Welcome back to Discount Theatre’s podcast, your source of all the latest theatre news, interviews and gossip as well as information about great offers on West End Shows.
This month, we’re doing things a little differently as we bring you an Interview with legendary British actor Sir Ian McKellen who is currently starring in Waiting for Godot in the West End.
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*URGENT* The final performace of Waiting for Godot in London is on April 4th, prior to a world tour. Use the link below to make sure you don’t miss out.
Get Your Waiting for Godot Tickets Before They’re All Gone
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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:
- An Ibsen classic about to open at the Duchess Theatre
- The Sex and The City star returning to perform in the West End
- And the reality TV contestants who are to play the lead roles in Wicked.
- Firstly, let’s find out what’s been happening in the world of theatre over the last little while
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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…
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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:
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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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This month we bring you the news and gossip including Kevin Spacey’s latest venture at the Old Vic, the return of West End favorite to the Adelphi Theatre and the next production coming to the Open Air theatre, just in time for what hopefully should be some summer weather.
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Show Notes
The News
- Thriller Live - A musical tribute to Michael Jackson.
- Too Close to the Sun - A musical dramatisation of Ernest Hemingway’s last years.
- The Rat Pack - One of the most loved shows of recent memory will be back at the Adelphi Theatre for a limited run.
- Inherit The Wind - Kevin Spacey is back!
- Hairspray - West End Legend Michael Ball is currently dressing up as a woman on stage in Hairspray, but he is preparing to hand the role over to Brian Conley.
- Prick Up Your Ears - Matt Lucas of Little Britain fame will play Kenneth Halliwell in this new play
- Hello Dolly! - A Broadway classic is set to run in one of London’s most sought after venues; The Open Air Theatre in Regent’s Park.
Spotlight Show
- The Woman In Black - The thriller Woman in Black has celebrated 20 years running at the Fortune Theatre, which makes it the 2nd longest West End play, behind Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap which has lasted 57 years in the West End.
Gossip
- The Bodyguard The Musical - If all goes ahead, it’s due to appear in the West End in the Spring of 2011 and will no doubt feature one of the biggest selling singles of all time “ I Will Always Love You”.
- Minsky’s - Bob Martin of Drowsy Chaperone fame has written a new musical set in 1930’s New York about a burlesque house that the local authority is trying to shut down.
- Les Miserables Tour - The tour will celebrate the 25th anniversary of Les Mis and will include new sets and costumes, but will not include Susan Boyle singing “I Dreamed a Dream”
Offer of the Month
- This month we are featuring a very special promotion in which customers receive a free hotel 3 star hotel room when a top price ticket is bought for selected shows. Valid from the 6th July to the 12th September, the free hotel offer includes many top selling shows, including Hairspray, Sister Act and Wicked. With prices as low as £45 per person, per night this is a fantastic offer you won’t want to miss. Space is limited, so check out discount theatre today!
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…
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…
Any theatre fan will have watched the BBC program I’d Do Anything, which featured a search for the role of Nancy in the British classic Oliver! One year on, Oliver! Is a sell out show, which stars Jody Prenger as Nancy and Rowan Atkinson as Fagin. We sat down for a quick chat with Jodie, to find out how she is enjoying West End stardom.
As mentioned, there’s still some tickets left for Oliver, make sure you get your hands on one so you don’t have to pick a pocket or two!
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This month, we managed to snag an interview with the cast of Spring Awakening, the story of teen angst and burgeoning sexual desires that has become the latest West End sensation and had all of the critics raving with 5 star reviews.
We also have a personalised account of the long awaited opening of Calendar Girls at the Noel Coward theatre. Our podfather Ashley was at the opening night and gives his review of the show.
And of course we bring you the West End news, to keep you informed of happenings in theatreland.
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Show Notes
The News
- Sister Act - Sister Acts starts previewing from 7th May. Check out Discount Theatre for a fantastic Sister Act meal deal: buy a top price ticket and get a 2 course meal for free!
- La Clique Announces Closing Date - You still have time to catch the show, before it’s forcibly removed. General admission seats are reduced to £22.50 for most performances so take a look at Discount Theatre for more info.
- Shout - Shout contains fantastic 1960’s anthems including DOWNTOWN, SON OF A PREACHER MAN, I ONLY WANNA BE WITH YOU, THESE BOOTS ARE MADE FOR WALKIN’, YOU DON’T HAVE TO SAY YOU LOVE ME, celebrating an era that baby boomers are proud of, and everyone else wishes they could have been part of. Tickets are available from only £15, so it’s a bargain you definitely don’t want to miss!
Spotlight Show
- Calendar Girls - Ashley talks the premiere of Calendar Girls.
Spring Awakening Interview
- As featured in last month’s news, we highlighted the teenage angst filled musical Spring Awakening, which is proving to be a groundbreaking force as it transferred to the Novello Theatre last month. The reviewers raved, giving it glowing reviews and boosting its status as one of the most original, dynamic musicals being performed today. We went to talk to the cast. Spring Awakening Tickets
Spring Awakening in full swing!
Episode 1: The one with the Hemorrhoid gag! - Ashley and Charlie share their plans for the “Discount Theatre News” Podcast, plus they get to grips with all the latest theatre gossip and a theory on why certain shows received such long standing ovations
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Show Notes
The News
- Spring Awakening - A hot, sexy, and scintillating new musical that just hit the Novello Theatre
- Priscilla Queen Of The Desert - Opened at the Palace Theatre on 23rd March, starring Jason Donovan, Oliver Thornton, and Tony Sheldon
- Avenue Q - Moving to the Gielgud Theatre this June
- Waiting for Godot - Starring Sir Patrick Stewart, and Sir Ian McKellan, the show will open at the Haymarket Theatre on the 6th of May for a limited season
Spotlight Show
- La Clique - 2009 Olivier Award Winner for Best Entertainment
Theatre Gossip
- Ghost The Musical will premiere in the West End in 2010, and Matthew Warchus (Lord Of the Rings) is to direct
- Legally Blonde - Coming to this West End at the End of year
Offer of the Month
- Billy Elliot - from the 27th of April to the 19th of June for only £39.50 per ticket! That’s a savings of over £20 per ticket
Discount Theatre News will be broadcasting on a monthly basis, so you can get your monthly Theatre fix every 30 days on the blog or delivered directly into iTunes.
Meet the Podfather and Mother (Ashley and Charlie)
