Richard Eyre News

Nominees are Ghosts (Almeida/Trafalgar Studios), Othello (National Theatre), Private Lives (Gielgud Theatre) and The Amen Corner (National Theatre).

Old Vic Productions and Hampstead Theatre Productions are delighted to announce the full cast for West End transfer of critically acclaimed Good People which will play a limited season of just ten weeks at the No?l Coward Theatre from 10th April, as previously announced.

The West End production of Stephen Ward will complete its run at the Aldwych Theatre today, 29 March 2014.

Go behind the scenes of the new West End musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Don Black and Christopher Hampton, STEPHEN WARD, via a new behind the scenes featurette highlighting the recording of the Act 2 showstopper 'I'm Hopeless When it Comes To You'.

New Adventures, Martin McCallum and Marc Platt have announced that EDWARD SCISSORHANDS, devised, directed and choreographed by Matthew Bourne, will return to the Theatre Royal Glasgow on Wednesday 19 until Saturday 22 November 2014

Two of opera's greatest artists, Jonas Kaufmann and Sophie Koch, will appear together in Massenet's sublime adaptation of Goethe's revolutionary and tragic romance, Werther, which will be shown Live in HD from the Met today, March 15, at 12:55 p.m., and on Sunday, March 16, at 12 p.m. A unique behind-the-scenes tour of the grand opera house takes place during intermission including interviews with the stars. To make the opera experience even more special, Bernard's (22 West Lane, Ridgefield) is offering a special $45 prix-fixe menu, or a free glass of wine with dinner, before these events when tickets are presented; reservations suggested. Visit ridgefieldplayhouse.org for a video preview. This Live in HD Series is underwritten by Jeanne Cook, Anita and Nicholas Donofrio, Liz and Steven Goldstone, Marilyn and Joe Kreitz, Joanne and John Patrick, Starbucks Coffee, Sabina and Walter Slavin, Taylor Zemo Foundation, The Ridgefield Press and Whistle Stop Bakery.

Maybe Richard Eyre's new production of WERTHER for the Metropolitan Opera, with strong performances by German tenor Jonas Kaufmann and French mezzo Sophie Koch, should have been called WERTHER: THE BACKSTORY or WERTHER: A FOOL'S GUIDE. Eyre took what was otherwise a beautiful and interesting interpretation of the opera and added a prologue and other details (including action leading up to a self-inflicted shot in the chest)--just in case the audience needed some hand-holding to better understand what was going on.

Richard Tucker Award-winning tenor Stephen Costello reprises his star turn as Nemorino in Donizetti's L'elisir d'amore at Washington National Opera (WNO) from March 20-29, following his triumphant house debut as Ishmael/Greenhorn - the role he originally created - in WNO's recent East Coast premiere of Moby-Dick. The Kennedy Center production kicks off a full spring for the tenor, who looks forward to headlining 'Toujours L'Amour' on April 25 at Lyric Opera Baltimore, where he will be joined by soprano Nicole Cabell in an orchestral gala celebration of French grand opera. June brings the U.S. release of Love Duets, Costello's first recording as an exclusive Warner Classics artist, on which he sings opposite his wife and fellow Tucker Award-winner, soprano Ailyn Perez. She also serves as his co-star in WNO's L'elisir as well as in two productions of La traviata, at Covent Garden (May 6-20) and San Francisco Opera (July 5-13), and a Rigoletto in Hamburg (May 24-June 1).

A first look at the stars of the new West End revival of musical comedy classic THE PAJAMA GAME in action is now available, showcasing headliners Joanna Riding and Michael Xavier.

Stage One, the charity that supports new UK commercial theatre producers and productions, today announces the latest recipient of its Start-Up Investment Fund. Stephen McGill has been awarded £50,000 by the charity to co-produce the West End transfer of the critically acclaimed Chichester Festival Theatre production of The Pajama Game. He will co-produce alongside Joseph Smith, Old Vic Productions, John Brant and Gavin Kalin. The production, directed by Richard Eyre, begins previews at the Shaftesbury Theatre on 2 May 2014 and stars Joanna Riding, Michael Xavier, Peter Polycarpou, Gary Wilmot and Colin Stinton.

The nominations for The Olivier Awards 2014 with MasterCard - the most prestigious event in the UK's theatrical calendar - were announced today (Monday, March 10) by Nigel Harman and Leigh Zimmerman with the full list of nominations available below and online at www.olivierawards.com.

Puccini's enduring favorite, starring an exceptional trio of singing actors in the leading roles, returns to Great Performances at the Met today, March 9 at 12 p.m. on PBS (check local listings).

Puccini's enduring favorite, starring an exceptional trio of singing actors in the leading roles, returns to Great Performances at the Met Sunday, March 9 at 12 p.m. on PBS (check local listings).

Jean-François Borras will make his Met debut in the title role of Massenet's Werther at this evening's performance, replacing Jonas Kaufmann, who is ill.

A first look at the new West End revival of musical comedy classic THE PAJAMA GAME starring Joanna Riding and Michael Xavier is now available to view.

In a letter to The Daily Telegraph, Andrew Lloyd Webber refuted the idea that his latest West End musical, STEPHEN WARD, is closing early because 'he was too much of a 'lone ego' on the project'. The West End production of STEPHEN WARD will complete its run at the Aldwych Theatre on 29 March 2014.

Two of opera's greatest artists, Jonas Kaufmann and Sophie Koch, will appear together in Massenet's sublime adaptation of Goethe's revolutionary and tragic romance, Werther, which will be shown Live in HD from the Met on Saturday, March 15, at 12:55 p.m., and on Sunday, March 16, at 12 p.m. A unique behind-the-scenes tour of the grand opera house takes place during intermission including interviews with the stars. To make the opera experience even more special, Bernard's (22 West Lane, Ridgefield) is offering a special $45 prix-fixe menu, or a free glass of wine with dinner, before these events when tickets are presented; reservations suggested. Visit ridgefieldplayhouse.org for a video preview. This Live in HD Series is underwritten by Jeanne Cook, Anita and Nicholas Donofrio, Liz and Steven Goldstone, Marilyn and Joe Kreitz, Joanne and John Patrick, Starbucks Coffee, Sabina and Walter Slavin, Taylor Zemo Foundation, The Ridgefield Press and Whistle Stop Bakery.

Ailyn Perez, winner of the Richard Tucker, Placido Domingo and Leonie Rysanek Awards, will make her Washington National Opera debut this March, stepping in for an indisposed colleague to star as Adina in Donizetti's L'elisir d'amore. This career milestone follows on the heels of the soprano's recent success at London's Royal Opera House, where she proved herself 'a must-hear' (Guardian) in the title role of Manon.

Tenor Jonas Kaufmann stars in the title role of the tortured poet in the Met's new production of Massenet's Werther, running through March 15, 2014. Check out the video below of Jonas singing 'O Nature.'

The West End production of Stephen Ward will complete its run at the Aldwych Theatre on 29 March 2014. Stephen Ward received its world premiere in December last year with a cast led by Alexander Hanson in the title role, Charlotte Spencer as Christine Keeler and Charlotte Blackledge as Mandy Rice Davies. With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Stephen Ward has book and lyrics by playwright Christopher Hampton and lyricist Don Black. The production is directed by Richard Eyre with set and costume designs by Rob Howell, lighting design by Peter Mumford, sound design by Paul Groothuis, projection design by Jon Driscoll, and choreography by Stephen Mear.