This morning I was taking stock of the shows on offer and realised I had completely forgotten about the return of Mrs Warren’s Profession. The play will start previewing at the Comedy Theatre on the 16th March. George Bernard Shaw’s most provoking and scandalous play (it was written in 1893, but banned until the 1920’s) is a great piece, highlighting the hypocrisies of the Victorian age that was slowly coming to an end.

The profession in question is the catalyst for the events of the play. Mrs Warren’s daughter has led a life of relative privilege, but as she moves into adulthood, she begins to question just how her mother was able to provide this life.

The play has long been on students’ reading lists and a source of insight into the late 19th century British society. The Victorian public image remains noble, but privately a fascinating underbelly is also presented, realising the duality of the era.

Felicity Kendall, who is appearing quite frequently in the West End these days, will play the infamous Mrs Warren. She’s a fantastic actress and will add an extra element to this classic.

Discount tickets are available for Mrs Warren’s Profession for midweek performances until the 15th April; top price tickets normally £48.75 are reduced £38.75.

Buy your Mrs Warren’s Profession tickets here.

It’s been many months of rumours regarding the possible Broadway transfer of Legally Blonde, and after a month of previews, the show opened at the Savoy Theatre last week.

Sceptics questioned the success of the show in front of a UK audience, but the popular press came and the popular press raved.

I’ve included some tidbits from the reviews below….all very flattering

Legally Blonde is booking until the 23rd October 2010. Book your Legally Blonde tickets here.

‘Hilarious. Brilliant. Truly Spectacular… Winning performances, sophisticated lyrics and a wit sharp enough to file your nails on.  This is the feel good hit of the Winter.’
-Daily Express

‘An instant hit… A box office bombshell!’
-Evening Standard

‘A wonderful new musical. Ridiculously enjoyable from start to finish. PERFECTION.  OMIGOD! I’m like totally going again.’
-Paul Taylor, Independent

‘A FEEL-GOOD DELIGHT! A HUGE HIT. Sheridan Smith is Glorious.  She brings vitality, warmth and great comic timing to the role. Legally Blonde the musical is right up there alongside Mamma Mia and Hairspray.’
-Charles Spencer, Daily Telegraph

‘A sparkly spectacle from start to finish.  HILARIOUS.’
-The Sun

The year is winding down and plans for the holidays are now pretty much intact; most people plan well in advance for this time of year and trips to London for West End shows are no exception. The week between Christmas and New Year is definitely the busiest time for theatre. Many shows are chock-a-block, but there is still some space to be found in the theatres for those last minute bookings.

I managed to make my Christmas plans very early this year. Yes, in May I booked a ticket to go back to my native Canada. My family is busy putting up the Christmas lights on our igloo and I’ll have to get my snowshoes and dog sled out to travel around town.

After all, I am from Vancouver.

I will be able to get the West Coast, but thanks to the impending British Airways strike, I may not be coming back anytime soon. Can you imagine? Blogging from the wilderness….how romantic eh?

So, as the year is quickly coming to an end, I started pondering what will be the big theatre highlight in 2010. Right now my bet is on Hair.

Critics raved about the Broadway production which is transferring to London in its entirety, including the American cast. One of the more risque musicals out there, Hair features a bunch of hippies who are in protest of the Vietnam war and introduced some of the most memorable songs of musical theatre including ‘Aquarius’, ‘Let The Sunshine In’, and ‘Hair’.

I first saw this musical when I was about 15 years old and I absolutely loved it. I then pretended to be a hippee for a while but eventually I got tired of wearing sandals in winter (besides I couldn’t wear my snowshoes with them).

Hair will move into the Gielgud Theatre when the equally risque Avenue Q vacates the premises in early March. Hair is booking from the 1st April to the 8th January 2010, just in case you want to get ready for next Christmas.

Buy your Hair tickets here.

Tennessee Williams’ classic play Cat On A Hot Tin Roof is set to open at the Novello Theatre on the 21st November, but the all star cast (see picture below) have just started rehearsals for this hugely anticipated production.

Cat On A Hot Tin Roof features James Earl Jones, Phylicia Rashad, Adrian Lester and Sanaa Lathan and is directed by Debbie Allen. The production was a sell out on Broadway and is sure to be a big hitter for London’s winter theatre season.

Last seen in the West End in 2001, Cat On A Hot Tin Roof centres around a powerful American family, who gather for a birthday party that explodes into a provocative revelation of secrets.

I can’t wait. Who can resist the legend that is James Earl Jones!

Don’t miss this one, buy your Cat On A Hot Tin Roof Tickets here .

After many months of speculation, gossip and rumours, Love Never Dies, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s sequel to his iconic The Phantom Of The Opera has gone on sale at the Adelphi Theatre in London.

We’re told that the story picks up 10 years after the mysterious disappearance of the Phantom from the Paris Opera House; famous opera singer Christine Daae and her husband Raoul have travelled to New York’s Coney Island, where Christine has accepted an offer to perform. Consequently Christine finds out that the anonymous person who has lured her to New York is someone she is well acquainted with!

Ramin Karimloo will create the role of the Phantom in Love Never Dies, having already performed the role in The Phantom of the Opera in London. American Sierra Boggess (who created the role of Ariel in Broadway’s The Little Mermaid) will play Christine, and home grown talent Summer Stallen (The Sound Of Music, The Drowsy Chaperone) will play Meg Giry. Tony award winning Jack O’Brien (Hairspray) directs.

Love Never Dies will preview from the 20th February 2010, officially opening on the 9th March 2010. The initial run is booking until the 23rd October 2010. If you are a Phantom Phan, buy your tickets asap. This show will sell out.

And if you haven’t seen the original Phantom Of the Opera and need to catch up on the story, it’s still playing at Her Majesty’s Theatre in London; it’s Phantastic 23 year run is a testament to the popularity of the original show.

Ok, I’m probably annoying you now with the Phantom puns. Book your Love Never Dies tickets here.

 

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.

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. 

 

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.

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.

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.

Deep down inside, we all knew it would happen, yet again.

At the beginning of July I mentioned the heat wave gripping Britain. People rejoiced; finally we would have a decent summer! We could go outside and enjoy ourselves and be warm and dry!

Ha ha ha. I should have realised a long time ago. Just because we have 3 days of 30 degree weather doesn’t mean that the annual summer monsoons wouldn’t come back. And they have with a vengeance. For instance, we at Discount Theatre towers had a prime viewpoint for the Harry Potter film premiere the other week; however, with the thunder, lightning and torrential rain beating on the windows there really wasn’t much we could see. Not even Emma Watson’s underwear.

Anyways, before we drown, let’s move on to the important stuff.

More blondes will be joining Sheridan Smith on stage at the Savoy Theatre this December. It was announced that Reality TV stars Susan McFadden and Aoife Mulholland will perform in the Broadway hit Legally Blonde.

McFadden participated in the ITV show Grease Is the Word and won the part of Sandy. She starred in the production of Grease at the Piccadilly Theatre with Danny Bayne in 2007/2008. McFadden’s brother is Brian McFadden of West Life fame, so the music talent runs in the family.

Mulholland was also a contestant on a reality television show, the BBC program, How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? She placed a very impressive 4th with Connie Fisher eventually winning the role of the Maria in The Sound Of Music. Mulholland then went on to star as Roxie Hart the West End production of Chicago and also became the alternate Maria in the Sound Of Music, performing two shows a week.

Throw in Duncan James from boyband Blue and Legally Blonde The Musical is shaping up to have quite a nice little cast. Best to get in early if you are a fan of one or all of these talented actors. Buy your Legally Blonde tickets here.

 

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!