London is never short of temptations, whether splashy West End shows, epic dramas or bold fringe offerings. From Cate Blanchett's UK stage debut to a reborn Andrew Lloyd Webber, here are some of this month's most eye-catching openings. Don't forget to check back for BroadwayWorld's reviews, interviews and features!
Theatre producer Katy Lipson - who is producing artistic director of the Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester, as well as being an independent producer and who has recently taken on the road shows such as The Addams Family - is bringing Andrew Lloyd Webber's 1989 musical Aspects of Love to Southwark Playhouse which began at Hope Mill in August 2018. Here, we discuss what makes a good producer, her passion for theatre, and how the show resonates with the present times.
Full casting has been announced 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.
Katy Lipson of Aria Entertainment and Joseph Houston and William Whelton of Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester are delighted to announce Hope Aria Productions' 2019 Season. The Season will open on 2 March with the UK premiere of a new version of the Stephen Schwartz musical RAGS. From 27 September, Tracie Bennett will star in the title role in Jerry Herman's much loved musical MAME, and the season will be completed by a new musical, THE ASTONISHING TIMES OF TIMOTHY CRATCHIT, from 22 November.
Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment and Hope Mill Theatre have announced the full cast for the London transfer of their production of Aspects of Love at Southwark Playhouse.
Katy Lipson, Joseph Houston and William Whelton are delighted to announce the launch of Hope Aria Academy, a new and exciting part-time drama course situated in Manchester. Founders Katy, Joseph and William recognised a need for more opportunities for Northern-based performers to specialise in musical theatre. All three founders have backgrounds in musical theatre training and are currently full-time producers and theatre owners, actively working in the industry:
Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester presents the musical revue Putting it Together. Putting it Together, which celebrates and showcases the songs of Stephen Sondheim, will be directed by Bronagh Lagan and runs from Wednesday 24 October to Saturday 24 November 2018.
Following the critically acclaimed season at the Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester this summer, Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment and Hope Mill Theatre are delighted to announce the transfer of their production of Aspects of Love at Southwark Playhouse for a limited season from 7 January to 9 February 2019, with a national press night on Thursday 10 January. This will be the fourth London transfer from Hope Mill Theatre, following Yank!, Hair and Pippin, and the award-winning 50th anniversary production of Hair has recently announced a major UK tour in 2019.
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 - including a visit to the Edinburgh Playhouse from 22-27 June 2019.
The fifth in-house production of 2018 from Aria Entertainment and Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester is the musical revue Putting it Together. Putting it Together, which celebrates and showcases the songs of Stephen Sondheim, will be directed by Bronagh Lagan and runs from Wednesday 24 October to Saturday 24 November 2018.
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 has been confirmed for the fifth in-house production of 2018 from Aria Entertainment and Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester: the musical revue Putting it Together. Putting it Together, which celebrates and showcases the songs of Stephen Sondheim, will be directed by Bronagh Lagan and runs from Wednesday 24 October to Saturday 24 November 2018.
The full line up of what's coming up at Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester over the next few months has been announced. As well as in-house musicals and visiting productions, the critically acclaimed theatre has announced a fortnight of special shows and events to mark its forthcoming 3rd Birthday.
The European premiere of Bill Russell and Janet Hood's new musical Unexpected Joy is underway. The powerful all-female cast is made up of:Janet Fullerlove (Fortune's Fool, The Beggar's Opera) as Joy; Jodie Jacobs (Myth, Rock of Ages) as Rachel; Melanie Marshall (Guys and Dolls, Jane Eyre) as Lou; and Kelly Sweeney (Ronald William White Acting Through Song Prize Winner 2018) as Tamara.
The European premiere of Bill Russell and Janet Hood's new musical Unexpected Joy transfers from its Off-Broadway run, at the York Theatre Company, to London's Southwark Playhouse from 5 September 2018. Watch a video from rehearsals below!
Thank you, BroadwayWorld, for asking me to write a blog on our new musical theatre season From Page To Stage. It's given me the opportunity to truly look over the previous five years' work and all we have achieved and contributed to the British landscape of new musicals.
The European premiere of Bill Russell and Janet Hood's new musical Unexpected Joy transfers from its Off-Broadway run, at the York Theatre Company, to London's Southwark Playhouse from 5 September 2018. Watch a video interview below!
The European premiere of Bill Russell and Janet Hood's new musical Unexpected Joy transfers from its Off-Broadway run, at the York Theatre Company, to London's Southwark Playhouse from 5 September 2018.
Rehearsal images have been released for the forthcoming production of The Return of the Soldier, which has its regional premiere at Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester in September, following its critically-acclaimed London run in 2014.