Kipps – The New Half A Sixpence Musical is “new” in the sense that it’s an updated version of a musical first performed in the early 1960s to showcase the singing, dancing and banjo playing talents of Tommy Steele.
NEWS: Full casting announced for Les Misérables – The Staged Concert
The principal cast for the return of Les Misérables – The Staged Concert at London’s Sondheim Theatre on 20 May 2021 will be Jon Robyns as Jean Valjean, Bradley Jaden as Javert, Lucie Jones as Fantine, Gerard Carey as Thénardier, Josefina Gabrielle as Madame Thénardier, Shan Ako as Éponine, Harry Apps as Marius, Jamie Muscato as Enjolras and Charlie Burn as Cosette, with Dean Chisnall playing the role of Jean Valjean at certain performances.
NEWS: A socially distanced Les Misérables – The Staged Concert returns to the West End from 20 May 2021
Performances of Les Misérables – The Staged Concert will resume performances at the the Sondheim Theatre on 20 May 2021, booking to 5 September 2021. Patrons whose bookings were affected by the Government’s previous directives will be contacted from today.
REVIEW ROUND-UP: Les Misérables at Sondheim Theatre
Love London Love Culture rounds up the reviews for the newly opened production of Les Misérables.
NEWS: Ian Hughes is latest Thenardier in the West End production of Les Misérables as Matt Lucas suffers back injury
Ian Hughes who recently took over the role of Thénardier to great acclaim in the current sell-out UK and international tour of Les Misérables will now join the London company to partner Josefina Gabrielle.
NEWS: Matt Lucas steps in to play Thénardier as Les Misérables reopens in the West End
Matt Lucas will step in to play the role of Thénardier in the new production of Les Misérables at the newly refurbished Sondheim Theatre in the West End where performances began on 18 December 2020.
NEWS: Casting announced for Les Miserables at Sondheim Theatre
Cameron Mackintosh has announced casting for Boublil and Schönberg’s Les Misérables at the newly restored Sondheim Theatre, when the theatre re-opens on 18 December 2019 following its major renovation.
‘Dickens, 175 years on, has done it again’: A CHRISTMAS CAROL – Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford upon Avon ★★★★
David Edgar’s adaptation of A Christmas Carol, directed as last year by Rachel Kavanaugh, gives the old story of ghosts and redemption deft additions and expanded scenes
‘Almost all unalloyed pleasure’: TWELFTH NIGHT – Young Vic
Is there such a thing as sheer theatrical joy? Yes, there is, and it comes from an unexpected source: Kwame Kwei-Armah and Shaina Taub’s musical adaptation of Twelfth Night at the Young Vic.
NEWS: Full cast announced for the West End transfer of Young Vic & Good Chance Theatre’s The Jungle
The full cast has been announced for the West End transfer of Joe Murphy and Joe Robertson’s The Jungle, a National Theatre and Young Vic co-production with Good Chance Theatre, directed by Stephen Daldry and Justin Martin.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL – Stratford-upon-Avon (RSC) ★★★★
This year’s seasonal offering in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre is a grand affair as David Edgar (it was he who famously adapted Dickens’ Nicholas Nickleby for the company back in 1980) tackles A Christmas Carol.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL – Stratford-upon-Avon (RSC) ★★★★
‘Tis the season to remember those less fortunate than ourselves and David Edgar’s stirring new adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, for the Royal Shakespeare Company, doesn’t stint on political rhetoric.
Sherman album series: Mary Poppins (2005 Original London Cast Recording)
As A Spoonful of Sherman, a tribute to three generations of Sherman family music, including childhood classics by the Sherman Brothers, continues Live at Zedel until 20 August 2017, Ian Foster reviews related albums.
HALF A SIXPENCE – West End
It was no surprise to discover that Half A Sixpence would be transferring into the West End – its run at Chichester Festival Theatre was a huge success and with Cameron Mackintosh on producing duties, it was always going to be a case of when rather than if. It’s a slow-burner of a show, the second act really is the business thanks to Andrew Wright’s choreography.
SHREK – Touring
As the Shrek UK tour draws to a close, it was fun to catch up with the show’s final week at Manchester’s Lowry Theatre. Long long ago, before Shrek became a stage musical, it was an award winning DreamWorks movie that stole the hearts of adults and children alike. Upon its release in 2001, Shrek won the first ever Academy award for Best Animated Feature, as well as receiving countless nominations at the BAFTAs and Golden Globes.
SHREK THE MUSICAL – Touring
★★★★ There are enough inventive designs and well-honed performances about Shrek the Musical to ensure that it hits the spot.
SHREK – Touring
Take a blockbuster movie, add a bunch of songs and some sparkly costumes and stick it on a stage… A tried and tested recipe for success and one that seems to be a guarantee of success. It certainly didn’t hurt Shrek when that landed in the West End and tickets flew out of the box office. Now the show is heading out on tour around the UK and we made our way to the Mayflower to check it out.
SHREK THE MUSICAL – Touring
If like me you enjoyed the films of Shrek and saw it in the West End, then you to will enjoy this.
It has everything, colourful costumes and sets. Humour, a few songs and more humour. This ogre has a big heart and Dean Chisnall continues to play it perfectly.