Rufus Norris News

The Almeida Theatre announces the cast for the world premiere of Boy, a new play by Leo Butler, directed by Sacha Wares. The cast is Mohammad Amiri, Osmain Baig, Ruby Bridle, Emilio Doorgasingh, Terina Drayton, Aeran Fitzgerald, Frankie Fox, Ellie Mai Gallagher, Bayleigh Gray, Zainab Hasan, Duramaney Kamara, Asiatu Koroma, Wendy Kweh, Lev Litvinov, Georgie Lord, Angel Loren, Teann McDonnell, Eugenie-Alexia Mulumba, Sarah Niles, Demi Papaminas, Imogen Roberts, Abdul Salis, Morgane Tapia,Peter Temple and Matthew Wellard. Boy will run at the Almeida Theatre from 5 April until 28 May, with a Press Night on 12 April.

As expected, the 40th anniversary Olivier Awards showered trophies on the sensational Gypsy. Imelda Staunton and Lara Pulver's performances and Mark Henderson's lighting were recognised, and the production took Best Musical Revival. But there were surprises elsewhere, with starry shows like Benedict Cumberbatch's Hamlet going home empty-handed, Nicole Kidman losing out in the Best Actress race, and an underdog win for Pat Kinevane and Fishamble's Silent at Soho Theatre - all welcome given concerns that changes to the Oliviers voting process might favour long-running West End shows and/or A-listers Here are some of the night's major hits and misses.

The multi-award-winning Finborough Theatre's Spring Season ends with the world premiere of a new play, Schism by Athena Stevens, which opens for a three week limited season on Wednesday, 27 April 2016 (Press Night: Friday, 29 April 2016 at 7.30pm).

Last night, Wednesday 23 March, saw the opening night of the much-anticipated production of Duncan Macmillan's intoxicating new play, PEOPLE, PLACES & THINGS, at the Wyndham's Theatre. Having recently extended its run for two weeks due to popular demand, PEOPLE, PLACES & THINGS is booking to 18 June 2016. BroadwayWorld has photos from the opening night festivities below!

Broadway's greatest living composer/lyricist spoke at the National Theatre of the fragile nature of commercial theatre.

The Almeida Theatre announces the cast for the world premiere of Boy, a new play by Leo Butler, directed by Sacha Wares. The cast is Mohammad Amiri, Osmain Baig, Ruby Bridle, Emilio Doorgasingh, Terina Drayton, Aeran Fitzgerald, Frankie Fox, Ellie Mai Gallagher, Bayleigh Gray, Zainab Hasan, Duramaney Kamara, Asiatu Koroma, Wendy Kweh, Lev Litvinov, Georgie Lord, Angel Loren, Teann McDonnell, Eugenie-Alexia Mulumba, Sarah Niles, Demi Papaminas, Imogen Roberts, Abdul Salis, Morgane Tapia,Peter Temple and Matthew Wellard. Boy will run at the Almeida Theatre from 5 April until 28 May, with a Press Night on 12 April.

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: BLACKBIRD begins tonight and HAND TO GOD hits the West End!

The new artistic director seeks equality in the number of directors and living playwrights.

St. James Theatre has announced that Anita Dobson, star of stage and screen, will join Edward Seckerson to discuss her varied career on Sunday 20 March at 3pm. One of Britain's most distinguished actresses, Dobson's extensive list of credits ranges from popular TV staples like EastEnders to classical theatre and musicals.

New work by Lee Hall, David Hare, Bryony Kimmings, Lucy Kirkwood, Nina Raine, Gillian Slovo and Alexander Zeldin, and contemporary revivals of two of the NT's most celebrated 20th century premieres - Amadeus and Angels in America - are among the forthcoming productions at the National Theatre announced today by Rufus Norris.

This Valentine's Day, Sunday 14 February, leading names in British theatre will come together to perform a benefit show for the UNHCR at the National Theatre.  The afternoon performance in the NT's Lyttelton Theatre will see actors including Juliet Stevenson (Truly, Madly, Deeply), David Morrissey (Hangmen), Andy Nyman (Hangmen), Rufus Hound (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), James Bolam (New Tricks), Noma Dumezweni (Linda), Ray Fearon (Coronation Street), Adjoa Andoh (Dr Who) and Zubin Varla (Dara) perform brand new work and much loved work by Richard Bean, Staten Cousins-Roe, Stephanie Dale, David Edgar, Phil Porter, Michelle Terry, Jenifer Toksvig and Matthew Woodyatt (with further cast and creative names to be announced).

Sacha Wares will be returning to Almeida Theatre to direct the world premiere of Leo Butler's new play Boy, after her directorial success with the critically acclaimed production, Game, by Mike Bartlett, in 2015.  Boy will run at the Almeida Theatre from 5 April until 28 May 2016, with press night on 12 April 2016. Director Sacha Wares is joined by a formidable creative team, including two powerhouse contemporary designers, Miriam Buether for set design (Wild Swans, Sucker Punch, My Child, Generations), who worked with Sacha on Game at the Almeida in 2015, and Ultz for costume (Jerusalem, Hobson's Choice, Fallout, Pied Pier), who will be collaborating with Miriam, on design, for the very first time. Further creative credits include movement by Leon Baugh, lighting by Jack Knowles and sound by Gareth Fry.

AMERICAN PSYCHO, the American premiere of a new musical based on the novel by Bret Easton Ellis -- which celebrates the 25th anniversary of its publication this March -- will begin performances on Broadway at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre.

Today, Monday 21 December 2015, the Producers of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child are delighted to announce that Jamie Parker, Noma Dumezweni and Paul Thornley will lead the cast as Harry, Hermione and Ron, which we previously announced here.  

According to the Daily Mail, SHERLOCK star Andrew Scott might take on Shakespeare in the coming year. Baz Bamigboye writes that he is currently in talks to play Hamlet, directed by Robert Icke at the Almeida Theatre- possibly in late 2016-early 2017.

The Moët British Independent Film Awards announced today that Chiwetel Ejiofor will be honoured with The Richard Harris Award which will be presented to him at this year's ceremony on Sunday 6 December at Old Billingsgate.

Wallace Shawn's murder mystery EVENING AT THE TALK HOUSE is among one of the new plays set for the National Theatre under Rufus Norris (following Nicholas Hytner's departure in March). The production begins 25 November 2015.

Disney Theatrical Productions announced today that Dean John-Wilson will play the role of Aladdin alongside Jade Ewen as Jasmine in the West End premiere of the new musical based on the classic Academy Award-winning animated film. BroadwayWorld previously reported that the duo were in negotiations for the show, but the official word came today.

Nicole Kidman has been named best actress and James McAvoy best actor at the London Evening Standard Theatre Awards, which is now in its 61st year.

Having been seen by over 10,000 people the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain's West End Season at the Ambassadors Theatre London, must end on 4 December 2015.