Verne Troyer & Marcus Brigstocke to make pantomime debuts in Wimbledon

Casting has been announced for this year's pantomime, Peter Pan, at the New Wimbledon Theatre.

Hollywood film star and TV personality Verne Troyer and British comedian Marcus Brigstocke will both make their pantomime debuts in the show which runs between 5th December 2015 and 10th January 2016.

Playing Lofty the Pirate, Troyer is best known for his role as Mini-Me in the Austin Powers film series. Since then he has become a regular on our British TV screens with appearances on Celebrity Big Brother, The Jonathan Ross Show and Celebrity Juice. His film credits include: Harry Potter & The Sorcerer’s Stone, The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus, The Love Guru, and Keith Lemon: The Film. He can currently be seen in indie comedy Convenience. 

Full casting announced for Stiles and Drewe's Peter Pan

Evelyn Hoskins

Full casting has been announced for Stiles and Drewe's musical adaptation of Peter Pan.

The show is being staged in the West End for two performances only on 25th October 2015 at the Adelphi Theatre (home of Kinky Boots). 

As previously announced, the show will star Ray Quinn (Grease/Legally Blonde) as the title character, Bradley Walsh (Coronation Street/The Chase) as Captain Hook, Jenna Russell (Songs For A New World/Merrily We Roll Along) as Mrs Darling and Sheila Hancock (Sister Act/Cabaret) as The Storyteller.

Ray Quinn joins cast of Stiles and Drewe's Peter Pan

It has been announced that Ray Quinn will play the title character in Stiles and Drewe's musical adaptation of Peter Pan.

The show is being staged in the West End for two performances only on 25th October 2015 at the Adelphi Theatre (home of Kinky Boots). Quinn joins Bradley Walsh (Coronation Street/The Chase) as Captain Hook and Jenna Russell (Songs For A New World/Merrily We Roll Along) as Mrs Darling. Full casting to be announced.

Quinn recently starred in the UK tour of The Songbook of Judy Garland. He famously finished second to Leona Lewis on The X Factor in 2006 and won Dancing on Ice in 2009 as well as the ‘All Stars’ series in 2014. Quinn’s debut album Doing It My Way topped the UK album chart in 2007, and he is currently back in the studio working on new material. 

Bradley Walsh & Jenna Russell to star in Stiles & Drewe's Peter Pan

It has been announced that Bradley Walsh and Jenna Russell will star in Stiles and Drewe's musical adaptation of Peter Pan.

The show is being staged in the West End for two performances only on 25th October 2015 at the Adelphi Theatre (home of Kinky Boots).

Walsh (Coronation Street/The Chase) will play Captain Hook alongside Russell (Songs For A New World/Merrily We Roll Along) as Mrs Darling. Further casting to be announced.

Stiles and Drewe's Peter Pan to be staged at the Adelphi Theatre

Stiles and Drewe's musical adaptation of Peter Pan is to receive a concert staging in the West End later this year. The show will play two performances at the Adelphi Theatre (home of Kinky Boots) on 25th October 2015. 

Ollie Rosenblatt and Elliot Davis (producers) said: "Peter Pan is a timeless classic and the score penned by Stiles and Drewe along with a Willis Hall script is a delight which works so wonderfully well in concert format."

Feature: May round-up

Star of the Month

Hiran Abeysekera

Photo Credit: Tristram Kenton

Hiran Abeysekera casts a spell over audiences as the title role in Peter Pan at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. He takes to the stage with a twinkle in his eye, immediately winning the audience over with his natural charm. Abeysekera flies around, gliding through the air, showcasing remarkable strength and agility whilst making it all look so easy. Click here for 5* review of Peter Pan.

Show of the Month

The Father at the Tricycle Theatre

Photo Credit: Simon Annand

Review: Peter Pan at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre​

Peter Pan 
Regent's Park Open Air Theatre​
Reviewed on Friday 22nd May 2015
★★★★★

Directed by Timothy Sheader and Liam Steel, Peter Pan is the best production I have ever seen at the Open Air Theatre. Beautifully complimented by the outdoor setting, Jon Bausor's design is stunningly creative, allowing audiences of all ages to use their imaginations.

Production images released for Peter Pan at the Open Air Theatre

Production images have been released for Peter Pan at the Open Air Theatre ahead of press night tomorrow (21st May 2015). Check out images below (click picture to enlarge).

Peter Pan runs at the Open Air Theatre until 14th June 2015. The production sees Timothy Sheader and Liam Steel rediscover J. M. Barrie’s original stage play. Hiran Abeysekera stars in the title role alongside David Birrell as Captain Hook, Beverly Rudd as Smee and George Bukhari as Nibs.

Open Air Theatre cancels first preview of Peter Pan

The Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre have cancelled tonight's first preview (15th May) of Peter Pan. 

The performance has been cancelled as yesterday's rain delayed rehearsals. Ticket holders should contact their point of purchase.

The show opens to press on 21st May and runs until 14th June 2015. The production sees Timothy Sheader and Liam Steel rediscover J. M. Barrie’s original stage play. Hiran Abeysekera stars in the title role alongside David Birrell as Captain Hook, Beverly Rudd as Smee and George Bukhari as Nibs.

Rehearsal images released for Peter Pan at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

Flying rehearsals are well under way at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre for their forthcoming production of Peter Pan. The show opens on 21st May (previews from 15th May) and runs until 14th June 2015. Check out rehearsal images below (click image to enlarge).

Hiran Abeysekera (who flies as Peter Pan using a series of wires and bungee ropes) said: "When you’re flying high up there it’s the most amazing feeling. But you are constantly reminded that you’re not a bird, you’re just a human. My life is totally in the hands of the counter weight, and they’re all solid – they’re brilliant guys! 

"They have to know what the rhythm of the scene is, what the rhythm of my character is, I have to feel them as well. It’s not me flying, it’s them flying me and we have to understand each other’s bodies and rhythms to make it work. It’s quite minutely specific. But it’s really thrilling. You feel like a superhero for a bit, a little jump can take you 30 feet up in the air!"

First casting announced for Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre 2015 season

Casting for Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s 2015 production of J.M Barrie’s Peter Pan has today been announced, with lead casting for The Seagull and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers also confirmed. The season opens for previews on 15th May.

Peter Pan

Hiran Abeysekera will play the title role alongside David Birrell as Captain Hook, who returns to Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre following roles in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Ragtime.

Also returning to Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre will be Beverly Rudd (Smee) and George Bukhari (Nibs). Peter Pan will run from 15th May – 14th June.

Further casting includes Kae Alexander (Wendy), Patrick Osborne (John), Thomas Dennis (Michael), Rachel Donovan (Tinker Bell), Eben Figueiredo (Tootles), Thomas Pickles (Slighty), Richard James-Neale (Curly), Jacob James Beswick & Chris Lew Kum Hoi (Twins) and Carl Prekopp (Gentleman Starkey).

The cast is completed by: Okorie Chukwu, Owain Gwynn, Jonathan Holby and Arthur Kyeyune (Pirates), Melanie Pappenheim, Daniel Bradley, Candida Caldicot, Zands Duggan & Tamara Young (Musicians) and Joe Swain (Show Climber).

Open Air Theatre announces 2015 season

The Open Air Theatre has announced its 2015 season!

J.M. Barrie's original stage play of Peter Pan will open the 2015 season, running between 15th May and 14th June 2015. Artistic Director Timothy Sheader directs. 

The Seagull will then run between 19th June and 11th July. Torben Betts' new version will be directed by Matthew Dunster. Reuniting the team behind The Sound of Music, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is set to run between 16th July and 29th August.

Peter Pan arena tour starring Stacey Solomon returns this Christmas following cancellation

It has been announced that a production of Peter Pan starring X Factor contestant Stacey Solomon will tour arenas over the upcoming festive season. The show was initially scheduled to tour the UK over the summer. However, in July it was announced that the arena tour had been "cancelled and postponed".

The show is described as 'a mix of theatre, illusion, circus, block-buster movie and rock spectacular rolled into one with 50 dancers, stuntmen, acrobats, magicians, and actors from 10 different countries.' Stacey Solomon stars as Tinkerbell.

Peter Pan arena tour starring Stacey Solomon "cancelled and postponed"

The forthcoming arena tour of 'Peter Pan - The Never Ending Story' has been "cancelled and postponed" until further notice. The tour was due to open in Manchester next month before visiting Wembley, Nottingham, Birmingham and Glasgow.

Produced by Belgian company Music Hall, the show was described as a "hi-tech fantasy adventure that combines the drama and excitement of live theatre with the epic visuals of a blockbuster movie" and featured a soundtrack including the hits of Robbie Williams, Seal and Rod Stewart.

Louise Dearman, Tim Driesen, Gerard Carey & Lucy Sinclair to workshop a brand new musical version of Peter Pan

West End stars Louise Dearman (Wicked), Tim Driesen (Never Forget), Gerard Carey (Masterclass) and Lucy Sinclair (We Will Rock You) will lead a workshop presentation of a brand new musical comedy version of JM Barrie's Peter Pan.

The workshop, which will take place in front of an invited audience at the Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue at 1.00pm on Thursday 28th June, will feature Louise Dearman as Tinker Bell, Tim Driesen as Peter Pan, Gerard Carey as Captin Hook and Lucy Sinclair in the role of Wendy.

7 other actors will take on the 35 other characters in the show. She script has been described as fast-paced, frantically funny.

The workshop of Peter Pan is directed by Christian Durham (Chicago, We Will Rock You), with movement by Lucie Pankhurst, musical direction by Dean Austin (Taboo, Zorro, Spamalot), casting by Anne Vosser and orchestrations by Tom Curran. Music, book and lyrics are by Jimmy Jewell, with additional book and lyrics by Nick Stimson. This is incredibly strong cast for a workshop and the production sounds quite interesting! 

.