica Swale's Olivier Award-winning Nell Gwynn and the world premiere of Sandi Toksvig's Silver Lining. 

Qdos Entertainment's production of Cinderella opened last night, Wednesday 14 December 2016, and runs over the Festive season, until Sunday 15 January 2017.

After an almost 30-year absence, a star-studded pantomime, mounted by Qdos, returned to the London Palladium last night with well-known names including Julian Clary as Dandini, Paul O'Grady as Baroness Hardup, and Amanda Holden as The Fairy Godmother on the bill. A big set with even bigger production numbers had the audience primed and ready for mass cheers, boos and lots of laughs from start to finish in what can only be described as a spectacular return.