Britain's most beloved diarist (give or take a Bridget Jones) comes to London in chamber musical form in a new adaptation created with the late Sue Townsend's blessing. Jake Brunger and Pippa Cleary's version, tweaked since its premiere run in Leicester in 2015, should certainly prove popular with school holiday audiences, though a broader approach means parents may miss Townsend's subtly genius brand of humour.
Aria Entertainment's From Page To Stage (FPTS) will have one of the largest companies in the West End this summer: a Cast of 56, working alongside 18 Creatives, plus Musicians and over 50 Composers and Writers presenting new musicals!
Playwright Jake Brunger and composer Pippa Cleary have been creating musicals together since they met at Bristol University in 2008. Their work includes Jet Set Go!, The Great British Soap Opera and an adaptation of Sue Townsend's beloved The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 . The latter begins a London run at the Menier Chocolate Factory this week.
London is never short of theatre temptations, whether splashy West End shows, epic dramas or bold fringe offerings. From a Tennessee Williams revival and Bob Dylan-scored drama to royal politics and Adrian Mole, here are some of this month's most eye-catching openings. Don't forget to check back for BroadwayWorld's reviews…
The Menier Chocolate Factory today has announced the full company for their brand new production of Sue Townsend's The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 ¾ - The Musical which opens in Adrian's 50th birthday year.
This summer, Jake Brunger and Pippa Cleary's musical version of Leicester's favourite teen comes to London's Menier Chocolate Factory. Book tickets here from £45
The Menier Chocolate Factory today announces a brand new production of Sue Townsend's The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 ¾ - The Musical, which opens in Adrian's 50th birthday year. Jake Brunger and Pippa Cleary's musical of Leicester's favourite teen has undergone a period of further development since its original production at Curve in 2015, and Luke Sheppard's new production will open at the Menier on 26 July at 3.30pm, with previews from 14 July, and runs until 9 September. Priority booking for the productions opens on Monday 22 May, with public booking on Tuesday 30 May.
Aria Entertainment's From Page To Stage (FPTS) are delighted to announce their exciting musical concerts and the eleven new musicals selected to be showcased during their Summer Festival at The Other Palace.
New Musicals Network (NMN) are proud to announce three exciting concerts coming up soon under the generic title Snappy Title Spotlight.
Following the recent release of the Original Cast Recording of Brunger & Cleary's new musical PRODIGY, Auburn Jam Records and the National Youth Music Theatre have just released a music video of the behind-the-scenes recording of 'Say It In Song,' the finale of the show, to celebrate its chart success. The album rocketed up the iTunes charts within 24hrs of release to reach #4 in the soundtrack chart and #85 in the main album chart. Check it out below!
The latest cast recording release from Auburn Jam Records, Prodigy, was only released yesterday and has already placed in the top 100 albums on iTunes. This new musical, by the immensely talented Jake Brunger and Pippa Cleary, has been commissioned by the National Youth Music Theatre and received its premiere in August last year at the St James Theatre. As well as being performed by a 27-strong cast made up of 11-23 year olds, over half of them also play a musical instrument during the show. Centred around a competition to be Britain's Best New Classical Music star, five young competitors fight it out to claim the prize. Budding romances, teenage angst and pushy parents added to the mix make for a less straight forward journey to the title.
Auburn Jam Records and National Youth Music Theatre have just released the Original Cast Recording of Prodigy, the new musical from Jake Brunger and Pippa Cleary. The recording was released today 25th July, with CDs available to purchase at prodigy.auburnjam.co.uk, and digital copies available to download via all major online retailers, including iTunes, where the album is currently at No. 6 and climbing on the soundtrack charts.
Last year, Jon Brittain's Rotterdam had a successful and well-received premiere at Theatre503 - this month, it moves into the West End for a Trafalgar Studios run. Centring on Alice, who wants to come out as gay, and her girlfriend Fiona, who decides she wants to start living as a man, Adrian, it's only become more of a zeitgeist piece since its first stint. Jon discusses revisiting the play and trying not to mess it up…
Auburn Jam Records and National Youth Music Theatre are excited to be releasing the Original Cast Recording of PRODIGY, the new musical from Jake Brunger and Pippa Cleary, commissioned and developed by NYMT for its premiere production at The St James Theatre in August 2015.
A brand new musical adaptation of the classic fairy tale, Red Riding Hood will play a festive season at Pleasance Theatre, Islington from Monday 7 December 2015.
National Youth Music Theatre today announced a campaign to raise funds to support a studio recording of their hit new musical PRODIGY.
Award-winning composer Dougal Irvine (Departure Lounge, Teddy) and major entertainment agent Stuart Piper of Cole Kitchenn complete the faculty line-up for this year's Onstage Acts summer course. Dougal will lead a session exploring his own material, giving a unique insight into the mind of the composer, and Stuart will lead an exclusive and invalu- able Q&A session. They join previously announced Producer and Casting Director Danielle Tarento (Titanic, Dogfight), 2015 Olivier Award winner for Best Actress in a Musical Katie Brayben and the original creative team comprised of Paul Spicer, Julie Atherton (Avenue Q, The Last Five Years) and Musical Director Susanna Squires.
Twelve student finalists from top drama schools across the UK competed for the title of this year's Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year (SSSSPOTY), on Sunday 17th May at the Garrick Theatre in London's West End. Each student sung a song by Stephen Sondheim and, at his personal request, they each sang a new musical theatre song, written by members of Mercury Musical Developments and shortlisted for the Stiles & Drewe Best New Song Prize. Scroll down for photos from the event!
The Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year and The Stiles & Drewe Best New Song Prize 2015 will take place at the Garrick Theatre in London on Sunday 17th May, 3pm. Special Guest Performer and Judge is Elaine Paige with Michael Xavier serving as host.
Last night saw the world premiere of new musical The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole at the Curve in Leicester. Being a champion for original writing and aptly being author Sue Townsend's home town, it was only right that this show sees its debut here. Many people hold the books in high regard - myself included - and watching it last night made me reminisce. Set in 1980s Leicester, The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole centres around a boy aged 13 and ¾ who is essentially battling through adolescent life; from spots to girls to bullies, Adrian is encountering all of them! Townsend's books are written in Adrian's words and in diary format so I was incredibly intrigued about how this could successfully be adapted for stage.
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