Goodbye to Leicester Square!

So we’ve broken the back of what we will call “Summer 2009” and are headed into the Autumn. Soon the crowds will disappear from Leicester Square and the air will be slightly cooler as the leaves start to change colour. Change is definitely in the air.

The West End is also full of change due to many new productions that are opening in the next month or so, making an exciting scene for theatre lovers. I thought I would do a little list of my top picks for Autumn 2009.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s – Theatre Royal Haymarket

Who doesn’t love the film starring Audrey Hepburn? And what man doesn’t love Anna Friel? Both will be on stage starting in September as Friel takes on the role of Holly Golightly in the theatrical adaptation. My boyfriend is already begging me to get tickets. Girls and guys will both be pleased with this one.

The Shawshank Redemption – Wyndhams Theatre

Ok, so another film becomes a stage production, but the story is a cracker. Kevin Anderson (Sleeping With The Enemy) and Reg E Cathey (The Wire) will star as prison inmates who form a bond and make the best of the grim atmosphere.

Prick Up Your Ears – Comedy Theatre

Matt Lucas of Little Britain comes to the stage in a historical dramatisation of playwright Joe Orton and his lover Kenneth Halliwell. Expect sharp banter and darkly comic moments as the pair struggle to cope with Orton’s fame and Halliwell’s distaste for mundane domesticity.

Kevin Spacey stars in Inherit The Wind at the Old Vic Theatre

Inherit The Wind – Old Vic Theatre

Kevin Spacey is back on stage to mark the 150th anniversary of Darwinism in Inherit The Wind. In 1925 a teacher is accused of violating Tennessee state laws by teaching evolution to his students. Is freedom of thought on trial in the supposed land of the free? The legendary Trevor Nunn directs… I suspect this will be gripping stuff.

The Rat Pack – Adelphi Theatre

Admittedly, a re-entry onto the scene but I will be going again to see The Rat Pack for sure. This tribute show will delight those with a nostalgic streak, with songs such as My Way, That’s Amore and Mr. Bojangles. And the Christmas show is even better.

The Rise and Fall of Little Voice – Vaudeville Theatre

Another West End revival is set to make an appearance in October, The Rise And Fall of Little Voice, which premiered at the National Theatre in 1992 and was subsequently made into a film, is back for a limited run. This time Lesley Sharp, Marc Warren and Diana Vickers (from last year’s X factor) will perform the lead roles. Reality TV fans will be lining up to get tickets. 

Lesley Sharp, Marc Warren and Diana Vickers will star in "Little Voice" which previews from the 8th October.

Make a note of the above, it’s set to be a great time for London theatre. Discount tickets are available for many new shows so check them out here. And if you disagree, by all means let us know which shows you are looking forward to. For now, I’m going to continue packing up my desk…..

Will it be an amazing autumn for a surprise summer hit?

Dreamboats and Petticoats, currently playing at the Savoy Theatre, has now extended until the 31st October.

This light hearted and fun musical is based on a compilation album of 1950’s music that was released in the UK a few years back and became one of the best selling albums of recent memory. Some have dubbed it the British version of Grease, with it’s rock and roll music and teenage characters who attend a high school in Essex.

For many, it’s a trip down memory lane with songs such as The Locomotion, What A Wonderful World, and Let’s Twist Again. For others, an enjoyment of recognisable and upbeat songs being performed live on stage. Whatever the appeal, Dreamboats and Petticoats original 6 week run has sold so many tickets throughout summer, it obviously warrants an extension!

Dreamboats and Petticoats is booking until the 31st October; it will then make way for Legally Blonde The Musical which will start previewing at the Savoy on the 5th December.

Save £20.50 on top price seats for all performances of Dreamboats and Petticoats. Book your tickets here.

This month we bring you the news and gossip, including the X-Factor contestant that will star in a classic British play. One of the most loved Hollywood films that is making a stage debut and another one of Samuel Beckett’s classic plays re-emerges:

*Click on the play Button Below to Hear the Podcast*

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Show Notes

The News

• Endgame - Samuel Beckett’s one act play Endgame will open at the Duchess Theatre on the 18th September starring Richard Briers.
• The Shawshank Redemption - The classic film is to make its stage debut as a play, and will start Kevin Anderson and Reg E Cathey (The Wire).
• Little Voice - British favourite, the Rise and Fall of Little Voice, is coming back to the West End in October for a limited time only and will star one of last year’s X-Factor contestants, Diana Vickers.
• Calendar Girls - Calendar Girls has just undergone a cast change, with many famous faces taking up the roles of the WI women who pose nude for a charity calendar.
• Oliver! - Comedian Omid Djalili has taken over the role of Fagin in Oliver!
• Theatre Attendance - London’s Theatreland is enjoying a bumper 2009

Spotlight Show

• Dreamboats and Petticoats - The unexpected hit of the summer season

Interview

• Avenue Q - Trekkie Monster, Preston and Lucy the Slut are still living on Avenue Q, but their main residence is now the Gielgud Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue. We were curious to see how the puppets liked their new home, so we popped over to say hello.

Gossip

• Too Close to the Sun - It’s said that a review can make or break a show; unfortunately almost all of the reviews of Too Close to the Sun ensured that it would die a quick death.
• Dragon’s Den - A few weeks back, a musical producer by the name of Josephine Buchan had a novel idea of raising money for a show about Dusty Springfield.

Offer of the Month

• Sister Act - Sister Act, the latest hit musical to storm the West End is now offering a special discount for September and October performances. Containing original music, Sister Act remains true to the story of the popular film, as lounge singer Deloris goes on the run and hides in a convent!

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…

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Some good news this week for those of us who work in London’s theatre industry. Despite disparaging economic times, West End theatres have managed to see an increase in attendance and box office revenues.

According to statistics published by The Society of London Theatre, attendance is up 2.5% on last year and there has been a 3.5% increase in box office receipts. It goes without saying that these results are fantastic considering most sectors are seeing decreases, as many businesses and employees began to feel the harsh effects of the recession.

The cast of Cat On A Hot Tin Roof which will open at the Novello Theatre in November

A good mix of blockbuster musicals such as Sister Act and Priscilla Queen Of The Desert combined with new plays such as Calendar Girls, have fuelled this buoyancy, providing customers with a wide range of theatrical subject matter. It also helps that many famous faces such as David Tennant, Patrick Stewart, Jerry Springer and Jude Law have made appearances in productions, raising the West End’s profile.

Other factors include the terms “weak pound” and “staycation”. Many Europeans are flooding to the UK to take advantage of the exchange rate, creating a rise in inbound tourism. As well, the staycationers that didn’t go on a holiday abroad are instead going on the road in Britain or taking day trips to keep the kids amused.

And of course the periodic monsoons don’t really entice people outdoors.

It’s only bound to get better for Theatreland, as we approach the traditionally busy winter season. With shows such as The Shawshank Redemption, The Rise And Fall of Little Voice, Legally Blonde, Prick Up Your Ears and Cat On A Hot Tin Roof all set to open in the next few months, it should be a very busy season indeed.

Kevin Anderson and Reg E Cathey will star in The Shawshank Redemption at the Wyndhams Theatre