Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory The Musical comes to Leeds Playhouse for the festive season. The musical invites one into a world of imagination of Charlie’s plight and Willy Wonka’s confectionery wonders at his chocolate factory. The musical is based on David Greig’s book with Marc Shaiman’s musical composition and his and Scott Wittman’s lyrics.
NEWS: Jane Austen adaptation Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of) transfers to West End’s Criterion
Scottish hit Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of), written by Isobel McArthur after Jane Austen, will transfer to the West End’s Criterion Theatre for an open-ended run, previewing from 15 October and opening on 2 November 2021.
NEWS: Bridge Theatre extends season as Talking Heads shows visit Sheffield & Leeds
Additional performances have gone on sale for David Hare’s Beat the Devil and Inua Ellams’ and Fuel’s production of An Evening with an Immigrant, the one-person plays at London’s Bridge Theatre now extended until 7 November 2020.
NEWS: Winners announced for The Stage Debut Awards 2020
Newcomer Sam Tutty scooped two awards for his star-making performance in the hit West End musical Dear Evan Hansen at The Stage Debut Awards 2020. The awards were presented as a virtual ceremony filmed at London’s Theatre Royal Haymarket.
NEWS: Bridge Theatre announces plans to reopen with star-studded rep season
London Theatre Company has announced its repertoire plans to reopen the Bridge Theatre during September and October 2020, “assuming that the Government gives the go ahead for indoor performances with socially distanced audiences”.
‘Provocatively & evocatively powerful’: SEEDS – Touring ★★★★★
Tiata Fahodzi’s Seeds in association with the Leeds Playhouse, Soho Theatre and Tara Finney Productions is being world premiered in Leeds.
Best of the Blogs: The Sugar Syndrome, Persona, Sold & Blithe Spirit
In our continuing series, our editor Lisa Martland picks out some of her Top Picks from the last week of theatre (to 2 February 2020), ranging from Ian Foster’s praise of the Orange Tree Theatre’s fine revival of Lucy Prebble’s first play The Sugar Syndrome.
‘Excellent all-around performances’: DR KORCZAK’S EXAMPLE – Leeds ★★★★★
Dr Korczak’s Example is a profoundly a powerful and moving play and a very poignant reminder to many who suffered under the clutches of Nazi persecution.
NEWS: Double win for Sheffield Theatres at The Stage Awards 2020
Sheffield Theatres scooped two awards in The Stage Awards 2020: Regional Theatre of the Year and Achievement in Technical Theatre.
NEWS: The Stage Awards 2020 shortlist is announced
The production team that ensured the show could go on after part of a West End theatre ceiling collapsed and the revival of much-loved pop magazine Smash Hits are among the nominees for The Stage Awards 2020.
‘A delightful piece’: THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS – Leeds ★★★★
The theatre’s production of The Night Before Christmas is a delightful piece, full of fun and silliness, with moments of wonder and the chance for the children to interact with the cast.
‘Unmissable performance from beginning to end’: THE WIZARD OF OZ – Leeds Playhouse ★★★★★
The Wizard of Oz is a celebrated and must see Christmas/winter treat for one and all. The Leeds Playhouse again has successfully delivered.
‘Compelling, piece of engaged political theatre’: TROJAN HORSE – Battersea Arts Centre & Touring
This touring production of Trojan Horse, a verbatim theatre piece about the Birmingham schools scandal, is absorbingly polemical and moving.
‘As finely-tuned a theatrical machine as you are likely to see’: BARBER SHOP CHRONICLES – Touring ★★★★
There is a winning combination of the playful and the profound in Barber Shop Chronicles which allies serious stagecraft and knowledge to sheer enjoyability.
‘Important & unmissable production’: TROJAN HORSE – Touring ★★★★★
The Leeds Playhouse has opened its doors following an impressive renovation and Trojan Horse is the first production to be hosted.
‘Engaging, warm & thought-provoking’: MY BEAUTIFUL LAUNDRETTE – Touring
In a co-production with Belgrade Theatre Coventry, Everyman Theatre Cheltenham and Leeds Playhouse, Nikolai Foster and the Curve company’s adaptation of My Beautiful Laundrette has shone a spotlight on the wrongs of yesteryear at a time when, more than ever before in my lifetime, the country seems to be in a state of sinfully wilful regression.
NEWS: Zoë Wanamaker & Zrinka Cvitešić will star in world premiere of Nancy Harris’ Two Ladies at the Bridge Theatre
Zoë Wanamaker and Zrinka Cvitešić will play Hélène and Sophia respectively in Two Ladies, a new play by Nancy Harris to be directed by Nicholas Hytner for the London Theatre Company at the Bridge Theatre.
‘An outstanding display of craft & commitment from Sharon Small’: STILL ALICE – Touring ★★★
The portrayal of early-onset Alzheimer’s in Still Alice, touring to the King’s all week, will certainly resonate with many, thanks largely to Sharon Small’s magnetic central performance.
NEWS: West Yorkshire Playhouse to change its name to Leeds Playhouse prior to major development
West Yorkshire Playhouse today announced it will change its name to Leeds Playhouse. The name change marks a new chapter in the theatre’s 50-year history.