Wendi Peters News

After the resounding success of Rodgers & Hammerstein's State Fair (Cadogan Hall November 2016) and the sell out concert of Alan Menken & Lynn Ahrens' A Christmas Carol (Lyceum Theatre, December 2016), with numerous five star reviews for both performances, The London Musical Theatre Orchestra is delighted to announce the first concerts of its 2017 season.

Rachael Wooding will guest star as Alice in the 2017 UK tour of Wonderland during its run at the King's in Glasgow as part of the production's first ever UK tour.  

It has been announced that Rachael Wooding will guest star as Alice in the 2017 UK tour of WONDERLAND in Wolverhampton from Monday 31 July - Saturday 5 August.

The multi Grammy, Tony and Drama Desk Award nominated Broadway composer Frank Wildhorn, creator of shows including Jekyll & Hyde, Dracula, Wonderland, Bonnie & Clyde and The Scarlet Pimpernel, will make his UK concert debut in an exclusive engagement for one night only tonight 22 November 2016 at the Palace Theatre Manchester.

Rodgers and Hammerstein's ever popular State Fair received its symphonic premiere on Sunday night at London's beautiful Cadogan Hall. The London Musical Theatre Orchestra, a 32-piece orchestra under the baton of founder and conductor Freddie Tapner, brought the rich music of the 1996 Broadway production about the Frake family and their trip to the Iowa State Fair, to life. In a double first for the LMTO, this was also the first full scale public performance by the company which debuted its inaugural gala, in June of this year, to a packed house at Bishopsgate Institute where they are orchestra in residence.  The concert was directed by award winning director and Evening Standard Awards nominee Thom Southerland featuring a cast of West End stars Wendi Peters, Clive Carter, Richard Fleeshman, Emma Hatton, Oliver Savile and Celine Schoenmaker. The score features favourites including It Might as Well Be Spring, You Never Had It So Good and The Man I Used to Be.

Today Wolverhampton Grand Theatre announced a brand new season, including the touring production of sell-out West End musical FUNNY GIRL.

The multi Grammy, Tony and Drama Desk Award nominated Broadway composer Frank Wildhorn, creator of shows including Jekyll & Hyde, Dracula, Wonderland, Bonnie & Clyde and The Scarlet Pimpernel, will make his UK concert debut in an exclusive engagement for one night only on Tuesday 22 November 2016 at the Palace Theatre Manchester, one of the venues that the UK & European premiere of his Wonderland will play from 24 - 30 April 2017 as part of a UK tour.

Rodgers and Hammerstein's ever popular State Fair will be performed for the first time on the London stage as a symphonic concert by the London Musical Theatre Orchestra under award winning director and Evening Standard Awards nominee Thom Southerland. 

Over the past eleven years family-run pantomime producers, Evolution Productions have built up a reputation for being the UK's number-one creators of bespoke high-quality pantos. The 2016 line up does nothing to disprove this.  The company, which is run by husband and wife team, former TV presenter Paul Hendy and Oxford graduate and former film production manager Emily Wood, will be presenting a festive banquet of seasonal shows across the country from then end of November 2016 to mid-January 2017.  The line up comprises Dick Whttington starring Stephen Mulhern (ITV's Catchphrase, Big Star Little Star) as Billy at The Marlowe in Canterbury, Peter Pan starring Emma Barton (Honey Mitchell - Eastenders) as Tinkerbell and Shaun Williamson(Barry Evans - Eastenders and himself in Extras) at The Hawth in Croydon, Sleeping Beauty at Lichfied Garrick Theatre starring Rebecca Keatley (CBeebies) as Fairy Moonbeam and the great dame himself Sam Rabone as Nurse Nellie, Snow White at The Lyceum Theatre Sheffield starring Wendi Peters (Coronation Street - Cilla Battersby- Brown) and Phil Gallagher(CBeebies - Mister Maker), Snow White at The Alban Arena St Albans starring Rita Simons(Eastenders - Roxy Mitchell) and Ian Kirkby (Dick & Dom In Da Bungalow), Cinderella at Theatre Severn Shrewsbury with panto favourite Brad Pitt and Peter Pan at the Octagon Theatre Yeovill starring supervillain Andrew Fettes as Captain Hook. 

TV and West End star Wendi Peters, much loved for her acclaimed portrayal of Cilla Battersby-Brown in Coronation Street, will headline the upcoming 2017 UK tour of Wonderland as Queen of Hearts alongside musical theatre favourite Dave Willetts, who has previously starred in tours of South Pacific, 42nd Street and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, as White Rabbit.

Wonderland is an enchanting musical adaptation of Lewis Carroll's Alices Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, with a huge heart, a medley of magic and a whole lot of wonder.

Today's big news: SCHOOL OF ROCK star Brandon Niederauer celebrates Jimi Hendrix and more!

The new season at Sheffield Theatres includes an exciting line-up of West End and Broadway musicals, witty comedy, chart-topping music, poignant drama and family fun. Booking for the new shows will open to Centre Stage Members on Saturday 11 June and to the general public on Saturday 18 June.

Sheffield Theatres and Evolution Pantomimes are delighted to announce Coronation Street's Wendi Peters, children's favourite Phil Gallagher (CBeebies' Mister Maker) and Sheffield legend Damian Williams will star in Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs at the Lyceum Theatre this Christmas.

Stars of stage and screen joined Cole Kitchenn at the National Theatre Deck to celebrate 10 years of the agency!

Award-winning composer and songwriter Matthew Strachan returns to the St James Studio for one night only with special guests to perform his latest off-beat satirical songs alongside his show numbers and Nashville tunes.

The fourth LONDON FESTIVAL OF CABARET (LFoC) this year takes place from April 22 - May 8 and once again will be bringing the capital alive with the sound of sung cabaret and musical theatre shows.

The St. James Studio is delighted to once again be a host venue for the fourth London Festival of Cabaret. Nine events will take place at the St. James over the course of the festival, which will run from Friday 22 April to Sunday 8 May in venues across London including The Pheasantry and the Crazy Coqs. Highlights at the St. James include Sarah Louise Young and Michael Roulston's brand new show Cabaret Whore Presents…La Poule Plombee  and The Jay Rayner Quartet.

Gary Naylor looks back on over 100 reviews to pick plenty of Christmas crackers and a few Christmas turkeys after another wonderful year in London Theatre.