This is perhaps an odd time for Nöel Coward's comedy about death and supernatural apparitions to land in the West End – Richard Eyre's revival transferring from Theatre Royal Bath. On the other hand, there's something comforting about Coward's portrait of the afterlife as essentially a continuation, with our personalities, desires and enmities very much intact. Plus the opportunity to socialise with Joan of Arc.
London is never short of temptations, whether splashy West End shows, epic dramas or bold fringe offerings. From a musical with old Hollywood glamour to starry Chekhov and Coward, here are some of this month's most eye-catching openings. Don't forget to check back for BroadwayWorld's reviews, interviews and features!
Winner of the Tony Award for Best Play and the Olivier Award for Best New Comedy, this ruthlessly comic study of middle class parenting by the author of Art, is one of the most successful plays ever in the history of the West End.
Theatre Royal Bath Productions has released new production imagery for its hit comedy production of Yasmina Reza's God of Carnage which returns in a new UK tour following an acclaimed run as part of its Summer Season 2018. Directed by Lindsay Posner (A View from the Bridge, Carousel), the production stars Elizabeth McGovern (Downton Abbey, Ragtime) who reprises her dazzling performance as Veronica alongside Nigel Lindsay (Victoria, Four Lions) as bluff husband Michael with new cast members Samantha Spiro (Grandma's House, Lady Windermere's Fan) as Annette and Simon Paisley Day (Ralegh: The Treason Trial, The Crown) as her husband, Alan.
Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol places Ebenezer Scrooge centre-stage, shoving all its female characters to the side in an attempt to paint a deeply unfair and harrowing picture of London's Victorian society. The protagonist has been an immovable presence in theatres around Christmas time from the same year the novella was published, establishing Scrooge as a historically male role. That is, until now.
Following an acclaimed run as part of its Summer Season 2018, Theatre Royal Bath Productions is delighted to announced the return of its hit comedy production of Yasmina Reza's God of Carnage for a UK tour starting in January 2020.
A 1950s Ealing comedy probably wouldn't be your first port of call when trying to think of a timely film to adapt for the stage, whilst also giving people an opportunity for a much-needed laugh. However, The Man in the White Suit has managed it in one perfect package. Sean Foley has adapted and directed this stage production, which has now opened on the West End following a short run at Theatre Royal Bath.
In his introduction to the play in the programme, David Hare remarks that: a?oeit's not just that Vanya soaks up a bewildering variety of interpretation... it's also, that, in the theatre, it's often hard to discern exactly what it's about.a??
This elusiveness characterises this specially commissioned production at Theatre Royal Bath very well: it's sumptuously staged with some brilliant performances, yet the changes of tone don't quite blend as well as they may.
There's always a buzz of excitement when a film crew come to your home town but is it always a positive impact on the community? Marie Jones' multi-award winning comedy, Stones in His Pockets, is currently touring the UK and is making its stop in Brighton's Theatre Royal this week.
Theatre Royal Bath Productions today releases production images for Uncle Vanya, which sees Rupert Everett direct his first stage play and lead the cast in Chekhov's theatrical masterpiece in a new version by renowned playwright and screenwriter David Hare. The production runs in the Main House until Saturday 3 August with opening night for press now on Tuesday 30 July.
Get a first look at Vienna 1934 – Munich 1938, written, directed by and starring Vanessa Redgrave. Theatre Royal Bath presents the Rose Theatre Kingston production which will runs at Bath's Ustinov Studio until Saturday 3 August with opening night for press on Wednesday 17 July
Get a first look at Theatre Royal Bath Productions' Blithe Spirit, Noel Coward's classic comedy starring BAFTA-winning comedian, actor and screenwriter Jennifer Saunders
Theatre Royal Bath Productions today releases production photography for the UK premiere of Christopher Durang's Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, directed by the Tony Award-winning US director Walter Bobbie. The comedy stars Michelle Asante, Janie Dee, Mark Hadfield, Aysha Kala, Rebecca Lacey and Lewis Reeves and runs at the Ustinov Studio until 6 July with opening night for press this evening.
Theatre Royal Bath Productions and Rose Theatre Productions today release production images for Stones in His Pockets, the Olivier award-winning comedy from Marie Jones.
Get a first look below at the new national tour of Noel Coward's A Song at Twilight starring Simon Callow, Jane Asher, Jessica Turner and Ash Rizi. The production, directed by Stephen Unwin, has its opening night for press tomorrow evening at Theatre Royal Bath where it will run until 23 February before touring through to mid-April.
Arthur Miller is certainly popular this season, with The Price currently at the Wyndham's Theatre, The American Clock and All My Sons both at the Old Vic in the next few weeks, and Death of a Salesman due to open in May at the Young Vic. Miller productions are all the rage in London right now!
Northern Broadsides and New Vic Theatre have released production images for their co-production of William Shakespeare's glorious tale of antagonistic romance and chaotic comedy - Much Ado About Nothing, which has its official opening night at the New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme on Tuesday 12 February.
Northern Broadsides and New Vic Theatre have released rehearsal images for their forthcoming touring co-production of William Shakespeare's glorious tale of antagonistic romance and chaotic comedy -Much Ado About Nothing.
Directed by Lucy Bailey, the play is set in a remote house in 90s Switzerland where the elderly and mean Patricia Highsmith - eccentric writer of many psychological thrillers and creator of the famous murderous character Tom Ripley - receives a visit from a young man. Sent by her American publisher, Edward Ridgeway has the only goal of convincing her to write one last Ripley novel.