Meera Syal News

Do not anger the theatre gods, for their vengeance is swift and mighty. On press night of Michael Frayn's peerless portrait of backstage disasters, the Lyric suffered its own "technical difficulties", adding a distinctly meta frisson to this already gloriously layered comedy.

Michael Frayn's award winning Noises Off makes a welcome return to the Lyric Hammersmith nearly forty years since it premiered to great acclaim at the theatre in 1982 and instantly became an iconic British comedy. The multi award winning backstage comedy, which runs from 27 June until 27 July, will be directed by Jeremy Herrin and designed by Max Jones in a new production.

London is never short of temptations, whether splashy West End shows, epic dramas or bold fringe offerings. From Jason Robert Brown and Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals to riotous comedy, here are some of this month's most eye-catching openings. Don't forget to check back for BroadwayWorld's reviews, interviews and features!

Michael Frayn's award winning Noises Off makes a welcome return to the Lyric Hammersmith nearly forty years since it premiered to great acclaim at the theatre in 1982 and instantly became an iconic British comedy. The multi award winning backstage comedy, which runs from 27 June until 27 July, will be directed by Jeremy Herrin and designed by Max Jones in a new production.

Further performers have been revealed for Park Theatre's World Premiere murder mystery Whodunnit [Unrehearsed], as Adam Hills, Jason Manford, Neil Morrissey, Clarke Peters and Sandi Toksvig - with the voice of Miriam Margolyes - join the stellar list of participants. Every night, a different guest performer will step onstage to join the rehearsed ensemble of a scripted murder mystery play, having attended no rehearsals, read no script, nor received any direction. Armed only with a hidden earpiece to receive instructions, they will endeavour to solve the crime in real time.

The Lyric Hammersmith today announces the cast for Michael Frayn's award winning Noises Off, which runs from 27 June - 27 July 2019. Returning to the Lyric for the first time since its triumphant premiere in 1982, Jeremy Herrin (All My Sons, Wolf Hall, This House), will direct a new production of this iconic British comedy for fans to enjoy and new audiences to discover.

The Victoria and Albert Museum will host an exhibition of portraits by Francis Hamel celebrating the visiting professors of the Cameron Mackintosh Chair of Contemporary Theatre at St Catherine's College, Oxford.

Park Theatre today announced their new July - December 2019 season. Featuring four World Premiere productions, two UK and London Premieres and a range of revivals from Broadway and the West End, the theatre also introduces a revised young person's membership scheme called Park Up.

In the first glimpse of Park Theatre's new season, the theatre can reveal initial star casting for their World Premiere murder mystery Whodunnit [Unrehearsed], in association with Avalon. Every night, a different guest performer will step onstage to join the rehearsed ensemble of a scripted murder mystery play, having attended no rehearsals, read no script, nor received any direction. Armed only with a hidden earpiece to receive instructions, they will endeavour to solve the crime in real time.

"Dreams do come true, if only we wish hard enough," says Peter Pan, and this month it definitely seems that BroadwayHD subscribers will be getting everything they've dreamed about and even more! In April, BroadwayHD, the premier streaming service for live theater, will be adding a number of standout productions to their service including the beloved family favorite Peter Pan starring Cathy Rigby, remastered in high definition and available on streaming for the very first time, and an intriguing documentary Leonard Bernstein's West Side Story. In addition, one of the most renown music festivals, the BBC Prom, will be coming to the service with the debut of BBC Prom: Dawn at Dusk and BBC Prom: Rogers and Hammerstein this month as well.

Recipients of the third annual Tonic Awards were announced tonight at an awards ceremony held at The May Fair Hotel hosted by Tracy Ann Oberman. The awards celebrate the achievements of game-changing women, significant organisations, projects and productions that redefine the role of women in the performing arts, both on and off stage. The recipients of this year's awards are: Jude Kelly CBE, Alison Tickell, Open Clasp Theatre Company, Paula Garfield, Elliott & Harper Productions for Company, Shakespeare's Globe's production of Emilia, The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize and Dance Umbrella.

The National Theatre last night hosted its biennial fundraising Up Next gala, raising a record-breaking £1.165 million to support their inspirational work in and with communities across the UK.

EMILY ATACK (The Inbetweeners, Dad's Army, I'm a Celebrity) will hit the road in Spring 2019 with her debut comedy show Talk Thirty To Me, a live memoir of anecdotes, impressions and tales of a comedy actor in her twenties. Emily will unravel today's anxiety-inducing world of scrolling through social media, swiping right and left, slimming apps, and the never-ending search for 'the one'. Her debut tour promises to be a truly hilarious, tongue-in-cheek look at 'having it all' and turning 30 in the millennial age.

Leicester's Curve theatre has partnered with the National Student Drama Festival (NSDF) to host this year's event in April.

Garret Millerick isn't usually a contrary man.

Birmingham Hippodrome have released a selection of stunning, rarely seen backstage images taken during a performance of this year's high-flying pantomime, Peter Pan.

Today (3 Jan), Darren Day took to the stage with fellow co-stars Meera Syal (Magical Mermaid), Matt Slack (Smee) and Jaymi Hensley (Peter Pan) as he takes over the role of Captain Hook in Birmingham Hippodrome's pantomime adventure, Peter Pan.

EMILY ATACK (The Inbetweeners, Dad's Army, I'm a Celebrity) will hit the road in Spring 2019 with her debut comedy show Talk Thirty To Me, a live memoir of anecdotes, impressions and tales of a comedy actor in her twenties. Emily will unravel today's anxiety-inducing world of scrolling through social media, swiping right and left, slimming apps, and the never-ending search for 'the one'. Her debut tour promises to be a truly hilarious, tongue-in-cheek look at 'having it all' and turning 30 in the millennial age.

Marking the 10th anniversary of the revered playwright's death, Pinter at the Pinter features all Pinter's short plays, alongside a selection of his poems and sketches.