Editor's Blog: Changes to Cats, improvements at Scoundrels & excitement about Kids Week

Yesterday (Monday 7th July), Andrew Lloyd Webber officially launched the West End revival of Cats which opens in December. 

Cats will run at the London Palladium between Saturday 6th December 2014 and Saturday 28th February 2015. The revival will see the original creative team, including Director Trevor Nunn, Associate Director and Choreographer Gillian Lynne, Designer John Napier and Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, reunited.

Discussing the show's return at yesterday's press launch, Lloyd Webber explained, "The four of us have been discussing looking at Cats again for what must be about a year. We wanted to rework the material and examine the show which really, literally changed our lives. Then I found we had this extraordinary opportunity over Christmas at the Palladium!"

Lloyd Webber is currently in the process of re-writing the music for two of T. S. Eliot's iconic poems which will see the Rum Tum Tugger transformed. Speaking about the changes and revisions to producer David Ian during the Q&A section of the launch, Lloyd Webber said, "I never was very happy with 'Growltiger's Last Stand'. It was never my favourite moment in the show, I have to admit, because I thought I got it a bit wrong - so I've completely rewritten that!"

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels confirms extension

It has been confirmed that Jerry Mitchell’s production of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels has extended its run at the Savoy Theatre until Saturday 7th March 2015. 

Robert Lindsay, Rufus Hound and Katherine Kingsley will continue to star as Lawrence Jameson, Freddy Benson and Christine Colgate throughout the new booking period. 

Sir Howard Panter (ATG’s Joint CEO and Creative Director) said: “We are thrilled with the audience and critical reaction to Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Night after night packed houses raise the roof with laughter and leap to their feet with applause for this new musical comedy. We have found the perfect home for this production in the lavish Savoy Theatre, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels has truly become the night out for theatregoers.”

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels extends to March 2015

According to The Daily Mail, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is extending its West End run at the Savoy Theatre until 7th March 2015. 

Robert Lindsay, Rufus Hound, Samantha Bond, John Marquez and Katherine Kingsley star in Jerry Mitchell's production. The show is based on the legendary 1988 film which famously starred Michael Caine and Steve Martin. 

The musical premiered on Broadway in 2005 but has since been reconceived and reimagined for British audiences.

Review: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at the Savoy Theatre

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Savoy Theatre

Reviewed on Saturday 29th March 2014

Filling the gap left behind by Singin' In The Rain and Top Hat, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels feels like a timeless classic, despite only receiving its first run ten years ago. This is not only down to the warm humour and elegant style, but also as the entire show is so slick - it's as if Dirty Rotten Scoundrels has been running in the West End for years.

The production's director and choreographer, Jerry Mitchell must be commended. He insisted the show had a thorough tech period and two Broadway style out of town tryouts which has clearly benefited the production hugely as every detail is polished and fine-tuned.

Set in the French Riviera, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels follows two conmen as they go head to head to pull off their biggest con, whilst fighting for the affections of millionaire soap heiress Christine Colgate.

Funnily enough, at times Dirty Rotten Scoundrels reminded me of Mitchell's most recent West End production, Legally Blonde (which I adored). Both shows are American but behold a British charm. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels works a treat with British audiences. Sadly I didn't see the show on Broadway, but I suspect Mitchell has injected British appeal into the show. He certainly deserves several awards for his terrific direction and divine choreography.

Interview: Robert Lindsay & Rufus Hound

Robert Lindsay and Rufus Hound are currently starring in one of this year’s most highly anticipated musicals, the UK premiere of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. The production is currently playing to regional audiences prior to its West End opening in April.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, which also stars Samantha Bond, John Marquez and Katherine Kingsley, is the inaugural production for Jerry Mitchell Productions. The show is based on the legendary 1988 film which famously starred Michael Caine and Steve Martin. The musical premiered on Broadway in 2005 but has since been reconceived and reimagined for British audiences.

Robert and Rufus play conmen Lawrence Jameson and Freddy Benson who compete for the riches and heart of the young impressionable heiress Christine Colgate. The roles were originally played by Michael Caine and Steve Martin who starred in the 1988 film directed by Frank Oz.

Full casting announced for Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at the Savoy Theatre

Full casting has been announced for the West End premiere of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.

Earlier this morning it was revealed that Samantha Bond will play Muriel Eubanks, a glamorous divorcee looking for love in Beaumont-sur-Mer on the French Riviera. John Marquez has been cast as Andre Thibault, Beaumont-sur-Mer’s Chief of Police.

They join the previously announced Robert Lindsay and Rufus Hound as conmen Lawrence Jameson and Freddy Benson competing for the riches (and even the heart) of the young impressionable heiress, Christine Colgate played by Katherine Kingsley.

Samantha Bond joins Robert Lindsay in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

The Daily Mail have announced that Downton Abbey star Samantha Bond has been cast in her first West End musical. The actress will star in Jerry Mitchell's production of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels which opens at the Savoy Theatre next year.

Speaking to Baz Bamigboye, Bond admitted that she found auditioning for Mitchell "absolutely terrifying". She stood and sang with her back to him. She said: "It was bum-clenching! I hadn’t sung in a show since I was Principal Boy in Mother Goose in Bristol, when I was 22. Inside my heart, there’s a 12-year-old girl who has always wanted to be Ginger Rogers." 

She has been cast as Muriel, an American divorcee living on the French Riviera who comes into contact with a team of con artists who cheat wealthy women out of their trust funds. It is believed Samantha will try and manage filming Downton Abbey around her theatre schedule.