Blog / Theatre News
Check here for the latest musical news with links to all your #StageFaves performers, shows and theatres. Also look out for our regular #GetSocial features and contributions from our syndicate media partners including MyTheatreMates.com and the Musical Theatre Appreciation Society.
There are some theatre productions, both big and small, that aren’t going to make it through the current shutdown and we’re sad to report that when London Theatreland gets back to some kind of normal Waitress will be missing.
The Olivier Awards are a big highlight of the theatre calendar so it was disappointing, though understandable, when the event was cancelled. Now, there’s a chance to celebrate all the ceremonies that have come before in a special programme, Olivier Awards – Greatest Moments, to be broadcast on ITV in the awards’ original slot, 10.15pm on 5 April 2020. Now, that’s something to look forward to.
2020
It’s hard to imagine the West End getting back to normal at the moment, but preparations are still being made for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s brand new version of Cinderella, opening at London’s Gillian Lynne Theatre in October 2020, including the exciting casting of Victoria Hamilton-Barritt as the Stepmother opposite Carrie Hope Fletcher in the title role.
2020
It perhaps doesn’t come as any surprise, but it’s still sad to hear to that West End LIVE 2020, planned for 20 and 21 June 2020, has been cancelled due to the recent guidance from the Government over COVID-19.
2020
Check out the line-up for Lambert Jackson Productions and Theatre Café’s first week of their Leave A Light On series, beginning today (23 March 2020). The series of intimate, piano vocal concerts streamed live from The Theatre Café will feature performances from Blake Patrick Anderson, Aimie Atkinson, Christopher Cameron, Alice Fearn, Victoria Hamilton-Barritt, Evelyn Hoskins, David Hunter, Cassidy Janson, Lucie Jones, Bradley Judge and Harry Cooper Miller, Emma Kingston, Sarah O’Connor, Steph Parry, Danielle Steers and Layton Williams.
2020
We are taking a moment to step away from all the current stories of theatre closures to seek some distraction in celebrating legendary composer/lyricist Stephen Sondheim’s 90th birthday. So we’ve picked FIVE of our favourite performances from previous concerts, from the divine Barbara Cook’s rendition of ‘Losing My Mind’ to Mandy Patinkin and Bernadette Peters giving an iconic rendition of ‘Move On’ from Sunday In The Park With George. Oh, and Patti LuPone, Elaine Stritch and Simon Russell Beale might make an appearance too. Hope you enjoy and do let us know your favourites too.
2020
In amidst all the theatre closures taking place due to the coronavirus crisis, Thriller Live performed its last Moonwalk at London’s Lyric Theatre on 15 March 2020, just three shows away from becoming the 11th-longest running West End musical of all time. It was the show’s 4657th West End performance.
2020
Sad news, and the kind of story that we are likely to see more off in the months to come: Due to uncertainty over the current Covid-19 outbreak, the decision has been made to put the Hope Mill Theatre production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella on hold indefinitely.
It’s normally a major highlight in the theatre calendar but the fallout of the coronavirus emergency has now extended to the Olivier Awards ceremony, planned for 5 April 2020 at the Royal Albert Hall, but now cancelled. The hope is alternative arrangements will be made to ‘properly honour and announce this year’s winners’.
2020
Theatres across the country are shutting due to the coronavirus pandemic and the latest government guidelines but companies like Lambert Jackson Productions and the Theatre Café are offering some hope amidst all the despair. Together they have announced an initiative to keep actors in paid work during the theatre closures. Leave a Light On will be an extensive series of intimate, piano vocal concerts streamed live from The Theatre Café to audiences for a small affordable fee.
2020
Following Boris Johnson’s statement regarding the coronavirus pandemic, advising the public that they should avoid non-essential contact including going to the theatre, it was announced on 16 March 2020 by SOLT and UK Theatre that all member venues would close with immediate effect. One after the other, from Les Misérables to Wicked, and right across the country, venues went dark, but if the Tweets below are anything to go by, the theatre community will come back fighting.
The latest date announced for Faves founder Terri Paddock's musical theatre post-show talks series will take place at London's Southwark Playhouse on 15 June 2020 talking to cast and creatives about the issues highlighted in the stage adaptation of INDECENT PROPOSAL.
There’s going to be a lorra lorra laughs & maybe a few tears along the way when popular actress Sheridan Smith once again plays Cilla Black, a role which brought her much acclaim in Jeff Pope’s BAFTA award-winning ITV series. This time, though, audiences will have the chance to see her in Bill Kenwright’s touring stage production of Cilla The Musical, also written by Pope, and opening on 23 September for a four-week season.
2020
Bring It On The Musical will play a London season at the Southbank Centre’s Queen Elizabeth Hall from 9 December 2020 to 10 January 2021, following a UK and Ireland tour which opens at the Birmingham Hippodrome on 2 June 2020.
What a range of winners there were at the 10th anniversary Offies 2020 presented by Off West End with Best Musical Production going to Gentlemen Prefer Blondes at the Union Theatre and Amour at the Charing Cross Theatre named as Best New Musical. Elsewhere Thrill Me lead actors Bart Lambert and Jack Reitman were both honoured for their performances at the Hope Theatre, while Oti Mabuse completed a victorious weekend with a prize for her choreography for Ain’t Misbehavin at Southwark Playhouse.
2020
Following sell-out performances at the Phoenix Arts Club, Dominic Powell's musical CASES is getting an extended runs at The Other Palace, with a cast including Maiya Quansah-Breed, Sabrina Aloueche, Andrew Patrick-Walker and Adrian Hansel. Book your tickets now!
Andrew Lloyd Webber announces delay in the West End opening of his new musical version of Cinderella
In light of the ‘current global circumstances’ in relation to the coronavirus, the world premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new musical Cinderella, starring Carrie Hope Fletcher, has been delayed to 28 October 2020, previewing from 9 October. Originally the much-anticipated musical was due to begin previews on 28 August.
It only takes a moment to check out the latest casting for the new West End production of Jerry Herman’s Hello, Dolly at the Adelphi Theatre, opening in August 2020. So welcome Clare Halse, Tyrone Huntley and Harry Hepple who join the previously announced players Imelda Staunton, Andy Nyman and Jenna Russell.
2020
Award-winning one-man musical Diva: Live from Hell will receive its European premiere later this month, when it plays a two-week season at the Jack Studio Theatre. Book your tickets now!
A Doctor and a Queen, namely Waitress’ Gavin Creel and Six The Musical’s Alexia McIntosh, were on hand today to announce the 2020 Olivier Awards nominations, just a month before the ceremony takes place on 5 April at the Royal Albert Hall. So now the celebrations have begun, particularly in the & Juliet, Fiddler On The Roof, Dear Evan Hansen and Mary Poppins camps, all of which have received plenty of love from the nominating panel. So who are you hoping leaves with the big prizes on the day?