Newsdesk, Author at North West End UK

28Aug

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NEWS

Production images released for brand new Ghost the Musical UK tour

Bill Kenwright Ltd has release the production images for the globally acclaimed Ghost the Musical. Which began its tour on 22nd August 2024 at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre ahead of a major national tour continuing into 2025. It stars Rebekah Lowings (The Sound of Music) and Jacqui Dubois (People, Places and Things) reprising their iconic roles, having previously captivated audiences as Molly Jenson and Oda Mae Brown respectively. Josh St. Clair (Frozen) as Sam Wheat and James Mateo-Salt (Bonnie and Clyde) as Carl Bruner. Joining them is the legendary entertainer, Les Dennis playing the contrasting roles of Hospital Ghost and Lionel Ferguson. Known to audiences through his extensive screen credits, including being a regular face of Saturday Night television thorough the 80s and 9...

State Ballet of Georgia Release Trailer for Swan Lake

30Jul

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State Ballet of Georgia Release Trailer for Swan Lake

The State Ballet of Georgia has released the trailer for its first visit to London, including leading talent and rising stars from Georgia alongside international guest soloists. Odette/Odille will be performed by Nino Samadashvili, a leading Georgian soloist and Principal Dancer at the State Ballet of Georgia; Laura Fernandez, who is half-Ukrainian and half-Spanish, and fled Moscow and her position as first soloist with the Stanislavsky Theatre in 2022 as Russia invaded Ukraine; Chloe Misseldine, who joins the State Ballet of Georgia as a Guest from American Ballet Theater; and Ukrainian soloist Anastasia Matvienko, who was previously star at the Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburg and is now a principal at the Slovenian National Ballet. Prince Siegfried will be performed by leading...

Chariots of Fire at The Crucible production images released

11Jul

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Chariots of Fire at The Crucible production images released

Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre has released images from their current production of Chariots of Fire. Adapted by Mike Bartlett (Doctor Foster, King Charles III) from the 1981 Oscar-winning film based on the remarkable events of the 1924 Olympics and directed by Sheffield Theatres’ Artistic Director Robert Hastie, this production marks the 100th anniversary of the true stories of Eric Liddell and Harold Abrahams and their record-breaking achievements. The cast includes: Bethany Antonia as Florence and Frank; Adam Bregman as Harold Abrahams; Richard Cant as Master of Caius; Waleed Elgadi as Sam and as cast; Bessy Ewa as Sybil; Sally Frith as cast; Tom Glenister as Aubrey Montague; Mark Lockyer as Master of Trinity; Lois Pearson as Jennie and as cast; Eddie-Joe Robinson as Schloz and as c...

The Importance of Being Earnest – Royal Exchange

20Jun

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North West

The Importance of Being Earnest – Royal Exchange

When a play is so ubiquitous that most people with even a passing interest in the Arts have seen a theatrical production or filmed version of it, anyone thinking of purchasing a ticket should always ask themselves the question ‘Why bother?’ Fortunately, the Summer offering from the Royal Exchange provides the answer, giving a fresh, funny and resolutely modern take on this classic which should serve to please both new audiences and Wildean purists equally. Director Josh Roche and Designer Eleanor Bull initially present us with a stunning visual treat, the set taking its inspiration from the floral displays in a plethora of shops and coffee houses that infest our modern world. Suspended from the ceiling an enormous imitation flower display acts to illustrate the fake nature of the world ...

Merrily We Roll Along – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

18Jun

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North West

Merrily We Roll Along – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

With an uncanny sense of timing, Director Joseph Meighan and the creative team at Altrincham Garrick Playhouse open their production of Stephen Sondheim’s ‘Merrily We Roll Along’ on the same day it was announced that the current Broadway production won 4 Tony awards, including Best Revival of a Musical. So, if a trip to New York is beyond the budget of south Manchester residents, this week they get the opportunity to see a superb rendition of this poignant commentary on the nature of friendship at their local theatre instead. On its initial run in 1981, ‘Merrily’ closed after just two weeks and was a commercial disaster for Sondheim and co-writer George Furth, critics at the time found the storyline confusing and the characters unsympathetic and audiences agreed. But, as with many Sondh...

Twelfth Night – Shakespeare North Playhouse

12Jun

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North West

Twelfth Night – Shakespeare North Playhouse

As we approach the second anniversary of the opening of the Shakespeare North Playhouse, we can begin to assess its impact both within the local area and upon the wider northern theatrical scene. By teaming up with Not Too Tame, an independent theatre company based in Warrington for this version of ‘Twelfth Night’, we can see their intent to use of local voices to retell Shakespearean stories in an accessible way, an endeavour that was only partially successful in this production. Shakespeare’s tale of misunderstanding and cross dressing has undergone a renaissance in its popularity over the last decade, with the opportunity for directors to overtly queer the storyline and allow LGBTQ+ themes to be explored in the writing in an effective and sympathetic way. Whilst Director Jimmy Fairhu...

Jane McDonald: “With All My Love Tour is the one i’m most proud of”….And it’s not even started yet.

11Jun

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Interviews

Jane McDonald: “With All My Love Tour is the one i’m most proud of”….And it’s not even started yet.

The title “National Treasure” is one readily bandied about these days, but warm-hearted and witty Yorkshire lass Jane McDonald has to be one of the truest examples out there. Jane’s story is a great example of a girl done good; first captured 25 years ago on BBC docusoap The Cruise, Jane became an overnight sensation – and has spent the years since forging a hugely successful career as a singer and TV personality. Her solo shows have captivated audiences up and down the country, and now she’s back preparing to hit the road once more with an all-new tour With All My Love this autumn. The new tour, Jane’s biggest to date, starts with two nights at Blackpool’s iconic Opera House, stops off at The London Palladium and will close with what promises to be an extra special tour finale at...

11Jun

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NEWS

Casting announced for brand-new UK tour of Dear Evan Hansen with a little help from TikTok

The full cast is announced for the brand-new production of the Olivier, Tony and Grammy award-winning Best Musical Dear Evan Hansen. Ryan Kopel (Newsies) will play the iconic role of Evan Hansen, alongside Lauren Conroy (Into The Woods) as Zoe Murphy and Alice Fearn (Wicked, Come From Away) as Evan’s mum, Heidi. They will be joined by Helen Anker (Mamma Mia!) as Cynthia Murphy, Richard Hurst (The Lion King) as Larry Murphy, Killian Thomas Lefevre (Bat Out Of Hell) as Connor Murphy, Tom Dickerson (Heathers) as Jared Kleinman, Vivian Panka (9 to 5 the Musical) as Alana Beck and Sonny Monaghan (discovered via TikTok) as alternate Evan. This is the first production of Dear Evan Hansen in the UK to perform the show with an ensemble. The ensemble are Lara Beth-Sas, Will Forgrave, Dan...

Production photos released for Three Men In A Boat at the The Mill at Sonning Theatre

11Jun

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Production photos released for Three Men In A Boat at the The Mill at Sonning Theatre

Jerome K. Jerome’s classic Victorian memoir, Three Men In A Boat has been gloriously adapted by celebrated star of stage and screen, Clive Francis (The Crown, A Clockwork Orange, Entertaining Mr. Sloane) preserving the timeless humour and infusing it with a fresh and vibrant touch for contemporary audiences. This warm and witty play invites you on an uproarious journey down the meandering waters of the Thames with the delightful trio of friends Harris, George, and Jerome, as they set sail on an unforgettable adventure through the English countryside, each twist and turn bringing a fresh dose of laughter and unexpected encounters. So, pack your bags, grab your oars, and prepare to be swept away by the camaraderie, and mischievous antics of this unforgettable trio, as they navigate not ju...

Sheffield Theatres Announce Initial Snow White Casting

11Jun

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NEWS

Sheffield Theatres Announce Initial Snow White Casting

Today, Sheffield Theatres and Evolution Productions announce the principal cast for Snow White at the Lyceum Theatre. Catherine Tyldesley (Strictly Come Dancing, Coronation Street) will be playing The Wicked Queen. Catherine joins legendary Dame Damian Williams, with further principal cast and ensemble to be announced later this year. Once again, the show will be written and directed by Paul Hendy (Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella) and produced by the award winning, Evolution Productions, the same team behind last year's fabulous panto, Beauty and the Beast. As always, the Lyceum Panto promises to be top-quality family entertainment packed with laugh-out-loud thrills, stunning costumes, lavish sets, fabulous music and all your favourite jokes. Damian Williams is celebrating his sev...