Tuesday, February 4

NEWS

Does your pet dog have what it takes to be an opera star?
NEWS

Does your pet dog have what it takes to be an opera star?

Has your dog got star quality? If your pet pooch is the canine equivalent of Brad Pitt or Scarlett Johansson, then they could win a place in the spotlight in the beautiful and romantic opera La Bohème, coming to the multiple venues across the UK over the next few months. Award-winning opera director and producer Ellen Kent said: “People say never work with children or animals but I love to do both. The first time was 20 years ago when my pet cat Holly Go-Lightly was in one of my productions and was an instant hit. Since then, we’ve had horses, dogs, goldfish and even a golden eagle with a 6ft wingspan on stage.” “When we last did La Bohème in 2023 we asked local people to volunteer their pets - it was a huge success. We even used a rescue dog once and found him dozens of new owner...
imitating the dog are back with All Bloods Runs Red at Leeds Playhouse
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imitating the dog are back with All Bloods Runs Red at Leeds Playhouse

Tech wizards imitating the dog are back to tell the little known story of pioneering black fighter pilot Eugene Bullard who went onto work with iconic French dancer Josephine Baker and American jazz legend Duke Ellington. All Blood Runs Red premieres in the Courtyard Theatre at Leeds Playhouse on 14-15 February. Bullard’s extraordinary life story traces many of the 20th century’s most important moments and is named after the inscription on his World War One fighter plane. The production features imitating the dog’s brilliantly constructed stagecraft, digital wizardry and songs begins with what seems like a straightforward tale of survival, resistance and fighting for acceptance. Decades before, Bullard had made France his home, seeking acceptance after fleeing segregation in Ameri...
Shellshocked will keep audiences guessing at Leeds Playhouse
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Shellshocked will keep audiences guessing at Leeds Playhouse

Cat and mouse thriller Shellshocked will keep audiences guessing as it launches the Spring/Summer 25 season in the Bramall Rock Void studio theatre at Leeds Playhouse. Shellshocked has a strong Leeds connection in its creative team and enjoyed a hugely successful sold-out Edinburgh Fringe Festival run, winning rave reviews in The Scotsman and Theatre Weekly.    It’s set after the Second World War exploring the horrors of those who served and the horrors of those who did not. It also investigates loyalty, relationships, and the desire to make great art.    “We are absolutely thrilled to be presenting Shellshocked at Leeds Playhouse,” said Leeds playwright Philip Stokes. “The play is inspired by the city and set in Morley. It’s a very Leeds-centric piece, referen...
Rita, Sue & Bob Too! UK Tour Opens Starring Jake Quickenden
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Rita, Sue & Bob Too! UK Tour Opens Starring Jake Quickenden

The smash hit stage version of cult classic comedy Rita, Sue & Bob Too! is set to embark on a new 10-week nationwide tour, opening next month. TV favourite Jake Quickenden heads the stellar cast as Bob in the Regal Entertainments production which will visit 10 venues across the UK between Tuesday 4th February and Saturday 12th April 2025. The tour opens at St Helens Theatre Royal on Tuesday 4th February and then travels to Hunstanton, Stockport, New Brighton, Birmingham, Southport, Billingham, Rhyl and Barnstaple before ending at the Liverpool Olympia from 9th – 12th April. Over 10,000 tickets have already been sold across the tour proving its continued popularity. Andrea Dunbar’s hilarious and gritty tale of love, lust and tested friendships is based on the 1987 British fi...
Exposed at Hope Street Theatre
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Exposed at Hope Street Theatre

New Year is a time of joy, but it can also be a difficult time for those who have experienced or are experiencing loss. Stagewright Theatre Company’s upcoming production of Exposed, Laura Tellwright’s debut one-woman show directed by Faye Caddick, at The Hope Street Theatre in Liverpool, explores the often-unspoken experiences that surround loss and grief and the deeply personal vulnerability that inevitably follows for so many people. When thirty-something Charlotte suddenly loses her dad to cancer, her whole life dramatically changes. Charlotte invites an audience to observe her journey through grief, heartache, crippling mental health, finding joy, and sharing secrets she’ll take to the grave, in this powerful, painful but truthful comedic monodrama that exposes grief for what it rea...
Cast Announced for Homecoming of Masterpiece
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Cast Announced for Homecoming of Masterpiece

The cast for James Graham’s adaptation of Alan Bleasdale’s Boys from the Blackstuff, coming to the Liverpool Empire Theatre in March 2025, is announced today. Following sold out seasons at Liverpool’s Royal Court and the National Theatre, and in London’s West End at the Garrick Theatre, the production hits the road in 2025, returning to Liverpool at the iconic Empire Theatre in the venue's 100th birthday year. It's 80s Liverpool. Chrissie, Loggo, George, Dixie and Yosser are used to hard work and providing for their families. But there is no work and there is no money. What are they supposed to do Work harder, work longer, buy cheaper, spend less? They just need a chance. Life is tough but the lads can play the game. Find the jobs, avoid the ‘sniffers' and see if you can have a laugh...
Evita takes to the London Palladium stage
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Evita takes to the London Palladium stage

Michael Harrison for Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals and The Jamie Lloyd Company announce Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Evita, directed by Jamie Lloyd, opening at The London Palladium. The production runs 14th June – 6th September 2025, with press night on Friday 27th June. Full cast and creatives to be announced. Tickets to go on sale in 2025, dates to be announced. Sign up for priority booking here: www.evitathemusical.com Michael Harrison said “It’s an honour to return to The London Palladium next summer, with my 14th production at the theatre. I’m even more delighted, alongside The Jamie Lloyd Company, to be presenting Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s glorious musical, Evita, and to be collaborating again with Jamie following Sunset Blvd.” Jamie Lloyd said, “After...
First images have been released during rehearsals for The Tempest.
NEWS

First images have been released during rehearsals for The Tempest.

The Jamie Lloyd Company’s production of William Shakespeare’s The Tempest at Theatre Royal Drury Lane starring Sigourney Weaver making her West End debut. Directed by Jamie Lloyd, the production opens on Thursday 19th December, with previews from 7th December 2024, running until 1st February 2025. Sigourney Weaver, Mason Alexander Park, Selina Cadell, Tim Steed & Forbes Masson. Credit - Marc BrennerSigourney Weaver (Prospero), Mason Alexander Park (Ariel) & cast of The Tempest. Credit - Marc BrennerSigourney Weaver (Prospero) & Mason Alexander Park (Ariel). Credit - Marc Brenner Sigourney Weaver (Prospero) is joined by Jude Akuwudike (Alonso), Jason Barnett (Stephano), Selina Cadell (Gonzalo), Mathew Horne (Trinculo), Mara Huf (Miranda), Forbes Masson (Caliban), Mason Alexander Park ...
Tickets for West End transfer of Broadway’s smash hit production of The Great Gatsby are on sale now
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Tickets for West End transfer of Broadway’s smash hit production of The Great Gatsby are on sale now

Producer Chunsoo Shin is thrilled to announce his smash hit new musical adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s landmark novel The Great Gatsby will make its West End debut at The London Coliseum next spring, one year on from its Broadway opening in April 2024. Preview performances of The Great Gatsby will begin on Thursday 11th April with a press night on Thursday 24th April (7pm). The show will run until Sunday 7th September 2025. Tickets go on sale today (Friday 22 November) via www.londongatsby.com F. Scott Fitzgerald’s timeless, seminal novel comes to the West End stage in a dazzling new musical. The Great Gatsby opened at The Broadway Theatre in April 2024 direct from a record-breaking, sold-out world premiere at Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey in late 2023.  One of the ...
KENREX to transfer to Southwark Playhouse
NEWS

KENREX to transfer to Southwark Playhouse

Aria Entertainment and Sheffield Theatres are thrilled to announce that the world premiere of KENREX will transfer from Sheffield Theatres’ Tanya Moiseiwitsch Playhouse to Southwark Playhouse Borough from 14th February – 16th March 2025, with press night on Tuesday 18th February 2025. Following a sold-out run in Sheffield where it garnered multiple five-star reviews, KENREX is part True Crime, part Western, with a foot-stomping live Americana soundtrack, KENREX is devised by Jack Holden (Olivier-nominated Cruise) and Ed Stambollouian. '911, what's your emergency?' 'My husband... they shot him... they all did.' July 10th 1981. Skidmore, Missouri. A man is shot dead in broad daylight. There are sixty witnesses — but no one saw a thing. Photo: Manuel Harlan Jack Holden (Marriag...