West End Frame

New casting has been announced for the return of 1984

George Orwell’s "dystopian masterpiece", adapted by Robert Icke and Duncan Macmillan, returns to the Playhouse Theatre on 28th June (previews from 14th June) and runs until 3rd September 2016.

The cast will include Rosie Ede (Mrs Parsons), Andrew Gower (Winston), Joshua Higgott (Syme), Richard Katz (Charrington), Anthony O’Donnell (Parsons), Daniel Rabin (Martin), Catrin Stewart (Julia) and Angus Wright (O’Brien).

Eve Benioff Salama, Cleopatra Dickens, Amber Fernee and India Fowler will alternate the role of Child whilst Ingrid Schiller, Gerard Gilroy and Thom Petty complete the cast as understudies.

Now seen by over a quarter of a million people, this Headlong, Nottingham Playhouse and Almeida Theatre production premiered at Nottingham Playhouse in September 2013. Since opening, 1984 has played to packed houses at the Almeida Theatre, as well as throughout its two West End runs and in performances across the globe during national and international tours.

1984 is directed by Robert Icke and Duncan Macmillan with Daniel Raggett, set and costume is designed by Chloe Lamford, with lighting designed by Natasha Chivers, sound designed by Tom Gibbons and video designed by Tim Reid.

Photo Credit: Manuel Harlan

Live At Zédel has confirmed first fetails for its Autumn season.

As previously announced, as of September Crazy Coqs will be relaunched with all programming being taken over by United Agents. The new programme will kick off with an official partnership with The Philharmonia Orchestra and the appointment of U.S. composer Scott Alan as Artistic Director In Residence.

Alan's varied programme includes intimate pre-show ‘coq-tails and Conversations’ from likes of Mark Shenton alongside nights from West End Stars Julie Atherton and Simon Lipkin as well as performances from performers including Carly Stenson, Oliver Tompsett and Lucie Jones.

Live At Zédel will also showcase a food-themed week of entertainment in the Crazy Coqs featuring Grace Dent, Jay Rayner and Gizzie Erskine and a comedy season including Katherine Ryan and Doc Brown. Other names taking part in the Autumn relaunch include Maria Friedman, West End Frame Award winner Matt Cardle, Clare Teal & DENIM.

A unique collaboration between Corbin and King and United Agents, Live At Zédel will become the official London partner venue for the Philharmonia Orchestra, alongside the Southbank Centre. The first time a classical orchestra is affiliated with a West End venue, the programme includes a series of monthly intimate concerts in the Crazy Coqs, culminating in a one-off performance with a 23-piece line-up in the main Brasserie Space in early 2017.

In addition to the varied theatrical, cabaret and music programming, Live At Zédel will host a number of spoken word evenings with some of London’s "most witty and entertaining" speakers and a monthly comedy night.

Nicole Scherzinger has released a statement after withdrawing from the Broadway revival of Cats a week before rehearsals were due to begin.

Last week the musical's composer Andrew Lloyd Webber revealed Scherzinger had quit the musical so she can instead return to The X Factor UK as a judge alongside Simon Cowell.

Scherzinger starred as Grizabella in the recent West End revival of Cats, and was long-rumoured to be reprising her role on Broadway.

Speaking to The Economist last week, Lloyd Webber said: "A week before we go into rehearsal on Broadway, which luckily I'm not producing, I get the news that she's decided to do X Factor, having agreed to do everything.

"I mean she's crazy but American producers just say, 'Ah well, we'll just get someone else', because she's not actually that well known in America. I'm furious because I really believe she's a really fantastically talented girl and I really went out on a limb to get her into the London Palladium here and it makes me look like an absolute t**t. But never mind, there will be another girl on Broadway and Nicole won't get her Tony Award."

Responding to Lloyd Webber in a statement released to Radio Times, Scherzinger says: "I had every intention of doing Cats on Broadway but the contract was never finalised."

"I am incredibly blessed to be given so many amazing opportunities, including Cats, but unfortunately we weren't able to make it work this time around. I adore and respect Andrew, I'm so grateful for our friendship and can’t wait for the opportunity to create more magic together."

Singin' in the Rain
Salisbury Playhouse
Reviewed on Tuesday 10th May 2016
★★★

Singin' in the Rain is back with an all new actor-musician production helmed by Elizabeth Newman. Currently playing at Salisbury Playhouse, the show is set to also play the Octagon Theatre in Bolton and New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-under-Lyme.

With timeless music and a charming story, you can't go wrong with Singin' in the Rain. The piece centres around silent movie star Don Lockwood who falls for aspiring actress Kathy Selden, much to the disgust of his long-time co-star Lina Lamont.

Newman's take on the show is boldly different to recent stagings of the musical. Most notably, there aren't big company dance numbers - there is movement from the ensemble, but choreography is limited as they're also playing instruments. Although a few of the cast seem a little too young, it's impossible not to be impressed by these actors who can play several instruments whilst performing in a musical.

Leading the cast is West End actor Matthew Croke who reprises his performance as Don, having understudied the role in the glorious 2012 West End revival. Croke steps forward and proves himself as an almighty triple threat; his vocals are smooth, his presence is endearing whilst his dance ability is mesmerising. Performing the title song alone on stage at the end of the first half is no easy task, but Croke splashes his way to glory. His performance is nothing short of stellar, it can only be a matter of time before he lands another major role.

Starring opposite Croke is Christian Edwards as Cosmo Brown. Edwards has a ball with his big number 'Make 'Em Laugh', but overall the character gets a little lost within the piece - there is certainly more room for Cosmo to step into the limelight. On press night Eleanor Brown's vocals seemed a little shaky - perhaps due to nerves - but nevertheless she brought out Kathy's feisty side and made her mark.

Some shows thrive as an actor-musician production, but ultimately I don't think Singin' in the Rain is one of them. It feels like something is missing. However, with a superb leading man, Newman's production is still certainly worth a look.

Reviewed by Andrew Tomlins (Editor)

Singin' in the Rain runs at the Salisbury Playhouse until 28th May. The production then plays the Octagon Theatre in Bolton (3rd-25th June) and New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-under-Lyme (30th June-16th July).

Read our interview with Matthew Croke

Photo Credit: Richard Davenport

West End Fest
St Paul's Church
Reviewed on Sunday 15th May 2016
★★★★

Founded by Sabrina Aloueche and Parnell Page, West End Fest has become firmly established as a must-see concert series for theatre lovers. The event sees musical theatre actors, who have starred and appeared in many of the West End's biggest shows, come together on their night off from their gruelling schedule to raise money for some incredible charities.

The latest West End Fest saw performers paying tribute to their icons; it made a nice change to see West End talent taking on songs which mostly aren't associated with musical theatre - there were performances paying tribute to everyone from Mariah Carey and Beyoncé to Stevie Wonder... and even Disney.

Whilst there was plenty of fun to be had, throughout the evening presenters Dean McCullough and Kieran Brown reminded those in attendance where their money was going. For the first time ever, West End Fest was raising money and awareness for the Make A Difference Trust. All proceeds from the event are going towards funding HIV and AIDS projects that raise awareness and provide care, support and education in the United Kingdom and Sub-Saharan Africa.

The divine Emma Kingston kicked things off, impressing with her exceptional vocal talents with a rendition of 'Saving All My Love For You'. It was a total joy to see Lauren Varnham back onstage channelling her inner Mariah whilst time stood still when Rebecca Trehearn paid tribute to Eva Cassidy with an entrancing performance of 'Bridge Over Troubled Water'. My heart was melted by Scott Morgan's choir who closed the first act.

If there's one person in musical theatre who knows how to put on a show, it's the sensationally talented Kieran Brown who unleashed Madonna madness onto the audience (complete with a cape!). Claudia Kariuki - who quite frankly should be a global megastar - aced Beyoncé's '1+1' whilst Liam Doyle showed off some seriously smooth vocals with his tribute to Stevie Wonder.

Stand outs also included Ambra Caserotti, Peach Coyne (who needs to unite with Michael Vinson to perform some sort of Disney concert), the multi-talented Matthew Wycliffe and Andy Coxon who gave us a number from new musical Muted with striking choreography by Jamie Neale. As the evening drew to a close, Mitch Miller stepped forward and stole the show with his rendition of Céline Dion's 'All By Myself'. I have never seen a guy own a diva song so spectacularly! His voice soared, showing off a never ending range.

To make up for the lack of staginess, West End Fest was closed with a superb Hamilton medley (put together by Scott Morgan who did a stellar job as musical director all evening) led by In The Heights star Sam Mackay. With recent news that Lin-Manuel Miranda will be unable to open his show in London, Mackay is the West End favourite to play the title role when Hamilton opens at the Victoria Palace next year. Mackay lived up to his own hype - I saw the show on Broadway earlier this year and can imagine Mackay playing the part triumphantly.

Killer performances, lots of laughs and bucket loads of money raised for charity - what more could anyone want from a Sunday evening?

Reviewed by Andrew Tomlins (Editor)

Read our previous interviews with Sabrina Aloueche, Kieran Brown, Lauren Varnham, Rebecca Trehearn, Liam Doyle and Peach Coyne

An additional 100 seats have been released for Bernadette Peters' previously sold out London concert at the Royal Festival Hall on 3rd June 2016.

As previously announced, Peters will perform her first UK solo concerts in over 15 years.

In addition to London, she will play shows in Manchester (Opera House, 5th June) and Edinburgh (Playhouse, 7th June).

A statement released by producers reads: "Recently we have received many ticket requests for Bernadette's sold out London concert.

"Having reviewed the technical holds required to ensure the best possible show, we are pleased to be able to offer another 100 seats for sale to Bernadette's fans and concertgoers, so now even more people will be able to witness this special night.”

Peters will perform timeless, signature songs from the shows she has starred in, including Gypsy, Into the Woods and Sunday in the Park with George. Musical direction is by Marvin Laird with sound design by Tom Sorce and lighting by Lenny Cowles.

Rehearsal images have been released for the West End production of Disney's Aladdin. The show opens at the Prince Edward Theatre on 15th June (previews from 27th May) and is currently booking to 1st October 2016. Check out the images below (click picture to enlarge).

The show stars Dean John-Wilson as Aladdin and Jade Ewen as Jasmine with Broadway's Trevor Dion Nicholas making his London stage debut as Genie. The cast also includes Don Gallagher as Jafar, Peter Howe as Iago, Irvine Iqbal as the Sultan, Nathan Amzi as Babkak, Stephen Rahman-Hughes as Kassim and Rachid Sabitri as Omar.

Aladdin features songs from the classic 1992 animated film as well as new music written by Alan Menken with lyrics from Howard Ashman,Tim Rice and Chad Beguelin. Book is by Beguelin. Aladdin is directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw.

Completing the cast are: Arran Anzani-Jones, Miles Barrow, Albey Brookes, Lauren Chia, Bianca Cordice, Leon Craig, Daniel de Bourg, Seng Henk Goh, Melanie Elizabeth, Kade Ferraiolo, Antony Hewitt, Michelle Chantelle Hopewell, Fred Johanson, Mitch Leow, Oliver Lidert, Thierry Picaut, Alex Pinder, Briony Scarlett, Kyle Seeley, Sadie-Jean Shirley, Ricardo Spriggs, Katie Singh, Dawnita Smith, Marsha Songcome, Kayleigh Thadani and Jermaine Woods.

Read our interview with Dean John-Wilson

Photo Credit: Johan Persson

It has been announced that Into The Woods by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine will open at the Menier Chocolate Factory on 12th July (previews from 1st July) for a run until 17th September 2016.

Following a season in New York, innovative theatre company Fiasco are bringing their reinvention of the show to London. Using ten actors, multiple musical instruments and boundless imagination, the show is "reimagined as never before". This production, which received the 2015 Lucille Lortel Award for Best Revival, will include the original US cast.

Noah Brody and Ben Steinfeld direct with music supervison by Matt Castle, choreography by Lisa Shriver, set by Derek McLane, costume by Whitney Locher lighting by Christopher Akerlind and sound by Darron L West.

Featuring musical numbers such as Children Will Listen and No One Is Alone, Into The Woods was recently adapted into a film starring Meryl Streep, James Corden and Johnny Depp.

Mary Franklin is directing a production of Howard Brenton’s early play Christie in Love.

Christie in Love is set to open at the King's Head Theatre on 31st May (previews from 25th May) for a limited run to 28th June 2016.

The cast includes Murray Taylor as Christie, Jake Curran as Inspector and West End Frame Award winner Daniel Buckley as Constable.

Design is by Christopher Hone with lighting by Seth Rook Williams, sound by Jordan Mallory-Skinner and movement by Lucie Pankhurst.

The piece is described as "a dark and unsettling study which is at once shocking and funny, as it reveals in grisly detail the life of one of the 20th Century’s most sensational murderers, John Christie."

During a decade of horror John Christie murdered eight women, and hid their bodies around his Notting Hill boarding-house, 10 Rillington Place. By day he was a prissy-looking post office clerk: by night a modern Bluebeard.

A bungled and corrupt police investigation. An innocent man hanged. A serial killer in plimsolls on the loose. Howard Brenton’s 1969 play uncovers the crime which changed British society and triggered the abolition of capital punishment.

Photo Credit: Darren Bell

Production images have been released for the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s production of Michael Morpurgo’s Running Wild. Adapted by Samuel Adamson, Running Wild opens on 19th May (previews from 13th May) and runs until 12th June 2016. Check out the images below (clicj picture to enlarge).

The part of Will is shared between three young performers; Joshua Fernandes, Tyler Osborne and Ava Potter, who previously appeared as Scout in the Open Air Theatre’s production of To Kill a Mockingbird. Sharing the stage with the young performers are Hattie Ladbury as Mum/Geraldine, Ira Mandela Siobhan as Dad/Hunter, Eric Mallett as Grandad/Kaya, Joyce Henderson as Grandma, Stephen Ventura as Mr Anthony and Okorie Chukwu as Red Bandana/Mahout.

The puppeteers for the show include Laura Cubitt, Ben Thompson, Michael Taibi, John Leader, Sarah Mardel and Stuart Angell. Fred Davis and Romina Hytten make their professional debuts having been part of the Chichester Festival Youth Theatre production in 2015. The cast is completed by an ensemble of 57 young performers from the local community aged between 9 to 19, alternating performances in two groups, making this Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s largest ever production.

Led by co-directors Timothy Sheader and Dale Rooks, puppetry design and direction is by Finn Caldwell and Toby Olié for Gyre & Gimble. Completing the creative team are Paul Wills (Designer), Rod Paton (Original Music/Composer), Nick Powell (Sound Score), Nick Lidster for Autograph (Sound Designer), Jessica Ronane CDG (Casting Director), Verity Naughton (Ensemble Casting) and Barbara Houseman (Season Associate Director).

Photo Credit: Johan Persson

This Friday (20th May) at 1pm, West End stars are leaping off the stage and onto the streets for a costumed charity fun run.

The West End Fun Run is a fun 5k run through the heart of London’s West End. Performers and crew will be running to raise funds for the street children of the Philippines to build their very own theatre at the Tuloy Foundation.

The event is the organised by Katy Osborne who is currently appearing in the West End production of Mamma Mia!. Osborne spent two weeks volunteering in an orphanage in Manila, teaching the children daily six hour workshops to enrich and nourish their lives through musical theatre.

The children, aged between 8 and 18, enjoyed the happiness and escapism of learning dance routines and songs from some of the best known musicals. Personally raising an astonishing £19,000 for the charity, Osborne was delighted when producer Cameron Mackintosh donated a further £1,000 towards the Foundation.

Osborne previously organised the first West End Sports Day, where nine musicals competed in a school sports day inspired event, raising over £3000, but there's still more to be done.

When Osborne met with Jon Jon Briones, who recently played The Engineer in Miss Saigon, his own experience growing up in the slums of Manila touched her heart.

"I was born in one of the many slum areas of of Manila. Growing up, there was not much for us to do. No place to go after school that would keep us occupied and out of trouble, but I was one of the lucky ones, because I could sing. I was awarded a scholarship that allowed me to hone my vocal skills, meet musical directors and people who introduced me to musical theatre.

"The rest is history. What Katy is doing is so important. It doesn't even matter if these children want to go on to be in the theatre, it is about having a place to go and be carefree - where people care about them and for them to feel self worth and a sense of belonging. There are not enough places like this in The Philippines and most you have to pay a lot to go to. I've seen videos of Katy's kids performing and you can see the joy in their faces, they are hungry for this. Let's help Katy help these kids continue to grow.”

So far the shows taking part in the West End Fun Run include The Play That Goes Wrong, Mrs Henderson Presents, Les Miserables, The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time, The Book Of Mormon, Mamma Mia, Beautiful, The Phantom Of The Opera, Jersey Boys, Kinky Boots and Wicked.

Osborne said, "I have never seen such an incredible transformation in a child through the art form of musical theatre. Some of these children went from not being able to make proper eye contact or speaking louder than a whisper, to desperately wanting to do solo singing auditions! The confidence and excitement they had about the possibilities performing gave them was overwhelming, I was moved every single day with their bravery and courage. I'm in awe and utterly proud of them. This needs to be part of their education. It's integral."

The 5k route will start at Pineapple Dance Studios and take participants past nearly thirty theatres. All runners will pay £5 to enter, contributing to the Tuloy fund, but you can also sponsor individuals by visiting www.tinyurl.com/WestEndFunRun.

Read our previous interview with Katy Osborne

My Family: Not the Sitcom
Menier Chocolate Factory
Reviewed on Tuesday 17th May 2016
★★★★

In his own words, David Baddiel's new show is a "twisted love-letter" to his larger than life parents. From affairs to pornography, there are few boundaries as Baddiel gives a very honest insight - I certainly left feeling as if I knew both his parents personally.

It's interesting seeing what is essentially stand up comedy being performed in a theatrical environment; it gives Baddiel the opportunity to push things a little further beyond easy laughs. Baddiel certainly crossed the line a few times, but overall the press night audience were in hysterics throughout.

My personal highlights included the section about the crazy world of Twitter (Baddiel shows us what various trolls have tweeted him throughout the years) and a later segment about what happened when a journalist once misquoted him. Whilst it's all very jolly, as I left the theatre I found myself deep in thought. In some ways it's a very sad show, but it's also refreshing to see someone being honest and embracing quirks and imperfections.

Baddiel's mother recently passed away whilst his father has dementia and is unaware of the show. It would be absolutely fascinating to imagine what they would think of it - during a Q&A at the end of the night, Baddiel said that whilst she wouldn't approve of all the content, his mother loved being in the spotlight so would have been thrilled. It was also touching when a family explained to Baddiel they had come as one of their relatives is also suffering from dementia, and said watching the show made them realise that sometimes you have to see the funny side and laugh.

Baddiel's humour won't be for everyone, but once I got into it I found it to be a highly entertaining evening. In a time when more and more comedians are playing in huge arenas, it's a treat to see a comedian embracing the intimate setting of the Menier Chocolate Factory.

Reviewed by Andrew Tomlins (Editor)

My Family: Not the Sitcom runs at the Menier Chocolate Factory until 25th June 2016.

Please visit www.menierchocolatefactory.com for further information and tickets.

Photo Credit: Marc Brenner

Here are some stagey stories to keep you up to date with theatreland!

Alex James Ellison to support Samantha Barks

Renowned singer-songwriter and theatre performer Alex James Ellison will support Samantha Barks on her upcoming UK tour. James Ellison, whose credits include Aliens Love Underpants and Aparment 40C, previously released his EP Duvet Days and single 'Chocolate Bar'. Barks' solo tour begins on 8th June at the Theatre Royal Norwich before visiting Bromley, Swansea, Horsham, Liverpool, Shoreditch, Guildford, Richmond, Lancaster Grand and St Andrews.

Alex Gaumond to star in The Trial of Jane Fonda

West End regular Alex Gaumond will star as Larry Bonk in The Trial of Jane Fonda at the Park Theatre. Directed by Joe Harmston, performances begin at Park200 on 13th July. As previously announced, Anne Archer returns to the UK to star as Jane Fonda, with the cast also including Christien Anholt as Buzzy Banks, Martin Fisher as Reverend John Clarke, Paul Herzberg as Joe Celano, Ako Mitchell as Reggie Wells and Mark Rose as Tommy Lee Cook.

Christina Bianco's UK tour

Musical impressionist Christina Bianco is heading off around the UK with her new one-woman show Me, Myself & Everyone Else. The tour opens with a run in Edinburgh between 22nd and 27th August. Bianco will then visit Manchester, Blackpool, Leeds, County Durham, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Dundee, Belfast and Cardiff before playing the London Hoppodrome on 16th and 17th September 2016.

Casting announced for Some Girl(s)

Buckland Theatre have announced casting for Some Girl(s) which opens at the Park Theatre (Park90) on 14th July. Written by multi Tony Award nominated Neil LaBute, Some Girl(s) will star Charles Dorfman (Guy), Elly Condron (Sam), Carley Stenson (Bobbi) and Roxanne Pallett (Tyler). Gary Condes directs.

Shrek stars Landi Oshinowo & Rosanna Hyland reunite

Shrek stars Landi Oshinowo, Rosanna Hyland and Nicolas Colicos will come together to star in the first UK revival of I’m Getting My Act Together and Taking it On the Road. Performances begin at Jermyn Street Theatre on 6th July with the cast also including Kristen Gaetz, David Gibbons, Alice Offley and Rich Craig alongside musical director Nick Barstow. This marks the show’s return to London 35 years after it was first seen at the Apollo Theatre.

Casting announced for The Donkey Show

Described as "the ultimate disco show where the audience is at the centre of the party", The Donkey Show is set to open on 9th June at the Proud Camden. The cast includes Vikki Stone (Oberon/Mia), Siobhan Athwal (Dmitri/Vinnie), Bronté Barbé (Helen/Vinnie - pictured), Melissa Bayern (Tytania/Sander), Natalie Chua (Disco Girl), Samuel Fogell (DJ Hernando/Cobweb), James Gillan (Lady Puck), Dominique Kinisky (Peaseblossom), Nyron Levy (Moth), Adrian Martel (Mustardseed), Harry Morley (Fidget) and Jessica Spalis (Rico Suave).

Jennifer DiNoia is taking over as Elphaba from Rachel Tucker in the Broadway production of Wicked on 1st August 2016.

DiNoia has performed the role of Elphaba in seven companies across four countries, more than any other actress in the show's history.

DiNoia joins Carrie St. Louis as Glinda, Judy Kaye as Madame Morrible, Peter Scolari as The Wizard, Dawn E. Cantwell as Nessarose, Michael Genet as Dr. Dillamond, and Zachary Noah Piseras Boq. Tucker gives her final performance on Broadway on Saturday 30th July.

Read our previous interview with Jennifer DiNoia

http://www.westendframe.com/2014/11/big-interview-jennifer-dinoia.html

"If I can make it through a show as Elphaba I can make it through anything."

Photo Credit: Matt Crockett

London is officially in the band! As previously reported by West End Frame, School of Rock will open at the New London Theatre later this year following the early closure of Show Boat.

It has been confirmed that Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical will open on 14th November (previews from 24th October).

UPDATE (20/05/16): Public booking will open on 25th May 2016 with the show initially booking to 12th February 2017.

Following its Broadway opening, it was announced that School Of Rock would begin performances at the London Palladium in autumn 2016. However, last month producers revealed they were aiming for the show at a different theatre in Spring 2017.

Directed by Laurence Connor, the Broadway production opened in December 2015 starring Alex Brightman and Sierra Boggess. A U.S. tour is expected to launch in late 2017.

School of Rock has book by Julian Fellowes. The musical features music from the movie, as well as new music written by Lloyd Webber and lyricist Glenn Slater. Choreography is by JoAnn M. Hunter, with scenic and costume design by Anna Louizos, lighting design by Natasha Katz and sound design by Mick Potter.

Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy

The West End production of Motown the Musical has extended its booking period at the Shaftesbury Theatre to 28th October 2017.

Featuring music from the Motown catalogue and book by Motown founder Berry Gordy, Motown the Musical opened in London in March.

It has also been announced that Obioma Ugoala is joining the cast as Smokey Robinson from 4th July 2016, replacing former Broadway cast member Charl Brown.

The show features 50 Motown tracks including Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, I’ll Be There, Dancing In The Street, Stop! In The Name Of Love, My Girl and I Heard It through the Grapevine, Charles Randolph-Wright’s production tells the story behind the classic hits.

Ugoala (Smokey Robinson) joins Cedric Neal as Berry Gordy, Lucy St. Louis as Diana Ross, Sifiso Mazibuko as Marvin Gaye, Keisha Amponsa Banson as Mary Wells, Cindy Belliot as Anna Gordy, Samuel Edwards as Jackie Wilson, Tanya Nicole Edwards as Florence Ballard, Portia Harry as Teena Marie, Aisha Jawando as Martha Reeves, Joshua Liburd as Eddie Kendricks, Simeon Montague as Jermaine Jackson, Cleopatra Rey as Gladys Knight, Brandon Lee Sears as Tito Jackson, Jordan Shaw as Stevie Wonder and Cherelle Williams as Mary Wilson.

Eshan Gopal, Kwame Kandekore and Bradley Morton alternate the role of Young Michael Jackson. Completing the cast are Jay Bryce, Daniel Bailey, Edward Baruwa, Eddie Elliott, Christopher Fry, Alex Hammond, Edward Handoll, Simon Ray Harvey, Elias Hendricks, Brian James Leys, Jayde Nelson, Kieran McGinn, Simone Mistry Palmer, Carl Spencer and Marcel J Whyte.

Ugoala’s previous theatre credits include Richard II, Henry IV part I & II, Henry V and The Merry Wives of Windsor for the Royal Shakespeare Company, Holy Warriors and Antony and Cleopatra for Shakespeare’s Globe, The Jungle Bookand Crime and Punishment for the Glasgow Citizens Theatre and The Physicists for the Donmar Warehouse. His television credits have included Doctors for the BBC and on film he will be seen in the upcoming Disney live-action adaptation of Beauty and the Beast.

New dance thriller Jekyll & Hyde today announces the release of the score on Air-Edel Records.

The album features music by composer Grant Olding and is available to buy from Friday 20th May.

Jekyll & Hyde begins performances at the Old Vic tonight (20th May) ahead of press night on 25th May. The show plays a limited run to 28th May.

Devised and directed by theatre choreographer Drew McOnie, Jekyll & Hyde reimagines Robert Louis Stevenson's sinister drama in an excitingly physical new dance production.

Grant Olding says: "The challenge of creating a dance score with a split personality was the jumping off point for the music of Jekyll & Hyde. It’s been enormous fun finding two distinct sound worlds and harmonic palettes that summed up Drew's characters of Dr Jekyll - a wistfully romantic botanist and his dark, sexy, dangerous alter-ego Mr Hyde, which has resulted in an eclectic score, full of contrasts."

The Jekyll & Hyde CD will be available to buy from a number of digital platforms including Amazon, Spotify and iTunes.

Jekyll and Hyde stars Daniel Collins as Dr Jekyll, Tim Hodges as Mr Hyde and Rachel Muldoon as Dahlia. Simon Hardwick is associate director. Completing the cast are Ashley Andrews, Joao Carolino, Carrie Taylor Johnson, Anabel Kutay, Ebony Molina, Freya Rowley, Alexzandra Sarmiento, Barnaby Thompson and Jason Winter.

Photo Credit: Manuel Harlan

There's no place like home! Queen of Green Rachel Tucker is returning to the West End production of Wicked to reprise her performance as Elphaba.

Transferring direct from the Broadway production, Tucker will begin her engagement on 5th September 2016 after playing her final performance at New York's Gershwin Theatre on 30th July.

The new cast also includes Suzie Mathers, who joins from the Australian production to star as Glinda; Oliver Savile, who continues as Fiyero; Anita Dobson, who joins to play Madame Morrible; Mark Curry, who continues as The Wizard; original cast member Martin Ball, who returns to play Doctor Dillamond; original cast member Katie Rowley Jones, who continues as Nessarose and Idriss Kargbo, who joins to play Boq. Alice Fearn will be Standby for Elphaba and Carina Gillespie continues as Standby for Glinda.

Executive Producer Michael McCabe said: “We are delighted to announce the fantastic company that will lead us through the 10th birthday celebrations at the Apollo Victoria Theatre later this year. It is a great pleasure to welcome back from Broadway the incredible Rachel Tucker who will star alongside Suzie Mathers, who appeared in the Australian production, as ‘Elphaba’ and ‘Glinda’. Surrounding them will be many exciting new faces, including the incomparable Anita Dobson as Madame Morrible, and celebrated alumni, including the return of original cast member Martin Ball as Doctor Dillamond.”

Joining the ensemble are: James Darch, Fraser Fraser, Alexandra Grierson, Olivia Kate Holding, Claudia Kariuki, Will Lucas, Chanel Mian, Ella Nonini, Rosa O’Reilly, Joe Sleight, Jessamy Stoddart and Sasha Wareham.

Continuing in the ensemble are: Kerry Enright, Freya Field, Joseph Fletcher, David Gale, Sergio Giacomelli, Aaron Jenkins, Billy Mitchell, Scott Monello, Julienne Schembri, Paulo Teixeira, Joe Toland, Hannah Toy, Russell Walker and Helen Woolf.

Please note that Rachel Tucker, Anita Dobson and Katie Rowley Jones appear until Saturday 28 January 2017 only.

Current London cast members Emma Hatton (Elphaba), Savannah Stevenson (Glinda), Liza Sadovy (Madame Morrible), Sean Kearns (Doctor Dillamond), Daniel Hope (Boq) and Natalie Andreou (Standby for Elphaba) will all play their final performances on Saturday 3 September 2016.

Tucker is the West End's longest serving Elphaba, having played the role at the Apollo Victoria Theatre between in March 2010 and October 2012, performing over 1,000 times. In 2012 Tucker won the West End Frame Award for Best Performance of a Song for her performance of Wicked's anthem, ‘Defying Gravity’. Most recently, she picked up a Broadway.com Audience Choice Award for Favorite Female Replacement.

In 2014 Tucker made her Broadway debut as Meg Dawson in Sting’s new musical The Last Ship. She was a semi-finalist on I’d Do Anything, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s television search for an actress to play Nancy in a West End revival of Oliver!. After leaving the competition Tucker joined the West End production of We Will Rock You, starring as Meat and understudying Scaramouche.

After leaving Wicked for the first time in October 2012, Tucker released her debut album The Reason and played sell out concerts at the St James Studio and Theatre. Tucker played Meg Giry in the workshop of Love Never Dies and received a TMA Theatre Award Nomination forBest Performance in a Musical for her portrayal of Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz (Lyric Theatre, Belfast).

Her other theatre credits include: Poopay in Communicating Doors (Menier Chocolate Factory), Ida in Farragut North (Southwark Playhouse), Mary in Tonight's The Night (national tour), Maureen Johnson in Rent (Olympia Theatre, Dublin), Sally Simpson in The Who's Tommy (national tour), Estelle Genovese in The Full Monty (national tour), Grace Power in To Be Sure, Kelly in Merry Christmas Betty Ford and Amy in Have A Nice Life (all Lyric Belfast).

Photo Credit: Joan Marcus

Following its run at the Menier Chocolate Factory, The Truth by Florian Zeller is transferring to the West End.

The Truth will open at the Wyndham’s Theatre on 27th June (previews from 22nd June) for a limited run to 3rd September.

The play replaces Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill which was scheduled to open at the Wyndham’s in June; however, the show was postponed after its star Audra McDonald announced her pregnancy.

The Truth sold out at the Menier earlier this year, breaking box office records for a straight play. Directed by Lindsay Posner, the Menier cast - Tanya Franks, Alexander Hanson, Frances O’Connor and Robert Portal - will all reprise their roles.

Read our interview with Robert Portal about The Truth

Photo Credit: Marc Brenner

Last night the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s production of Michael Morpurgo’s Running Wild celebrated its opening. Adapted by Samuel Adamson, Running Wild runs until 12th June 2016. Check out images from press night below (click image to enlarge).

Led by co-directors Timothy Sheader and Dale Rooks, puppetry design and direction is by Finn Caldwell and Toby Olié for Gyre & Gimble. Completing the creative team are Paul Wills(Designer), Rod Paton (Original Music/Composer), Nick Powell (Sound Score), Nick Lidster for Autograph (Sound Designer), Jessica Ronane CDG (Casting Director), Verity Naughton(Ensemble Casting) and Barbara Houseman (Season Associate Director).