Editor's Blog: Christmas telly picks + odds & ends

Turkey? Check. Presents? Check. Stagey TV planned and set to record...?

Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without some stagey TV. Highlights on Christmas Day include Kiss Me, Kate at the Proms (BBC2 / 14.45) starring Ben Davis, Tony Yazbeck, Alexandra Silber and Louise Dearman, as well as The Sound of Music Live (Channel 5 / 12.35) which was originally broadcast live on US TV. It stars Carrie Underwood, Stephen Moyer, Christian Borle and Audra McDonald.

Louise Dearman in Kiss Me, Kate at the Proms

If you're looking for a classic musical movie there's Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (Channel 5 / 15.25) or documentary-wise there's Frozen at Christmas (Channel 4 / 20.00) and Tim Rice - A Life In Song (BBC2 / 22.30).

Tim Rice's From Here To Eternity to close in March

Producers have confirmed that Tim Rice, Stuart Brayson and Bill Oakes's new musical From Here to Eternity will close on 29th March 2014 at the Shaftesbury Theatre.

Based on James Jones's 1951 debut novel that's best known for the 1953 Oscar-winning film that starred Burt Lancaster, Frank Sinatra, Montgomery Clift, Ernest Borgnine, Deborah Kerr and Donna Reed, From Here To Eternity opened in the West End last October. 

Tim Rice searching for another theatre for From Here To Eternity - "the future's not all grim"

Last night the Daily Mail claimed that Tim Rice's new musical From Here To Eternity will end its West End run next April. Tim Rice has since taken to Twitter to confirm that the musical will close at the Shaftesbury Theatre next April. However, he also claims that if audience figures continue to build the musical may transfer to another theatre.

Rice wrote: "[From Here To Eternity's] future not all grim. We have to leave Shaftesbury April but if houses continue to improve we shall find a new home! Cast/crew on fire!"

It is believed that the Chichester Festival Theatre production of The Pajama Game will transfer to the Shaftesbury from May 2014. Richard Eyre's production of The Pajama Game ran at Chichester's Minerva Theatre between April and June this year starring Hadley Fraser and Joanna Riding. However, Riding will not be able to reprise her role as she is committed to Andrew Lloyd Webber's new musical Stephen Ward.

Gossip: From Here To Eternity to close next April, Chichester's The Pajama Game transferring to the Shaftesbury?

The Daily Mail has claimed that the West End production of Tim Rice's new musical, From Here To Eternity, will end its run at the Shaftesbury Theatre in April 2014, six months after it officially opened in the West End. The paper also suggests that the Chichester Festival Theatre production of The Pajama Game will transfer to the Shaftesbury from May 2014.

Darius Campbell and Rebecca Thornhill in From Here to Eternity

Tim Rice's first musical in a decade opened at the West End's Shaftesbury Theatre last month starring Darius Campbell, Siubhan Harrison, Robert Lonsdale, Ryan Sampson and Rebecca Thornhill. Adapted from James Jones's 1951 novel, the musical is described as a "gripping tale of illicit love and army life". From Here To Eternity unites the writing talents of Tim Rice (lyrics), Stuart Brayson (music) and Bill Oakes (book).

From Here To Eternity releases new trailer

The producers of From Here To Eternity have released a brand new full length trailer featuring the show's score, cast and set. Watch the trailer below and click here to book tickets (save £20 at selected performances). 

Tim Rice's first musical in a decade opened at the West End's Shaftesbury Theatre last month starring Darius Campbell, Siubhan Harrison, Robert Lonsdale, Ryan Sampson and Rebecca Thornhill. Adapted from one of the greatest novels of the twentieth century, this gripping tale of illicit love and army life unites the writing talents of Tim Rice (lyrics), Stuart Brayson (music) and Bill Oakes (book). 

Review: From Here To Eternity at the Shaftesbury Theatre

From Here To Eternity 

Shaftesbury Theatre

Reviewed on Thursday 24th November 2013

Tim Rice's new musical has been adapted from one of the greatest novels of the twentieth century. But unfortunately in a year which has seen many big musicals open in the West End, From Here To Eternity doesn't quite live up to the standard of its competitors. Tim Rice (lyrics) teamed up with West End newbie Stuart Brayson (music) and Bill Oakes (book) to write the musical.

Sneak Peek at... the cast of From Here To Eternity

Following yesterdays casting announcement, the producers of From Here To Eternity have released some exciting photos of the cast via the musical's official Facebook page. Take a look at a few of the photos below (click on an image to enlarge).

The musical opens at the Shaftesbury Theatre on Wednesday 23rd October 2013 (previews from 30th September). Darius Campbell (Chicago, West End) will play Warden, Siubhan Harrison (Grease, West End) will play Lorene, Robert Lonsdale (Anna Christie, Donmar Warehouse) will play Prewitt, Ryan Sampson (Open Court, Royal Court) will play Maggio and Rebecca Thornhill (South Pacific,UK tour) will play Karen.

Full casting announced for Tim Rice's From Here to Eternity

Darius Campbell, Rebecca Thornhill

Full casting has been announced for the world premiere of Tim Rice and Stuart Brayson’s new stage musical From Here to Eternity. The musical opens at the Shaftesbury Theatre on Wednesday 23rd October 2013 (previews from 30th September).

Darius Campbell (Chicago, West End) will play Warden, Siubhan Harrison (Grease, West End) will play Lorene, Robert Lonsdale (Anna Christie, Donmar Warehouse) will play Prewitt, Ryan Sampson (Open Court, Royal Court) will play Maggio and Rebecca Thornhill (South Pacific,UK tour) will play Karen.

The cast also includes Keisha Amponsa Banson, Marc Antolin, Julie Armstrong, James Ballanger, John Brannoch, Abigail Climer, Brian Doherty, Jessica Ellen, Dale Evans, Shimi Goodman, Kirby Hughes, Lauren Ingram, Dean John-Wilson, Joshua Lacey, Carolyn Maitland, Nuno Queimado, Lucinda Shaw, Warren Sollars, David Stoller, Rebecca Sutherland, Laura Tyrer, Adam Vaughan, Lauren Varnham, Stephen Webb and Matthew Wesley.

Burn The Floor announces early closure

It has been announced that Burn the Floor, which is currently playing at the West End's Shaftesbury Theatre, has posted early closing notices for Sunday 30th June. The dance show which stars Strictly Come Dancing's Robin Windsor and Kristina Rihanoff returned to the West End last month.

In a statement, the producers said: "We are delighted to have brought Burn The Floor to London and it has been wonderful to see audiences receive our fantastic company with such enthusiasm, and joy. Having constantly played around the world for the past fourteen years, we now look forward to many further successful touring productions".

Tickets now on sale for world premiere of Tim Rice's From Here to Eternity

Tickets are now on sale for the world premiere of Tim Rice's new stage musical From Here to Eternity. The show opens at the Shaftesbury Theatre on 23rd October 2013 (previews from 30th September). Click here to book tickets.

Adapted from one of the greatest novels of the twentieth century, this gripping tale of illicit love and army life unites the writing talents of Tim Rice (lyrics), Stuart Brayson (music) and Bill Oakes (book). It marks Tim's first new stage musical for over ten years and Stuart's West End début.

From Here to Eternity will be directed by Tamara Harvey (Educating Rita, Menier Chocolate Factory; The Kitchen Sink, Bush Theatre), designed by Soutra Gilmour (Macbeth, Trafalgar Studios; Antigone, National Theatre) and choreographed by Javier De Frutos (London Road, National Theatre; The Most Incredible Thing, Sadler’s Wells). The stellar creative team also includes lighting designer Bruno Poet (Frankenstein, National Theatre), sound designer Mick Potter (Phantom of the Opera, West End/ worldwide) and orchestrator & musical supervisor David White (Les Misérables, West End/ worldwide).

Tim Rice's From Here To Eternity announces social media priority sale

From Here To Eternity - The Musical will receive its world premiere later this year at the Shaftsbury Theatre. Adapted from one of the greatest novels of the 20th Century, with lyrics by Tim Rice, this gripping tale of illicit love and arm life is a breath-taking, romantic and excitingly original new show (and breathe). 

Today the musical has announced details of an exclusive priority sale. From 2nd April, if you Like and Follow From Here To Eternity's Facebook and Twitter pages you will be able to purchase tickets, 48 hours before they go on general release.

Tim Rice's 'From Here to Eternity' musical to open at the Shaftesbury Theatre October 2013

New page-to-stage musical 'From Here to Eternity' will receive its world premiere at the West End's Shaftesbury Theatre next year. The production will open 23rd October 2013, with previewa from 30th September. The show, which is adapted from James Jones' 1951 novel, features lyrics by multi award-winner Tim Rice, music by newcomer Stuart Brayson and a book by Bill Oakes.

From Here to Eternity is set on the Hawaiian island of Oahu in 1941, before and during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Loosely based on Jones' own wartime experiences, the story follows several members of a military company, including Captain Dana “Dynamite” Holmes and First Sergeant Milt Warden, who begins an affair with Holmes' wife Karen.