Joan Littlewood News

Cameron Mackintosh has announced that his new co-production with Chichester Festival Theatre of Lionel Bart's iconic musical, Oliver!, which he has fully reconceived with director and choreographer Matthew Bourne, will open in London at the end of the year.

Blackeyed Theatre’s critically acclaimed revival of Oh What a Lovely War heads to Scarborough’s Stephen Joseph Theatre next month. Learn more about the show here!

The cast has been set for A TASTE OF HONEY by Shelagh Delaney and directed by Emma Baggott  at Royal Exchange. Performances run 15 March – 13 April.

Devoted & Disgruntled (D&D), Improbable Theatre’s annual nationwide three-day event where challenges in theatre and the arts are discussed, will take place this March in Leeds. 

The 2024 tour dates have been announced for Blackeyed Theatre’s critically acclaimed revival of Oh What a Lovely War.  Learn more about how to catch the show in a city near you!

Leeds Playhouse has announced a new Spring/Summer 24 Season, which will offer an all new programme of entertainment for all ages. Among the shows are a new Dolly Parton musical, as well as My Fair Lady, Paranormal Activity, and more!

Revolutionising musical theatre when it first premiered in 1963, Joan Littlewood’s Oh What A Lovely War found humour in expressing its anti-war sentiments to songs popular for the period, even garnering a film adaptation directed by Richard Attenborough.

When I began re-reading the original material I instantly felt drawn to a circus backdrop in terms of design and aesthetic. A troop of entertainers, from the Ringmaster to the clowns, coming together to put on a show in a worn-out tent filled with the ammunition needed to put on a touring show, travelling away from home.

Blackeyed Theatre presents a major revival of Oh What a Lovely War to mark the 60th anniversary of Joan Littlewood’s epic anti-war musical.  Check out all new production photos here!

On Sunday 13 August friends, colleagues and loved ones came together to raise a glass and celebrate the life of actor, archivist and author Murray Melvin. The event was organised by Murray’s close friend and mentee, Artistic Director Kerry Kyriacos Michael. The day consisted of performances, tributes and speeches.

BroadwayWorld is saddened to report that British actor Murray Melvin has died at age 90. Murray made several stage and screen appearances, including The Phantom of the Opera, A Taste of Honey, Torchwood and Barry Lyndon.

Musician and lyricist Robert Hyman dedicated this adaptation of the classic tale, Cinderella, to the late and much-admired performer, Jo Melville. She once said, 'there's nothing like this, that sheer euphoria that theatre, that panto can give' and yes, hats off to that.

The Menier Chocolate Factory has announced that Amanda Ryan joins the company as Magdalena for the world première of Terry Johnson's The Sex Party – joining the previously announced Will Barton (Tim), Lisa Dwan (Gilly), John Hopkins (Jake), Timothy Hutton (Jeff), Jason Merrells (Alex), Pooya Mohseni (Lucy), Molly Osborne (Hetty) and Kelly Price (Camilla). Amanda Donohoe has had to withdraw for personal reasons.

The Menier Chocolate Factory has announced the full casting for the world première of Terry Johnson's The Sex Party – Johnson directs Will Barton (Tim), Amanda Donohoe (Magdalena), Lisa Dwan (Gilly), John Hopkins (Jake), Timothy Hutton (Jeff), Jason Merrells (Alex), Pooya Mohseni (Lucy), Molly Osborne (Hetty) and Kelly Price (Camilla).

The Menier Chocolate Factory has announced programming for its Autumn 2022/Spring 2023 season. Learn more about the full season here!

San Francisco Playhouse announced casting for Follies by James Goldman and Stephen Sondheim. The musical will run on the San Francisco Playhouse Mainstage from June 30 through September 10, 2022. Bill English will direct, with music direction by Dave Dobrusky and choreography by Nicole Helfer. This marks the first fully staged professional production of Follies in San Francisco.

San Francisco Playhouse announced casting for Follies by James Goldman and Stephen Sondheim. The musical will run on the San Francisco Playhouse Mainstage from June 30 through September 10, 2022.

Guest contributor David Appleford's review of Stray Cat Theatre's production of Stephen Sondheim's ASSASSINS, directed by Ron May. Runs through May 21st at Tempe Center for the Arts. A stunning reminder about the kind of emotional power that only a live theatrical experience can create.

Kenneth Danziger, the British actor whose humor and intelligence charmed audiences in London and regional theaters across the United States for decades, died on December 12, 2021. He was 76.

A brilliant new collection of voices has just hit bookshelves. 50 Women in Theatre, published by Aurora Metro, shines a light on the invaluable contributions of women across all disciplines and fields of stagecraft. From stage designers to actors, the volume is an inclusive and all-around eye-opening account of how theatre has changed from the post-war period to now.