As this is my first post it covers slightly more than a week
This week has been a rather big one in the theatre world. The freshest news came today that Michael Gambon will be retiring from the stage. Gambon, best known in recent years for playing Dumbledore in the latter six Harry Potter films, has stated that due to memory loss, he is finding it increasingly difficult to remember his lines, therefore live theatre just isn’t an option any more. Whilst this is a great shame, he will continue with his screen work though, and can be seen in the Sky Atlantic series Fortitude.
Following the announcement that Made In Dagenham will be closing and leaving the Adelphi Theatre on 11th April, we now know what will be filling the stage, or should I say boots! Cyndi Lauper and Harvey Firestein’s Kinky Boots, another film-to-stage musical set in a British factory, will begin previews on 21st August with press night on 15th September. Another Broadway import opening this year is Elf: The Musical, which will open at the Dominion Theatre on 5th November following previews from 24th October. It will be a limited run lasting 10 weeks and closing on 2nd January 2016.
Other prolific shows that have been announced are The Trial, The Car Man and Beautiful Thing. Kafka’s The Trial will star Rory Kinnear and run at the Young Vic from 19th June to 8th August. Matthew Bourne’s The Car Man starring Jonathan Olliver and Zizi Strallen will tour the UK for 16 weeks, beginning in Bromley on 16th April. Jonathan Harvey’s Beautiful Thing will tour the UK for 18 weeks, beginning in Canterbury on 23rd March, with a 5 week stop at London’s Arts Theatre from 3rd June. It has also been announced that John Owen-Jones will play the role of Pirelli in the ENO’s upcoming production of Sweeney Todd, joining Emma Thompson, Bryn Terfel and Philip Quast.
Photo credits: The Standard, Fan Share, O&M Co.
IBU LANGOO 