Menier Chocolate Factory News

On Thursday, May 17 Cake Productions, one of the most cutting-edge-aware theatre companies in the country, will present the New York Premiere of Tiffany Antone's prophetic wake-up call, "IN THE COMPANY OF JANE DOE," a new play about a woman who gets herself cloned then wants a Do-Over. There are men in the play. One of them causes all the trouble.

As previously announced for STEP 9 (OF 12), joining Blake Harrison in his West End debut as Keith will be Wendy Nottingham, Barry McCarthy and Benjamin Dilloway. The show opens at Trafalgar Studios in a new production directed by Tom Attenborough. The four-week run begins tonight, May 4, 2012 at 7.00pm.

The creative team behind last summer's sold-out, acclaimed Southwark Playhouse musical, Parade - long-listed for The Ned Sherrin Award for Best Musical in the 2011 Evening Standard Awards - are returning to the venue for a major revival of the Jerry Herman/Michael Stewart Hollywood musical, Mack and Mabel. The show runs July 5 - August 25.

The critically acclaimed production of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES starring George Hamilton and Christopher Seiber arrives in Orange County at Segerstrom Center for the Arts July 24 - August 5.

Tom Chambers and Summer Strallen take the lead roles of Jerry Travers and Dale Tremont in Top Hat, which is currently playing at the Aldwych Theatre in the West End. The show is currently booking until 26 January 2013 with press night on 9 May 2012. See photos of Chambers, Strallen and the rest of the company in Top Hat below!

Following a sold out run in 2011, the Menier Chocolate Factory welcome backs groundbreaking ventriloquist Nina Conti, working on brand new material for her new show for 5 performances only, from Tuesday 15th - Saturday 19th May.

Following a sold-out run in 2011, the Menier Chocolate Factory is delighted to welcome back groundbreaking ventriloquist Nina Conti, working on brand new material for her new show for 5 performances only, from Tuesday 15th - Saturday 19th May.

Rehearsals begin today, 30th April, for Harvey Fierstein's acclaimed Torch Song Trilogy. The production will be directed by Douglas Hodge and will play at the Menier Chocolate Factory 30 May - 12 August. Full casting is confirmed as follows: David Bedella will be playing Arnold Beckoff, Joe McFadden will be playing Ed, Sara Kestelman will be playing Mrs Beckoff, Tom Harries will be playing Alan, Perry Millward will be playing David and Laura Pyper will be playing Laurel.

Central Square Theater and its resident companies, The Nora Theatre Company and Underground Railway Theater, have announced their 2012-2013, and 5th anniversary, season.

The Old Vic will bring the critically acclaimed Sheffield Theatres' production of Michael Frayn's cold-war drama Democracy to London with previews from 15 June and press night on 20 June. Associate Director of Sheffield Theatres Paul Miller directs.

The Pleasance Theatre will present a new production of MOON RIVER, written by Seiriol Davies and directed by Caroline Horton, form May 22nd through June 2nd.

Steven Berkoff is to direct the World Premiere of his latest play, 6 Actors in Search of a Director, a comedy set on a movie location set, for a West End season at Charing Cross Theatre from Wednesday 16th May - Saturday 23rd June. Six actors are on a movie set waiting for their call. Until then they are in limbo needing the director to bring them to life. He does this merely by using the one magic word - "Action!"

La Cage Aux Folles starring George Hamilton and Christopher Sieber is presented by Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) at the Hobby Center April 24 - May 6, 2012.

Theatre Royal Bath Productions and Chocolate Factory Productions are have announced the transfer of Mike Leigh's Abigail's Party to Wyndham's Theatre from Tuesday, 15th May.

After raising L.A.'s cultural pulse with new productions attracting critical acclaim, The Eli & Edythe Broad Stage at the Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center had unveiled its vision for the future and announced its 5th Anniversary Season beginning on September 1, 2012 with the Brazilian jazz singer Luciana Souza. Highlights of the expanded season include world premieres from today's most relevant companies and artists in dance, theater, and music from around the world; artistic partnerships with London's Menier Chocolate Factory, the Los Angeles Opera, and Shakespeare's Globe Theatre; the 4th Annual Westside Jazz Experience featuring stars such as Pat Metheny, Rickie Lee Jones, and the Fabulous Thunderbirds; a return of family programs including a hit from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival; and artists direct from Brazil, Cuba, Europe, and across the U.S.

The Menier Chocolate Factory will present Harvey Fierstein's acclaimed Torch Song Trilogy, 30th May to 12th August, starring David Bedella and Sara Kestelman and directed by actor/director Douglas Hodge.

A European premiere from one of Canada's pre-eminent playwrights, Daniel MacIvor, His Greatness opens at the Finborough Theatre on Tuesday, 24 April 2012 (Press Night: Friday, 27 April 2012 at 7.30pm) for a four week limited season. Directed by Che Walker, the cast includes Russell Bentley, Matthew Marsh and Toby Wharton.

Olympics Gold Medallist Robin Cousins will star on the West End stage as Billy Flynn in the musical CHICAGO at the Garrick Theatre from 17 July, 10 days ahead of the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony. He will be in the show until 8 September, the day before the final day of the Paralympics.

The Daily Mail UK reports that David Bedella will star as drag queen Arnold Beckoffin in Harvey Fierstein's new three-act play Torch Song Trilogy at the Menier Chocolate Factory in Southwark, London, beginning May 30. Douglas Hodge will direct. Sara Kestelman will play Arnold's mother.

Full casting announced for STEP 9 (OF 12) - joining Blake Harrison in his West End debut as Keith will be Wendy Nottingham, Barry McCarthy and Benjamin Dilloway. The show opens at Trafalgar Studios in a new production directed by Tom Attenborough.