Editor's Blog: "Keep supporting theatre, it's where we still have magic!"

Michael Xavier & Joanna Riding
Photo Credit:  Tristram Kenton

The last few weeks have been a little quieter in terms of openings so I've had the chance to catch up with some new faces in familiar shows.

Last week I saw Gary Wilmot in The Pajama Game at the Shaftesbury Theatre who has taken over from Peter Polycarpou as Vernon Hines. It was fantastic to see how Wilmot has put his own stamp on the role, performing with great charm and striking stage presence. The Pajama Game is such a fun show and I enjoyed it even more second time round.

Joanna Riding continues to shine as Babe whilst relishing every moment. Michael Xavier was unwell meaning Understudy of the Year nominee Dan Burton stepped into the role of Sid. Burton played the part very differently but is equally as strong as Xavier. He really stood out for being an incredible dancer and belted out a tremendous rendition of 'Hey There'.

Those thinking of booking a trip to see The Pajama Game must sort out their tickets soon as the musical's limited run ends on Saturday 13th September 2014 to make way for the West End premiere of Memphis starring Beverley Knight (more on her shortly!).

Last week I finally caught up with Imelda Staunton's phenomenal performance in Good People at the Noel Coward Theatre. The play, which transferred to the West End from the Hampstead Theatre and closes tomorrow, gets off to a slow start. The first act is good, whilst the second half is hysterically funny yet also very moving. Staunton doesn't leave the stage at all throughout the play's entirety but showed no sign of tiredness; she gives the performance of a lifetime! I'm now even more excited to see her star in Chichester’s production of Gypsy later this year!

Watch The Pajama Game's trailer

Producers of  The Pajama Game have released a brand new trailer featuring the cast in action! The musical recently transferred to the West End following a hugely successful run in Chichester. Watch the video below.

Joanna Riding and Michael Xavier star in the production and, from next Monday (2nd June), they will be joined by Gary Wilmot. The Pajama Game runs at the Shaftesbury Theatre until Saturday 13th September 2014.

Review: The Pajama Game at the Shaftesbury Theatre

The Pajama Game
Shaftesbury Theatre
Reviewed on Monday 12th May 2014

Following a hugely successful run in Chichester, Richard Adler, Jerry Ross, George Abbott and Richard Bissell's musical has finally made it to the West End, sixty years after its Broadway premiere. This ballsy Broadway musical gleams with charm.

Sneak peek at... The Pajama Game

With From Here To Eternity closing on Saturday, Richard Eyre's production of The Pajama Game is currently preparing to open at the Shaftesbury Theatre on Tuesday 13th May (previews from 2nd May). 

Producers have released two exclusive videos, providing a sneak peek at the highly anticipated production. The first is a recording of 'Hey There' performed live by the show's stars Joanna Riding and Michael Xavier at West End charity concert You’ll Never Walk Alone. The song was specially arranged by Paul Hebert for the concert which took place on Sunday 2nd March 2014 in aid of the Philippines Typhoon Appeal. The second video features director Richard Eyre discussing why 'Hey There' is such a special number.

Both videos can be watched below:

Full casting announced for West End transfer of The Pajama Game

Full casting has been announced for the West End transfer of Chichester Festival Theatre's production of The Pajama Game, directed by Richard Eyre.

Peter Polycarpou and Colin Stinton will  reprise their roles as Vernon Hines and Hasler, with Gary Wilmot taking over the role of Vernon Hines from 2nd June. They join the previously announced Joanna Riding and Michael Xavier. 

The Pajama Game opens at the Shaftesbury Theatre on 13th May (previews from 2nd May) and runs until 13th September 2014.

Tim Rice's From Here To Eternity to close in March

Producers have confirmed that Tim Rice, Stuart Brayson and Bill Oakes's new musical From Here to Eternity will close on 29th March 2014 at the Shaftesbury Theatre.

Based on James Jones's 1951 debut novel that's best known for the 1953 Oscar-winning film that starred Burt Lancaster, Frank Sinatra, Montgomery Clift, Ernest Borgnine, Deborah Kerr and Donna Reed, From Here To Eternity opened in the West End last October. 

The Pajama Game: Meet Joanna Riding & Michael Xavier

It has just been announced that Chichester Festival Theatre's production of The Pajama Game, directed by Richard Eyre, will transfer to the West End next year. Joanna Riding will reprise her role as Babe Williams and is joined by Michael Xavier who plays the handsome superintendent, Sid Sorokin. 

Meet the pair below!

The Pajama Game confirms West End transfer starring Joanna Riding & Michael Xavier

It has been confirmed that Chichester Festival Theatre's production of The Pajama Game, directed by Richard Eyre, will transfer to the West End.

The production will open at the Shaftesbury Theatre on 13th May 2014 (previews from 1st May) for a limited season until 13th September 2014.

The double Olivier Award winning Joanna Riding (pictured right) will reprise her role as Babe Williams and is joined by Michael Xavier who plays the handsome superintendent, Sid Sorokin (Hadley Fraser played the part during the Chichester run). Click here to meet Joanna and Michael.

Richard Eyre said "The Pajama Game was the first musical I ever heard - on an album belonging to my sister when I was 14. I had never seen it until I directed it at Chichester. It was a long wait to discover what an entrancing, joyful, tuneful and sharp show it is."

Tim Rice searching for another theatre for From Here To Eternity - "the future's not all grim"

Last night the Daily Mail claimed that Tim Rice's new musical From Here To Eternity will end its West End run next April. Tim Rice has since taken to Twitter to confirm that the musical will close at the Shaftesbury Theatre next April. However, he also claims that if audience figures continue to build the musical may transfer to another theatre.

Rice wrote: "[From Here To Eternity's] future not all grim. We have to leave Shaftesbury April but if houses continue to improve we shall find a new home! Cast/crew on fire!"

It is believed that the Chichester Festival Theatre production of The Pajama Game will transfer to the Shaftesbury from May 2014. Richard Eyre's production of The Pajama Game ran at Chichester's Minerva Theatre between April and June this year starring Hadley Fraser and Joanna Riding. However, Riding will not be able to reprise her role as she is committed to Andrew Lloyd Webber's new musical Stephen Ward.

Gossip: From Here To Eternity to close next April, Chichester's The Pajama Game transferring to the Shaftesbury?

The Daily Mail has claimed that the West End production of Tim Rice's new musical, From Here To Eternity, will end its run at the Shaftesbury Theatre in April 2014, six months after it officially opened in the West End. The paper also suggests that the Chichester Festival Theatre production of The Pajama Game will transfer to the Shaftesbury from May 2014.

Darius Campbell and Rebecca Thornhill in From Here to Eternity

Tim Rice's first musical in a decade opened at the West End's Shaftesbury Theatre last month starring Darius Campbell, Siubhan Harrison, Robert Lonsdale, Ryan Sampson and Rebecca Thornhill. Adapted from James Jones's 1951 novel, the musical is described as a "gripping tale of illicit love and army life". From Here To Eternity unites the writing talents of Tim Rice (lyrics), Stuart Brayson (music) and Bill Oakes (book).

Theatre Gossip: Hadley Fraser and Joanna Riding to star in The Pajama Game?

According to The Daily Mail, The Pajama Game will open at Chichester Festival's Minerva Theatre in early 2013. In May 1954, the musical The Pajama Game opened at the St. James Theatre, where it ran for 1,063 performances. It opened in the West End the following year and played Broadway most recently in a 2006 revival starring Kelli O'Hara and Harry Connick Jr.