Mike Leigh News

British screen legend Jane Horrocks will give advice to students as part of a partnership between the University of Salford and playwright Jim Cartwright.

The New Group has just announced complete casting and the design team for Clueless, The Musical by Amy Heckerling.  This world premiere production, with choreography by Kelly Devine, directed by Kristin Hanggi, features Ephie Aardema, Lori Alan, Sara Andreas, Gilbert L. Bailey II, Dove Cameron, Will Connolly, Danielle Marie Gonzalez, Tessa Grady, Talya Groves, Chris Hoch, L'ogan J'ones, Darius Jordan Lee, Justin Mortelliti, Brett Thiele, Dave Thomas Brown and Zurin Villanueva; with Scenic Design by Beowulf Boritt; Costume Design by Amy Clark; Lighting Design by Jason Lyons; Sound Design by Gareth Owen; Projection Design by Darrel Maloney; Music Supervision, Arrangement and Orchestration by Ethan Popp and Music Direction by Matthew Smedal.  Previews begin November 20 in advance of an Official Opening Night on Tuesday, December 11.  A limited Off-Broadway engagement is slated through January 12 at The Pershing Square Signature Center (The Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre, 480 West 42nd Street).

Get a first look at the production Images for the premiere of UK Theatre award-winning playwright Lizzie Nunnery's new play with songs To Have To Shoot Irishmen.

The young award-winning Manchester, UK, native already has several diverse roles under her belt, and her career is progressing at a rapid pace

With the world premiere double-bill of Nick Dear's Hogarth's Progress currently playing at Rose Theatre Kingston as part of its 10th anniversary season, the company today announces its Spring 2019 season. This will be the first season presented in the venue's newly reconfigured auditorium, with developments taking place in January 2019 following a capital fundraising programme.

Austin Film Festival & Writers Conference (AFF), the premier film festival recognizing the writers' contributions to film, television, and new media, announced today the full schedule of films and panels for the 25th Anniversary festival, this October 25-November 1. AFF's feature film slate includes 23 World, North American, and US Premieres, a robust retrospective series, and highly anticipated marquee titles, including Steve McQueen's and Gillian Flynn's modern-day thriller Widows, Peter Farrelly's dramedy period piece Green Book starring Mahershala Ali and Viggo Mortensen, Mike Leigh's period piece Peterloo,  Mickey Rourke-starring boxing drama Tiger, Paul Dano's Wildlife starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Carey Mulligan, and Julia Roberts and Lucas Hedges family drama Ben is Back bowing as AFF's Centerpiece selection, with writer/director Peter Hedges in attendance.

It's been over forty years since Mike Leigh's gauche hostess Beverly slow-danced her way into theatrical history, but what happened to Abigail? The Queen's Theatre Hornchurch and Derby Theatre have joined forces to commission Abi, a contemporary response to the classic comedy Abigail's Party.

Jodie Prenger leads the cast in Abigail's Party, Mike Leigh's groundbreaking comedy classic which begins a major UK tour in Brighton on 10 January 2019 and tours until 20 April 2019 in Edinburgh.

The Pond Theatre Company, an American home for contemporary British and Irish playwrights, presents the world premiere of The Naturalists by Irish writer Jaki McCarrick. Directed by The Pond co-founders Colleen Clinton and Lily Dorment, The Naturalists marks the professional New York debut of McCarrick, best known for her play Belfast Girls, which was developed at the National Theatre Studio in London and was shortlisted for the 2012 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize. McCarrick's play, Leopoldville, won the 2010 Papatango Prize for New Writing.

It's been over forty years since Mike Leigh's gauche hostess Beverly slow-danced her way into theatrical history, but what happened to Abigail? The Queen's Theatre Hornchurch and Derby Theatre have joined forces to commission Abi, a contemporary response to the classic comedy Abigail's Party.

The Queen's Theatre Hornchurch is bringing Mike Leigh's cult classic, Abigail's Party home to its Essex roots this autumn. Set in 'theoretical Romford', this delicious 70s comedy notorious for its references to cheesy-pineapple and Demis Roussos is co-produced with Derby Theatre, Wiltshire Creative and international partner Les Theatres de la Ville de Luxembourg.

Telluride Film Festival, presented by the National Film Preserve, today announced its official program selections for the 45th edition of the Telluride Film Festival. TFF's celebration of artistic excellence brings together cinema enthusiasts, filmmakers and artists to discover the best in world cinema in the beautiful mountain town of Telluride, Colorado. TFF will screen over sixty feature films, short films and revival programs representing twenty-two countries, along with special artist Tributes, Conversations, Panels, Student Programs and Festivities. Telluride Film Festival takes place Friday, August 31 - Monday, September 3, 2018.

What the f*ck was I thinking putting a swear word into the title of my play? I have created a marketing nightmare. Over the course of the last months of pre-production, we've lost an 'i' in favour of an '!'. And as for the posters on the Tube, the word 'Sh!t' has been turned in its entirety into four squares. Which, if I squint at them from a distance, look very nearly like four stars. I can dream...

The 62nd BFI London Film Festival in partnership with American Express® today announces its full programme, featuring a diverse selection of 225 feature films from both established and emerging talent. This 12-day celebration of cinema illustrates the richness of international filmmaking, with films to delight and entertain audiences, and also films that probe and interrogate issues of significance.

Mike Leigh's PETERLOO, will have its U.K. premiere in Manchester as part of the BFI London Film Festival, according to The Hollywood Reporter. This will be the first time the festival has premiered a film outside the capital.

Almanac Arts has announced full casting for the premiere of Lizzie Nunnery's new play with songs To Have To Shoot Irishmen which will open at the Omnibus Theatre in London from 2-20 Oct and then tour.

The Toronto International Film Festival® has unveiled the lineup for the 2018 Masters programme, comprised of 11 daring new films by acclaimed, established auteurs with remarkable bodies of work. With projects that reflect on history, focus on personal introspection, and take a critical look at society, this year's programme proves that innovation in storytelling is not exclusive to newer generations of filmmakers.

Daniel Schumann, Lee Dean and Cambridge Arts Theatre in association with Birmingham Repertory Theatre today announce John Stahl (Big Ger Cafferty) and Cathy Tyson (Siobhan Clarke) will join Charles Lawson (John Rebus) in Rebus: Long Shadows, a brand new Rebus story written exclusively for the stage by author of the original novels, Ian Rankin and playwright Rona Munro. Further casting to be announced shortly.

It's been over forty years since Mike Leigh's gauche hostess Beverly slow-danced her way into theatrical history, but what happened to Abigail? The Queen's Theatre Hornchurch and Derby Theatre have joined forces to commission Abi, a contemporary response to the classic comedy Abigail's Party.