Katy Lipson News

Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester is to move from private ownership to a registered charity, it has been announced.

Katy Lipson and John Gertz have announced a new production of Zorro The Musical which will run at the Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester from 14 March a?" 18 April 2020. The production will place audiences at the heart of this legendary adventure as they are invited to take part in flamenco dancing and sample tapas on offer during the evening. Audiences will be taken on a journey into this iconic story of good vs. evil, love vs. hate, by an energetic and talented company of actor-musicians, directed by Christian Durham.

The Industry Minds Awards will be held on Sunday 22nd September at The Piano Works West End. The ceremony will recognise those pioneering and furthering mental and physical health in the creative arts, in the hope of raising awareness of mental health support in the arts and recognising those who make a huge difference

Applications are now open for the AutumnWinter intake of theatre students at Hope Aria Academy in Manchester - following a hugely successful inaugural 12-week programme.

Industry Minds, the break-through mental health platform, will host a new award ceremony which will recognise those pioneering and furthering mental, physical and vocal health in the creative arts.

Katy Lipson of Aria Entertainment and Joseph Houston and William Whelton of Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester announce An Evening with Tracie Bennett, at 7pm on Sunday 4 August at Hope Mill Theatre.

Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment, Hope Mill Theatre and Ray Rackham Theatrical are delighted to announce that Harriet Thorpe and Tim Flavin will star as Vera and Beauregard respectively in the first professional UK revival of Jerry Herman's much loved musical MAME. They join the previously announced Tracie Bennett in the title role.

Aria Entertainment, an independent producing company has announced today that they will offer a full time literary department for International New Musicals. Since 2013, Aria have offered an annual festival of new musicals which has supported over 100 new musicals in development from showcases of new musicals, to readings and also full productions - with last year's headline musical Unexpected Joy receiving premieres both in London and Off-Broadway.

Night of the Living Dead Live, which recently announced an extension to 8 June, is now playing at Pleasance, London. The first ever UK stage adaptation and the only officially authorised production based on George A. Romero's cult zombie classic is directed by Benji Sperring (The Toxic Avenger: The Musical; Shock Treatment, Valley Of Song) and produced by Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment and Ollie Rosenblatt for Senbla.

Night of the Living Dead Live has announced that it will extend to 8 June, playing a total of nine weeks at Pleasance, London, with opening night for press on 16 April. The first ever UK stage adaptation and the only officially authorised production based on George A. Romero's cult zombie classic is directed by Benji Sperring (The Toxic Avenger: The Musical; Shock Treatment, Valley Of Song) and produced by Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment and Ollie Rosenblatt for Senbla. Production images are now available to download in the link above.

Following the critically-acclaimed 50th anniversary production of Hair - The Musical at Hope Mill Theatre and sell-out transfer to The Vaults, London, the celebrated production will now embark on a nationwide tour.

Casting is announced today for Night of the Living Dead Live, the first ever UK stage adaptation and the only officially authorised production based on George A. Romero's cult zombie classic. The production, directed by Benji Sperring (The Toxic Avenger: The Musical; Shock Treatment, Valley Of Song) will come to life at Pleasance, London from 9 April to 19 May 2019. 

Katy Lipson of Aria Entertainment and Joseph Houston and William Whelton of Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester are delighted to announce Olivier Award-winning actress Rebecca Trehearn as Rebecca in the UK premiere of a new version of the Stephen Schwartz musical RAGS from 2 March - 6 April, with a national press night on 5 March.

Rehearsals are under way for the critically-acclaimed 50th anniversary production of Hair - The Musical. Leading the cast in this revolutionary, Grammy award-winning musical is: Dancing on Ice's 2018 champion Jake Quickenden as Berger, Hollyoaks' Daisy Wood-Davis as Sheila and X Factor 2011 finalist Marcus Collins as Hud.

Last night, Katy Lipson of Aria Entertainment and Joseph Houston and William Whelton of Hope Mill Theatre hosted 'An Evening with Stephen Schwartz' - a showcase of the legendary, multi-award-winning American lyricist and composer's best loved repertoire and his first ever UK panel discussion about his life and work.

Founders of the Hope Aria Academy in Manchester, Katy Lipson, Joseph Houston and William Whelton, are delighted to announce that actress Hayley Tamaddon will be the Academy's Patron. Hayley has appeared in Closets the Musical at Hope Mill Theatre and sang at the theatre's recent third birthday celebrations. She is currently starring in Everyone's Talking About Jamie in London's West End. Hope Aria Academy is delighted to be partnering with Hayley and believes that her knowledge and experience will be a wonderful asset to the Academy students.

Based on George A. Romero's unparalleled 1968 film Night of the Living Dead, the first ever UK stage adaptation and the only officially authorised production will come to life at Pleasance, London from 9 April to 19 May 2019. Directed by Benji Sperring (The Toxic Avenger: The Musical; Shock Treatment, Valley Of Song), Night of the Living Dead Live will pay homage to the cult monochrome classic, skirting the line between the horrific and the hysterical as it resurrects the original zombie masterpiece. Casting will be announced in due course.

Olivier Award-winning actress Rebecca Trehearn will star as Rebecca in the UK premiere of a new version of the Stephen Schwartz musical RAGS from 2 March - 6 April, with a national press night on 5 March.

AN EVENING WITH STEPHEN SCHWARTZ, a showcase of the multi-award-winning American lyricist and composer's best loved repertoire, will occur on Sunday 17 February. A drinks and finger buffet will begin at 6pm, with the main event beginning at 7.30pm, including Schwartz's first ever UK panel discussion about his life and work.

Written between The Phantom of the Opera and Sunset Boulevard, Aspects of Love belongs to the pool of Andrew Lloyd Webber's neglected musical. Back in 1989 it launched the career of none other than Michael Ball, who wowed the audiences with 'Love Changes Everything', his character Alex's big song which, surprisingly, opens the show.