Jonathan Church News

Chichester Festival 2014 opened with a major revival of Hugh Whitemore's award-winning glimpse into the unconventional life of celebrated English poet and novelist Stevie Smith. STEVIE, starring Zoe Wanamaker, is now up for a transfer to the Hampstead Theatre this March, according to a Tweet from the Daily Mail. Jonathan Church will direct.

According to the Daily Mail, Michael Ball will be starring in MACK & MABEL at Chichester Festival Theatre next summer.

Jonathan Church's world premiere production of Taken At Midnight, a new play by Mark Hayhurst, will run at the Theatre Royal Haymarket for a limited season previewing from January 15th. Returning to the West End after a five-year absence, Penelope Wilton reprises her role as Irmgard in this production which is currently enjoying a sold-out season in Chichester.

Full casting is announced for Emlyn Williams' masterpiece Accolade directed by award-winning director Blanche McIntyre. Alexander Hanson and Abigail Cruttenden lead the company as Will and Rona Trenting, with Bruce Alexander (Daker), Sam Clemmett (Ian Trenting), Claire Cox (Marion Tillyard), Daniel Crossley (Albert), Olivia Darnley (Phyllis), Jay Taylor (Harold) and Jay Villiers (Thane Lampeter). Accolade - produced by Nicola Seed - is the final production in Stage One's One Stage season at the St James Theatre.

A season of new plays exploring little-known true stories continues at Chichester with a drama featuring acclaimed actress Penelope Wilton. She plays Irmgard, the mother of celebrated lawyer Hans Litten who puts Hitler on the witness stand in 1930s Germany with devastating consequences.

Watching distinguished, seasoned veterans onstage in Jonathan Church's play The Last Confession was a privilege. Opening in Melbourne last night, in the final leg of an international tour, The Last Confession centres around the life of Albino Luciani, (played with sincerity and compassion by Richard O'Callaghan), his election as Pope John Paul I and ultimately his death a mere 33 days later. It is an intriguing event not only for the Catholic Church but also in the history of the world with the Church refusing to investigate the potential of foul play from the conservative enclave of the Vatican.

Internationally acclaimed British actor David Suchet will reprise his role on stage in the conspiracy thriller, 'THE LAST CONFESSION', in Australia in 2014. The international production will play in Toronto and Los Angeles before arriving in Australia in August. Seasons in Perth and Brisbane were announced late last year and now dates have been confirmed for seasons at Adelaide's Her Majesty's Theatre from August 27 and Melbourne's Comedy Theatre from September 3. Tickets on sale from Friday February 7. Check out a first look at highlights below!

Internationally acclaimed British actor David Suchet will reprise his role on stage in the conspiracy thriller, 'THE LAST CONFESSION', in Australia in 2014. The international production will play in Toronto and Los Angeles before arriving in Australia in August. Seasons in Perth and Brisbane were announced late last year and now dates have been confirmed for seasons at Adelaide's Her Majesty's Theatre from August 27 and Melbourne's Comedy Theatre from September 3. Tickets on sale from Friday February 7. Check out the photos below!

Internationally acclaimed British actor David Suchet will reprise his role on stage in the conspiracy thriller, 'THE LAST CONFESSION', in Australia in 2014. The international production will play in Toronto and Los Angeles before arriving in Australia in August. Seasons in Perth and Brisbane were announced late last year and now dates have been confirmed for seasons at Adelaide's Her Majesty's Theatre from August 27 and Melbourne's Comedy Theatre from September 3. Tickets on sale from Friday February 7.

Stars of stage and screen gathered in Chichester yesterday at the newly reopened Festival Theatre for a Gala performance of the critically acclaimed production of Peter Shaffer's Amadeus starring Rupert Everett. Scroll down for photos!

Chichester Festival Theatre celebrated the successful completion of a highly ambitious 21-month, £22 million redevelopment project this week, with the official reopening of its much-loved Grade 2* listed building.

Chichester's Festival Theatre reopens today with a new production of Amadeus, featuring West End and Hollywood star Rupert Everett alongside acclaimed young actor Joshua McGuire.

The Daily Mail reports that Sandi Toksvig's new Dusty Springfield musical DUSTY will be getting a staged reading, helmed by Jonathan Church this October or November. The show's producers -- David Ian and Vicki Wickham -- are currently on the hunt for the right leading lady.

SINGIN' IN THE RAIN will star stage and screen leading man Maxwell Caulfield as studio boss 'R.F. Simpson', Coronation Street favourite Vicky Binns as starlet 'Lina Lamont', James Leece as 'Don Lockwood', Amy Ellen Richardson as 'Kathy Selden' and Stephane Anelli as 'Cosmo Brown'.

In the history of the Roman Catholic Church, one papal election curiously stood apart. After Pope Paul's death in 1978, a compromise pope was elected, Albino Luciani, who named himself Pope John Paul I. His reign lasted a mere 33 days when, in apparent good health, he died suddenly, creating the suspicion of murder. The Last Confession by Roger Crane explores this time period in Roman Catholic history with a keen eye for details and propelling fine dramatic exchanges. Headed by resourceful actor David Suchet as Cardinal Giovanni Benelli, the cast, mostly from England, is a sturdy lot, and most likely only those repulsed by religion and/or politics will find the action less than intriguing, through July 6 only.

The exclusive U.S. engagement of 'The Last Confession,' a gripping new play of intrigue and mystery by Roger Crane, starring David Suchet, opened June 11 at the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre. Directed by Jonathan Church, 'The Last Confession' began previews, June 7, 2014, continues through July 6. Following the engagement at the Ahmanson, 'The Last Confession' will tour cities around Australia. Check below for photos from the opening night!

Chichester's Festival Theatre reopens in July with a new production of Amadeus, featuring West End and Hollywood star Rupert Everett alongside acclaimed young actor Joshua McGuire.

The exclusive U.S. engagement of "The Last Confession," a gripping new play of intrigue and mystery by Roger Crane, starring David Suchet, opens June 11 at the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre. Directed by Jonathan Church, "The Last Confession" begins previews tomorrow, June 7, 2014, continues through July 6. Following the engagement at the Ahmanson, "The Last Confession" will tour cities around Australia. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the show below!