Review: Matthew Perry's The End of Longing at the Playhouse Theatre

The End of Longing
Playhouse Theatre
Reviewed on Tuesday 9th February 2016
★★★

To have your debut play premiere in the West End is quite something, but to also star in it is something else! Since the nineties generations have been growing up with U.S. sitcom Friends; I remember watching episode after episode 'back in the day' on E4. Twelve years since the show aired its last series, Matthew Perry (known to many as Chandler) has written a play which certainly captures the essence of the iconic sitcom.

Lord of the Dance extends West End run

Flatley & Keegan

Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games has extended its run at the Playhouse Theatre for a further three weeks. The production will now close on 24th January 2016. 

Tickets for the new period are now on sale. Flatley said, “I am proud of our cast and am delighted that we are continuing at this iconic London theatre.”

Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games stars James Keegan, Morgan Comer and Cathal Keaney and directed by Flatley. All three have won multiple World Irish Dancing Championship titles. Rachael O’Connor plays the role of Erin the Goddess.

Big Interview: Sophie Evans

Sophie Evans is preparing to star as Erin the Goddess in Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games at the Playhouse Theatre.

Following its West End runs at the London Palladium and Dominion Theatre, Michael Flatley’s show is returning to London for a third season. Sophie is sharing the role, which was previously played by Nadine Coyle, with former The Voice UK contestant Rachael O’Connor.

In 2010 Sophie entered Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Over The Rainbow competition which was broadcast to millions of viewers on BBC1. After finishing second, Sophie went on to alternate the role of Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium and subsequently took over the role full time.

Sophie has since embarked on a diverse career, making concert appearances all around the UK. On screen Sophie played Becky Salt alongside Simon Pegg in The World's End and appeared in Matthew Warchus' film Pride. She recently returned to the London stage, starring in You Won't Succeed on Broadway if You Don't Have Any Jews at the St James Theatre.

I recently spoke to Sophie about why she’s excited to be joining Lord of the Dance, whether she has a talent for Irish dancing and why Over The Rainbow feels like a lifetime ago…

How much did you know about Lord of the Dance before being asked to join the show? Had you ever seen it?

No, I’m not going to lie, I didn’t really know anything about the show! I thought it was just dancing – but obviously it’s a lot more than that! There’s a lot more going on, there’s a storyline. I looked into it to see if it was something I would be interested in… and it was!

Production Pics: The Rocky Horror Show at the Playhouse Theatre

Ahead of tonight's star studded gala and live cinema broadcast, production images have been released for The Rocky Horror Show at the Playhouse Theatre. Check out the images below (click picture to enlarge).

Tonight's gala will see Anthony Head, Stephen Fry, Mel Giedroyc and Emma Bunton share the role of the Narrator with Rocky Horror's writer Richard O’Brien. The show runs at the Playhouse Theatre until 26th September 2015, before launching a UK tour.

Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games transferring to Playhouse Theatre

Following its recent runs at the Dominion Theatre and London Palladium, it has been announced that Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games is transferring to the West End's Playhouse Theatre.

Flatley said, “I’m delighted that London has once again welcomed us so warmly, and to be able to extend the show’s run by moving to the very beautiful Playhouse Theatre makes me feel immensely proud of what we’ve achieved. I am delighted for my dancers that they can continue to perform in this great city.”

Casting announced for 1984's West End return

Casting has been announced for 1984 which returns to the Playhouse Theatre this summer where it enjoyed a successful run last year. 

The show opens on 18th June 2015 (previews from 12th June) ahead of an international tour.

Matthew Spencer will play the role of Winston Smith. Julia will be played by Janine Harouni until 25th July, and then Hara Yannas from 27th July to the end of the run. Simon Coates, Tim Dutton, Stephen Fewell, Christopher Patrick Nolan, Ben Porter, Gavin Spokes and Mandi Symonds complete the cast.

1984 returning to the Playhouse Theatre

1984 is returning to the Playhouse Theatre this summer where it enjoyed a successful run last year. The show opens on 18th June 2015 (previews from 12th June) ahead of an international tour.

The piece premiered at the Nottingham Playhouse in September 2013 and played to sell-out houses at the Almeida Theatre before transferring to the West End and touring the UK. Casting for the upcoming run is to be announced.

1984 is written and directed by Robert Icke and Duncan Macmillan. Set and costume design is by Chloe Lamford with lighting by Natasha Chivers, sound by Tom Gibbons and video design by Tim Reid.

Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown extends West End booking to August 2015

It has been announced that the West End production of Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown has extended its run at the Playhouse Theatre to Saturday 22nd August 2015.

Yesterday two of the show's stars, Tamsin Greig and Haydn Gwynne, received Olivier Award nominations for Best Actress in a Musical and Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical respectively. 

The cast also includes: Ricardo Afonso, Marianne Benedict, Seline Hizli, Holly James, Michael Matus, Rebecca McKinnis, Sarah Moyle, Alastair Natkiel, Haydn Oakley, Jérôme Pradon, Nuno Queimado, Dale Rapley, Anna Skellern, and Willemijn Verkaik. Bartlett Sher directs.

Review: Tamsin Greig stars in Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown at the Playhouse Theatre

Ricardo Afonso (Taxi Driver) and Tamsin Greig (Pepa Marcos)

Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown 

Playhouse Theatre

Reviewed on Tuesday 13th January 2015

★★★

Tamsin Greig makes her musical theatre debut in Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown. Set on the streets of Madrid, Women on the Verge has spiced up the West End during the cold winter months. The show may be crazy, but it makes a refreshing change and offers a fun, carefree night at the theatre.

Review: Lindsay Lohan stars in Speed-The-Plow at the Playhouse Theatre

Speed-The-Plow
Playhouse Theatre
Reviewed on Monday 6th October 2014
★★

Speed-The-Plow by David Mamet, which is described as a "satirical dissection of the American movie business", has been been staged many times on Broadway and in the West End. Madonna famously played Karen (the part played by Lindsay Lohan in this revival) in the US whilst in London Speed-The-Plow has previously been seen at both the National and Old Vic.

Further information announced about limited West End run of Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown starring Tamsin Greig

Further information has been announced about the UK premiere of David Yazbek and Jeffrey Lane’s new musical adaptation of Pedro Almodóvar’s Oscar-nominated film, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown.

The brand new production, which has been reconceived and re-imagined for the UK stage, will star Olivier-Award winner Tamsin Greig in her musical theatre debut. Tony Award-winner Bartlett Sher directs the show which has been through two  full-scale development workshops with actors, musicians and the creative team.

Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown opens at the Playhouse Theatre on Monday 12th January 2015 (previews from 20th December 2014). The 20 week limited run ends on Saturday 9th May 2015.

GOSSIP: Tamsin Greig to star in Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown

According to the Daily Mail, Tamsin Greig will star in the West End premiere of Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown.

Further information has been confirmed. Click here for details.

The musical is set to open at the Playhouse Theatre on 12th January 2015 (previews from 20th December 2014). Jeffrey Lane and David Yazbek's show has apparently been completely transformed for its London run.

In his column Baz Bamigboye wrote: "The band is now five-strong (it was 16). An irritating taxi driver has been calmed down and will narrate. Some songs have been axed, others re-written and moved around, while the book has been re-structured and simplified. Sets and costumes have been toned down, too."

1984 extends West End run

It has been announced that 1984 has extended its West End run at the Playhouse Theatre for an extra five weeks. 

The show will now run until 23rd August 2014, prior to a second UK tour in the autumn. The Headlong, Nottingham Playhouse and Almeida production was previously booking until 19th July.

Adapted from George Orwell's influential novel, 1984 received its world premiere in Nottingham last September ahead of its first UK tour and seven-week run at the Almeida Theatre. The show then transferred to the West End. 

Spamalot to conclude West End run, Headlong's 1984 transfers to Playhouse

It has been confirmed that the West End production of Spamalot will conclude its run at the Playhouse Theatre on Saturday 12th April. Headlong's 1984 will transfer to the Playhouse following its run at the Almeida Theatre from 28th April.

Professor Brian Cox to play God in Spamalot this week

Renowned TV presenter and physicist, Professor Brian Cox, will follow in the footsteps of Hugh Bonneville, Michael Palin, Barbara Windsor, Larry Lamb, Bradley Walsh, Simon Callow, Gary Lineker, Michael Ball and Christopher Biggins this week as he plays God in the West End production of Spamalot at the Playhouse Theatre.

The pre-recorded cameo role features in Spamalot when King Arthur and the Knights of The Round Table are given their quest to find The Holy Grail. Brian Cox will appear as God from tonight (20th January) until Saturday 26th January.

Professor Cox.said: “It is a reasonable no brainer. If Eric Idle says to you ‘do you want to be God in Spamalot?’ then I’d be surprised if anybody had ever said no.”

Michael Ball becomes the latest celebrity to play God in Spamalot

Theatrical legend Michael Ball has kicked off the new season of Celebrity Charity Gods in the West End production of Spamalot at the Playhouse Theatre. Other celebs who have filmed the short cameo role and will appear in the musical over the coming weeks include: Professor Brian Cox, Greg Dyke, Robert Lindsay and Gary Lineker. 

Les Dennis, Michael Ball and Bonnie Langford

Over the summer God was played by the likes of Michael Palin, Hugh Bonneville, Barbara Windsor, Larry Lamb, Bradley Walsh, Simon Callow and Christopher Biggins. God, usually played by Eric Idle, features in Spamalot when King Arthur and the Knights of The Round Table are given their quest to find The Holy Grail.

Dreamboats & Petticoats returns to the West End for limited run

Jukebox musical Dreamboats and Petticoats will return to the West End for a limited run at Wyndham's Theatre from 16th October 2012.

The show, which is based around Fifties and Sixties hits from the album series of the same name, ran in the West End from 2009 to August this year, when it closed at the Playhouse. It will run at Wyndham's from 16th October 2012 to 19th January 2013.

Dreamboats and Petticoats features songs from Roy Orbison, The Everly Brothers, Neil Sedaka, Eddie Cochran, Dion and Del Shannon, among others.

Spamalot to move to Playhouse Theatre from 14th November

The current West End run of Spamalot is moving from the Harold Pinter Theatre to the Playhouse, where it reopens on 14th November 2012. The production, which currently stars Marcus Brigstocke, Jon Culshaw, Bonnie Langford and Todd Carty continues its run at the Pinter until 9th September.

Wicked stars in Little Women Charity Concert along with Helena Blackman, Daniel Boys, Sarah Lark and Samantha Barks

After West End Live on Sunday 24th June 2012 (this Sunday) there will be a special, one off Charity Concert of Little Women at the Playhouse Theatre at 7.30pm. The special adaptation will star Gina Beck, Shona Lindsay, Helena Blackman, Norma Bowman, Daniel Boys, Nikki Davis-Jones, Sarah Lark, Jon Robynsand and Lisa-Anne Wood. The concert will also include a guest appearance from Samantha Barks who recently completed filming the Les Miserables film.

Little Women was written by Louisa-May Allcott in 1868 and has stood the test of time, still being a popular story with today's teenagers. It tells the story of four sisters, Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy, who through a series of happy, and sad, events, grow up into 'little women'. It is said that the story is loosely based on the childhood of the author, Louisa-May Alcott and her experiences with her three sisters. The story follows the sisters through love, marriage, illness, death, and the inevitable move away from the childhood home

.
The full cast is:
Gina Beck - Meg
Helena Blackman - Belle Gardner
Norman Bowman - Professor Bhaer
Daniel Boys - Laurie
Nikki Davis-Jones - Jo
Sarah Lark - Beth
Shona Lindsay - Marmee
Jon Robyns - John Brooke
Lisa-Anne Wood - Amy
Guest performance by Samantha Barks
Supported by a specially formed GSA ensemble.
Hosted by Mark Shento

Little Woman is an incredibly moving musical which is beautifully written. The cast list of this special one off charity concert is mind blowing. What a fantastic opportunity to see such a inspirational group of performers on the same stage performing such a heart wrenching show.