Review: Groundhog Day at the Old Vic

Groundhog Day

Old Vic

Reviewed on Thursday 18th August 2016

★★★★

In 2010 Tim Minchin set theatreland alight when his musical adaptation of Matilda premiered in Stratford-upon-Avon. The show went on to take the West End and Broadway by storm, and has now been seen by millions of people all around the world. Labelled by many as musical perfection, it was always going to be a tough act to follow.

PICS: Rehearsals for Tim Minchin's Groundhog Day starring Andy Karl

Rehearsal images have been released for Tim Minchin's musical adaptation of Groundhog Day at the Old Vic. The show opens at the Old Vic on 16th August (previews from 15th July) and runs until 17th September 2016. Check out the rehearsal images below (click picture to enlarge). 

Groundhog Day stars Andy Karl as Phil Connors, Carlyss Peer as Rita and Eugene McCoy as Larry as well as Leo Andrew, David Birch, Ste Clough, Roger Dipper, Georgina Hagen, Kieran Jae, Julie Jupp, Andrew Langtree, Vicki Lee Taylor, Emma Lindars, Antonio Magro, Carolyn Maitland, Kirsty Malpass, Lisa Mathieson, Jenny O’Leary, Leanne Pinder, Mark Pollard, Damien Poole, Jack Shalloo, Andrew Spillett and Spencer Stafford.

Groundhog Day delays first preview

Producers have cancelled the first three previews of Groundhog Day at the Old Vic due to the show's 'technical requirements'.

Performances were scheduled to begin on Monday 11th July; however, the first preview will now take place on Friday 15th July. Ticket holders should contact their point of purchase. 

Tim Minchin's musical officially opens on 16th August 2016. Following its London run, Groundhog Day will open on Broadway at a to-be-announced theatre on 9th March 2017 (previews from 23rd January).

Review: Jekyll and Hyde at the Old Vic

Jekyll and Hyde 
Old Vic
Reviewed on Thursday 26th May 2016 (matinee)
★★★★★

In 2014 I was blown away by The McOnie Company's inaugural production, Drunk at the Bridewell Theatre; since then Drew McOnie has been swept off his feet, choreographing musicals such as Bugsy Malone, Hairspray, In The Heights and Oklahoma! to huge acclaim.

Production Pics: Drew McOnie's Jekyll & Hyde

Production images have been released for the Old Vic's Jekyll and Hyde which is devised, directed and choreographed by Drew McOnie with music by Grant Olding.

The show is currently in previews ahead of press night on 25th May. Jekyll and Hyde stars Daniel Collins as Dr Jekyll, Tim Hodges as Mr Hyde and Rachel Muldoon as Dahlia. Simon Hardwick is associate director. Completing the cast are Ashley Andrews, Joao Carolino, Carrie Taylor Johnson, Anabel Kutay, Ebony Molina, Freya Rowley, Alexzandra Sarmiento, Barnaby Thompson and Jason Winter.

Jekyll & Hyde to release album

New dance thriller Jekyll & Hyde today announces the release of the score on Air-Edel Records. 

The album features music by composer Grant Olding and is available to buy from Friday 20th May.

Jekyll & Hyde begins performances at the Old Vic tonight (20th May) ahead of press night on 25th May. The show plays a limited run to 28th May.

Devised and directed by theatre choreographer Drew McOnie, Jekyll & Hyde reimagines Robert Louis Stevenson's sinister drama in an excitingly physical new dance production. 

Full casting announced for Groundhog Day

Full casting has been announced for Tim Minchin's musical adaptation of Groundhog Day at the Old Vic.

As previously announced the show will star Andy Karl as Phil Connors, Carlyss Peer as Rita and Eugene McCoy as Larry. Joining them are Leo Andrew, David Birch, Ste Clough, Roger Dipper, Georgina Hagen, Kieran Jae, Julie Jupp, Andrew Langtree, Vicki Lee Taylor, Emma Lindars, Antonio Magro, Carolyn Maitland, Kirsty Malpass, Lisa Mathieson, Jenny O’Leary, Leanne Pinder, Mark Pollard, Damien Poole, Jack Shalloo, Andrew Spillett and Spencer Stafford.

PICS: Rehearsals for Drew McOnie's Jekyll and Hyde

Rehearsal images have been released for the Old Vic's Jekyll and Hyde which is devised, directed and choreographed by Drew McOnie with music by Grant Olding.

The show opens at the Old Vic on 25th May (previews from 20th May). Jekyll and Hyde stars Daniel Collins as Dr Jekyll, Tim Hodges as Mr Hyde and Rachel Muldoon as Dahlia. Simon Hardwick is associate director. Completing the cast are Ashley Andrews, Joao Carolino, Carrie Taylor Johnson, Anabel Kutay, Ebony Molina, Freya Rowley, Alexzandra Sarmiento, Barnaby Thompson and Jason Winter.

Matthew Warchus confirms second Old Vic season

The Old Vic has announced artistic director Matthew Warchus' second season which includes world premieres, new writing, musicals, classic revivals and the Old Vic Variety Nights. There will also be a new strand of children's programming to engage the next generation of theatregoers.

Season 2 marks Glenda Jackson’s return to the stage, to play the title role in King Lear, directed by Deborah Warner. The Season opens with the world premiere of Samuel Beckett's monologue No's Knife with Lisa Dwan. 

Warchus directs the 20th anniversary production of Yasmina Reza's Art and John Boyega stars in a new version of Woyzeck adapted by Jack Thorne. In 2017 and beyond, look out for the return of Season 1’s dazzlingly funny, moving and inspiring show Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax, a 50th anniversary celebratory production of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead by Tom Stoppard, a world premiere adaptation of Ingmar Bergman’s classic film, Fanny and Alexander, adapted by Stephen Beresford, and a new version of Gilbert and Sullivan’s HMS Pinafore.

Further casting revealed for Groundhog Day musical

The Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye has announced further casting for Tim Minchin's musical adaptation of Groundhog Day at the Old Vic.

With book by Danny Rubin and choreography by Peter Darling, the musical is directed by Matthew Warchus who previously collaborated with Minchin on Matilda.

The show will open at the Old Vic on 16th August 2016 (previews from 11th July). As previously announced, Broadway actor Andy Karl will lead the cast as Phil. Joining the cast are Carlyss Peer as Rita and Eugene McCoy as Larry.

Harry Melling joins Glenda Jackson in Old Vic's King Lear

The Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye has announced that Harry Potter actor Harry Melling, who is currently starring in Hand To God, will appear opposite the previously announced Glenda Jackson in King Lear at the Old Vic. Directed by Deborah Warner, performances will begin on 25th October 2016.

Dates confirmed for Tim Minchin's Groundhog Day at the Old Vic starring Andy Karl

Dates have been confirmed for Tim Minchin's musical adaptation of Groundhog Day at the Old Vic.

With book by Danny Rubin and choreography by Peter Darling, the musical is directed by Matthew Warchus who previously collaborated with Minchin on Matilda.

The show will open at the Old Vic on 16th August 2016 (previews from 11th July). Tickets go on priority sale today (10th March) and general sale from 12th April 2016.

Second Old Vic Variety Night takes place this Sunday

The second Variety Night at the Old Vic will take place this Sunday (6th March 2016). Comedian Mark Watson (pictured) returns to host the evening of entertainment.

The line-up includes Jeff McBride and Eugene Burger, DJ and musician MckNasty and all-male vocal group Only Men Aloud as well as poet and comedian Tim Key, the Echoes of Ellington Jazz Orchestra and winner of the Brass Category of BBC Young Musician of the Year 2014 Matilda Lloyd.

The Old Vic's Artistic Director Matthew Warchus says: "Following the enormous success of our debut event last November, I’m delighted to announce the next date in this hugely popular series of Old Vic Variety Nights. I’m very happy to say that comic genius Mark Watson will return as host to lead us, in his inimitable style, through a fun-filled evening of the best in Comedy, Music and Magic. We’re looking forward to another wonderful evening in this wonderful theatre."

Casting announced for Drew McOnie's Jekyll and Hyde

Casting has been announced for Jekyll and Hyde devised, directed and choreographed by Drew McOnie with music by Grant Olding.

The show opens at the Old Vic on 25th May (previews from 20th May). Jekyll and Hyde will star Daniel Collins as Dr Jekyll, Tim Hodges as Mr Hyde and Rachel Muldoon as Dahlia. Simon Hardwick is associate director.

Glenda Jackson to star as King Lear at the Old Vic

The Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye has announced that double Oscar-winner Glenda Jackson is returning to theatre to star as the title role in Shakespeare’s King Lear. Directed by Deborah Warner, the play will run at the Old Vic from October 2016, with exact dates to be confirmed in April.

Production Pics: The Master Builder opens at the Old Vic

Production images have been released for The Master Builder which is currently in previews at the Old Vic ahead of press night on 3rd February 2016. Check out the pictures below (click image to enlarge).

A "searing and mesmeric exploration of power, control, death and life", Matthew Warchus directs David Hare's new adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s late masterpiece with the cast including Ralph Fiennes, Linda Emond and Sarah Snook.

Broadway's Andy Karl to star in Groundhog Day musical

The Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye has announced that Broadway actor Andy Karl has landed the lead role of Phil in Tim Minchin's musical adaptation of Groundhog Day. 

The role was famously played by Bill Murray in 1993 movie. As previously confirmed, Groundhog Day will premiere at the Old Vic later this year before transferring to Broadway in 2017.

With book by Danny Rubin and choreography by Peter Darling, the musical is directed by Matthew Warchus who previously collaborated with Minchin on Matilda. No dates for the run at the Old Vic have been revealed; however, it has been confirmed that Groundhog Day will open on Broadway at a to-be-announced theatre on 9th March 2017 (previews from 23rd January).

Daniel Mays & George MacKay join Timothy Spall in Old Vic's The Caretaker

It has been confirmed that Daniel Mays and George MacKay (pictured) will star alongside the previously announced Timothy Spall in The Caretaker at the Old Vic.

Directed by Matthew Warchus, The Caretaker opens on 6th April (previews from 26th March) and runs until 14th May 2016.

Mays and MacKay will play Aston and Mick whilst Spall plays Davies in Harold Pinter's play which premiered in 1960 and changed the face of modern theatre.

Disturbed handyman Aston has invited an irascible tramp to stay with him at his brother’s jumbled London flat. At first it seems that the manipulative guest will take advantage of his vulnerable host. But when Aston’s brother Mick arrives, an enigmatic power struggle emerges between the three men that is in equal parts menacing, touching and darkly comic.

Full casting announced for The Master Builder at the Old Vic

Full casting has been announced for David Hare’s adaptation of The Master Builder at the Old Vic

Directed by Matthew Warchus, The Master Builder opens on 3rd February (previews from 25th January) and runs until 19th March 2016.

Tony nominee Linda Emond and Australian actress Sarah Snook (pictured) will play Aline Solness and Hilde Wangel, joining the previously announced Ralph Fiennes as Halvard Solness.

Completing the cast are Charlie Cameron as Kaja Fosli, James Dreyfus as Dr Herdal and James Laurenson as Knut Brovnik. Design is by Rob Howell with lighting by Hugh Vanstone, music by Gary Yershon and sound by Simon Baker.

Rehearsal Pics: The Lorax starring Simon Lipkin & Simon Paisley Day at the Old Vic

Rehearsal images have been released for David Greig’s adaptation of Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax. Check out the images below (click picture to enlarge).

Directed by Max Webster, the show opens at the Old Vic on 16th December 2015 (previews from 3rd December) and runs until 16th January 2016. The Lorax has choreography by Drew McOnie and music by Charlie Fink.

Simon Lipkin (Rock Of Ages/Assassins) plays the role of the Lorax, alongside puppeteers Laura Cubitt and Ben Thompson, whilst Simon Paisley Day (Urinetown) plays Once-ler. Completing the cast are: Stuart Angell, Thomas Arnold, Miles Barrow, Jack Beale, Laura Cubitt, Caleb Frederick, Emily Houghton, Richard Katz, Anabel Kutay, Penny Layden, Melanie La Barrie, Carly Mercedes Dyer, Ebony Molina, Ben Thompson, Juma Sharkah, Silas Wyatt-Barke, Joe Evans and Jo Nichols.