Peter Rice News

In light of the tremendous success achieved to date in the Company's direct-to-consumer business and to further accelerate its DTC strategy, The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) today announced a strategic reorganization of its media and entertainment businesses.

The Hulu Scripted Originals content team is joining forces with Walt Disney Television to integrate development of original scripted drama and comedy programming for the streaming service with Disney's expansive television resources. With this alignment, Craig Erwich, senior vice president of Scripted Originals for Hulu, will report to Dana Walden, chairman of Disney Television Studios and ABC Entertainment. Erwich will continue to lead scripted originals planning, development and commissioning for Hulu's original comedies and dramas, and his team will remain housed within the Santa Monica Hulu headquarters.

The Hulu Scripted Originals content team is joining forces with Walt Disney Television to integrate development of original scripted drama and comedy programming for the streaming service with Disney's expansive television resources. With this alignment, Craig Erwich, senior vice president of Scripted Originals for Hulu, will report to Dana Walden, chairman of Disney Television Studios and ABC Entertainment. Erwich will continue to lead scripted originals planning, development and commissioning for Hulu's original comedies and dramas, and his team will remain housed within the Santa Monica Hulu headquarters.

The cast and filmmakers of Disney's live-action adaptation "Aladdin," completed their Magic Carpet World Tour in Los Angeles yesterday with the film's star-studded world premiere at the El Capitan Theater on Hollywood Blvd. Will Smith, Mena Massoud, Naomi Scott, director Guy Ritchie and composer Alan Menken were joined by other cast and filmmakers and VIP guests including Helen Mirren and Darren Criss.

The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) today announced that Ravi Ahuja will join the senior leadership team of Walt Disney Television upon the close of the 21st Century Fox acquisition as president, Business Operations, and chief financial officer. In this role, Ahuja will oversee finance, strategic planning, business development, affiliate sales & distribution, technology, music affairs, consumer insights and labor relations for the division. 

Stephen Adly Guirgis's play is as relevant today as ever, its coruscating examination of the nature of American justice and religious redemption losing none of its power a generation on from its first outing.

For Jesus Hopped the 'A' Train, Kate Hewitt directs Oberon K. A. Adjepong (Lucius Jenkins), Matthew Douglas (D'Amico), Dervla Kirwan (Mary Jane Hanrahan), Ukweli Roach (Angel Cruz) and Joplin Sibtain (Valdez). The production previews from 14 February, with a Press Night on 20 February, and runs until 30 March.

Twenty-two-year Disney Communications veteran Kevin Brockman, executive vice president, Global Communications, Disney|ABC Television, will depart the Company following the close of the acquisition of 21st Century Fox, Inc.

With the Young Vic's recent run of critical-success including The Convert currently running at Young Vic, The Inheritance at the Noel Coward Theatre and The Jungle now playing at St Ann's Warehouse in New York, Artistic Director of the Young Vic, Kwame Kwei-Armah, today announces the full cast for Stephen Adly Guirgis' Jesus Hopped the 'A' Train, directed by Kate Hewitt in the Main House, and April de Angelis' Wild East, directed by recipient of Genesis Future Directors Award, Lekan Lawal, in The Clare.

'Forget, forgive, conclude and be agreed...' Sure, the Almeida's The Tragedy of King Richard the Second is one you won't soon forget, thanks to stand out performances from Simon Russell Beale and Leo Bill. Even staunch devotees of the original text will be able to forgive Jeff James' edit, which lifts and drives the piece. But to conclude: it's unlikely that all will agree on Joe Hill-Gibbins' chaotic and sometimes polarizing vision.

The Almeida Theatre today announces the full cast for Joe Hill-Gibbins's new production of Shakespeare's The Tragedy of King Richard the Second, with Simon Russell Beale in the title role.

Desperately struggling to hold their family together, sisters Becky and Anna fight for survival. Stuck in a rut, they befriend a wandering stranger who aimlessly navigates the land. Together, the three strike up an unlikely friendship in their bid to remain alive. Time moves slowly in this part of the world, and this makes the trio reflect intensely on every moment that passes.

NFL's Thursday Night Football Strikes Five Year Deal With FOX Sports

Alex Austin, Rochenda Sandall, Alec Secareanu, Alan Williams and Ria Zmitrowicz have been cast in Gundog, written by Simon Longman and directed by Royal Court Artistic Director Vicky Featherstone. Gundog runs in the Jerwood Theatre Upstairs Wednesday 31 January 2018 Saturday 10 March 2018 with press performances on Tuesday 6 February and Wednesday 7 February. The review embargo will be lifted Wednesday 7 February 11.59pm.

Fox Networks Group has named Brian Sullivan as the New Group President and Chief Operating Officer, as reported by Deadline. The role was previously occupied by Randy Freer, who left in October to take up the CEO position at Hulu.

Maureen Beattie, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, Gerrome Miller, Beatrice Scirocchi and Andrew Sheridan have been cast in Simon Stephens' Nuclear War directed by Imogen Knight. It runs in the Royal Court Jerwood Theatre Upstairs 19 April 2017 - 6 May 2017 with Press Night on Friday 21 April.

Vivienne Franzmann returns to the Royal Court Theatre with BODIES, directed by Jude Christian premiering in the Jerwood Theatre Upstairs, Wednesday 05 July 2017 - Saturday 12 August 2017.

Fox Networks Group will air 24: LEGACY, the next chapter in the Emmy Award-winning action series from 20th Century Fox Television and Imagine Television, in more than 160 countries, after the show's U.S. premiere Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017 on FOX.

National Theatre Live presents the international broadcast of Carrie Cracknell's acclaimed National Theatre production of Terence Rattigan's The Deep Blue Sea tonight, October 6, 2016.

National Theatre Live previously announced international broadcasts of the Rufus Norris' National Theatre production of The Threepenny Opera by Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill, in collaboration with Elisabeth Hauptmann, in a new adaptation by Simon Stephens tonight, September 22, 2016; and, Carrie Cracknell's acclaimed National Theatre production of Terence Rattigan's The Deep Blue Sea on Thursday, October 6, 2016.