News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

Johan Persson News

Get Johan Persson Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

The Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company's THE ENTERTAINER Plays Final Weeks at The Garrick
by Ashlee Latimer - Oct 21, 2016


The Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company in partnership with Picturehouse Entertainment invites dozens of countries around the world, including over 600 cinemas across the UK, to share one of The Entertainer's final performances. John Osborne's modern classic will be broadcast live to cinemas direct from London's Garrick Theatre on Thursday 27 October, marking the final production in a year of unmissable theatre.

THIRTEEN to Air Award-Winning London Production of GYPSY, Starring Imelda Staunton, 11/11
by Caryn Robbins - Oct 20, 2016


Jonathan Kent's award-winning production of the classic musical GYPSY - a record-breaking sellout during its acclaimed London run - comes toTHIRTEEN's Great Performances, Friday, November 11 at 9 p.m. on PBS on the PBS Arts Fall Festival.

BWW Interview: Jonah Hauer-King on Kenneth Branagh and THE ENTERTAINER
by Marianka Swain - Oct 19, 2016


Aged just 21, Jonah Hauer-King has appeared in Punk Rock at Lyric Belfast and is currently making his West End debut in the Kenneth Branagh-starring revival of The Entertainer at Garrick Theatre - all while juggling his university studies. The production plays until 12 November, and will be broadcast in cinemas on 27 October.

BWW Interview: Star Ben Forster On PHANTOM OF THE OPERA's 30th Anniversary
by Marianka Swain - Oct 18, 2016


Ben Forster became a household name when he won Andrew Lloyd Webber's Superstar TV competition and went on to lead the UK arena tour of Jesus Christ Superstar. His West End work includes Evita and Elf: The Musical, and he's currently starring as the Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera, which recently celebrated its 30th anniversary.

BWW Review: ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI, Donmar Warehouse, 13 October 2016
by Marianka Swain - Oct 15, 2016


'I shook up the world.' So says young gun and new heavyweight champion Cassius Clay (shortly to become Muhammad Ali) in those heady moments after his shock defeat of Sonny Liston in February 1964. But a meeting that same night with three African-American friends of equivalent status - superstar crooner Sam Cooke, NFL hero Jim Brown and controversial preacher Malcolm X - leads to soul-searching about the definition of success, and how best men like Clay can represent their community in a divided nation.

Photo Flash: First Look! ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI at the Donmar Warehouse
by Ashlee Latimer - Oct 11, 2016


25 February 1964: 22-year-old Cassius Clay has just won the world heavyweight boxing title. Instead of hitting the town, he chooses to celebrate in a Miami hotel room with three close friends - activist Malcolm X, singer Sam Cooke and American football star Jim Brown.

From DEAR EVAN HANSEN to INTO THE WOODS... Sing Along with the Talented Cast of PITCH PERFECT!
by Caryn Robbins - Nov 26, 2016


DEAR EVAN HANSEN's Ben Platt is not the only musical theater star to be featured in THE PITCH PERFECT franchise. Below, BWW takes a look at the musical careers of other talented cast members from the film!

KINKY BOOTS' Killian Donnelly Leads New Frank McGuinness's New Play DONEGAL, Beginning Tonight
by Jessica Khan - Oct 6, 2016


KINKY BOOTS' Killian Donnelly is returning to Ireland to star in Frank McGuinness's new play DONEGAL at the Abbey Theatre this autumn. The production begins performances tonight, October 6, for a run through November 19, 2016. Conall Morrison directs.

BWW Review: TRAVESTIES, Menier Chocolate Factory, 4 October 2016
by Marianka Swain - Oct 5, 2016


Wilde, Joyce, Shakespeare, Lenin, memory, the morality of war, social systems, and the meaning and purpose of art: Stoppard's dazzlingly intellectual 1974 play really is a life, the universe and everything affair. Thankfully, Patrick Marber's fleet-footed revival is equally attuned to its wit and skittish strangeness, offering a lifeline to audience members who may be nodding fervently at the line 'I'm finding this conversation extremely hard to follow'.

West End IN THE HEIGHTS Celebrates 1st Birthday, Sam Mackay Talks HAMILTON
by Laura Jones - Oct 4, 2016


On Friday 30 September, In the Heights celebrated its first birthday at King's Cross Theatre, and it certainly marked the occasion in style. Setting the London theatre scene on fire when it premiered at the Southwark Playhouse in 2014, it has continued to thrill audiences in its new central London home, recently announcing an extension until January 2017.

Guest Blog: Playwright Kemp Powers On ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI...
by Guest Blog: Kemp Powers - Oct 4, 2016


How does one put words into the mouths of titans? It was something I struggled with mightily as I was writing One Night in Miami At times, I regretted even taking on the challenge of trying to speak in the voices of Muhammad Ali, Sam Cooke, Malcolm X and Jim Brown. But the importance of the special friendship between those men left me with a feeling of obligation to see my attempt through to fruition.

Photo Flash: First Look at Tom Stoppard's TRAVESTIES at the Menier Chocolate Factory
by Liz Cearns - Sep 30, 2016


Patrick Marber directs Clare Foster (Cecily), Freddie Fox (Tristan Tzara), Tom Hollander (Henry Carr), Forbes Masson (Lenin), Peter McDonald (James Joyce), Amy Morgan (Gwendolen), Sarah Quist (Nadya) and Tim Wallers (Bennett). The production - which opens on 4 October, with previews from 22 September and runs until 19 November - completely sold out, breaking Menier box office records by becoming the first play to sell out ahead of its opening in the theatre's history.

Photo Flash: ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI Rehearses for the Donmar
by Liz Cearns - Sep 23, 2016


25 February 1964: 22-year-old Cassius Clay has just won the world heavyweight boxing title. Instead of hitting the town, he chooses to celebrate in a Miami hotel room with three close friends - activist Malcolm X, singer Sam Cooke and American football star Jim Brown. 

Photo Flash: Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart Open In NO MAN'S LAND
by Marianka Swain - Sep 21, 2016


Ian McKellen plays 'Spooner', Patrick Stewart plays 'Hirst', Owen Teale plays 'Briggs' and Damien Molony plays 'Foster' in Sean Mathias' production of Harold Pinter's No Man's Land, which had its West End press night last night at Wyndham's Theatre following a UK tour. No Man's Land was first performed at Wyndham's in 1975 with Ralph Richardson and John Gielgud, following its premiere at the National Theatre.

Cameron Mackintosh & Alain Boublil Release Statement on Donald Trump's Use of LES MIS Tune at Miami Rally
by BWW News Desk - Sep 19, 2016


As BroadwayWorld reported over the weekend, at a recent rally in Miami, presidential candidate Donald Trump made his way to the stage to the sounds of Boublil and Schoenberg's, 'Do You Hear the People Sing?' -- a theme from the beloved Broadway musical LES MISERABLES. Now, Sir Cameron Mackintosh and the co-creators of the musical have released a joint statement objecting to Trump's use of the anthem.

BWW Review: GUYS AND DOLLS Being Classic in Israel
by Ronit Suzan - Sep 19, 2016


Immediately following a highly praised 6 months run at the Phoenix Theatre in London the production of Guys and Dolls went on an international tour starting with a week and a half in Israel, playing 11 shows at the Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center.

Lin-Manuel Miranda's IN THE HEIGHTS Welcomes New Stars Tonight in London
by BWW News Desk - Sep 16, 2016


Joining the cast from tonight 16 September are Arun Blair-Mangat as 'Benny' ('Kinky Boots'); Juliet Gough as 'Camilla' ('Matilda') and Stephanie Rojas as 'Carla' ('Wonder.land'). Sarah Naudi, who has been with the show since it opened at the Southwark Playhouse in 2014, will play the role of 'Vanessa' and Damian Buhagiar returns to the production as 'Sonny', having originated the role in 2014.

Photo Flash: In Rehearsal with TRAVESTIES
by Marianka Swain - Sep 12, 2016


Patrick Marber directs Tom Hollander as he returns to the stage to play Henry Carr in the Menier Chocolate Factory's revival of Tom Stoppard's TRAVESTIES. The production opens on 4 October, with previews from 22 September and runs until 19 November.

Top 10 Plays Set In School
by Marianka Swain - Sep 7, 2016


Education, education, education - it's an inescapable topic in theatre. Recent years have seen Future Conditional (kicking off Matthew Warchus's Old Vic tenure), Matilda the Musical, The Brink, Kin, Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour, and, of course, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. To celebrate back to school week, here are 10 of the best plays set in school. Get studying!

Photo Flash: Kenneth Branagh Opens In THE ENTERTAINER
by Marianka Swain - Aug 31, 2016


Last night, Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company's production of THE ENTERTAINER opened at Garrick Theatre. Rob Ashford directs a cast that also includes Gawn Grainger, Phil Dunster, Jonah Hauer-King, Crispin Letts, Sophie McShera, Greta Scacchi, Lauren Alexandra, Yasmin Harrison, Pip Jordan and Kate Tydman.

  …        37       …    

Get Johan Persson Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Videos