Jake Brunger News

Closings, Mary Poppins rehearsals and new songs for Bat Boy...

This week - Bat Boy announces West End transfer, David Hasselhof gives us Billy Flynn in Chicago and where have the lost musicals gone?

Billy Elliot gets a big London welcome, Julia goes back to Hollywood and it's a Damning end for a new musical

Guys and Dolls revive themselves in London, Sweeney Todd takes us to the chair again, and is Wicked about to fly Chitty out of town??

Oh Meer! It was never meant to be for the West End run of Fuddy Meers, but solutions are unearthing to this closing trend. Plus, the Edinburgh Fringe programme is announced!

Three more closures, including Thoroughly Modern Millie, and - with or without Justin - Rent makes a comeback.. as a concert!

Bad box offices cause shows to close within weeks but a good season is in sight. News on Snoopy the Musical, The Office's David Brent and Slamdunk - a hip-hop musical...

The UK premiere of David Lindsay-Abaire's black comedy Fuddy Meers is interesting, funny and extremely powerful.

This week we see another Duke of York's closure, read the exciting casting for the National's production of Forum and take a trip to see Fuddy Meers pre-West End.

I'm writing this editorial in recognition of BroadwayWorld.com's first anniversary and what represents the perfect time to reflect back on the incredible journey that the last 12 months have been.

'Old' Kevin Spacey stars in two new productions alongside Ian McKellen's Widow Twankey.. and will Mamma Mia get a name change to 'The Abba Musical'??

Paul Nicholas brings Jekyll and Hyde to life in his new production whilst Marti Pellow gears up for his Broadway run by warming up the 'Heavenly' West End.

Mamma Mia's five years old as Baz's Boheme disappears and the Jailhouse rocks with two new theatre spaces.

How will you be spending your Saturday Night? In bed with a 'Fever' or just Singin' in the Rain?? Also this week - anger with Les Mis music and a difficult Stones script dilemma..

On the success of Fame and other feelgood films, Footloose tours the UK. Not the phenomenon they'd have hoped for, but still leaving you on that high.

When it bowed out of the West End, following 21 years of performances, the world's longest running musical vowed to be back. And it is.

As the 28th Laurence Olivier Awards are announced, Jake looks at the disappointment behind an increasingly political ceremony. Other news includes a ticket slashing scheme and a play about.. trains.

In the second part of his London recommendations, Jake looks at where you should go for good plays.

Jake gives an honest guide of what's hot, what's not, and how to get the most of your visit. This week - musicals.

In this years' final UK column Jake looks at the year ahead in London's West End, including Billy Elliot the Musical, Mary Poppins and the casting game for The Producers