Simon Russell Beale News

Sir Howard Panter, the co-founder, Joint CEO and Creative Director of the Ambassador Theatre Group Ltd (ATG) attended the investiture ceremony hosted by The Queen at Windsor Castle last Friday (22 November) where he received a Knighthood for Services to Theatre.

It was announced today that the Broadway production of Shakespeare's timeless love story ROMEO AND JULIET, starring international film star Orlando Bloom in his Broadway debut opposite two-time Tony Award nominee Condola Rashad, will play two weeks past its originally announced 14-week limited Broadway engagement - with a final performance set for Sunday, December 8, 2013, after 27 previews and 93 regular performances at the Richard Rodgers Theatre (226 West 46th Street).

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey closes its 51st season with a sparkling and wintery new production of Shakespeare's Pericles. Performances begin December 4th and continue through December 29th at the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Ave. (at Lancaster Road) in Madison. Individual tickets are now on sale and can be purchased by calling the box office at 973-408-5600 or by visiting www.ShakespeareNJ.org. Performances are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Sundays at 7:30 p.m.; Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. Individual tickets range from $35 to $70; student rush tickets are available 30 minutes prior to curtain for $15.

Celebrating its 50th anniversary, The National Theatre first opened its doors in 1963 at the Old Vic, under Laurence Olivier. 800 productions later, they are marking their half-century with a short season celebrating the remarkable people and plays that have made the NT one of the most cherished and creative of great British institutions. last night, a private reception, panel discussion, and screening was held for Live From The National Theatre: 50 Years On Stage. BroadwayWorld was there for the special event and you can check out photos below!

Sam Mendes directs Shakespeare's KING LEAR, opening in the Olivier Theatre on 23 January. Simon Russell Beale plays the title role; the cast also includes Stephen Boxer (as Gloucester), Cassie Bradley, Tom Brooke (Edgar), Richard Clothier, Jonathan Dryden Taylor, Kate Fleetwood (Goneril), Simon Manyonda, Anna Maxwell Martin (Regan), Daniel Millar, Michael Nardone, Gary Powell, Adrian Scarborough (Fool), Hannah Stokely, Stanley Townsend (Kent), Sam Troughton (Edmund), Olivia Vinall (Cordelia) and Ross Waiton. The production will be designed by Anthony Ward, with lighting by Paul Pyant, video design by Jon Driscoll, fight direction by Terry King and sound design by Paul Arditti.

The Pride will, due to popular demand, extend its run at Trafalgar Studios until 23 October 2013 with extra tickets now on sale, making this your last chance to see this critically acclaimed and award nominated production.

From Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead to The History Boys, from The Mysteries to Angels in America, from Guys and Dolls to London Road - join us for a thrilling evening of live performance and rare glimpses from the archive, featuring many of the most celebrated actors who have performed on our stages over the past five decades and directed by Nicholas Hytner.

Amphibian Stage Productions (Kathleen Culebro, Artistic Director) today announced an additional offering in its National Theatre Live screening series for 2013, presented in association with the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth (Marla Price, Director). In celebration of its 50th anniversary, the National Theatre presents National Theatre: 50 Years on Stage, bringing together the best British actors for unique evenings of unforgettable performances broadcast live from London to cinemas around the world.

The 50th anniversary celebration 'LIVE FROM THE NATIONAL THEATRE: 50 YEARS ON STAGE,' directed by Nicholas Hytner, will be broadcast by National Theatre Live to cinemas internationally today, November 2, 2013 (with many encore dates in U.S. cities). From Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead to The History Boys, from Antony and Cleopatra to Angels in America, from Guys and Dolls to London Road, this will be a thrilling evening of live performance and rare glimpses from the archive, featuring many of the most celebrated actors who have performed on their stages over the past five decades.

The hit West End production of Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, directed by Sam Mendes, announced today that it has extended its booking period by six months until 1 November 2014. The show had previously been booking until 31 May 2014. The production, which has so far been seen by almost 300,000 people since it began previews in May 2013, is extending its run due to popular demand, releasing almost 400,000 extra tickets.

National Theatre: 50 Years on Stage is an anniversary celebration that features the best British actors for a night of unforgettable performances broadcast Live in HD to The Ridgefield Playhouse on Saturday, November 30, at 6:30 p.m. Appearing in this once-in-a-lifetime event, directed by the National Theatre's current Director Nicholas Hytner, will be award-winning actors Judi Dench, Ralph Fiennes, Michael Gambon, Maggie Smith and many more. Special guest is Richard Pilbrow (pictured), Ridgefield resident and founder of Theatre Projects Consultants, who will be on stage (in person) to speak about National Theatre's 50th anniversary and about The Ridgefield Playhouse, which he helped renovate. Pilbrow was voted one of the 50 most powerful people in the entertainment technology industry. For tickets ($25 adults, $20 seniors/members, $15 students, $18 each for all 10 in the series), call the box office at (203) 438-5795, or order online at ridgefieldplayhouse.org. -- Photos courtesy of National Theatre Live

Today, October 22, 2013, marks the official 50th anniversary of the National Theatre of Great Britain. The National Theatre first opened its doors in 1963 at the Old Vic, under Laurence Olivier. 800 productions later, they are marking their half-century with a short season celebrating the remarkable people and plays that have made the NT one of the most cherished and creative of great British institutions.

The Ambassador Theatre Group Ltd (ATG) today announces that an agreement has been reached for global private equity firm Providence Equity Partners to become a major shareholder in the company, having successfully reached agreement for its seventh fund to purchase a majority share from current investors led by Exponent Private Equity.

Helen Mirren, Benedict Cumberbatch and Christopher Eccleston have joined the starry cast for the National Theatre of Great Britain's 50th anniversary celebration "LIVE FROM THE NATIONAL THEATRE: 50 YEARS ON STAGE," directed by Nicholas Hytner. This special event will be broadcast by National Theatre Live to cinemas internationally on Saturday, November 2, 2013 (with many encore dates in U.S. cities). From Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead to The History Boys, from Antony and Cleopatra to Angels in America, from Guys and Dolls to London Road, this will be a thrilling evening of live performance and rare glimpses from the archive, featuring many of the most celebrated actors who have performed on their stages over the past five decades.

'Henry V,' the final installment of Shakespeare's four history chronicle plays comprising 'The Hollow Crown' airs October 11 at 9 p.m. on THIRTEEN's'Great Performances' on PBS stations (check local listings).

'Henry V,' the final installment of Shakespeare's four history chronicle plays comprising 'The Hollow Crown' airs October 11 at 9 p.m. on THIRTEEN's'Great Performances' on PBS stations (check local listings).

Organisers of the Autism & Theatre - Inspiration Day 2013 on Monday 2 September at the Lyceum Theatre, London, attended by over 170 delegates from theatres and arts organisations across the UK, have reported the event to be a huge success.

The second of Shakespeare's four history chronicle plays comprising 'The Hollow Crown' airs tonight, September 27 at 9 p.m. on THIRTEEN's 'Great Performances' on PBS stations (check local listings). Watch a preview below!

The second of Shakespeare's four history chronicle plays comprising 'The Hollow Crown' airs September 27 at 9 p.m. on THIRTEEN's 'Great Performances' on PBS stations (check local listings). Watch a preview below!

The Hollow Crown, the lavish new series featuring four of Shakespeare's most compelling history plays will air as the season premiere of Great Performances beginning Today, September 20 at 9 p.m. ET on PBS. Below, get a sneak peek at RICHARD II!