Mark Williams News

The producers of Mike Bartlett's multi award-winning contemporary play, King Charles III are delighted to announce today that the current UK tour has been extended into spring 2016.

The award-winning West End production of Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, directed by Sam Mendes, will mount a special relaxed performance at 6pm on Tuesday 19 January 2016.

Following critically-acclaimed, sell-out runs at the Almeida Theatre and in the West End, King Charles III has its regional premiere at Birmingham Repertory Theatre this September. Robert Powell will take on the role of King Charles.

Following critically acclaimed sell-out runs at the Almeida Theatre and in the West End, King Charles III embarks on a UK tour this autumn. Robert Powell will take on the role of King Charles.

The award-winning West End production of Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, directed by Sam Mendes, will mark its second anniversary tonight with a gala performance and party for cast, crew and special guests.

Robert Powell will take on the role of King Charles in the Almeida Theatre's Olivier Award-winning production of King Charles III, which will embark on a UK tour this autumn following sell-out runs at both the Almeida Theatre and in the West End.

 Birdland is 63, The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra is 80, and  Frank Sinatra is 100.  Gianni Valenti, Birdland owner announced the orchestra and the swinging engine of the Basie Band blasted off with "Come Fly With Me" at the "Jazz Corner of the World" last night. Regardless of how good the fidelity is on your Beats Headphones and McIntosh Amplifier, it doesn't come close to the sound being heard on 44th Street. The original charts might have some wear and tear from page turning by Basie musicians over the years, but the music was clear, precise, and  exciting as when the band made their home at Birdland in the 1950's. Scotty Barnhart is now the Director of The Count Basie Orchestra which has won 18 Grammy Awards and 20 Downbeat and Jazz Times polls. He follows in a long line of Jazz greats that have led the orchestra since Basie's passing in 1984. Thad Jones, Frank Foster, Brover Mitchell, Bill Hughes, and Dennis Mackrel have been prior directors.  Scotty pointed out that the band might have been formed in 1935, but they are very current and are on Facebook, and have a great website. Carmen Bradford, a Basie choice supplied the vocals. 

A cast of 13 veterans of stage, film and television has been announced for the world premiere of FERGUSON by journalist and documentary filmmaker Phelim McAleer. Nick DeGruccio will direct four dramatized staged readings for Theatre Verite Collective as a guest production at the Odyssey Theatre, April 26-29.

Following the success of last year's inaugural offering, The Cleveland Orchestra has announced a second year of Summers@Severance concerts on Friday nights at Severance Hall in July and August 2015. The series of orchestra concerts, sponsored by Thompson Hine LLP takes place July 10, and August 7 and 21. A special bonus concert, of a one-night-only performance by the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis takes place on Friday, August 28 at Severance Hall.

As the hit West End show Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, directed by Sam Mendes, approaches its second anniversary, producers today announced the cast that will take it into its third year. Alongside Jonathan Slinger as Willy Wonka will be Kraig Thornber (Grandpa George), Lara Denning (Mrs Bucket) and Mark Oxtoby (Jerry), among other new names. Originating company members Ross Dawes and Derek Hagen will take over the roles of Mr Salt and Mr Bucket respectively.

William 'Count' Basie started The Count Basie Orchestra in 1935, in Kansas City, Missouri. Within a year, America was listening in on popular radio shows throughout the country to hear what would become 'The greatest swing band in all the land!' A phenomenon was born in 1935 that is still going strong today! Harris Center for the Arts is proud to present this legendary orchestra.

William 'Count' Basie started The Count Basie Orchestra in 1935, in Kansas City, Missouri. Within a year, America was listening in on popular radio shows throughout the country to hear what would become 'The greatest swing band in all the land!' A phenomenon was born in 1935 that is still going strong today! Harris Center for the Arts is proud to present this legendary orchestra.

American Molly Marie Walsh is to play the title role of Millie Dillmount alongside Russell Grant as the mysterious and sinister Mrs Meers in the Off West End premiere of the six-time Tony Award-winning tap dancing musical, Thoroughly Modern Millie.

On September 18 th multi-platinum rock band BUSH will give a special acoustic performance at VH1 Save The Music Foundation's Noteworthy benefit concert at William Hill Estate Winery.

On September 18th multi-platinum rock band BUSH will give a special acoustic performance at VH1 Save The Music Foundation's Noteworthy benefit concert at William Hill Estate Winery.

The Off West End premiere of the six-time Tony Award-winning tap dancing musical, Thoroughly Modern Millie is being postponed to 2015.

American Molly Marie Walsh is to play the title role of Millie Dillmount alongside Russell Grant as the mysterious and sinister Mrs Meers in the Off West End premiere of the six-time Tony Award-winning tap dancing musical, Thoroughly Modern Millie.

OK. I remember loud music, bright lights, cheering audiences, lots of tea and chilly ocean breezes. I'll have to get some serious sleep before I can focus on any particular details for you. Despite my best efforts to be practical, I got overexcited like I always do and jammed a little too much into this trip. The cost? Temporary memory loss and extreme exhaustion.

Biloxi Little Theatre presents A GLEE-FUL CELEBRATION, April 3-6, 2014. Directed by LeAnne D. Womble and Taylor D. Switzer. TICKETS PRICES: Regular Admission - $15.00; Students - $10.00

Abingdon Theatre Company, in an ongoing effort to recognize excellence in playwriting, established the Christopher Brian Wolk Award to be presented annually to an American writer of a full-length play not produced in New York City. The award is based upon the writer's demonstrated ability to reach a mature artistic vision using theatre. Playwright Sheldon Bull will receive the $1,000 cash award and a staged reading of his script MALLORCA, directed by Donald Brenner (GREAT EXPECTATIONS), at the award ceremony, December 16, starting at 7:00PM in the June Havoc Theatre, 312 West 36th Street in Manhattan.