Curious Incident extends West End booking period to June 2016

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time has extended its West End booking period at the Gielgud Theatre to 18th June 2016.

The National Theatre's production, which has won both Tony and Olivier Awards, has released over 135,000 new tickets for sale. There will be an extra half term matinee on 27th October 2015.

Marianne Elliott’s production is also currently touring the UK and Ireland until 21st November 2015 and playing an opened ended run on Broadway at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre.

Review: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time at the Gielgud Theatre

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Gielgud Theatre
Reviewed on Wednesday 9th July 2014
★★★★★

It's very rare to see a show which utilises all of its theatrical elements, but The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (which has resumed its West End run at the Gielgud Theatre) is an example of a piece of theatre which cannot be faulted in any field.

Photo Feature: New Curious Incident cast celebrate show's reopening

Last night The National Theatre’s production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time resumed its West End run at its new home, the Gielgud Theatre. After the show the new cast posed for photos at the press night party. Take a look at pictures below (click image to enlarge). 

The new cast stars Graham Butler as Christopher, Vivienne Acheampong (No. 40/Punk Girl), Daniel Casey (Roger Shears), Emily Joyce (Judy), Abram Rooney (Alternate Christopher), Gay Soper (Mrs Alexander), Paul Stocker (Mr Thompson), Nicolas Tennant (Ed), Tony Turner (Reverend Peters), Victoria Willing (Mrs Shears) and Sarah Woodward (Siobhan).

Photo Feature: Celebs attend Curious Incident relaunch

Last night (8th July), the National Theatre’s production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time reopened at the Gielgud Theatre.

VIP guests included Alice Levine, Amy Beth Hayes, Amy Molyneaux, Andrew Scott, Billy Bailey, Charlotte Riley, Dave Berry, David Gyasi, El James, Emma Freud, Frances O’Connor, Greg McHugh, Honor Blackman, Ian Glem, Isaac Hempstead Wright, Ivan Massow, Jane Asher & Gerald Scarfe, Jeremy Vine, Joanne Froggatt, Jonathan Bailey, June Whitfield, Kelly Adams, Laura Whitmore, Louise Brealey, Lydia Rose Bewley, Masie Williams, Michel Roux Jr, Natascha McElhone, Reece Shearsmith, Sam Bailey, Samantha Barks, Sarah Solemani, Stephen Wight and Warwick Davis.

Take a look at images of the VIP guests attending the performance below (click image to enlarge).

Photo Feature: New cast rehearse Curious Incident ahead of West End return

The National Theatre’s production of The Curious Incident of the Dog In The Night-Time returns to the West End later this month. 

Images of its new company rehearsing have been released. Take a look at the images below (click picture to enlarge).

The play re-opens at the Gielgud Theatre on Tuesday 8th July 2014 (previews from 24th June) and is currently booking until Saturday 14th February 2015.

The new cast is led by Graham Butler (pictured right) as Christopher.

Butler stars alongside: Vivienne Acheampong (No. 40/Punk Girl), Daniel Casey (Roger Shears), Emily Joyce (Judy), Abram Rooney (Alternate Christopher), Gay Soper (Mrs Alexander), Paul Stocker (Mr Thompson), Nicolas Tennant (Ed), Tony Turner (Reverend Peters), Victoria Willing (Mrs Shears) and Sarah Woodward (Siobhan).

Blithe Spirit is a box office sensation!

According to the Daily Mail, Blithe Spirit has already paid back the £750,000 it cost to put on in just six weeks. Baz Bamigboye claims the production is taking in roughly £350,000 a week.

Directed by Michael Blakemore, Blithe Spirit stars the formidable Angela Lansbury, marking her triumphant West End return. Lansbury stars opposite Janie Dee and Charles Edwards. The cast also includes Jemima Rooper, Sandra Dickinson, Simon Jones and Patsy Ferran.

Curious Incident: Meet the new West End cast

Casting has been announced for the West End return of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. 

The play resumes its West End run at the Gielgud Theatre on Tuesday 8th July 2014 (previews from 24th June) where it is currently booking until 14th February 2015.

The Gielgud cast includes: Graham Butler as Christopher. He is joined by Vivienne Acheampong (No. 40/Punk Girl), Daniel Casey (Roger Shears), Emily Joyce (Judy), Gay Soper (Mrs Alexander), Paul Stocker (Mr Thompson),Nicolas Tennant (Ed), Tony Turner (Reverend Peters), Victoria Willing (Mrs Shears), Sarah Woodward (Siobhan) and Sam Bond, Roxanne Palmer and Mark Rawlings. Final casting will be announced shortly.

Curious Incident transfers to Gielgud Theatre following Apollo ceiling collapse

Following the ceiling collapse at the Apollo Theatre during a performance of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, it has been announced that the National Theatre's production will move to the Gielgud Theatre.

The play will open at its new home on 8th July 2014 (previews from 24th June), with an initial booking period through to 17th January 2015. Those who had booked to see the show at the Apollo will have priority booking for the Gielgud run.

UPDATED: Angela Lansbury to star in Blithe Spirit at the Gielgud Theatre alongside Charles Edwards & Janie Dee

According to the Daily Mail, Angela Lansbury (pictured right) is set to return to the West End for the first time in more than 30 years, reprising the role of Madame Arcati in Blithe Spirit. Lansbury previously played the role on Broadway in 2009.

The production will open at the Gielgud Theatre on 18th March 2014 (previews from 1st March) for a 15 week run and will be helmed by Michael Blakemore, who also directed the Broadway production that also starred Rupert Everett. The cast will also include: Charles Edwards as Condomine, Janie Dee as Ruth and Jemima Rooper as Elvira.

Angela Lansbury’s Broadway performance as Coward’s infamous clairvoyant earned her the 2009 Tony Award for Best Supporting Actress and became her fifth Tony Award. Her professional career spans more than a half-century, during which she has flourished, first as a star of motion pictures, then as a Broadway musical star and most recently as the star of Murder, She Wrote. Lansbury was last seen on the London stage playing Gertrude in the National Theatre’s production of Hamlet in 1975. Prior to that, she starred in the celebrated production of Gypsy at the Piccadilly Theatre and in the RSC production of All Over at The Aldwych. In November this year Lansbury received an honorary Oscar in recognition of her outstanding 70 years of contribution to the film industry.

Review: Strangers On A Train at the Gielgud Theatre

Strangers On A Train
Gielgud Theatre
Reviewed on Wednesday 20th November 2013

It feels like a while since I've sat in a West End theatre and watched a well put together, gripping thriller. Many are familiar with Strangers On A Train as Alfred Hitchcock’s film version was very popular when released in 1951. However, the stage play, based on Patricia Highsmith's novel which was published in 1950, goes in a different direction to Hitchcock’s film.

Interview: Miranda Raison

Miranda Raison is currently starring as Anne in Strangers On A Train at the Gielgud Theatre which officially opens on Tuesday 19th November 2013. 

Miranda has enjoyed a varied career spanning film and TV as well as theatre. She is well known for playing Jo Portman in Spooks and Harriet Hammond in Silk. Miranda has recently filmed two movies, After Death and I Am Soldier, which are due to be released next year.

Her theatre credits include: The River (Royal Court), The Physicists (Donmar Warehouse), 66 Books: A Response To Daniel (The Bush Theatre) and Shakespeare’s Globe’s productions of Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII.

Miranda’s film credits include: My Week With Marilyn, Heaven And Earth, Match Point, Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo, Susie Q. Her TV credits include: Lewis: Intelligent Design, Vexed, Sinbad, Dirk Gently, Merlin, Death In Paradise, Sugartown, Married Single Other, Plus One, Poirot: Cat Among The Pigeons, Doctor Who, Holby City and Perfect Strangers.

Recently I spoke to Miranda about how she prepared for her role in Strangers On A Train, first night nerves and why theatre is so important to her...

What was it that attracted you to the role and production?

Everything that was in the first email and onwards really! I love the American Fifties time period and anything that looks vaguely Hitchcock and also it’s a fantastic part. It’s a very different part to the role in the film, she plays a much greater part in Guy and Bruno’s lives and she’s a society girl. Patricia Highsmith was ahead of her time. You would usually think that the posh fiancée would be a doormat but she’s a really interesting character and a very clever woman. 

Laurence Fox, Jack Huston, Christian McKay, Miranda Raison, Imogen Stubbs and MyAnna Buring to star in Strangers on a Train at the Gielgud Theatre

It has been announced that Laurence Fox, Jack Huston, Christian McKay, Miranda Raison, Imogen Stubbs and MyAnna Buring will star in Strangers on a Train by Craig Warner. 

The production, directed by Robert Allan Ackerman, will begin previews at the Gielgud Theatre from Saturday 2nd November 2013. The gripping thriller is based on Patricia Highsmith’s acclaimed novel, which was the inspiration for Alfred Hitchcock’s legendary movie.

A seemingly innocent conversation soon turns into a dangerous reality for Guy Haines (played by Laurence Fox) when he meets Charles Bruno (Jack Huston) on a train journey. Ahead lies a deadly nightmare of blackmail and psychological torment that threatens to cost Guy his career, his marriage and his sanity. His choice: to kill, or to be framed for a murder he didn't commit.

Review: Private Lives at the Gielgud Theatre

Private Lives 

Gielgud Theatre

Reviewed on Tuesday 2nd July 2013

Imagine this: You are in an explosive relationship, get divorced and then re-marry. However, while on your honeymoon you find yourself not only in the same hotel, but in the room next door to your ex-partner who is also on their honeymoon. What would you do?

Chariots of Fire to close sooner than planned

Chariots of Fire, which transferred to the West End in June last year following a run at Hampstead Theatre, will close earlier than planned at the Gielgud Theatre. The production will close this Saturday (5th January 2013), having originally been booking until 2nd February 2013.

Edward Hall's production, which is staged in the round and sees actors racing on a track through the stalls, premiered at the Hampstead Theatre in May ahead of the London Olympics.

More casting announced for The Audience starring Helen Mirren

Joining Helen Mirren as The Queen in the world premiere of Peter Morgan’s The Audience will be Haydn Gwynne who will play Margaret Thatcher, Robert Hardy as Winston Churchill and Paul Ritter as John Major. Stephen Daldry’s production will preview at the Gielgud Theatre from 15 February 2013, with press night on 5 March 2013 and is currently booking to 15 June 2013. Designs are by Bob Crowley, lighting by Rick Fisher and sound is by Paul Arditti and video by Ian William Galloway. Further casting will be announced shortly. 

For sixty years Elizabeth II has met each of her twelve Prime Ministers in a weekly audience at Buckingham Palace - a meeting like no other in British public life – it is private. Both parties have an unspoken agreement never to repeat what is said. Not even to their spouses. 

The Audience breaks this contract of silence - and imagines a series of pivotal meetings between the Downing Street incumbents and their Queen. From Churchill to Cameron, each Prime Minister has used these private conversations as a sounding board and a confessional - sometimes intimate, sometimes explosive. In turn, the Queen can’t help but reveal her own self as she advises, consoles and, on occasion, teases. 

New cast members join Chariots of Fire

As of tomorrow, Tuesday 13th November 2012, the final cast of Chariots of Fire will take to the track at the Gielgud Theatre after its previously announced extension through to 2nd February 2013.

The cast includes Jack Lowden (Eric Liddell) and James McArdle (Harold Abrahams) who continue to lead the company. They are joined by David Beams (Head Porter/Reverend Liddell/Foster/Lord Cadogan), Isabella Calthorpe (Florence Mackenzie), Gareth Charlton (Jackson Scholz),Henry Davis (Charlie Paddock), Lloyd Everitt (Athlete), Zac Fox (Aubrey Montague), Daniel Fraser (Athlete/Jim), Nickolas Grace (Master Of Trinity/Duke of Sutherland/Colonel Keddie), Leigh Lothian (Jennie Liddell), David McGranaghan (President of Gilbert & Sullivan/Colin), Aki Omoshaybi (Athlete/Reg), Matthew Pearson (Sandy McGrath), Savannah Stevenson (Sybil Gordon), Paul TInto (Secretary of the Gilbert and Sullivan Society), Dylan Turner (Athlete/Mr Ratcliffe ), Gabriel Vick (Robin/HRH The Prince of Wales), Simon Williams (Master of Caius), Tam Williams (Lord Andrew Lindsay) and Nicholas Woodeson (Sam Mussabini).

Haydn Gwynne, Robert Hardy and Paul Ritter join Helen Mirren in 'The Audience'

Joining Helen Mirren as The Queen in the world premiere of Peter Morgan’s The Audience will be Haydn Gwynne who will play Margaret Thatcher, Robert Hardy as Winston Churchill and Paul Ritter as John Major. Stephen Daldry’s production will preview at the Gielgud Theatre from 15 February 2013, with press night on 5 March 2013 and is currently booking to 15 June 2013. Designs are by Bob Crowley, lighting by Rick Fisher and sound is by Paul Arditti and video by Ian William Galloway. Further casting will be announced shortly. 

Helen Mirren to play Queen Elizabeth II in the West End

Helen Mirren is once again set to play the role of Queen Elizabeth II. This time she will play the role onstage in the play 'The Audience' at the Gielgud Theatre with previews beginning 15th February 2013. The show will open 5th March 2013 and is currently booking until 15th June 2013.

Mirren won an Academy Award for her portrayal in the 2006 film The Queen, written by Peter Morgan. The Audience is also written by Morgan (who is currently working on a new draft of the script) and will be directed by Stephen Daldry.

Review: Chariots Of Fire at the Gielgud Theatre

Chariots Of Fire
Gielgud Theatre
Performance: Wednesday 5th September 2012 (Matinee)

The last time I went to the Gielgud Theatre it was to Lend Me A Tenor. However, as I walked into the auditorium my jaw dropped as the stage was unrecognisable. The design of this show is incredible and extremely clever, creating the perfect atmosphere.