When I heard that the touring production of the Lyric Hammersmith’s Theatre production of Alan Parker’s Bugsy Malone The Musical, was going to stop at Ally Pally for six weeks over Christmas and New Year, I became very excited that I would finally get to see this version of the classic musical in such an appropriately styled venue.
‘Holds a mirror up to today’s Covid-strained circumstances’: CAROUSEL – Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
Timothy Sheader’s revival of Carousel at the Open Air Theatre Regent’s Park has made me reconsider the musical, and the ways difficult subjects can be repositioned, but it hasn’t made me love it any better.
‘Owes more to D.H. Lawrence & Patrick Hamilton than it does to Hollywood’: CAROUSEL – Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
Taking a hard line on a troublesome musical is smart work and Sheader has given considerable thought to reconfiguring Carousel for twenty-first century audiences.
In a mini-season of nostalgic musicals looking back to mid-twentieth century song and dance styles, Carousel probably least deserves its cosy reputation. While the racial politics and untrammelled heroism of South Pacific is troubling, its love st…
As more West End shows have to cancel shows, industry figures respond to ‘inadequate’ Government insurance scheme
Though theatres are now operating at full capacity (if they choose to) — and audiences are wearing masks only if they choose to, as well — there is a great deal of uncertainty, as performances are being routinely suspended at the very last minute if a cast member proves positive or has come into contact with someone who has.
NEWS: Initial casting is announced for Carousel at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre has confirmed the initial principal casting for Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel which plays from 31 July to 25 September 2021. Carly Bawden and Declan Bennett play Julie Jordan and Billy Bigelow, John Pfumojena plays Enoch Snow, Olivier Award winner Joanna Riding plays Nettie Fowler and Natasha May Thomas plays Louise Bigelow.
Mark Shenton’s weekly chart of forthcoming theatrical comings & goings has some new entries
This weekly column keeps track of the shows that are coming back, or are newly being announced, as theatres prepare to re-open from next month onwards. It will be updated weekly until such time as it becomes a reality, and from then on will provide a weekly update to that week’s openings and future ones.
Returning & new productions heading for the West End & beyond post-lockdown: Are you up to date?
Meanwhile, I want to start keeping track of the shows that are coming back, or are newly being announced, in a new feature here that will be updated weekly until such time as it becomes a reality, and from then on will provide a weekly update to that week’s openings and future ones.
‘Stays sharp & relevant’: JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR: THE CONCERT – Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
It seems extremely apt for the Open Air Theatre in Regent’s Park to resurrect its celebrated production of Jesus Christ Superstar just as live theatre starts to take the first tentative steps back.
’An exhilarating return to live performance’: JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR: THE CONCERT – Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
Jesus Christ Superstar at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre may say concert on the poster but there is singing, dancing, performing and storytelling nine shows a week.
NEWS: Drew McOnie & the McOnie Company launch a Digital Dance Season
The McOnie Company has launched the first offerings as part of its Digital Dance Season. Hosted on the company’s social media channels, the season aims to connect the dance community and encourage collaboration during this period of social distancing and self isolation.
Mind The Blog’s top five musical choices for 2020
If you’re struggling with all the choice, Mind The Blog has come up with her top five musicals you do not want to miss in 2020.
REVIEW ROUND-UP: Torch Song at the Turbine Theatre
Love London Love Culture rounds up the reviews for Drew McOnie’s revival of Harvey Fierstein’s play Torch Song at the Turbine Theatre.
NEWS: Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s 2020 season opens with original 101 Dalmatians musical
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre has announced its 2020 season which opens with its first newly commissioned musical, 101 Dalmatians (16 May to 21 June 2020, press night is 27 May), based on Dodie Smith’s iconic story set in the heart of Regent’s Park with book by Zinnie Harris and music and lyrics by Douglas Hodge.
‘Emotional & uplifting production’: TORCH SONG – Turbine Theatre ★★★★
The Turbine Theatre opens with an assured revival of Harvey Fierstein’s Torch Song. This is the revised 2017 version, packing the original trilogy of plays into just over two and a half hours.
‘Exciting, vibrant & thrilling’: JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR – Barbican Theatre ★★★★
Back for its third triumphant year, the Regent’s Park Open Air production of Jesus Christ Superstar is exciting, vibrant fresh and thrilling.
NEWS: Paul Taylor-Mills will lead the new Turbine Theatre at Battersea Power Station
Presented by Bill Kenwright and founded and led by artistic director Paul Taylor-Mills, the Turbine Theatre is a brand new theatre on the banks of the Thames next to the iconic Battersea Power Station.
NEWS: Regent’s Park announces principal casts for Evita & Jesus Chris Superstar
Regent’s Park Theatre has today announced principal casting for their productions of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Evita and Jesus Christ Superstar, alongside the full creative team for Evita.
NEWS: Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s Jesus Christ Superstar transfers to the Barbican Theatre in 2019
Following its sell-out success in 2016 and 2017 at the Open Air Theatre Regent’s Park, the multi-award-winning production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Jesus Chris Superstar transfers to the Barbican Theatre for just 60 performances in 2019, running from 4 July to 24 August).
NEWS: West End production of Strictly Ballroom The Musical will close in October
The West End premiere production of Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom The Musical, directed and choreographed by Drew McOnie, will have its final performance at London’s Piccadilly Theatre on Saturday 27 October.
NEWS: Matt Cardle takes over from Will Young in the West End production of Strictly Ballroom The Musical
Best-selling recording artist, X Factor winner and West End performer Matt Cardle is to join the cast of Strictly Ballroom The Musical, playing the role of bandleader Wally Strand from 31 July at the Piccadilly Theatre.