Richard Blackwood News

West-End star Sharon Rose and Sex Education’s Reece Richards (Netflix) have been cast in Love Steps, a ‘choreopoem’ inspired drama fusing poetry, dance and music by director, writer and poet Anastasia Osei-Kuffour.

Anastasia Osei-Kuffour, director, writer, poet and producer makes her playwriting debut in Love Steps, a production supported by Talawa Theatre Company and premiering at Omnibus Theatre for 3 weeks from 3 to 20 April and from 29 May to 1 June at Talawa’s Studio Theatre Fairfield Halls. 

The Production Exchange and Park Theatre kick off the New Year in electrifying fashion with the World Premiere of On The Ropes, one of the most extraordinary and emotionally rousing true stories staged in Park200 at Park Theatre.

Sean Foley, the Artistic Director of Birmingham Rep announced two new comedies to start the New Year '23, including the world premiere of Spitting Image Live: Featuring the Liar King, as well as the completion of the Autumn '22 Season. 

Thoughtful, poignant and insightful, Ryan Calais Cameron’s play, Typical, debuted at the Edinburgh Fringe before transferring to the Soho Theatre in 2019. Shot there during the pandemic, this important and unsettling play is now streaming on Soho Theatre On Demand.

Soho Theatre and Nouveau Riche announce the World Premiere of Typical, the film version of the hit stage play, released exclusively on Soho Theatre On Demand from 24th February 2021. 

An evening of Musical Theatre entertainment will be held on Saturday 21st November 2020, to raise funds for the charity Acting for Others. 

Typical, a powerful and urgent exploration about how society stereotypes Black masculinity is the subject of a brand-new film created by award-winning creative movement Nouveau Riche and Soho Theatre, London's leading producer of new theatre, comedy and cabaret.

Hackney Empire has announced further casting for Dick Whittington and his Cat and reveal the first cast images of its sparkling new adaptation as it gears up for panto season! Tarinn Callender, who made his West End debut with the original London cast of Hamilton playing Hercules Mulligan and James Madison, will mark his first Hackney panto in the title role of Dick Whittington. The production will also welcome debut panto appearances from Annette McLaughlin (Harry Potter and The Cursed Child) as Queen Rat, Christina Tedders (Once The Musical) as Alice Fitzwarren and Sue Kelvin (Caroline, Or Change) as Fairy Bowbells. As previously announced, they will star alongside Hackney stalwarts Grand Dame Clive Rowe who marks a 13th panto appearance, this year starring as Sarah the Cook, the loveable Kat B as Vincent the Cat and the ever trusty Tony Whittle as Alderman Fitzwarren. Dick Whittington and His Cat will run from 23 November 2019 to 5 January 2020, with opening night for press on Wednesday 4 December 2019.

Ryan Calais Cameron's new play, Typical, is a monologue depicting an unthinkable, but depressingly fathomable, true story.

This summer, Manchester's HOME arts centre is reinforcing its status as one of the major theatre producers in the UK theatre scene by creating a number of shows to be performed in at this year's Edinburgh Festival, with productions in both the International Festival and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

They're back, oh yes they are! Hackney Empire is delighted to announce Grande Dame Olivier Award winner Clive Rowe will make his 13th pantomime appearance this Christmas starring as Sarah the Cook in Dick Whittington and His Cat joined by Hackney favourite Kat B who will star as Vincent the Cat and Tony Whittle as Alderman Fitzwarren. Rowe returns following a triumphant East End comeback in last year's 20th anniversary production of Aladdin which saw him receive the accolade for Best Dame in the 2019 Great British Pantomime Awards. Dick Whittington and His Cat will run from 23 November 2019 to 5 January 2020, with opening night for press on Wednesday 4 December 2019.

FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents Tim McArthur in Mountains on Monday 5th March 2018 at 9.30pm.

Hackney Empire today announces casting for its highly anticipated 2017 Christmas pantomime, Cinderella, having last been staged at the venue in 2011.

Hackney Empire today announced the full cast of its brand new pantomime for 2016, Sleeping Beauty. The West End's leading lady Alexia Khadime (Wicked, The Book of Mormon, The Lion King) will be returning to the site of her stage debut to star as Princess Tahlia (Sleeping Beauty). She will be joined by Olivier Award-winner Sharon D Clarke who returns to Hackney Empire after her appearance in Mother Goose in 2014. They are joined by Gavin Spokes who makes his dameing debut, he joins the Hackney Empire family straight from his Olivier Award-nominated performance as Nicely Nicely Johnson in Guys and Dolls in the West End.

Hackney Empire has today announced the full cast of its much-anticipated 2015 pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk. The full cast will be joining previously announced Olivier Award-nominee Debbie Kurup as Jack, everybody's favourite dame, Olivier Award-winning Clive Rowe as Dame Daisy Trott and Kat B as Snowman. Following their 2014 pantomime which was seen by over 50,000 people Jack and the Beanstalkwill run from 21 November 2015 to 3 January 2016.

He's back! Clive Rowe is to tread the boards at Hackney Empire once again starring as Dame Daisy Trottin their 2015 pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk, from 21 November 2015 to 3 January 2016. 

Today Hackney Empire announces the full cast of its much-anticipated 2014 pantomime, the return of Mother Goose starring Clive Rowe. For the first time in six years the casting reunites some of Hackney's most-loved performers. Director Susie McKenna will this year take to the stage as evil sorceress Vanity, alongside last year's Puss in Boots Kat B, who will play Billy Goose. They join previously announced grande dame of pantomime Clive Rowe, reprising his Olivier Award-nominated title role and marking his 10th appearance in the show and Olivier Award-winning Sharon D Clarke, playing the good enchantress Charity.

Carley Stenson's first performance in the role of Princes Fiona in SHREK THE MUSICAL at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, is tonight, May 23. She takes over for Kimberley Walsh. SHREK THE MUSICAL also stars Dean Chisnall as Shrek, Richard Blackwood as Donkey and Neil McDermott as Lord Farquaad.

Carley Stenson has begun rehearsals for the role of Princess Fiona in SHREK THE MUSICAL® at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. Carley's first performance will be on May 23, 2012. SHREK THE MUSICAL® currently stars Dean Chisnall as Shrek, Richard Blackwood as Donkey, Neil McDermott as Lord Farquaad and Kimberley Walsh as Princess Fiona. Kimberley Walsh will perform as Princess Fiona for the final time on Monday May 21, 2012. Check out a just-released photo of her as 'Fiona' below!