Latest Show News - Albemarle of London - Official London Theatre Ticket Agent

The Royal Ballet Announces Christmas Season

[31 August] The Royal Ballet have announced their Christmas Season at the Royal Festival Hall. Three popular ballets will be presented between 22 December 1998 and 16 January 1999. Booking has now opened.

Cinderella: Music by Sergey Prokofiev, Choreography by Frederick Ashton. A landmark in dance history, Ashton’s Cinderella, the first full-length ballet by a British choreographer, has remained one of the cornerstones of The Royal Ballet’s repertory and a firm favourite with audiences since its creation for the Company in 1948. Danced to Prokofiev’s magical score with colourful sets and lavish costumes by David Walker, Cinderella is a treat for adults and children alike.
La Fille mal gardée: Music by Ferdinand Hérold arranged by John Lanchbery, Choreography by Frederick Ashton. Frederick Ashton’s enchanting La Fille mal gardée is the perfect Christmas treat for all the family. This glorious romantic comedy, danced to a magical score by Hérold, combines Ashton’s witty choreography with all the fun of the pantomime.
Romeo and Juliet: Music by Sergey Prokofiev, Choreography by Kenneth MacMillan. Danced to Prokofiev’s atmospheric, richly symphonic score, Romeo and Juliet is one of the greatest and most popular works in the Company’s repertory. Based on Shakespeare’s great tragedy, Kenneth MacMillan’s first full-length ballet is a haunting and provocative study of the nature of love in a world governed by factionalism and division and one of the classics of 20th-century choreography.

The Royal Ballet at the Royal Festival Hall - Christmas Season runs from 22 December 1998 to 16 January 1999, more details....

RSC Announces Full Autumn98/Winter99 Stratford Season

[31 August] The Royal Shakespeare Company have announced two new productions at the Swan Theatre for the Autumn98/Winter99 season. Booking for these productions opens on 14 September:

A Month in the Country Opens 15 December 1998, Closes 20 February 1999. A play Brian Friel after Ivan Turgenev. Directed by Michael Attenborough. Natalya Petrovna apparently has everything - wealth, beauty, land, servants and a loving husband. Then a young student arrives as holiday tutor to her ten year old son. Over a month in the country, her life and the lives around her are turned upside down, never to be the same again, as she wrestles with her sexual desires. Seen by many as the first great 'modern play', Turgenev's framatic masterpiece has inspired this version by Brian Friel, one of the finest playwrights writing in the English language.
Troilus and Cressida Runs 8 December 1998 to 20 February 1999. A play by Shakespeare. Directed by Michael Boyd. Years of bloody civil war have undermined the foundations of society, and even the warrior heroes of legend are losing sight of the values they are fighting for. Whilst love, integrity and spirituality are still esteemed, promiscuity and power rule the day. This new production is directed by RSC Associate Director, Michael Boyd.

These two productions will be joining the already announced four productions at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Booking for these productions has already opened:

The School For Scandal Opens 14 October 1998, Closes 24 October 1998 - first time the RSC has performed Sheridan's comedy.
Richard III Opens 28 October 1998, Closes 14 November 1998 - Robert Lindsay takes the title role in this production which is expected to transfer to the West End's Savoy Theatre on 18 January 1999.
The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe Opens 1 December 1998, Closes 27 February 1999 - a dramatised stage version of C.S. Lewis's well known novel.
The Winter's Tale Opens 16 December 1998, Closes 26 February 1999 - directed by Gregory Doran

For the full performance schedule of the Royal Shakespeare Company at Stratford-Upon-Avon check out the 'at-a-glance' performance schedule....

David Soul In The Dead Monkey Opens 29 September - Now Booking

[31 August] A revival of Nick Darke's "bizarre black comedy" The Dead Monkey opens at the Whitehall Theatre on 29 September 1998. The production stars David Soul, Alexa Hamilton and James Terry who are directed by Brennan Street. This is a transfer from the New End Theatre in Hampstead, North London.
What holds a relationship together when the promise of youth and the throes of passion fade? Children? Respect? Money? For Hank and Dolores Wandaback it's a monkey! It was hardly surprising that Dolores fell for the tanned, handsome, taut-bodied surfer who rode the waves with his loyal simian slung over his back. They were poetry in motion Hank and his monkey - an heroic sight. Married now and fifteen years later, Hank's a burned-out travelling salesman... Dolores is in a mundane domestic rut... and the monkey - has just died. Can their marriage survive such a traumatic event? Will their lives ever be the same again? What do you do when your monkey's dead and you still can't get him off your back? Nick Darke's powerfully poignant play explores the extraordinary relationship between a man, his monkey... and his wife.
The Whitehall Theatre is currently also being used as a television studio by Channel 5. This means that the seating capacity has been reduced and just 9 rows in the stalls are being used.
The Dead Monkey opens at the Whitehall Theatre on 29 September 1998, more details....

Oklahoma! Heading For Lyceum Theatre??

[27 August] With rumours and spectulation abounding, it looks likely that the Royal National Theatre's smash hit musical revival of Oklahoma! could be heading for a transfer to the Lyceum Theatre. The theatre is currently dark but the stand-up comedian Steve Coogan will play their for a short season from 28 September, which would seem to fit in nicely with Oklahoma! closing at the Olivier Theatre on 3 October - it's not known yet how many from the original cast will transfer with the production. It had been thought that Disney's The Lion King was eyeing the Lyceum - maybe Disney is looking to the longer term (replacing Oklahoma! at the Lyceum), or it could be they're looking at another theatre - after all with Ragtime now 'indefinately' delayed, the large Prince Edward Theatre will be free after West Side Story finishes it's run their in early 1999. Only time will tell....

Royal Shakespeare Company Announces London 98/99 Season

[24 August] The Royal Shakespeare Company have announced their London 1998/1999 season which runs at the Barbican Theatre and The Pit Theatre from October 1998 to February 1999. Troilus and Cressida will play at The Pit Theatre before transferring to Startford, all the other productions are transfers from Stratford.

The School For Scandal - A 'college' of scandalmongers meet at Lady Sneerwell's house to murder people's reputations... Infidelity, intrigue and larger than life characters made this the most popular Restoration comedy of the 18th Century. This is the first time the RSC has performed Sheridan's glorious romp. The Cheek by Jowl team of Declan Donnellan and Nick Ormerod direct and design this production.
The Merchant of Venice - Shakespeare's great play of love and money, justice and mercy. It is as challenging and as controversial today, as it was 400 years ago. Gregory Doran returns to direct this play after his critically acclaimed production of Henry VIII last season.
The Tempest - Prospero controls the island; its vistors and its inhabitants. By mixing reality and illusion he creates a place where nothing is what it seems. But what is the meaning of his magical powers if he can't change people? Mystical and mysterious yet romantic and comic, The Tempest is Shakespeare's most fascinating play and the last play he wrote on his own.
Measure For Measure - How do you live when you know you are going to die? If you are not in love how can you bear the loneliness? How can you be chaste with desire banging on the bedroom door? How do you forgive judicial murder? How do you stay true to yourself without bbeing self-centred and lonely? Do you obey the law, just because you are afraid of the consquences? How do you love your neighbour when you don't like him? How do you get a beautiful nun into bed? Measure for Measure addresses these questions...do you?
Troilus and Cressida - Years of bloody civil war have undermined the foundations of society, and even the warrior heroes of legend are losing sight of the values they are fighting for. Whilst love, integrity and spirituality are still esteemed, promiscuity and power rule the day. This new production is directed by RSC Associate Director, Michael Boyd.
Shadows - A trinity of plays by JM Synge and WB Yeats. A mother loses her last son to the sea... A husband throws out his young wife after faking his own death... An old man tries to murder the ghosts of the past by killing the living... Passionate and poetic, yet violent and disturbing, these three short and compelling plays reveal our enternal fascination with death.
The Two Gentlemen of Verona - Two witty, rich young men meet to witty young women. They fall in love... But which is supposed to be in love with whom? A complicated love affair challenges a life long friendship in Shakespeare's first romantic comedy.
Bad Weather - A man is badly hurt at the local Chinese. Three teenagers are involved. One gets sent down. Tensions mount as family relationships begin to break down. But the unexpected arrival of a foreign visitor leads to a strange and surprising journey... This world premiere of Robert Holman's gripping play shows how different generations are brought closer together by revelations from the past.

At a glance performance schedule....

Cleo, Camping, Emmanuelle and Dick Delay's Opening

[23 August] The Royal National Theatre production of Terry Johnson's latest play - Cleo, Camping, Emmanuelle and Dick - has delayed it's opening by 11 days, the production will now open on 21 September 1998.
As was reported earlier the part of Sidney will now be played by Geoffrey Hutchings. By 'mutual agreement' Antony Sher - who was due to return to the National following his award-winning performance in Stanley - has now withdrawn from this production due to "artistic differences."
Cleo, Camping, Emmanuelle and Dick opens at the RNT's Lyttelton Theatre on 21 September 1998, more details....

Sir Peter Hall and Bill Kenwright Split

[23 August] Reports are circulating that theatre director Sir Peter Hall (pictured left) has split with theatre producer Bill Kenwright (pictured right) after a successful partnership spanning seven years. In a statement, Sir Peter Hall said "I have been directing Peter Shaffer's Amadeus for Peter Wilson (PW Ltd) and Bill Kenwright (BK Ltd). The two companies have been arguing over terms for months and in this, the last week of rehearsals, they have finally broken off negotiations. Bill Kenwright - who has backed me for seven years and has been very good to me - then asked me to withdraw from the production immediately." When Sir Peter Hall complained that he could not let down the cast of Amadeus at such short notice he said that he received a letter from Bill Kenwright's lawyer saying that "all present and future productions of the Peter Hall Company will be terminated." In conclusion Sir Peter Hall said: "I am still hoping that the Piccadilly season can be saved and am working towards that end."
Currently Bill Kenwright is producing two Peter Hall productions in the West End - a production of Oscar Wilde's An Ideal Husband (which transfers to the Haymarket Theatre on 25 August) and The Peter Hall Company at The Piccadilly Theatre which is currently staging Major Barbara. Future West End projects between the Sir Peter Hall and Bill Kenwright include Filumena with Dame Judi which is expected to open at the Piccadilly Theatre on 8 October and the aforementioned Amadeus which is expected to open at the Old Vic on 21 October 1998. It is currently unclear how this split will affect these productions.

London Transfers From Edinburgh....

[20 August] The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, which runs from 9 to 31 August, is now in full swing and a number of productions have announced West End transfers:

Lady Boys of Bangkok - All ready described as "one of the resounding hits of the Fringe" by The Daily Telegraph, Lady Boys of Bangkok are twenty of the world's most stunning female impersonators in a pulsating, spectacular of dance, cabaret and comedy. Your eyes will never leave the stage as the artistes perform the most stunning and glitzy routines changing their costumes and genders with breathtaking skill. Lady Boys of Bangkok elevates female impersonation to a new level of artistic creativity. Transfers to the Queen's Theatre from 3 September 1998 for a three week season. More details....
Crave - new play by Sarah Kane, the author of Blasted and Cleansed. Crave charts the disintegration of the human mind under the pressures of love, loss and desire; exploring the darkly humorous and desperate side of human relationships. Opens at the Royal Court Upstairs on 10 September 1998. More details....
Lee Evans - Stand-up comedian Lee Evans is back as irrepressibly elastic and energetic as ever. Described as a postmodern cross between Norman Wisdom and Jerry Lewis, Lee Evans transfers directly from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival to the Apollo Theatre for a two month season from 21 September 1998 that's bound to sell-out. More details....
Jeff Green - Stand-up comedian Jeff Green brings his new show to the West End's Apollo Theatre from 24 November 1998 for a short two week season. A Perrier Award nominee, he has been descibed "stand-ups most irresistable rogue." More details....

The Honest Whore: "A Luridly Gripping Elizabethan Soap Opera"

[20 August] The Honest Whore opened at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre on 13 August 1998. Written by Thomas Dekker in the early 1600's it follows the lives of the two women, the Princess Infelice and the harlot, Bellafront. Although set in Italy, this passionate tale of paternal disapproval and sexual deceit owes more to an atmosphere drawn from the Jacobean underworld of London, with its gambling and prostitution, poverty, asylums and prisons than it does to the court of Milan.
"The Honest Whore is a real find," said The Daily Telegraph when the production opened, "and the usually noisy Globe audience watched with the rapt attention it deserves."
The Daily Mail complained though that "there are too many domestic scenes that lack vivacity for the open air. Too many tables and sofas." And The Times commented that "played in glamorous 1960s dress, the play offers the occasional shrewd line. What it lacks, though, is any character who can charge the blank verse with a touch of poetic daring."
The London Evening Standard thought that "in splicing together the two parts of Thomas Dekker's play, director Jack Shepherd and his lead actor Mark Rylance aim at an epic critique of sexual morality in the city, but end up with something like a luridly gripping Elizabethan soap opera."
The Honest Whore continues in repertory at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre up to 18 September 1998, more details....

A Mad World, My Masters: "A Colourful Production... A Modest Gem"

[20 August] Following the success of Thomas Middleton's A Chaste Maid in Cheapside last year, Shakespeare's Globe offers one of this playwright's earliest successes - A Mad World, My Masters - which opened on 13 August 1998.
Set partly in London, partly in the country, A Mad World, My Masters, offers an hilarious insight into two utterly disjointed families. Sir Bounteous Progress is robbed blind by his wild and cunning grandson, Dick Follywit; Mistress Harebrain 'sets up shop' with a devout courtesan to arrange secret liaisons under the nose of her obsessively jealous husband. Ingenious robberies, brilliant deceptions and a play within a play all happen in this satire of London society.
When the production opened, The Independent on Sunday commented that "the Globe's lively policy of reviving Shakespeare's contemporaries continues with an adult production of Thomas Middleton's 1605 comedy A Mad World, My Masters... Sue Lefton's entertainingly raunchy production, periods are neatly mixed with some cast members in velvet flares and frilly shirts looking like strays from a Sixties night."
The Daily Telegraph described it as "the Jacobean equivalent of a Ray Cooney farce or even The Benny Hill Show. It's filled with gamey double entendres, surefire plot-lines as well as a couple of scenes of outrageous rumpy-pumpy." The Daily Mail said that "Sue Lefton's colourful production lends a jazzy, contemporary feel to all the emotions of lust, greed and deception... special whatever the weather." And The Times called it "a modest gem"
A Mad World, My Masters continues in repertory at the Shakespeare's Globe Theatre up to 19 September 1998, more details....

No Water?... No Show!

[20 August] A number of West End shows cancelled their evening performances last Tuesday 18 August due to problems with a burst water mains pipe.
Evidently a mains water pipe in Russell Squre burst that morning, and although it has been hoped that it would have been sorted out by the evening - it unfortunately wasn't. Thus with little or no water available for "sanitary and/or fire safety requirements" it was decided by a number of theatres affected that they would cancel their evening performances. Shows that cancelled their performances included Blood Brothers at the Pheonix Theatre, Cats at the New London Theatre, Grease at the Cambridge Theatre, Show Boat at the Prince Edward Theatre and Smokey Joe's Cafe at the Prince of Wales Theatre.

Delay For West End Ragtime??

[19 August] With the suspension from Livent of Canadian producer Garth Drabinsky following accusations of "financial irregularities" - it seems likely that the West End production of Ragtime which was due to arrive at the Prince Edward Theatre on 9 March 1999, will now be delayed as the business dealings of the production company, Livent, are investigated.
The musical Ragtime has music by Stephen Flaherty, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and book by Terrence McNally based on the novel by EL Doctorow which tell the epic story of three families whose fates become intertwined in turn-of-the-century America. More details....

Loot: "Has Lost None Of Its Rapacity To Disturb & Surprise"

[19 August] The Chichester Festival Theatre's revival production of Joe Orton's comedy Loot opened at the Vaudeville Theatre on 12 August 1998. This outrageous comedy sees two likely lads, Hal and Dennis, make off with the swag from a bank robbery. In hot pursuit by Inspector Truscott, who swears he's from the Water Board, and Fay, a Florence Nightingale with the bedside manner of Boudicea, our intrepid heroes are forced to bury the money in the last place anyone would look.... Meanwhile the recently widowed Mr McLeavy is trying to mourn for his late wife - but his son Hal's exploits turn the funeral into a right carry-on....
"Joe Orton's exhilarating mid-Sixties high comedy of low taste has lost none of its rapacity to disturb and surprise," exclaimed The Daily Mail when the production opened, going on to say that while "the cast in David Grindley's production is relatively unknown - they perform with gleeful precision and some expertise... A most bracing, welcome summer filler in the West End list."
The London Evening Standard praised the "dazzling performance of comic star potential by Fred Ridgeway as Detective Inspector Truscott." The Times commented that "what saves the show is Orton's truly preposterous plot, and some of the most evil one-liners about Catholicism and police corruption in the English satiric canon."
The Sunday Telegraph explained that "much of the play's black humour turns on violating the taboos surrounding death, or the respect due to the dead; and once its first impact has worn off, it doesn't seem particularly funny - we can all read about enough unhallowed deaths in the newspapers every day. By contrast, the play's other chief element, the satire on arbitrary authority, shines as brightly as ever."
Loot continues at the Vaudeville Theatre where it is currently booking up to 17 October 1998, more details....

Beauty & The Beast To Host An Open Day 21 August

[17 August] On Friday 21 August between 10.30am and 3.30pm, London's Dominion Theatre will open its doors with an Open Day hosted by the cast and crew of Beauty & The Beast. The emphasis will be on fun for all the family, with face-painting, raffles, cast autograph signing, as well as question-and-answer sessions with members of the company. The Day will feature a specially devised technical show that showcases the fantastic sound, set and lighting effects made possible by the show's elaborate staging. One the show's musical directors will also conduct children's auditions for the role of 'Chip', the enchanted tea-cup. Backstage tours will take you behind-the-scenes of the show, while, in the foyer, costume and wig exhibitions will demonstrate the artistry that has helped recreate this well-loved story on stage. Entrance to the Open Day will be free, but patrons will be encouraged to make donations to Capital Radio's Help A London Children. There will be limited availability for entrance tickets to the Open Day, so people are advised to get to The Dominion Theatre early. Due to the nature of the event, disabled access will unfortunately be extremely limited.
Beauty & The Beast continues to play at the Dominion Theatre where it is currently booking up to 2 January 1999, more details....

English National Opera Announce Autumn/Winter Schedule - Now Booking

[17 August] The English National Opera have announced their London Coliseum Autumn/Winter schedule - there will be six operas which will run in repertory from 5 September 1998 to 11 December 1998. Three of the opera's will be new productions:

Rusalka: In one of ENO's classic productions, Dvorak's fairy-tale opera becomes a haunting theatrical experience. "Theatre-magic pure and simple" Independent on Sunday. "Enchants the eye, exercises the mind and makes the heart beat faster" Financial Times.
Otello - New Production: Verdi's great work combines Shakespearean drama with Italian lyricism to thrilling effect. From the thunderous opening storm and Otello's triumphant entrance, through the moonlight ecstasy of the love duet and the wistfulness of Desdemona's 'Willow Song' to Otello's tragic death, this is an opera where melody and psychological insight are intertwined.
Madam Butterfly: One of the most popular operas in the repertory, Puccini's Madam Butterfly is the heart-rending story of a young geisha who marries an American naval officer, is abandoned by him and in a final act of despair takes her own life. "One of the jewels in ENO's crown" Guardian. "A high class, high voltage occasion. A Butterfly that must be caught" Daily Mail
Mary Stuart - New Production: Donizetti based his opera about Mary Queen of Scots and her cousin Queen Elizabeth I on Schiller's play, rather than historical fact.
Hansel and Gretel: Humperdinck turned the fairy-tale by the Brothers Grimm into an opera for all ages. Folk influences rub shoulders with those of Wagner in this tuneful and richly orchestrated score. "Theatrical and musical magic... breathtakingly brilliant design" Financial Times. "A funny, fantastical fairy-tale" The Times
Boris Godunov - New Production: Musorgsky's opera chronicles the last years of a tyrant who has plotted and killed for power but, increasingly consumed by guilt, detects ghosts even in the chiming of clocks.

English National Opera's autumn/winter season runs from 5 September 1998 to 11 December 1998, more details including performance schedule and seating plan....

David Suchet in Amadeus Opens 21 October - Now Booking

[14 August] The first major revival of Peter Shaffer's play Amadeus opens at the Old Vic Theatre on 21 October 1998 in a production featuring David Suchet (pictured), Martin Sheen and Lucy Whybrow. Sir Peter Hall returns to direct this play - he directed the original multi-award-winning National Theatre production in 1979.
Set amidst the opulence and splendour of the 18th century Vienna, Peter Shaffer's thrilling, and often wickedly funny play, pits blazing human ambition against heavenly genius, in what becomes a battle of life and death. Antonio Salieri is exalted as the most famous composer in a city of musicians - that is, until the young Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart arrives. Now brutually confronted with the limitations of his own talent and believing God to have abandoned him, Salieri embarks on a desparate course of action....
Amadeus opens at the Old Vic Theatre on 21 October 1998, more details....

Sooty's Christmas Season Opens 15 December

[14 August] Children's favourite Sooty will be making an appearance at the Savoy Theatre for a Christmas season from 15 December 1998 to 9 January 1999. Sooty will have performances during the morning and afternoons, side by side with the musical Boogie Nights which will continue to have evening performances and matinees on selected days.
Sooty opens at the Savoy Theatre on 15 December 1998, more details....

Royal National Theatre Announces New Booking Period

[12 August] The Royal National Theatre has announced a new booking period: 5 October 1998 to 12 December 1998. Also announced are performances in the Olivier Theatre up to 6 February 1999. Booking for all these performances opens on 14 September 1998:

Helen Mirren & Alan Rickman in Antony and Cleopatra Opens 20 October

Two of this country's most distinguished actors, Helen Mirren and Alan Rickman - both making their debuts for the Royal National Theatre - take the title roles in director Sean Mathias' new production of Shakespeare's great tragedy Antony and Cleopatra. The production opens in the Olivier Theatre on 20 October 1998 for a limited run closing on 3 December 1998.

20 Years On: Pinter's Betrayal Returns to Lyttelton 24 November

As we approach the end of the century, and twenty years after it was given its world premiere in the RNT's Lyttelton Theatre, Harold Pinter's ultimate 'triangular relationship' play - Betrayal - can now be seen as one of the defining works of our time. This new production is directed by Trevor Nunn and it opens in the Lyttelton Theatre on 24 November 1998.

Peter Pan Returns 17 December

Ever since Peter Pan flew in through Wendy Darling's nursery window and took her off to Never Land, Barrie's classic adventure story has thrilled and delighted generations of theatre-goers. Following a recent sell-out run at the National, there's another chance to see this enchanting fantasy brought to life on the Olivier Theatre stage of the classic JM Barrie story in a new version by John Caird and Trevor Nunn. Peter Pan opens in the Olivier Theatre on 17 December 1998 and performances have been announced through to 6 February 1999.

Jonathan Harvey's New Play Guiding Star Opens 11 November

On 15 April 1989 Terry Fitzgibbon and his two sons survived the Hillsborough disaster. Nine years later, his struggle to come to terms with the tragedy that shook a city is tearing his family apart. Haunted by survivor's guilt, Terry is oblivious to the conflict in his own home, the pain he is inflicting on his wife and the very real tragedy that's unfolding for his neighbours. Tender, compassionate and full of humour born of despair, Guiding Star is Jonathan Harvey's first play at the National. His other work includes Beautiful Thing, Rupert Street Lonely Hearts Club and Babies. Guiding Star opens at the Cottesloe Theatre on 11 November

Antony Sher Pulls Out Of Cleo, Camping, Emmanuelle and Dick

In Terry Johnson's Cleo, Camping, Emmanuelle and Dick - which opens in the Lyttelton Theatre on 10 September 1998 - the part of Sidney will now be played by Geoffrey Hutchings. By 'mutual agreement' Antony Sher - who was due to return to the National following his award-winning performance in Stanley - has now withdrawn from this production.

The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie Posts Closing Notices For 12 December

The National's newly revised version of The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie has posted closing notices for 12 December. The production features Fiona Shaw in the title role directed by Phyllida Lloyd. During October and November the production will tour a number of regional towns - including Edinburgh, the town where the play is set.
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie at the Royal National Theatre's Lyttelton Theatre previewed 19 June, opened 25 June 1998 and closes 12 December 1998 after a 5½month run in repertory.

During the booking period - 5 October 1998 to 12 December 1998 - there will also be continuing performances of Terry Johnson's Cleo, Camping, Emmanuelle and Dick, Micheal Frayn's Copenhagen and Salman Rushdie's Haroun and the Sea of Stories.

At a glance calendar of performances....

Starlight Express Celebrates 6,000th Performance!

[11 August] Starlight Express at the Apollo Victoria Theatre celebrates it's 6,000th performance on Wednesday 12 August 1998. This is the second longest running musical on stage in London's West End (Cats being the longest). The production originally opened on 27 March 1984 and was revamped in 1992 with new songs, new direction and new choreography.
Starlight Express continues at the Apollo Victoria Theatre where it is currently booking up to April 1999,more details....

Whistle Down The Wind Song Debuts At No.1

[10 August] The single 'No Matter What' by Boyzone has gone straight into the UK pop charts at No.1 - the song is from Andrew Lloyd Webber's latest West End musical - Whistle Down The Wind. It's expected that the single will become one of the biggest pop hits from a musical ever. In the musical Whistle Down The Wind, the song 'No Matter What' is sung by The Children and Townspeople at the end of Act One.
Whistle Down The Wind continues at the Aldwych Theatre where it is currently booking up to 26 June 1999, more details including song listing....

Michael Ball Announces London Concert

[6 August] Musical theatre star Michael Ball has announced a London concert for Sunday 22 November 1998 at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. The Concerts Page lists this and other concerts that are currently booking, more details....

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes: "Fails To Go With A Swing"

[3 August] A revival of the 1949 musical Gentlemen Prefer Blondes opened at the Open Air Theatre on 23 July 1998. The musical is well known through the film version which starred Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell.
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes tells the story, set in the 1920's, of hedonistic gold-digger Lorelei Lee and her sail aboard the lle de France to Paris with her chum Dorothy Shaw . Lorelei, although engaged to multi-million dollar tycoon Gus Esmond , employs her predatory character and natural assets to seek out all the rich gentlemen on and off ship. Musical numbers include 'Bye, Bye, Baby', 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes' and 'Diamonds Are a Girls Best Friend'. The cast features Sara Crowe, Debby Bishop and Clive Rowe.
When the production opened The Financial Times commented that "Jule Styne and Leo Robin's 1949 musical of Anita Loos' classic 1920s novel ought to have enough pizzazz to raise the roof , but tails off after the interval into a perfunctorily connected series of solo spots and contrived set-pieces, racing from cue to cue."
The Daily Telegraph complained that the production "fails to go with a swing... the plot developments are jerky and the songs hit-and-miss," but went on to highlight that "the real star of the show is Lorelei's sidekick; Debby Bishop is magnetic as Dorothy. She sings I Love What I'm Doing with panache, naughty sparkle and charming sweetness."
The Times said: "This year the clouds cleared and the evening sun smiled on Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, allowing Ian Talbot's plucky but over-strenuous cast to expose it for what it is, a less-than-great example of the mid-century Broadway humalong."
But The London Evening Standard thought that "despite the crudeness of Ian Talbot's rough and unready production the best of the songs hit home like a Wimbledon smash." And The Daily Mail said that if you "don't expect too much and you might enjoy it."
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes continues in repertory at the Open Air Theatre, Regent's Park up to 1 September 1998, more details....

Blood Brothers: "Still One Of The Best Pieces Of Popular Theatre Around"

[3 August] Willy Russell's musical Blood Brothers celebrated 10 years in the West End on 28 July - the current production opened at the Albery Theatre on 28 July 1988 before moving to the Phoenix Theatre on 21 November 1991 where it's been ever since.
The first production of Blood Brothers was originally seen at the Lyric Theatre where it opened 11 April 1983, but it only managed a run of six months before closing. The musical was then revived in a restaged production at the Albery Theatre in 1988 and it is this production which has proved hugely successful.
Blood Brothers tells the story of two twins who are separated at birth, but whose paths cross again when they are older. The musical is set in Liverpool and contains the song 'Tell Me It's Not True'.
"Blood still flowing after a 10-year run," wrote The Daily Telegraph about the 10th Anniversary 'first-night' performance. "You might suppose that Kenwright's production is a weary old warhorse by now. Against the odds, however, this show proved to be in surprisingly fine fettle on its anniversary press night. Bob Tomson's cast were energetic and tightly drilled."
The Times also highlighted that "Bob Tomson's production is still a pacey, lively affair, especially when the adults play their childhood selves... Blood Brothers is still one of the best pieces of popular theatre around."
But the Daily Mail complained that "the current version, celebrating ten years in the West End, looks crude and thin and is far less well performed than it was on the show's famous opening night in Liverpool," but went on to highlight that "Lyn Paul, who liked to teach the world to sing with The New Seekers, has a good stab at Mrs Johnstone."
The Independent commented that "in the strong current cast Lyn Paul brings a terrific nasal plangency to the hit number "Tell Me It's Not True" and, at the end, stripped of make-up and with flattened hair, she is transformed into an unforgettable image of maternal lamentation... its heart is in the right place - how many musicals present a social argument of any kind? For that alone I raise my glass."
Blood Brothers continues at the Phoenix Theatre where it is booking up to 27 February 1999, more details....

New Cast For An Inspector Calls

[1 August] A new cast has been announced for Stephen Daldry's ground-breaking Royal National Theatre production of An Inspector Calls - currently at the Garrick Theatre. Winner of 19 major theatre awards, An Inspector Calls goes from strength to strength with the arrival of a new cast from Monday 3 August 1998.
William Gaunt, who plays Mr Birling has appeared in many popular television series, including the recent Next of Kin with Penelope Keith and the long suffering Arthur Crabtree in No Place Like Home. Philip Whitchurch as Inspector Goule is perhaps best known fro his regular role as Chief Inspector Cato in the TV programme The Bill. Marjorie Yates, playing Mrs Birling was recently seen at the Donmar Warehouse in Electra. Also joining the cast are Laurence Kennedy as Gerald Croft who was last seen in Alan Ayckbourn's Communicating Doors; Sara Griffiths plays Sheila Birling; Tim Steed is Eric Birling and Diana Payne Mayers takes over the role of Edna.
The London Evening Standard has praised the production as "one of the most intoxicating theatrically imaginative experiences of the 1990's." The Daily Mail hailed it as "a thrilling piece of theatre which must be seen," and The Daily Telegraph described it as "two hours of enthralling, visually stunning drama." The Guardian likewise said it was "wildly imaginative, urgent and thrilling."
An Inspector Calls continues at the Garrick Theatre where it is currently booking up to 3 October 1998, more details....