Simon Russell Beale News

Artistic Director of MGC, Michael Grandage today announces the third annual MGCfutures Bursary Programme is now open for applications; and in addition, a special gala performance of The Lieutenant of Inishmore.

London is never short of temptations, whether splashy West End shows, epic dramas or bold fringe offerings. From a new theatrical epic to Shakespeare and musical spoof, here are some of this month's most eye-catching openings. Don't forget to check back for BroadwayWorld reviews, interviews and features!

On a cold September morning in 1844, a young man from Bavaria stands on a New York dockside. Dreaming of a new life in the new world, he is soon joined by his two brothers and an American epic begins. 163 years later the firm they establish, Lehman Brothers, spectacularly collapses into bankruptcy and triggers the largest financial crisis in history. Stefano Massini's vast and poetic play unfolds over three parts in a single evening, opening in the Lyttelton Theatre in July 2018. 

The National Theatre announces new information, and recaps its upcoming season.

After 'sealing the deal' with critics and audiences alike during its smash hit West End run, Sam Yates' unmissable production of one of David Mamet's greatest and most lauded plays, Glengarry Glen Ross will embark on a nationwide tour from 14 February 2019 opening at the New Victoria Theatre, Woking. The hard-nosed sales team in this darkly funny classic will then visit Birmingham, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Glasgow, Richmond, Brighton and Cardiff with further tour dates to be announced shortly.

After 'sealing the deal' with critics and audiences alike during its smash hit West End run, Sam Yates' unmissable production of one of David Mamet's greatest and most lauded plays, Glengarry Glen Ross will embark on a nationwide tour from 14 February 2019 opening at the New Victoria Theatre, Woking. The hard-nosed sales team in this darkly funny classic will then visit Birmingham, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Glasgow, Richmond, Brighton and Cardiff with further tour dates to be announced shortly.

Continuing our interview series of NT Live broadcasts, this month's focuses on Macbeth at the National Theatre. Directed by Rufus Norris and featuring Rory Kinnear and Anne-Marie Duff, Macbeth will be broadcast live to cinemas across the UK and in selected international venues from Thursday 10 May. Joshua Lacey and Sam Psyk share their thoughts ahead of the broadcast, one who'll be on stage on the night and one behind the scenes (and screen).

The National Theatre has announced its May-September 2018 season.

The new season of talks and events at the NT will include a series of events related to The Lehman Trilogy; Deputy Artistic Director of the National Theatre Ben Power will discuss The Stages of a Translating a Play, starting with the literal translation through to the challenges and rewards of writing an adaptation. Actors Adam Godley, Ben Miles and Simon Russell Beale will then reflect on the challenges and rewards of performing in the production, whilst The Lehman Trilogy Up Close: Talks and Show Package will offer the opportunity to see and explore the show through a series of talks, discussions and exclusive demonstrations, with contributions from academics, theatre-makers and performers.

Norfolk & Norwich Festival has today announced the full programme for its 2018 Festival (11 - 27 May). The programme, which spans performance, theatre, music, visual arts, literature, circus, outdoor and family events, includes world and UK premieres, one-off spectaculars, and a host of free events across the Festival. The Festival will showcase renowned international artists from across the globe and countries as widespread as Syria, Australia and India, alongside the best local Norfolk and UK talent presented across the county, from Norwich city centre and Great Yarmouth to Wells-next-the-Sea.

Nicholas Hytner will direct the world premiere of Alan Bennett's Allejujah!, previewing at the Bridge Theatre from 11 July 2018 with opening night on 18 July and running to 28 September 2018. Designed by Bob Crowley, Allelujah! will have lighting by Natasha Chivers and music by George Fenton. Tickets will go on sale at 10am today for priority members with public booking opening on Friday 2 March 2018 at 10am. Casting for Allelujah! will be announced shortly.

New casting announced for the new National Theatre season. Full cast has been announced for Brian Friel's Translations including Colin Morgan and Ciaran Hinds, part of the Travelex season with thousands of tickets available at £15. Eric Kofi Abrefa and Thalissa Teixeira join Vanessa Kirby in the cast of Julie, part of the Travelex season with thousands of tickets available at £15. Sam Mendes directs The Lehman Trilogy, a co-production with Neal Street Productions, cast includes Adam Godley, Ben Miles and Simon Russell Beale. Full casting is announced for the award winning An Octoroon by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, transferring to the National Theatre in a co-production with the Orange Tree Theatre. The NT will tour to 30 venues in 27 towns and cities across the UK and Ireland, for a total of 83 playing weeks over the next year. Rufus Norris' Macbeth to tour to 18 venues across the UK and Ireland from autumn 2018. War Horse returns to the National Theatre marking the centenary of Armistice Day.

Based on the original Donmar Warehouse production, this new production of Red by John Logan is the first ever UK revival since Grandage originated the premiere at the Donmar in 2009. The production went on to win six Tony Awards including Best Play.

Adam Godley, Ben Miles and Simon Russell Beale are today announced as taking the roles of the Lehman brothers in Stefano Massini's The Lehman Trilogy, adapted by Ben Power and directed by Sam Mendes, in a co-production with Neal Street Productions. Further cast and creatives to be announced.

MGC has announced the full casting for Michael Grandage's production of Martin McDonagh's The Lieutenant of Inishmore which opens at the No l Coward Theatre on 4 July, with previews from 23 June and runs until 8 September. Joining Aidan Turner (Padraic) completing the all Irish cast are Denis Conway (Donny), Will Irvine (Christy), Brian Martin (James), Daryl McCormack (Brendan) Julian Moore-Cook (Joey), Charlie Murphy (Mairead), and Chris Walley (Davey).

The Handel and Haydn Society continues its 2017-18 Season with a program of Mozart and Haydn, conducted by Harry Christophers. The program includes Haydn's Symphony No. 49, La Passione and Symphony No. 87 as well as Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante for Violin and Viola featuring H+H concertmaster Aisslinn Nosky on violin and guest soloist Max Mandel on viola.

Talks and events at the National Theatre start this year with The Jungle - exploring the issues on 6 January. The talk will explore the issues raised in the play as well as the refugee situation more widely with panel members from Good Chance Theatre directors Joe Robertson and Joe Murphy, Nico Stevens (COO, Help Refugees) and Lord Dubs (who sponsored an amendment to the Immigration Act which allows unaccompanied refugee children to settle in the UK).

Drama Online significantly expands its current video offering with new world-class content from the preeminent producer of Shakespeare in the theatre, The Royal Shakespeare Company.

Digital Theatre+ (DT+), a leading online education platform for English and the performing arts, announces the release of 36 new Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) productions. The first 13 productions will be available on DT+ from 11 December, 2017.

Lauren Kennedy started her career at the North Carolina Theatre, having performed in many of their productions since she was 7 years old. She went on to appear on Broadway in Sunset Boulevard (original cast), Side Show (original cast), Les Miserables (Fantine), and Monty Python's Spamalot (The Lady of the Lake). Her other performing credits include Betty Schaefer in Sunset Boulevard (first national tour), Judy Haines in Irving Berlin's White Christmas (World Premiere), Cathy Hiatt in The Last Five Years (World Premiere), Nellie Forbush in South Pacific (London), Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany's (St. Louis MUNY), Nefertari in The Ten Commandments (Los Angeles), Agnes Ford in Lone Star Love (World Premiere), Mary in Vanities (Pasadena Playhouse/Second Stage Theater), Martha Jefferson in 1776 (Paper Mill Playhouse), and The Witch in Into the Woods (Westport Country Playhouse).