Paul Arditti News

This weekend saw a record breaking twenty-five former and current Billy Elliots come together on stage in a specially choreographed mash-up finale of Billy Elliot the Musical. This unique performance was broadcast live to eight countries from the show's West End home at the Victoria Palace Theatre. All three original Billy Elliots - James Lomas, George Maguire and Liam Mower - took part in a spectacular finale as the broadcast, the widest ever cinema release of a live event, hit number one at the UK box office.

This weekend saw a record breaking twenty-five former and current Billy Elliots come together on stage in a specially choreographed mash-up finale of Billy Elliot the Musical. At a unique performance, broadcast live to eight countries from the show's West End home at the Victoria Palace Theatre, all three original Billy Elliots - James Lomas, George Maguire and Liam Mower - took part in the spectacular finale. Two special screenings of Billy Elliot the Musical Live also took place at the historic Easington Social Welfare Centre, formerly the Easington Colliery Miners' Institute, one of the settings for Billy's inspiring story.

Richard Bean's new play Great Britain opened in the West End last night (26 September 2014) following a sell-out run at the National Theatre.

Following the National Theatre's sold out run, Great Britain has started performances at Theatre Royal Haymarket. Lucy Punch leads the cast as Paige Britain in the West End transfer of Richard Bean's new play, directed by Nicholas Hytner. Great Britain, is designed by Tim Hatley, with video design by 59 Productions, lighting by Neil Austin, music by Grant Olding and sound by Paul Arditti. Press night is tonight 26 September, and the production is strictly booking to 10 January 2015. BroadwayWorld has new photos of the cast in action below!

Due to overwhelming demand, the producers of Mike Bartlett's critically acclaimed new play, King Charles III have announced that the show's run will extend by 9 weeks, and will now play at the Wyndham's Theatre until 31 January 2015. Tickets for the extension go on sale today.

Following the National Theatre's sold out run, Great Britain has started performances at Theatre Royal Haymarket. Lucy Punch leads the cast as Paige Britain in the West End transfer of Richard Bean's new play, directed by Nicholas Hytner. Great Britain, is designed by Tim Hatley, with video design by 59 Productions, lighting by Neil Austin, music by Grant Olding and sound by Paul Arditti. Press night is on 26 September, and the production is strictly booking to 10 January 2015. BroadwayWorld has new photos of the cast in action below!

This week 11 year old Todd Bell from Whitehaven, Cumbria, joins the cast of Billy Elliot the Musical at the Victoria Palace Theatre to play Billy Elliot's best friend Michael, alternating the role with current Michaels Zach Atkinson (12 years old from Manchester) and Tomi Fry (11 years old from Swindon). Todd Bell will join the adult cast led by Ruthie Henshall (Mrs Wilkinson), Deka Walmsley (Dad), Chris Grahamson (Tony), Ann Emery (Grandma), Howard Crossley (George) and Barnaby Meredith (Older Billy) alongside current Billy Elliots Elliott Hanna (11 years old from Liverpool), Ollie Jochim (12 years old from Chelmsford, Essex Bradley Perret (12 years old from Juan les Pins, France) and Matteo Zecca (12 years old from Buckinghamshire) who alternate the title role.

Tickets for the Broadway production of The Audience starring Academy Award winner Helen Mirren will go on sale to the public beginning Friday September 12 at 12:01 AM at www.telecharge.com.

Lucy Punch will play the leading role of Paige Britain in the West End transfer of Richard Bean's new play,Great Britain. Directed by Nicholas Hytner, the National Theatre's sell out production transfers to theTheatre Royal Haymarket tonight 9 September 2014 with opening night on 26 September at 7pm.

Lucy Punch will play the leading role of Paige Britain in the West End transfer of Richard Bean's new play,Great Britain. Directed by Nicholas Hytner, the National Theatre's sell out production transfers to theTheatre Royal Haymarket on 9 September 2014 with opening night on 26 September at 7pm. Great Britain's strictly limited run, booking to 10 January 2015, is designed by Tim Hatley, with video design by 59 Productions, lighting by Neil Austin, music by Grant Olding and sound by Paul Arditti. Check out an (updated) first look below!

Twenty-seven former and current Billy Elliots will unite on stage in a specially choreographed mash-up finale onSunday 28 September when Billy Elliot the Musical is broadcast live from the Victoria Palace Theatre to cinemas across the UK and around the world. All three original Billy Elliots - James Lomas, George Maguire and Liam Mower - will take part in the spectacular finale. In addition, as previously announced, Liam Mower will play the role of Older Billy at this performance.

This spring, Carey Mulligan and Bill Nighy will reprise their critically acclaimed West End performances when the hit London production of David Hare's Skylight, directed by two-time Tony Award-winner Stephen Daldry, comes to Broadway. The production played to sold-out houses when it opened in the West End in June.

The Almeida Theatre's acclaimed production of King Charles III transfers to the Wyndham's Theatre for a limited season previewing from Tuesday 2 September with a press performance on Thursday 11 September. Tim Pigott-Smith once again plays Charles, and Oliver Chris will reprise his role as William. They are joined by Katie Brayben, Richard Goulding, Nyasha Hatendi, Adam James, Margot Leicester, Miles Richardson, Tom Robertson, Nicholas Rowe, Tafline Steen and Lydia Wilson.

The world premiere of Alecky Blythe's new play inspired by the 2011 London riots, directed by Joe Hill-Gibbins, LITTLE REVOLUTION, will play the Almeida Theatre. This is Alecky's first new London production after the success of London Road at the National Theatre.

The complete cast of the Almeida Theatre's acclaimed production of King Charles III began rehearsals today for the play's West End transfer. Directed by Almeida Artistic Director Rupert Goold, the world premiere of Mike Bartlett's hit new play enjoyed a sell-out run at the Almeida earlier this year and received outstanding critical acclaim. King Charles III will transfer to the Wyndham's Theatre for a limited season previewing from Tuesday 2 September with a press performance on Thursday 11 September.

Lucy Punch will play the leading role of Paige Britain in the West End transfer of Richard Bean's new play,Great Britain. Directed by Nicholas Hytner, the National Theatre's sell out production transfers to theTheatre Royal Haymarket on 9 September 2014 with opening night on 26 September at 7pm. Great Britain's strictly limited run, booking to 10 January 2015, is designed by Tim Hatley, with video design by 59 Productions, lighting by Neil Austin, music by Grant Olding and sound by Paul Arditti.

Academy Award winner Helen Mirren will return to Broadway this spring as Elizabeth II in Peter Morgan's THE AUDIENCE, directed by two-time Tony Award winner Stephen Daldry. The limited engagement will play at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, 236 West 45th Street. Previews forTHE AUDIENCE begin on February 17 and opening night is March 8. It will run through June 28 2015.

Gavi Singh Chera, a member of the National Youth Theatre's Playing Up course in 2014, will make his professional stage debut at the National Theatre in David Hare's new play Behind the Beautiful Forevers, alongside Meera Syal and Stephanie Street, directed by Rufus Norris.

A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE just opened at the Young Vic and is booking to Friday, September 19, 2014. Gillian Anderson is Blanche DuBois, Ben Foster is Stanley and Vanessa Kirby is Stella in Tennessee Williams' timeless masterpiece. As Blanche's fragile world crumbles, she turns to her sister Stella for solace - but her downward spiral brings her face to face with the brutal, unforgiving Stanley Kowalski. Visionary director Benedict Andrews returns to the Young Vic following his Critics' Circle Award-winning Three Sisters.

On Sunday 28 September, Liam Mower will join the cast of Billy Elliot the Musical for a special performance to be broadcast live from the Victoria Palace Theatre to cinemas across the UK and around the world. Mower, who will play the role of Older Billy, originated the role of Billy Elliot in 2005 along with George Maguire and James Lomas, and was the first boy ever to play the role on stage.