Well, we will all have to go and see the funny man take a stab (no pun intended) at a character that seriously loses the plot. Prick Up Your Ears will be on a regional tour from the end of August and will then move into the Comedy Theatre from the 17th September until the 6th December. Book your Prick Up Your Ears Tickets here.

Matt Lucas stars as Daffyd in Little Britain

One of the great plays of the 20th Century is crossing the ocean to take up residency at the Novello Theatre in December, causing excitement and concern…both The Drowsy Chaperone and Spring Awakening (Broadway hits) moved into the Novello with disastrous effects. Neither lasted more than 2 months.

Surely the Tennessee Williams play Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, will survive the seeming minefield that is a London audience?

This latest incarnation was a sell out on Broadway with a sublime cast, some of whom are coming to do the West End leg as well. No need to tell you about the Academy and Tony award winning legend that is James Earl Jones…he plays Big Daddy in the African American cast. But remember Phylicia Rashad? She was the mum on the Cosby Show, (one of the best shows in the 80’s) but is also a Tony award winning actress in her own right, for the lead role in 2004’s A Raisin In The Sun. Joing the Americans is Adrian Lester, of BBC’s Hustle who will play Big Daddy’s son, Brick.

This production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof is also directed by Rashad’s sister, Debbie Allen, who starred in Fame and won awards for her choreography on the film and TV series.

Despite the pedigree of the cast, the play should stand on its feet due to the story: a steamy American south setting and the politics of a family who has have gathered to celebrate the patriarch’s birthday lead to explosive altercations. It’s quite possibly one of the best known plays in American Literature and the chance to see a Tennessee Williams play on stage shouldn’t be missed.

Cat On a Hot Tin Roof previews from 21st November 2009 and is booking until 10th April 2010. Let’s hope that it is able to play out its limited run. 

Don’t miss out, get your Cat On A Hot Tin Roof tickets here.

James Earl Jones in the 2008 Broadway production of Cat On A Hot Tin Roof

Welcome back to Discount Theatre’s podcast, your source of all the latest theatre news, interviews and gossip as well as some information about great offers on West End Shows.

This month, we bring you the news and gossip, including:

The announcement of Anna Friel’s and John Barrowman’s return to the West End;

The triumph of a British musical that stormed Broadway;

And the surprise veteran West End show that is raking in the ticket sales.

We also managed to interview controversial talk show host Jerry Springer who is appearing in Chicago as smooth talking lawyer Billy Flynn. Stay tuned to find out how he feels about his West End stage debut and performing in such a successful musical.

Firstly, let’s find out what’s been happening in the world of theatre over the last month.

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Show Notes

The News

• Breakfast at Tiffany’s - Anna Friel will star as the iconic Holly Golightly in the stage adaptation of Breakfast at Tiffany’s at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. Friel was most recently seen in the quirky US TV show Pushing Daisies, and was in the UK soap Brookside. Breakfast At Tiffany’s will preview on the 9th September and is booking until the 9th January 2010. Book now to ensure you get your tickets.
• An Inspector Calls - Following the early closure of Spring Awakening, it has been announced that An Inspector Calls will play a limited engagement at the Novello Theatre from the 22nd September. Steven Daldry’s award winning production, has had extensive West End runs and tours, and is reportedly the longest running revival of a play in history. An Inspector Calls is booking until the 14th November.
• La Cage Aux Folles - John Barrowman of Dr Who and Torchwood fame will join the production of La Cage aux Folles at the Playhouse Theatre on the 14th September and will play the role of Albin until the 28th November. La Cage is currently playing to rave reviews with Roger Allam and Phillip Quast who will continue until the 12th September as the manager and drag queen who run the flamboyant nightclub. La Cage Aux Folles is booking until 9th January 2010.
• La Clique - Last month we brought you the sad news that acclaimed entertainment show La Clique had been ousted from its home at the Hippodrome to make way for a casino and restaurant. It has been now been confirmed that after a little break, La Clique will be back and will play over the Christmas Season at the Roundhouse Theatre, previewing on the 19th November and booking until 17th January 2010. If you still want to catch the current run at the Hippodrome, La Clique is running there until the 27th June and there are still great discounts. Offer: General admission seats normally £29.50 are reduced to £22.55
• Billy Elliot - The Broadway production of Billy Elliot has been nominated for 15 Tony awards in New York, thrashing the competition. Despite initial concerns over the American audience being able to understand the Geordie accent, it seems that the heart warming story of a boy ballet dancer, told through Lee Hall’s amazing script, Elton John’s award winning music, and Matthew Bourne’s stunning choreography, has won over the critics and the masses. The Tony award winners will be announced on the 15th June, so we wish Billy good luck. You don’t need to go to New York to see the show though- it is still playing in London at the Victoria Palace Theatre and is booking until 3rd April 2010. Offer: Until the 19th June Tickets are reduced from £60 to only £39.50 Monday to Thursday evenings.
• We Will Rock You - Finally, congratulations to the musical We Will Rock You as it celebrated its 7th birthday last month. Dubbed the Queen musical, We Will Rock You is still packing them in at the Dominion theatre. If you haven’t seen the show, and you may be one of the few, there’s no excuse not to rock out to one of London’s best selling shows. Tickets are on sale until 27th March 2010. Offer: Top price tickets normally £55 are discounted to only £32.50 Monday to Friday evenings.

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Spotlight Show

• A Little Night Music - The Sondheim musical opened at the Menier Chocolate factory to rave reviews which prompted a west end transfer to the Garrick Theatre in March, joining other Chocolate Factory success La Cage aux Folles.

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Chicago – Jerry Springer Interview

This month’s star interview is with Jerry Springer who is making his West End debut as Billy Flynn in Chicago. Chicago is the longest running American musical in London with a staggering 10 years under its belt. Springer’s character, Billy Flynn is a smooth talking lawyer who advises a series of beautiful and devious murderesses how to escape jail sentences and earn a fortune from their experiences – Max Clifford anyone? Charlie sat down with Jerry as he prepared for the role:

Offer: Jerry Springer stars as Billy Flynn until 11th July but Chicago is booking until 30th October 2010. Top price tickets normally £55 are reduced to £37.50 Monday to Friday and Saturday matinees.

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Gossip

• Les Mis/Susan Boyle - By now the whole world has seen Susan Boyle sing an amazing version of “I Dreamed a Dream” from Les Miserables on Britain’s Got Talent, and we have noticed a knock on effect from the You Tube sensation, resulting in sales for Les Mis going through the roof. Who knew that a performance on a talent show, could turn into some free PR for a West End musical? Although Boyle reprised her performance of “I Dreamed a Dream” in the Britain’s Got Talent Final on Saturday night, she was edged out by dance group Diversity, whose creativity and choreography blew, what was thought to be a one horse race, wide open. Regardless of Boyle’s second place finish (and some nasty run-ins with the press), Les Miserables can thank her for some free advertising; people are now flocking to see the musical which contains the song that launched Susan Boyle into stardom.

• Bridget Jones - It appears that another film will become a musical. Apparently Helen Fielding who wrote both Bridget Jones novels is working on a script for a musical version. It’s unlikely that Renee Zellwiger, Colin Firth and Hugh Grant will reprise their roles on stage but it is likely that audiences will love a musical version of Bridget Jones, and love it just the way it is.

• Love Never Dies - Andrew Lloyd Webber’s sequel to The Phantom of The Opera was due to have a simultaneous premiere in London, New York and Shanghai this year, but it looks like that has now been put off until 2010. The new musical, titled Love Never Dies will see the Phantom and his muse Christine return, but this time the locale will be Coney Island in New York.

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Offer of  the week

• Priscilla Queen Of The Desert - Until the end of June there is a fabulous offer on the fabulous Priscilla Queen Of The Desert. Jason Donovan stars in this rollicking and colourful stage adaptation of the cult film, which will have you dancing in the aisles. Be quick, because seating is limited.

Offer:
Top price tickets are normally £59.25 but until the end of June, they are reduced to only £39.75 for Monday to Wednesday and Thursday matinee performances.

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We’ll be back next month with more news, reviews and interviews about all of the events happening in London’s West End. In the meantime, don’t forget to check out www.discounttheatre.com, for great offers to suit everyone. Until next time…

We here at Discount Theatre Towers enjoy the view of Leicester Square from our offices. We get to see film premieres; there’s a nice fountain and a little bit of grass with some flowers; and the Hare Krishnas come by every night dancing and chanting away, providing us with some free entertainment.

But on the weekend of 20th to 21st June, West End Live will come to the “Square” which means two solid days of free entertainment, rather than the fleeting minutes that the Krishnas usually provide.

West End Live has been going for a few years now; basically many West End shows come to Leicester Square and perform a number from the show. This is rather useful in these cash strapped times; you can see little snippets of the show and test drive them before buying that all important ticket. Or you can just come and mooch about and enjoy a free day out. No one will walk around with a hat after each performance asking for donations for the ”free entertainment” (if you’ve ever been to Covent Garden you’ll know what I am talking about).

Some of the shows that are scheduled to appear are Avenue Q, Carousel, Priscilla Queen of the Desert and We Will Rock You, with many more on board. And if you find that you like the look (and sound) of any of the performances you can buy tickets from www.discounttheatre.com; many shows offer great discounts in advance.

In our office, we also get the pleasure of hearing the sound checks and a bird’s eye view of the set up for West End Live on the day before. We’ll be looking forward to hearing the beats of Stomp as we type away on our keyboards….

West End Live takes place on the 20th June from 11am to 6pm and 21st June from noon until 6pm. Admission is free, so no ticket needed to enjoy a sample of the best shows in the West End!

Avenue Q performs in last year's West End Live in Leicester Square