Mark Goucher News

According to the West End Frame, current HAIRSPRAY UK tour producer Mark Goucher, has revealed that he wants the musical to transfer to the West End next year.

The multi-international award-winning SLAVA'S SNOWSHOW returns to London's Southbank Centre for a fifth consecutive Christmas season, playing the Royal Festival Hall from 16 December 2015 to 3 January 2016.

Hairspray will star Tony Maudsley (ITV1's Benidorm) as Edna Turnblad, TV and stage actress and presenter Claire Sweeney (Educating Rita, Guys and Dolls) as Velma Von Tussle, Olivier Award nominated actor and much-loved Blue Peter presenter Peter Duncan (BBC1 Tumble) as Wilbur Turnblad and British singer and West End performer Brenda Edwards (Chicago, We Will Rock You, The X Factor) as Motormouth Maybelle.

Tony Maudsley (ITV1's Benidorm) will play Edna Turnblad in the major 40-week UK tour of Hairspray which will open at Curve theatre in Leicester this autumn. He will be joined by TV and stage actress and presenter Claire Sweeney (Educating Rita, Guys and Dolls) as Velma Von Tussle, Olivier Award nominated actor and much-loved Blue Peter presenter Peter Duncan (BBC1 Tumble) as Wilbur Turnblad and British singer and West End performer Brenda Edwards (Chicago, We Will Rock You, The X Factor) as Motormouth Maybelle. Freya Sutton will reprise the role of Tracy Turnblad alongside established musical theatre performer Jon Tsouras (A Chorus Line) who will play the role of Corny Collins. Dex Lee (The Scottsboro Boys) will play Seaweed, Ashley Gilmour (Miss Saigon) will play Link Larkin, Lauren Stroud (Wicked) will play Amber, Monique Young (Top Hat) will play Penny, Karis Jack (Urinetown) will play Little Inez, Adam Price (Hairspray) will play Male Authority Figure, Tracey Penn (Made in Dagenham) will play Female Authority Figure and Layton Williams (Bad Education, Billy Elliot) will play Duane. Further casting will be announced in due course.

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 tonight, 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.

Robert Webb re-joins the Olivier award-winning comedy Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect Nonsense on tour from February - April 2015 following his West End run earlier this year. Jason Thorpe will play Jeeves and the role of Seppings will be played by Christopher Ryan from February - June 2015. The trio will be taking over from John Gordon Sinclair (Jeeves), James Lance (Bertie Wooster) and Robert Goodale (Seppings).

A new production of the international smash hit Hairspray will embark on a major UK tour in 2015/16. This big, bold and beautiful musical comedy will begin its UK tour at Leicester's Curve theatre on 9 September 2015 and will then tour to 29 venues across the UK, including a Christmas residency at Birmingham Alexandra Theatre in December 2015.

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.

'What ho! Turns out, Jeeves and I belong on stage. I'm having a splendid time at the Duke of York's Theatre with Jeeves and we shall continue recounting the complex case of that ghastly girl Gussie Fink-Nottle, my Aunt Dahlia and that dastardly cow-creamer until 17 January 2015. Of course Jeeves will be in touch in due course to update everyone with any information you might require to enjoy a topping night at the theatre' - Bertie Wooster

John Gordon Sinclair and James Lance will play iconic duo Jeeves and Wooster in the Olivier Award-winning hit Perfect Nonsense in the West End and on tour, replacing the current cast, Robert Webb and Mark Heap, from 30 June 2014. Co-writer Robert Goodale will take over from Mark Hadfield as Seppings.

John Gordon Sinclair and James Lance will play iconic duo Jeeves and Wooster in the Olivier Award-winning hitPerfect Nonsense in the West End and on tour, replacing the current cast, Robert Webb and Mark Heap, from 30 June 2014. Co-writer Robert Goodale will take over from Mark Hadfield as Seppings.

Acclaimed by the press and the public alike, Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect Nonsense will extend its run at the Duke of York's Theatre until 20 September 2014. Matthew Macfadyen and Stephen Mangan will continue in the west end's new hit comedy until 5 April 2014 extending their performances as the genteel duo.

The West End's A Chorus Line will close at the London Palladium today, 31 August 2013. It will then begin a European tour before returning to the UK for a tour 'beginning in autumn 2014'.

According to reports, West End's A Chorus Line will close at the London Palladium on 31 August 2013. It will then begin a European tour before returning to the UK for a tour 'beginning in autumn 2014'.

Producers today announced that the revival of A Chorus Line will close on Saturday August 31, following a critically acclaimed six month run at the London Palladium. Leigh Zimmerman (Sheila) won Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical and the production was nominated for Best Musical Revival at this year's Laurence Olivier Awards.

In October this year, two of literature's best-loved characters, the charmingly incompetent Bertie Wooster and his unflappable valet Jeeves will be brought to life in a new comedy by brothers Robert and David Goodale. Sean Foley will direct Matthew Macfadyen and Stephen Mangan as the legendary duo at the Duke of York's Theatre from 30 October 2013 with opening night on 12 November.

Stage One, the charity committed to developing and supporting producers for the commercial theatre industry, has announced the two organisations which will take part in its recently launched Regional Apprenticeship Scheme. Thanks to generous support from the Eranda Foundation, Sheffield Theatres and Manchester International Festival will each host a 12 month training programme for an entrepreneurial new producer.

According to Variety, a revival of A CHORUS LINE will open at the London Palladium on the West End, Feb. 2-June 29, 2013. This will be the first London revival since the original production. Original co-choreographer Bob Avian is set to direct. Casting will be announced at a later date.

Principal casting has now been announced for the third UK tour of Jonathan Lynn and Antony Jay's hit stage version ofYes, Prime Minister. Michael Fenton Stevens (recognisable as Sir Henry in ITV's Benidorm) will take on the role of beleaguered PM Jim Hacker, while opposite him Crispin Redman (known as Judge Richards in Law & Order: UK) will play Sir Humphrey Appleby and West End star Michael Matus (Taboo, Lend Me A Tenor) will perform the role of Principal Private Secretary, Bernard Woolley.

Opening at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in Guildford on 7th February 2013, the widely acclaimed production of Yes, Prime Minister will then tour to: Cornwall, Bromley, Cheltenham, High Wycombe, Brighton, Salisbury, Bradford, Durham, Ipswich, Sheffield, Wolverhampton, Richmond, Bristol and Tunbridge Wells. This will be the final chance to see one of the twenty-first century's most successful new stage comedies at regional venues across the UK.