Shakespeare in Love to open in Canada

Following its West End run, Shakespeare in Love is transferring to Canada. 

Lee Hall's play will run as part of Ontario’s 2016 Stratford Festival, with dates and casting to be be announced. Declan Donnellan directs the production, which is rumoured to be eyeing a Broadway run.

Shakespeare in Love ran in London between July 2014 and April 2015, with Lucy Briggs-Owen and Tom Bateman originating the lead roles. Based on the Oscar-winning 1998 film, Shakespeare in Love was produced by Disney and Sonia Friedman. 

Young Will Shakespeare has writer's block... the deadline for his new play is fast approaching but he's in desperate need of inspiration.

Interview: Lucy Briggs-Owen, starring in Communicating Doors at the Menier Chocolate Factory

Lucy Briggs-Owen is currently starring as Jessica in Lindsay Posner’s London revival of Communicating Doors by Alan Ayckbourn at the Menier Chocolate Factory.

The play sees a dominatrix (played by Rachel Tucker) who, in the process of fleeing for her life, stumbles into a cupboard and – thanks to the wonders of time travel – finds herself twenty years in the past. After realising lives are in danger, she teams up with Ruella (played by Imogen Stubbs) and Jessica to change the course of events. 

Lucy recently created the role of Viola in Lee Hall’s stage adaptation of Shakespeare In Love at the West End’s Noel Coward Theatre to tremendous critical acclaim. 

Her theatre credits also include: Times Olga in Fortune's Fool (Old Vic), Brooke in Noises Off (West End), Mrs Fainall in The Way Of The World (Sheffield Crucible), Vivie Warren in Mrs Warren's Profession (West End/UK tour), Cecily in The Importance Of Being Earnest (Open Air), Blanche in Widowers Houses (Royal Exchange), Sybil in Private Lives (Hampstead) and Cressida in Troilus And Cressida (Barbican/international tour).

Lucy’s work for the RSC includes: Helena in Midsummer Night's Dreaming, Maryna in Boris Godunov, Princess in The Orphan Of Zhao, Luscinda in Cardenio, Anne in The City Madam and Helena in A Midsummer Night's Dream.

I recently spoke to Lucy about why she has been longing to take on her first Ayckbourn play, having a giggle with her co-stars and her fond memories of Shakespeare In Love…

What jumped out for you when you first looked at Communicating Doors? Jessica is such a fun role!

Well I have been, for a number of years, a huge Ayckbourn fan and have been longing to do some. In fact, I can remember auditioning with speeches from his plays – Absent Friends in particular – for drama school. He’s something I hold dearly. So this meeting came up for Communicating Doors, which was very exciting, and I read the play and thought ‘that is absolutely bananas… but completely brilliant!’ Whilst it is farcical and terribly funny, it is also so very human at points and taps into some really big issues and thoughts about what it is to be human. It seems very absurd and funny on one hand, but I think it’s actually got a lot of meat to it.

Shakespeare in Love confirms West End closing date

Orlando James & Eve Ponsonby 

As Shakespeare in Love enters its final weeks at the Noël Coward Theatre, it has been confirmed that the play will complete its run on Saturday 18th April 2015 having played more than 330 performances since its West End premiere in 2014.

The production has been nominated for ‘Best New Comedy’ in this year’s Laurence Olivier Awards. The winners will be announced at the annual Awards ceremony which will take place at the Royal Opera House on Sunday 12th April 2015. 

Young Will Shakespeare has writer's block... the deadline for his new play is fast approaching but he's in desperate need of inspiration.

That is, until he finds his muse – Viola. This beautiful young woman is Will’s greatest admirer and will stop at nothing (including breaking the law) to appear in his next play. Against a bustling background of mistaken identity, ruthless scheming and backstage theatrics, Will’s love for Viola quickly blossoms and inspires him to write his greatest masterpiece.

Review: Orlando James & Eve Ponsonby star in Shakespeare in Love at the Noel Coward Theatre

Shakespeare in Love

Noel Coward Theatre

Reviewed on Thursday 5th February 2015

★★★★

Following its West End opening last July, a new cast have joined Disney's West End production of Shakespeare in Love. Based on the 1998 movie, Shakespeare in Love follows 'Will' as he struggles to write a play... which will eventually become one of the most iconic pieces of theatre ever written, Romeo and Juliet.

Photo Feature: New cast join Shakespeare in Love

Producers of Shakespeare in Love have released production pictures of the new cast who took over at the Noel Coward Theatre on 12th January 2015. Check out the pictures below (click image to enlarge).

The play now stars Orlando James as Will Shakespeare opposite Eve Ponsonby as Viola De Lesseps. The pair recently appeared together in Cheek by Jowl’s production of ‘Tis Pity She’s A Whore directed by their Artistic Director and Director of Shakespeare in Love, Declan Donnellan.

Sneak peek at... the new cast of Shakespeare In Love in rehearsals

Producers of Shakespeare In Love have released images of its new West End cast in rehearsals. Check out the pictures below (click image to enlarge).

From 12th January the production will welcome Orlando James and Eve Ponsonby as Will Shakespeare and Viola De Lesseps. The pair recently appeared together in Cheek by Jowl’s production of ‘Tis Pity She’s A Whore. 

The new cast will also feature: Nicholas Asbury as Wessex, Neal Barry as Henslowe, Richard Bremmer as Tilney and Sir Robert De Lesseps, Paul Brennen as Fennyman, Suzanne Burden as Queen Elizabeth, Ryan Donaldson as Ned Alleyn, Edward Franklin as Marlowe, Ncuti Gatwa as Wabash, Gregg Lowe as Sam, Andy McKeane as Ralph, Peter Moreton as Burbage, Joy Richardson as Nurse, Charlie Tighe as Nol and Stuart Wilde as Webster. 

Shakespeare in Love confirms new West End cast

Shakespeare in Love has confirmed its new West End cast who will take over at the Noel Coward Theatre from 12th January 2015. The production is now booking until April 2015.

As previously reported, Orlando James (pictured right) will star as Will Shakespeare opposite Eve Ponsonby as Viola De Lesseps. The pair recently appeared together in Cheek by Jowl’s production of ‘Tis Pity She’s A Whore directed by their Artistic Director and Director of Shakespeare in Love, Declan Donnellan.

Joining James and Ponsonby in the cast, Nicholas Asbury will play Wessex, Neal Barry will play Henslowe, Richard Bremmer will play Tilney and Sir Robert De Lesseps, Paul Brennen will play Fennyman, Suzanne Burden will play Queen Elizabeth, Ryan Donaldson will play Ned Alleyn, Edward Franklin will play Marlowe, Ncuti Gatwa will play Wabash, Gregg Lowe will play Sam, Andy McKeane will play Ralph, Peter Moreton will play Burbage, Joy Richardson will play Nurse, Charlie Tighe will play Nol and Stuart Wilde will play Webster. 

GOSSIP: Orlando James & Eve Ponsonby take over as Will & Viola in Shakespeare In Love?

According to the Daily Mail, Orlando James and Eve Ponsonby will take over from Tom Bateman and Lucy Briggs-Owen as Will Shakespeare and Viola De Lesseps in Shakespeare In Love at the Noel Coward Theatre from 12th January 2015.

Suzanne Burden will play Elizabeth I whilst Barney the dog will continue as Spot.

Shakespeare in Love extends to January 2015

It has been announced that Shakespeare in Love will shortly extend its booking period at the Noël Coward Theatre to 10th January 2015. 76,000 extra tickets will be released for the new booking period on Monday 1st September.

Based on the Academy Award®-winning screenplay by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard, Shakespeare in Love has been adapted for the stage by Lee Hall (Billy Elliot). Directed by Declan Donnellan, the show features a company of 30 actors and musicians. Tom Batemen and Lucy Briggs-Owen star in the leading roles. Design is by Cheek by Jowl's Nick Ormerod.

GOSSIP: Shakespeare in Love transferring to Broadway?

According to the New York Post, Shakespeare in Love could transfer to Broadway during the 2015-16 season.

Michael Riedel claims that as the show, which recently opened in the West End at the Noël Coward Theatre, is doing "brisk business" in London producers Sonia Friedman and Disney are "plowing ahead with plans for New York." 

Riedel also suggests West End leads Tom Batemen and Lucy Briggs-Owen "will almost certainly" star in the Broadway transfer. The West End production apparently costs 2 million pounds and Broadway version would come in at about $3.5 million.

Further casting announced for Shakespeare in Love

On William Shakespeare's 450th birthday, further casting has been announced for the forthcoming stage production of Shakespeare in Love. The show is produced by Disney and Sonia Friedman Productions.

Ian Bartholomew will play Tilney, Tony Bell will play Ralph, Anna Carteret will play Queen Elizabeth, Paul Chahidi will play Henslowe, David Ganley will play Burbage, Richard Howard will play Sir Robert De Lesseps, Harry Jardine will play Sam, Abigail McKern will play Nurse, David Oakes will play Marlowe, Patrick Osborne will play Mr Wabash, Alistair Petrie will play Wessex, Doug Rao will play Ned Alleyn, Ferdy Roberts will play Fennyman and Colin Ryan will play John Webster. 

They are joined by an ensemble including Daisy Boulton, Ryan Donaldson, Janet Fullerlove, Sandy Murray, Timothy O'Hara, Thomas Padden, Elliott Rennie, Charlie Tighe and Tim Van Eyken who will also be the production's musical director. Gaiety will play Crab the dog. 

GOSSIP: Hampstead's Good People starring Imelda Staunton to transfer to the Noel Coward Theatre?

According to WhatsOnStage, David Lindsay-Abaire's new play Good People, which premiered at the Hampstead Theatre earlier this month starring Imelda Staunton, could transfer to the West End's Noel Coward Theatre.

Jonathan Kent's production, which runs at the Hampstead Theatre until Saturday 5th April, would follow The Full Monty which is now scheduled to close on Saturday 29th March. Shakespeare in Love premieres at the Noel Coward Theatre in July.

Carey Mulligan & Bill Nighy to star in revival of Skylight; first casting announced for Shakespeare In Love

The Daily Mail has announced that Carey Mulligan and Bill Nighy will play former lovers in a West End revival of David Hare’s Skylight, directed by Stephen Daldry. Matthew Beard has also been cast in the production which will run at Wyndham’s Theatre for eleven weeks from 6th June 2014.

The Mail's Baz Bamigboye has also revealed casting for the stage version of Oscar-winning film Shakespeare In Love which has been adapted by Lee Hall. Tom Bateman will portray William Shakespeare and Lucy Briggs-Owen will play Viola de Lesseps, the young (fictional) beauty who helps Shakespeare overcome his writer’s block and finish what will become Romeo And Juliet. 

Stage adaptation of Shakespeare In Love to premiere at the Noel Coward Theatre next summer

It has been announced that a stage adaptation of Shakespeare In Love will premiere at the West End's Noel Coward Theatre theatre next summer. Previews will begin in early July 2014 with exact dates to be confirmed. Priority booking opens later this month and the box office will be open to the public in February 2014.

This new play will be adapted for the stage by Lee Hall from the screenplay by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard. Declan Donnellan will direct and the production will be designed by Nick Ormerod. Shakespeare in Love will be produced by Disney Theatrical Productions and Sonia Friedman Productions.