FIRST LOOK: Fra Fee, Amy Lennox, Omar Baroud and Vivien Parry in Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club

CABARET at the Kit Kat Club has recently been nominated for 11 Olivier Awards including Best Musical Revival, Best Director, Best Set Design, Best Costume Design, Best Theatre Choreographer, Best Lighting Design and Best Sound Design. 

Fra Fee (Emcee) most recently starred as Kazi in the hit Disney+ series Hawkeye, set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He created the role of Michael Carber in the award-winning play The Ferryman at the Royal Court, the Gielgud Theatre in the West End and the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre on Broadway. His other theatre credits include Owen in Translations and Amiens in As You Like It, both at the National Theatre and the title role in Candide at the Menier Chocolate Factory. He played Courfeyac in the film of the musical Les Misérables and also appeared in the stage production at the Queen’s Theatre.

Amy Lennox (Sally Bowles) received an Olivier nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical for her portrayal of Lauren in the West End production of Kinky Boots. Her other credits include Ellie in the London premiere of the David Bowie and Enda Walsh musical Lazarus. She was in the original West End cast of the musical Legally Blonde and created the role of Doralee in the original UK production of 9 to 5 The Musical.

FIRST LOOK: Lucie Jones, Ryan Reid, Sophie-Louise Dann & Gary Wilmot join the London cast of WICKED

Wicked, the West End and Broadway musical phenomenon that tells the incredible untold story of the Witches of Oz, is pleased to release the first production images, by photographer Matt Crockett, of Lucie Jones (Elphaba), Ryan Reid (Fiyero), Sophie-Louise Dann (Madame Morrible) and Gary Wilmot (The Wizard) who will lead the new London cast at the Apollo Victoria Theatre from Tuesday 1 February 2022.

They join Helen Woolf, who returns from maternity leave to continue her acclaimed performance as Glinda, Carina Gillespie (Nessarose), Nicholas McLean (Boq), Simeon Truby (Doctor Dillamond), Amy Webb (Standby for Elphaba) and Charli Baptie* (Standby for Glinda), who all continue in their starring roles.

The complete new London cast from Tuesday 1 February 2022 will be: Lucie Jones(Elphaba), Helen Woolf (Glinda), Ryan Reid (Fiyero), Sophie-Louise Dann (Madame Morrible), Gary Wilmot (The Wizard), Carina Gillespie (Nessarose), Nicholas McLean (Boq), Simeon Truby (Doctor Dillamond), Amy Webb (Standby for Elphaba), Charli Baptie* (Standby for Glinda), Yuki Abe, Kofi Aidoo-Appiah, Meg Astin, Alishia-Marie Blake, Pàje Campbell, Grace Chapman**, Michael Colbourne, Fergus Dale, Nolan Edwards, Nicola Espallardo, Danny Fogarty, Laura Harrison, Amie Hibbert, Lucie Horsfall, Samuel How, Christian Knight, Nick Len, Jasmine Leung, Rhidian Marc, PaddyJoe Martin, Jessica-Alice McCluskey, Stacey McGuire, Harry Mills, Lewis Newton, Natalie Spriggs, Samantha Thomas***, Joe Thompson-Oubari and James Titchener.

FIRST LOOK: The UK tour of THE ADDAMS FAMILY

Starring Joanne Clifton as Morticia Addams, Cameron Blakely as Gomez Addams, Scott Paige as Uncle Fester, Kingsley Morton as Wednesday Addams, Grant McIntyre as Pugsley Addams, Valda Aviks as Grandma, Sean Kingsley as Mal Beineke, Kara Lane as Alice Beineke, Ahmed Hamad as Lucas Beineke and Dickon Gough and Ryan Bennett sharing the role of Lurch. Also in the cast are Abigail Brodie, Sophie Hutchinson, Jessica Keable, Castell Parker, Matthew Ives, Sean Lopeman, Sario Solomon and Ying Ue Li.

THE ADDAMS FAMILY, A Musical Comedy, is directed by Matthew White, with choreography by Alistair David, production design by Diego Pitarch, orchestrations by Richard Beadle, musical direction by Bob Broad, lighting design by Ben Cracknell, sound design by Richard Brooker and casting by Jane Deitch. Book is by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, and music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, based on the characters created by Charles Addams.

THE ADDAMS FAMILY 2021 UK Tour is produced by Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment and Music & Lyrics Limited, and is presented through special arrangement with Theatrical Rights Worldwide.

FIRST LOOK: MAME at the Hope Mill Theatre

MAME, a classic 1960’s musical, with book by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee and music and lyrics by Jerry Herman, has not been seen in the UK since the original West End production in 1969 starring Ginger Rogers. Set in New York City and spanning the Great Depression and World War II, the musical focuses on eccentric bohemian Mame Dennis. 

Tracie Bennett stars in the title role with Harriet Thorpe and Tim Flavin starring as Vera and Beauregard respectively. The cast also includes Chase Brown as Older Patrick, Grace Chapman as Gloria Upson, Lauren Chia as Pegeen Ryan, Soo Drouet as Mother Burnside/Madame Branislowski, Jessie May as Agnes Gooch, Hugh Osborne as Dwight Babcock, Lewis Rae as M Lindsay Woolsey, Pippa Winslow as Mrs Upson/Sally Cato, Benjamin Wong as Ito and Liam Wrate as Junior Babcock. Harry Cross, Isaac Lancel-Watkinson and Lachlan White will alternate the role of Young Patrick. Completing the cast are Jabari Braham, Aston Newman Hannington and India Thornton.

FIRST LOOK: The View Upstairs at the Soho Theatre

The musical opens in present day when Wes (Tyrone Huntley), a young fashion designer buys and abandoned space, not realising this had been the UpStairs Lounge, a vibrant '70s gay bar in the French Quarter of New Orleans, which in 1973, was burned down in an arson attack, killing 32 people. THE VIEW UPSTAIRS brings to life this forgotten community and takes the audience on an exhilarating journey of seduction and self-exploration, celebrating the lives of those forgotten while featuring a soulful, rock and jazz score. The musical also stars Andy Mientus, Declan Bennett, Victoria Hamilton-Barritt, Cedric Neal and John Partridge as Patrick, Dale, Inez, Willie and Buddy respectively. Completing the cast are Carly Mercedes Dyer as Henri, Gary Lee as Freddy, Joseph Prouse as Richard and Derek Hagen as Cops/Realtor. THE VIEW UPSTAIRS is written by Max Vernon and directed in London by Jonathan O'Boyle. 

THE VIEW UPSTAIRS is produced in London by Jack Maple & Brian Zeilinger for Take Two Theatricals and Ken Fakler, with Creative House Productions and Associate Producers Kittie Fahey, Benjamin Lockwood, Sue Marks and Club 11 London.

FIRST LOOK: Fame the Musical, on tour around the UK

Keith Jack, Mica Paris and Jorgie Porter star in the new UK Tour of Fame – The Musical opening at Manchester Palace on 20 July for a brand new 30th Anniversary Tour.

Based on the 1980 phenomenal pop culture film, Fame – The Musical is the international smash-hit sensation following the lives of students at New York’s High School For The Performing Arts as they navigate their way through the highs and lows, the romances and the heartbreaks and the ultimate elation of life. This bittersweet but uplifting triumph of a show explores the issues that confront many young people today: prejudice, identity, pride, literacy, sexuality, substance abuse and perseverance.

FIRST LOOK: Chess at the London Coliseum

The epic musical love story CHESS starring Michael Ball as Anatoly, Alexandra Burke as Svetlana, Cedric Neal as The Arbiter, Tim Howar as Freddie, Cassidy Janson as Florence and Phillip Browne as Molokov opens tonight, Thursday 26 April 2018 (Press night on Tuesday 1 May 2018) for a strictly limited 5 week season.

This is the first West End production of Chess since 1986. CHESS was written in 1984 by ABBA songwriters Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, and Tim Rice (Jesus Christ Superstar, The Lion King, Evita), and the original London production starred Elaine Paige, Murray Head and Tommy Korberg. That production, which ran for three years at the Prince Edward Theatre, followed a highly successful recording featuring the same stars, and included the international hit singles I Know Him So Well and One Night In Bangkok. Other well-known songs from the score include Anthem, Someone Else’s Story, Heaven Help my Heart and Pity The Child.

CHESS tells a story of love and political intrigue, set against the background of the Cold War in the late 1970s/early 1980s, in which superpowers attempt to manipulate an international chess championship for political ends. Two of the world’s greatest chess masters, one American, one Russian, are in danger of becoming the pawns of their governments as their battle for the world title gets under way. Simultaneously their lives are thrown into further confusion by a Hungarian refugee, a remarkable woman who becomes the centre of their emotional triangle. This mirrors the heightened passions of the political struggles that threaten to destroy lives and loves.

FIRST LOOK: Chicago returns to the West End at the Phoenix Theatre

Following a successful UK and international tour, and after a 5½-year absence from London, the multi award-winning Kander & Ebb musical CHICAGO, winner of six Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards and a Grammy, will begin performances at the Phoenix Theatre in London on Monday 26 March, with a press night on Wednesday 11 April and an extended booking period until 6 October 2018. 

The cast for the first booking period, from 26 March to 30 June 2018, is led by Cuba Gooding Jr, Sarah Soetaert, Josefina Gabriell, Ruthie Henshall and Paul Rider. This cast will also feature Alan Richardson, Michelle Antrobus, Natalie Bennyworth, Nicola Coates, Frances Dee, Zoe Gappy, Emma Harris, Chelsea Labadini, Joanna Rennie, Abramo Ciullo, Francis Foreman, Luke Jarvis, Matt Krzan, Charles Ruhrmund, Todd Talbot, Callum Macdonald, Chris Warner Drake and Matthew Wesley. 

Casting for the new booking period will be announced nearer the time.

First look: Ruthless! The Musical at the Arts Theatre

Ruthless! is about to open at the Arts Theatre and the company has opened the doors to the rehearsal room to offer a sneak peek on the most outrageous musical that has ever graced the West End. Acting as the executive producer and general manager for the London run, the Menier Chocolate Factory is currently hosting the star-studded cast, who we found tirelessly going over the dazzling musical numbers. 

A frothy Kim Maresca reprises her role as Judy Denmark, after a successful off-Broadway run. During the taster event, she interpreted the opening motif Tina's Mother and was soon joined on stage by the delicious Dancing on Ice judge Jason Gardiner. His presence in drag as Tina's agent Sylvia St. Croix is a guaranteed recipe for success.

Tina's drunken grandmother is brought to life by the legendary Tracie Bennett, whereas the protagonist herself, the eight-year-old Tina, is played in turns by four exceptionally talented young performers: Charlotte Breen, Lucy Simmonds, Anya Evans, and Fifi Bloomsbury-Khier.

FIRST LOOK: UK Tour of Oscar Wilde’s THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, starring Kerry Ellis

Kerry Ellis stars as Gwendolen, her first non-singing role, in the 2018 UK tour of Oscar Wilde’s THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre Guildford, Courtyard Theatre Hereford, Theatre Royal Plymouth, Belfast Grand Opera House, Theatre Royal Bath and Manchester Opera House. Hannah Louise Howell will play Gwendolen at all other venues. They will be joined by Geoff Aymer, Louise Coulthard, Thomas Howes, Peter Sandys-Clarke and Simon Shackleton, playing Chasuble, Cecily, Algernon, Jack and Lane/Merriman respectively.

They join the previously announced Gwen Taylor as Lady Bracknell and Susan Penhaligon as Miss Prism. The tour will begin on 24 January at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in Guildford, at Theatre Royal Windsor on 5 May 2018.

FIRST LOOK: Pinocchio at the National Theatre

On a quest to be truly alive, Pinocchio leaves Geppetto’s workshop with Jiminy Cricket in tow. Their electrifying adventure takes them from alpine forests to Pleasure Island to the bottom of the ocean. This spectacular new production brings together the director of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and the writer of Matilda the Musical.

For the first time on stage, featuring unforgettable music and songs from the Walt Disney film including I’ve Got No Strings, Give a Little Whistle and When You Wish upon a Star in dazzling new arrangements, Pinocchio comes to life as never before. 

Cast includes Joe Idris-Roberts (Pinocchio), Audrey Brisson (Jiminy Cricket), Mark Hadfield (Geppetto),Annette McLaughlin (Blue Lady), David Langham (The Fox), David Kirkbride (Coachman), Dawn Sievewright (Lampy), Gershwyn Eustache Jnr (Stromboli) together with Stuart Angell, Trieve Blackwood-Cambridge, Stephanie Bron, James Charlton, Rebecca Jayne-Davies, Sarah Kameela Impey, Anabel Kutay, Michael Lin, Jack North, Clemmie Sveaas, Michael Taibi, Scarlet Wilderink and Jack Wolfe.

FIRST LOOK: Jesus Christ Superstar returns to the Open Air Theatre in Regents Park

Following its overwhelming sell-out success in 2016, Jesus Christ Superstar returns this summer (11 August – 16 September), giving audiences one final chance to see the production in its original home.

Declan Bennett, Tyrone Huntley (who won the Evening Standard Emerging Talent Award for his performance in 2016), David Thaxton and Peter Caulfield, reprise their roles of Jesus, Judas, Pilate and Herod. The 2016 production won the Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival and Evening Standard Award for Best Musical. 

Maimuna Memon takes the role of Mary. Previous credits include Winnie and Wilbur (Birmingham Rep), Lazarus (King’s Cross Theatre), The Busker’s Opera (Park Theatre) and Into The Woods (Royal Exchange Manchester). 

FIRST LOOK: In rehearsals with the UK tour of HAIRSPRAY

Rehearsal images for smash-hit musical Hairspray have been released today ahead of the UK tour which kicks off in Cardiff at Wales Millennium Centre on 16th August 2017. This major UK tour will visit more than 30 venues across the length and breadth of the UK and Ireland until early summer 2018.

Tickets are now on sale at www.hairsprayuktour.com/tour-dates.

Featuring the iconic music and lyrics by Academy Award, Tony and Emmy winning duo Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, this much-loved musical comedy is choreographed by Olivier Award-winning Drew McOnie with direction from Paul Kerryson. 

FIRST LOOK: In Rehearsal with the cast of Jesus Christ Superstar at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre

Following its overwhelming sell-out success in 2016, Jesus Christ Superstar returns this summer, giving audiences one final chance to see the production in its original home. With direction by Timothy Sheader, design by Tom Scutt, choreography by Drew McOnie and musical supervision by Tom Deering, the production won the BBC Radio 2 Audience Award for Best Musical in the Evening Standard Theatre Awards and has received 3 nominations in the WhatsOnStage Awards, includingBest Musical Revival. 

Declan Bennett will return to the role of Jesus in the Open Air Theatre production. Also returning this summer are Tyrone Huntley with his award-winning performance as Judas, and David Thaxton and Peter Caulfield as Pilate and Herod.

FIRST LOOK : Rehearsal Photos for the UK & Ireland Premiere of THE ADDAMS FAMILY

Aria Entertainment and Music & Lyrics Limited are delighted to announce the full cast for the UK and Ireland tour of the musical comedy, The Addams Family.

Cameron Blakely will be joining the family in the role of Gomez Addams. 

Cameron’s previous theatre credits include the role of Thenardier in Les Misérables, a role he played for two years in London’s West End. Cameron was also part of the 25^th Anniversary at the O2, where he played Bamatabois. Other credits include Smee in Stiles and Drewe’s Peter Pan at the Adelphi Theatre and Fagin in Oliver! at The Watermill Theatre. He has also appeared in many productions at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, including A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet and The Taming of the Shrew.

FIRST LOOK: Wonderland the musical, on tour around the UK

Following sold out seasons in Tampa, Texas and Tokyo, the multi Grammy, Tony and Drama Desk Award nominated Frank Wildhorn’s WONDERLAND was hailed by the New York Times as “inspirational”.

WONDERLAND is an enchanting musical adaption of Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, with a huge heart, a medley of magic and a whole lot of wonder. It is a timely and touching story of love in all its forms, an adventurous exploration of who we are, who we want to be and the power of everyday magic in our lives.

Completing the principal cast are Wendi Peters as Queen of Hearts, Dave Willetts as White Rabbit, Kerry Ellis and Rachel Wooding as Alice, Stephen Webb as Jack / White Knight, Natalie McQueen as Mad Hatter, Kayi Ushe as Caterpillar, Dominic Owen as Cheshire Cat, Ben Kerr as March Hare, Naomi Morris as Ellie and Michelle Pentecost as Alternate Alice / Mad Hatter.

They are joined by Sharif Afifi, Toyan Thomas-Browne, Divine Cresswell, Jessica Croll, Francesca Lara Gordon, Benjamin McMillan, Michael Morgan, Phoebe May Newman, Bree Smith, Benjamin Yates and swingsLewis Easter and Collette Guitart.

FIRST LOOK: Funny Girl at the Menier Chocolate Factory starring Sheridan Smith

Double Olivier Award winner Sheridan Smith will return to London’s West End next year when the Menier Chocolate Factory production of Funny Girl transfers to the Savoy Theatre in April for a 12-week season.

The production, which also stars Gone With The Wind and From Here To Eternity star Darius Campbell, runs at the hit-making off-West End theatre from 20 November to 5 March, though tickets for that run are already sold out.

Funny Girl, which has not been staged in the West End since its premiere in the 60s, is the musical that shot Barbra Streisand to fame. It tells the story of Fanny Brice, who rose from being a music hall singer to becoming one of Broadway’s biggest stars. Though on stage she was loved, her off stage life was far more turbulent.

The new production is directed by Broadway’s Mayer and features a book revised from Isobel Lennart’s original by Kinky Boots writer Harvey Fierstein.

Producer Sonia Friedman commented: “2016 will mark the 50th anniversary of the original London production of Funny Girl. It's enormously exciting to be bringing this legendary musical back to the West End for the first time since 1966, in a brand new production starring the incredible Sheridan Smith.”

Funny Girl runs at the Savoy Theatre from 9 April to 2 July. 

CLICK HERE TO BOOK TICKETS 

Sneak peak at PHOTOGRAPH 51 starring Nicole Kidman

The instant I saw the picture

My mouth fell open and my pulse began to race...

The Michael Grandage Company have released an official teaser trailer featuring a first look at Nicole Kidman in their new production ‘Photograph 51’ that begins previews on the 5th September. 

FIRST LOOK: Beverley Knight & Killian Donnelly star in MEMPHIS at the Shaftesbury Theatre

The West End production of hit Broadway musical MEMPHIS will have preview performances at the Shaftesbury Theatre, London from 9 October 2014 with Opening Night on 23 October 2014. Winner of four 2010 Tony Awards® including Best Musical, MEMPHIS has a Grammy® Award-winning original score by Bon Jovi founding member David Bryan and book by Joe DiPietro.

Led by multi award-winning recording artist Beverley Knight as club singer ‘Felicia Farrell’ and stage star Killian Donnelly as radio DJ ‘Huey Calhoun’, with Rolan Bell as ‘Delray’, Tyrone Huntley as ‘Gator’, Claire Machin as ‘Gladys’,Jason Pennycooke as ‘Bobby’ and Mark Roper as ‘Mr. Simmons’, the full cast of MEMPHIS will include Keisha Atwell, Arielle Campbell, Mark Carroll, Joseph Davenport, Momar Diagne, Carly Mercedes Dyer, Kimmy Edwards, Hillary Elk, Laura Ellis, Charlotte Gorton, Benjamin Harrold, Waylon Jacobs, Rachel John, Dean Maynard, Devon McKenzie-Smith, Tim Newman, Simon Ray-Harvey, Jon Robyns, Ashley Rumble, Kyle Seeley, Helen Siveter, Dawnita Smith, and Alex Thomas.

FIRST LOOK: Forbidden Broadway at the Vaudeville Theatre

The Menier Chocolate Factory's production of Forbidden Broadway transfers to the West End's Vaudeville Theatre for a limited 11-week run from 9 September.

The cast includes Damian Humbley, Anna-Jane Casey, Ben Lewis and Christina Bianco.

Forbidden Broadway offers an alternative take on some of the biggest productions from Broadway and the West End, including The Book of Mormon, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Once, Matilda, Wicked and Miss Saigon.

Menier artistic director David Babani said: "I can't think of a more fitting way to celebrate our 10th anniversary year than to transfer our wonderful production to the Vaudeville Theatre in the West End so that many more people will get to the opportunity to enjoy it!"