UK Roundup - Mamma Mia, Jailhouse Rock, Jumpers...

We play 'Brits abroad' this week as the transfer of Jumpers marks the first in a long line of transfers from the National Theatre. Jumpers, which opens at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre, is Tom Stoppard's classic comic drama starring Simon Russell Beale, a previous Olivier winner who is making his Broadway debut. After Jumpers, The National Theatre is expected to transfer Democracy by Michael Frayn, The Pillowman by Martin McDonagh (possibly with Jim Broadbent) and, in a very high profile production, Jerry Springer the Opera - expected early 2005.

London is to get not one, but two new theatres, after the fall of the Whitehall venue. Just off Trafalgar Square, the Whitehall Theatre had been closed since October, and it was announced recently that it is to become two separate theatre spaces under the name of Trafalgar Studios. Both will have small capacities and act as a transfer space for works from the Donmar Warehouse, the Almeida, National Cottesloe, etc. Cameron Mackintosh is already building a new theatre, the Sondheim, to house smaller transfers, but now there will be three West End opportunities. Trafalgar Studios opens with a transfer of Othello with Antony Sher from the RSC in Stratford.

Mamma Mia! Is it really five years since the world's biggest global 'chain' began? The stars were out this week for the 5^th Anniversary of Mamma Mia! at the Prince Edward Theatre, attended by Benny and Bjorn themselves. It infamously began a trend in London of other pop bands following suit - Queen, Madness, Rod Stewart. The five years comes at another important milestone in its London life - it will move on May 22^nd to the newly refurbished Prince of Wales Theatre.

Currently in previews is stage adaptation of Elvis film Jailhouse Rock, now arrived in the capital after short out of town tryouts. Despite not being allowed to use the title song, the show will go ahead under the film's title. Opening officially on April 19^th, the musical is about a young man who is sent to jail and emerges a star - thanks to his songwriting genius and oozing sex appeal. The Piccadilly Theatre has had a difficult track record with shows and flops; in particular musicals in recent times; both Ragtime and Romeo and Juliet the Musical suffered short runs. Whether this can cut the curse will be a test of time.

Two shows with dates and venues have failed to open in the current West End climate. Me and My Girl was predicted to go into the New London, but after the success of Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat - it has had to be postponed indefinitelY. Joseph is booking through to January 2005 and currently stars former Steps star 'H'. Although there is still time to announce a venue, another production that's disappeared is the recent Broadway production of Lurhmann's La Boheme. Announcing world tour dates on Playbill, little has been heard of a 'May' opening - even the official website is now closed.

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