Landor Theatre News

The Walt Disney Company UK and Ireland has today announced the principal company for the UK and Ireland tour of the landmark musical THE LION KING which will open in Bristol in September 2019 before moving on to Edinburgh in December 2019. Further cities will be announced in due course.

Now in its eleventh consecutive year, the multi-award-winning Finborough Theatre presents Vibrant 2019 A Festival of Finborough Playwrights, its annual explosion of new writing, running between 16 June-4 July 2019.

Following the sell-out success of The Great Christmas Feast, The Lost Estate today announces its latest experience, The Lost Love Speakeasy. Written by award-winning playwright Juliet Gilkes Romero and set within an illicit world built by designers Abby and Alice, it is a Jazz Age tale that sweeps audiences from the African American fishing villages of South Carolina to the glittering lights of Broadway. Woven into the story are classic songs from the era arranged by Steffan Rees, and decadent plates from Temper Restaurants' Executive Chef Neil Rankin each inspired by this epic journey.

FIVER follows the story of a humble £5 note as it passes through the hands and pockets of different people in London. Often unnoticed and obviously unaware, the fiver is present for significant moments in each person's life - from an appreciation of their skills as a street performer, the start or end of relationships to the simple realisation that they can afford a bed for the night.

Auburn Jam Records and David Ball Productions have released the concept album of Webborn & Finn's original musical faerytale The Clockmaker's Daughter on February 14th. The acclaimed new British musical premiered in London in 2015 and has, to date, been nominated for 11 awards.

Director of Nuffield Southampton Theatres, Sam Hodges today announces the full cast for his production of Howard Brenton's The Shadow Factory which returns to celebrate NST City's first anniversary after opening the space with a sell-out run last year. The cast includes Denise Black (Lady Cooper/Ma Dimmock), Bethan Cullinane (Jackie Dimmock), Joe Tracini (Len Gooch) and Michael Fenton Stevens (Lord Beaverbrook) joining returning cast members David Birrell (Fred Dimmock/Hugh Downing), Catherine Cusack (Lil Dimmock/Sylvia Meinster) and Shala Nyx (Polly Stride). The production opens on 1 February, with previews from 30 January, and runs until 2 March.

Lights Down Productions presents HEAR ME HOWL, January 30th - February 3rd at VAULT Festival. From Lights Down Productions, developed with support of Soho Theatre Young Company, comes Hear Me Howl - one woman, her drums and a whole lotta rage against the patriarchy. A comedy post punk pregnancy scare.

Further casting has been announced for the world premiere of Ivo van Hove's highly anticipated stage production of the 1950 Twentieth Century Fox film All About Eve.

Birmingham Stage Company today announces the full cast for their production of Tom Gates, written by Liz Pichon. Neal Foster directs Matthew Chase (Tom Gates), Ashley Cousins (Marcus/Granny), Matthew Gordan (Derek/Grandad), Amy Hargreaves (Amy/Delia), Daniel Harkin (Mr Fullerman/Dad) and Alice Redmond (Mum). The production opens on 20 March with previews from 14 February, and tours until 30 November 2019.

Mischief Theatre today announces new cast members and 2019 extension for the critically acclaimed and Olivier Award nominated The Comedy About A Bank Robbery. Due to continued high demand, The Comedy About A Bank Robbery announces an extension of their run until 3 November 2019, as they approach their third year on the West End.

Selladoor Worldwide has announced the launch of Selladoor Creation - a brand new platform for new writers to showcase and develop their work with the backing of one of the UK's leading theatre producers. With this new company, Selladoor will continue to support diverse and challenging work from talented artists, and bring innovative new work to the national and international stage, making it accessible for all audiences.

The Space, a brand new cabaret venue in the heart of London's West End within Studio 88, 47 Whitcomb St, London WC2, is launching with the world premiere of adult panto Jack Off the Beanstalk by Tom Whalley directed by Drew Baker (Zanna Don't!), in a five-week season from Saturday 1 December - Sunday 6 January.

Fascinating Aida's Adele Anderson is confirmed to join Mark Williams, who plays Doctor Dolittle, in the UK & Ireland Tour of Doctor Dolittle. Adele will play Lady Bellowes/Poison Arrow at the first six venues of the tour - Bromley, Salford, Oxford, Wolverhampton, Newcastle and Hull. There will be a national press night on Thursday 17 January 2019 at the Oxford New Theatre.

From Lights Down Productions, developed with support of Soho Young Company, comes Hear Me Howl - a bitingly honest portrayal of one woman's personal revolution. Jess is turning 30 when she presses pause on the conventional life she's been living and joins a punk band. Sure, some might argue that punk is dead, others could say she should really stick to the day job, but the resounding concern is: shouldn't she be settling down by now? From behind her drum kit, warming up for her very first gig, Jess lurches defiantly into an unknown future.

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.

From Lights Down Productions comes HEAR ME HOWL - a bitingly honest portrayal of one woman's personal revolution.

Arion Productions has announced actor Annette Badland as their patron. She joins composer Howard Goodall CBE and playwright Martin Sherman as champions of the London based theatre company, under the Artistic Direction of Andrew Keates.

BWW chatted to the vice-president of Theatrical Rights Worldwide, Drew Baker, about show licensing and the new British Musicals Collection that has just been launched.

Acclaimed new British musical The Clockmaker's Daughter premiered in London in 2015 and has, to date, been nominated for 11 awards.