West End

Alan Ayckbourn's 'Relatively Speaking', Wyndham's Theatre, London, May 2013

James Willstrop | Posted 03.06.2013 | UK Entertainment
James Willstrop

A finely crafted piece of farcical, light theatre, it has all the necessary conflicts which are consequences of the many misunderstandings and lies that take place. The narrative is perfectly split between two acts with two scenes, and runs just nicely for two hours that fly by.

Sob! Who's Leaving Strictly?

PA | Posted 01.06.2013 | UK Entertainment

Four of Strictly Come Dancing's professional dancers are leaving the programme, the BBC confirmed. One of them - Erin Boag - has been dancing with ...

'Quiet! I'm Trying To Do A Play In Here!'

PA | Posted 06.05.2013 | UK Entertainment

Dame Helen Mirren broke character from her regal role yesterday evening when she yelled at a group of drummers to be quiet while still dressed in her ...

Ding Dong the Witch Is Alive!

Lee Mannion | Posted 24.04.2013 | UK Entertainment
Lee Mannion

With Wicked the musical celebrating its 10th anniversary later this year, should Andrew Lloyd Webber be looking over his shoulder?

Save Our Souls: Why Theatre Is Good for You

Katy Corr | Posted 24.04.2013 | UK Entertainment
Katy Corr

As theatres struggle to make ends meet, scientists reveal why supporting your local playhouse may do more than just boost the books.

The Making of 'The Situation Room'

James Blakey | Posted 18.06.2013 | UK Entertainment
James Blakey

As our audiences arrive at Shoreditch Town Hall, they're divided into two teams. Their objective is simple: to beat the other side. As the show goes on, the actions become more extreme, the morality more blurred. The choice between A and B becomes harder to make as the pressure on you to make it becomes higher. If the game is violence and the goal is victory, will you win at all cost or will you play to lose?

Les Misérables on the West End - Review

Megan Sutton | Posted 08.06.2013 | UK Universities & Education
Megan Sutton

The cast, the orchestra and the venue all lived up to the renowned music and lyrics of the quintessentially French musical, leaving an entire audience standing, cheering -and generally crying- once the performance was over.

Truth Is in the Eye of the Beholder

Seth Freedman | Posted 02.06.2013 | UK Entertainment
Seth Freedman

Sifting fact from fiction whilst simultaneously rushing to file copy is a high-stakes affair, the repercussions of which are felt long after the story has been subbed, laid out and published for mass consumption.

'The Book Of Mormon' Hits London

PA/Huffington Post UK | Posted 27.04.2013 | UK Entertainment

South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone celebrated the opening of their award-winning musical The Book of Mormon in London's West End tonight. ...

A Chorus Line - Theatre Review

Chris Cox | Posted 25.04.2013 | UK Entertainment
Chris Cox

The show is a time capsule, in look, style, music and design. A piece of 70s theatre which feels as fresh and relevant today as ever.

Sun, Sea and Scripts

Frances Ruffelle | Posted 05.04.2013 | Home
Frances Ruffelle

I am about to embark on one of the most challenging roles of my life: playing Edith Piaf. I have been learning nine of Edith Piaf's songs in French and languages have never been my forte. So the French is a challenge, let alone the fact that my role is in every scene.

London Theatres Defying Economy And Olympics To Increase Takings

PA/Huffington Post UK | Posted 31.03.2013 | Home

Audiences and box office takings in London's theatreland were up in 2012, despite competing with 'Olympics-mania' throughout the summer. Although t...

Dramatic Times for Theatreland - 2012 Reflections and 2013 Predictions

Adam Kenwright | Posted 18.03.2013 | Home
Adam Kenwright

Theatreland is (appropriately) always a dramatic place, but even by industry standards 2012 was a particularly eventful year. The Queen's Jubilee and the triumphant Olympics and Paralympics meant all eyes were on the UK, and of course London.

Privates On Parade - Theatre Review

Chris Cox | Posted 02.03.2013 | Home
Chris Cox

Simon Russell Beale, an acting treasure who could easily be called the greatest stage actor of our generation if it weren't for Mark Rylance, takes on the lead, playing against type in a performance which is as dazzling as the sequin dresses he wears.

Kimberley Eyes A Return To The West End Stage

PA | Posted 24.12.2012 | UK Entertainment

Kimberley Walsh has revealed her stint on 'Strictly Come Dancing' has left her keen to return to the West End. The Girls Aloud star, who was a runn...

Kim Cattrall To Play Failing Film Star In West End Show

PA | Posted 02.02.2013 | Home

Sex And The City's Kim Cattrall will take to the Old Vic stage next year playing a fading Hollywood star in a revival of Tennessee Williams' Sweet Bir...

Geeks n' Cheese - Loserville the Musical

Emily Luxton | Posted 23.01.2013 | UK Entertainment
Emily Luxton

Loserville is unashamedly cheesy, but it's the kind of cheese that we all enjoy every once in a while!

What Is Boris Up To Now?

The Huffington Post UK | Chris York | Posted 20.11.2012 | UK Politics

The pressure of being London Mayor has gotten all too much for Boris Johnson, who has flipped and is refusing to eat unless he is served baby food in ...

Mega Cast Mark Anniversary Of World's Longest Running Play

PA/Huffington Post UK | Posted 18.01.2013 | Home

Sir Patrick Stewart and Julie Walters performed this week with a star-studded cast to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the world's longest running st...

A Magical Time Machine: Dreamboats and Petticoats

David Spencer | Posted 02.01.2013 | UK Entertainment
David Spencer

Dreamboats and Petticoats has returned to the West End for a run until January, apparently to coincide with the release of another compilation in the Dreamboats series. Whatever the reason, it is a hugely welcome return.

How to Produce a West End Show - A Chat With Julius Green

Chris Cox | Posted 30.11.2012 | Home
Chris Cox

I met up with author and theatre producer Julius Green who has over 150 plays and musicals to his credit and is currently a senior producer for Bill Kenwright Limited to have a bit of a chat.

Top Ten Movies That Should Be Stage Musicals

Charlotte Skeoch | Posted 23.10.2012 | UK Entertainment
Charlotte Skeoch

If you haven't seen Anne Hathaway's shorn and chilly cranium yet, it's probably time to put down the Xbox controller/children/Proust, and try to recherché your temps perdu- cruise over to the Daily Mail website and bitch or coo as you feel appropriate.

Why Jeremy Hunt Wants More Chinese Tourists In Britain

Posted 14.08.2012 | UK

Culture secretary Jeremy Hunt has called on UK businesses to use the positivity from the Olympics to "turbo-charge" our tourism industry, helping to c...

The Future is East

Shaun McCarthy | Posted 03.10.2012 | UK Sport
Shaun McCarthy

I have been intrigued by the media articles showing distraught West End shop keepers and restaurateurs bemoaning the Olympics for emptying their emporia of customers. It seems that the promise of economic prosperity for all driven by the magic Olympic rings has evaporated as quickly as Mark Cavendish's medal hopes. Or has it?

An Angloholic Returns

Peter Michael Marino | Posted 25.09.2012 | Home
Peter Michael Marino

In 2005 I had the brilliant idea to write a stage musical based on the cult Madonna film Desperately Seeking Susan, scored with the hit songs of Blondie. I set the show in 1979, infusing it with a gritty Lower East Side, punk edge. A real New York musical. Big producers from the West End picked it up, eager to open it in London - an Angloholic's dream come true! My dream come true.