Following a critically acclaimed, sold out run, Chichester Festival Theatre's sparkling production of the Broadway smash hit musical, The Pajama Game, directed by Richard Eyre, just opened in the West End, playing until 13 September 2014. A buoyantly blissful blend of romance and comedy starring Joanna Riding reprising her feisty heroine, and Michael Xavier, the show features golden hits such as Hey There (You With The Stars In Your Eyes), Hernando's Hideaway and Steam Heat.
In 1950s America, love is in the air at the Sleep-Tite Pajama Factory as handsome new Superintendent Sid Sorokin (Michael Xavier) falls head-over-heels for firebrand Union rep Babe Williams (Joanna Riding). Sparks fly when the employees are refused a seven-and-a-half cents raise, leaving Sid and Babe deliciously at odds as the temperature rises. . . Will love, eventually, conquer all?
Let's see what the critics had to say...
Richard Eyre's revival of this classic American musical is worth getting out of bed for. In Coronation Street, the machinists at Carla's knicker factory steal the petty cash and gossip over cream cakes. Rewind to 1954 and working conditions are very different. The unionised workers at Mr Hasler's pajama factory are overworked and underpaid so they threaten production by 'going slow' and with substandard button threading.
Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: Fantasia returns to AFTER MIDNIGHT as its guest star tonight!
Following a critically acclaimed, sold out run, Chichester Festival Theatre's sparkling production of the Broadway smash hit musical, The Pajama Game, directed by Richard Eyre, transfers to the West End on 2 May playing until 13 September 2014.
The winners of the 38th Olivier Awards with MasterCard, the most prestigious event in the UK theatrical calendar, were announced tonight (Sunday 13 April 2014) in front of a packed audience at a glamorous ceremony at London's Royal Opera House hosted by Stephen Mangan and Gemma Arterton.
Gary Naylor spends a couple of hours on the Covent Garden cobbles watching the pre-show and the big screen feed of first half of the Oliviers 2014. On a perfect spring evening, Covent Garden was buzzing more than ever as I pushed past the men doing that 'hover above the pavement' trick you see in all capital cities and the statue-still spray-painted street 'entertainers' to pitch up at the Piazza for the big stage and big screens of the Oliviers 2014.
It's the biggest night in the West End theatre calendar - the great and the good are gathered in Covent Garden to celebrate the best stage work of the last year. Stick with us throughout the night for all the winners, as well as gossip from the Party in the Piazza, and a running commentary on the TV highlights show!
Nominees are The Sound of Music (Regent's Park Open Air Theatre), Tell Me On A Sunday (St James/Duchess Theatre) and Merrily We Roll Along (Menier Chocolate Factory/Harold Pinter Theatre)
A first look at the stars of the new West End revival of musical comedy classic THE PAJAMA GAME in action is now available, showcasing headliners Joanna Riding and Michael Xavier.
Stage One, the charity that supports new UK commercial theatre producers and productions, today announces the latest recipient of its Start-Up Investment Fund. Stephen McGill has been awarded £50,000 by the charity to co-produce the West End transfer of the critically acclaimed Chichester Festival Theatre production of The Pajama Game. He will co-produce alongside Joseph Smith, Old Vic Productions, John Brant and Gavin Kalin. The production, directed by Richard Eyre, begins previews at the Shaftesbury Theatre on 2 May 2014 and stars Joanna Riding, Michael Xavier, Peter Polycarpou, Gary Wilmot and Colin Stinton.
The special one-night-only concert You'll Never Walk Alone took place on Sunday 2 March at the Queen's Theatre in aid of the Philippines Typhoon Appeal, with all proceeds going directly to the Disasters Emergency Committee. Scroll down for photos from the show!
Blake and Juliet Stevenson also to appear at charity concert in aid of the Philippines Typhoon Appeal along with Joanna Riding, Michael Xavier and Danielle Hope.
Peter Polycarpou, Gary Wilmot and Colin Stinton join the cast of the West End transfer of Chichester Festival Theatre's sparkling production of the Broadway smash hit musical, The Pajama Game, directed by Richard Eyre. Peter Polycarpou and Colin Stinton reprise their roles as Vernon Hines and Hasler, with Gary Wilmot taking over the role of Vernon Hines from 2 June. They join the previously announced Joanna Riding and Michael Xavier. The Pajama Game opens at the Shaftesbury Theatre on 13 May, with previews from 2 May, playing until 13 September 2014.
Award-winning TV personality, fashion guru, author and all round National Treasure Gok Wan will host the special one-night-only concert You'll Never Walk Alone at the Queen's Theatre on Sunday 2 March 2014 at 7.30pm in aid of the Philippines Typhoon Appeal, it was announced today. Tickets are now on sale from £32.50, with all proceeds going directly to the Disasters Emergency Committee.
More names are announced today for a special one-night-only concert You'll Never Walk Alone at the Queen's Theatre on Sunday 2 March 2014 at 7.30pm in aid of the Philippines Typhoon Appeal. Tickets are now on sale from £32.50, with all proceeds going directly to the Disasters Emergency Committee.
JemmThree, the UK's first 24/7 radio station dedicated to musical theatre, is having a Musical Theatre Christmas by raising the curtain on nine musicals, with many narrated by the shows' own writing teams.
Stars of the stage and screen will come together for a special one-night-only concert You'll Never Walk Alone at the Queen's Theatreon Sunday 2 March 2014 at 7.30pm in aid of the Philippines Typhoon Appeal, it was announced today. Tickets are now on sale from £32.50, with all proceeds going directly to the Disasters Emergency Committee.
Following a critically acclaimed, sold-out run, Chichester Festival Theatre's sparkling production of the Broadway smash hit musical, The Pajama Game, directed by Richard Eyre, transfers to the West End on 1 May playing until 13 September 2014.
