*2:22 — A Ghost Story* is set to return to London’s West End for a strictly limited 10-week. The play will open at the Gielgud Theatre on 25 May.

The play premiered at the Noël Coward Theatre in 2020, and featured Lily Allen, Julia Chan, Hadley Fraser, and Jake Wood. A number of famous faces have gone on to star in the production, including Giovanna Fletcher, Tom Felton, Laura Whitmore, Cheryl, and Sophia Bush, among others. This run at the Gielgud marks the play's seventh West End season. ...

'2:22 — A Ghost Story' to return to the West End

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A number of famous faces have starred in *2:22 — A Ghost Story*, including Giovanna Fletcher, Tom Felton, Laura Whitmore, Cheryl, and Sophia Bush. 

A new revival of *Oliver!* will transfer to the West End this December. Lionel Bart's adaptation of Charles Dickens’s novel will open at the Gielgud Theatre.

The cast will include Simon Lipkin (*Elf*) as Fagin, Shanay Holmes (*Miss Saigon*) as Nancy, Aaron Sidwell (*The Lord of the Rings*) as Bill Sikes, Billy Jenkins (*Dodger*) as the Artful Dodger, and Philip Franks (*Art*) as Mr Brownlow. 

The production will be directed and choreographed by Matthew Bourne, in collaboration with Cameron...

'Oliver!' to return to the West End in December

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Lionel Bart's adaptation of Charles Dickens’s novel will have direction and choreography by Matthew Bourne. It opens at the Gielgud Theatre in December.

When someone says the words "Moulin Rouge", what do you think of first? We tend to think of the lascivious, nighttime behaviour mixed with the lavishness and luxuriousness of a sizzling nightclub. If you've watched the film and even been to visit the Moulin Rouge in Paris, you'll love [*Moulin Rouge! The Musical*](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/23350-moulin-rouge-the-musical-tickets) at the [Piccadilly Theatre](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatres/piccadilly-theatre).

Baz Luhrmann's...

Everything you need to know about 'Moulin Rouge! The Musical' in London

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West End

Dom Simpson and Tanisha Spring play Christian and Satine in *Moulin Rouge! The Musical* in the West End. Read our guide to learn more about this spectacular show.

Nicholas Hytner’s immersive production of [*Guys & Dolls*](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/25504-guys-and-dolls-tickets) has announced its final extension at London's Bridge Theatre. The show will now run until 4 January 2025.

The production, which opened at the theatre in March 2023, recently won the Olivier Award for Best Theatre Choreographer for Arlene Phillips with James Cousins.

*Guys & Dolls* stars Owain Arthur (*The History Boys, One Man, Two Guvnors, The Lord of the Rings*) as...

'Guys & Dolls' extends performances through January 2025

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Nicholas Hytner’s immersive production recently won the Olivier Award for Best Theatre Choreographer for Arlene Phillips's work with James Cousins.


Find out the full list of winners at the 2024 Olivier Awards with London Theatre. The ceremony took place at the Royal Albert Hall on 14 April.

Jamie Lloyd's *Sunset Boulevard* won big on the night, with seven awards including Best Actress in a Musical for Nicole Scherzinger for her turn as Norma Desmond, Best Director for Jamie Lloyd, and Best Musical Revival.

*Dear England, Operation Mincemeat*, and *Stranger Things: The First Shadow* all won two awards each.

Sarah Snook scooped Best...

2024 Olivier Awards: Full list of winners

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Hannah Waddingham hosted the 2024 Olivier Awards at the Royal Albert Hall. Jamie Lloyd's *Sunset Boulevard* was the night's biggest winner, and took home seven awards.

[*Heathers the Musical*](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/11652-heathers-the-musical) is set to return to the West End, as part of its third national tour. It will open at London's @sohoplace for a limited six-week run on 22 May.

The musical, which is based on the 1989 film of the same name, starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater, follows Veronica Sawyer, a high school “nobody” who dreams of becoming popular. When she’s taken in by beautiful but cruel girl group the 'Heathers', her...

'Heathers the Musical' to return to the West End

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The musical had its European premiere at The Other Palace in 2018 and returned to the venue last year, becoming the longest running show in the venue’s history. 


Ivo Van Hove's new musical [*Opening Night*](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/36785-opening-night), which is based on John Cassavetes’s 1977 film and stars Sheridan Smith, is set to end its run two months early.

The show opened on 6 March and was due to run until 27 July, but the producers have announced it will now close on 18 May. 

Producers Wessex Grove said: “It is an honour to produce this beautiful new musical in the West End, and everyone at Wessex Grove is proud to have delivered...

Sheridan Smith's 'Opening Night' to finish West End run early 

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The show, conceived and directed by Ivo Van Hove, opened on 6 March and was due to run until 27 July, but producers have announced it will now close on 18 May. 

The full cast has been revealed for the revival of Jerry Herman’s *Jerry Girls* at London's Menier Chocolate Factory. The show opens on 18 May for a limited six-week run.

The musical revue, which celebrates the life and legacy of legendary award-winning Broadway composer Jerry Herman, will star Olivier Award winner Cassidy Janson *(Bare, & Juliet, Beautiful — The Carole King Musical, Wicked The Mousetrap, Avenue Q*), Lyn Paul (*Calendar Girls – The Musical, Blood Brothers, Cabaret, Footloose*),...

Full cast announced for 'Jerry's Girls' at the Menier Chocolate Factory

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Olivier Award winner Cassidy Janson will star in the musical revue, which celebrates the life and legacy of legendary award-winning Broadway composer Jerry Herman.

The full cast has been revealed for Bartlett Sher's production of the Cole Porter classic musical comedy [*Kiss Me, Kate*](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/10471-kiss-me%2C-kate). The show opens at the Barbican in London on 4 June for a strictly limited 15-week run.

Joining the previously announced Adrian Dunbar (*Line of Duty*) as Fred Graham/Petruchio and Stephanie J Block (*Into the Woods, Wicked, Sunset Boulevard*) as Lilli Vanessi/Katharine, will be Josie Benson as Hattie, Jack...

Full cast announced for 'Kiss Me, Kate' at the Barbican

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The Cole Porter classic musical will play a limited 15-week run at London's Barbican Centre, and stars Adrian Dunbar and Stephanie J. Block as the leads.

It’s important to remember that in such a busy season in which plenty of plays and musicals were entirely overlooked and huge names were shut out of creative and acting categories alike, it really is a privilege for this year’s shortlist just to have been nominated. That being said, I still have plenty of thoughts.

## Best New Play
• *Dear England* at National Theatre & Prince Edward Theatre  
• [*The Hills of California*](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/36247-the-hills-of-california) at...

The Olivier Awards 2024: who should and who will win?

The West End’s most important night is just around the corner. Mickey-Jo Theatre takes a look at the nominees in some of the main categories, and gives us his predictions.

<a href="/actor-profile/jennifer-saunders">Jennifer Saunders</a> is set to star in a revival of Noel Coward's <a href="/show/blithe-spirit">Blithe Spirit</a> in the West End next spring, it has been announced.Directed by Richard Eyre, Saunders will play clairvoyant Madame Arcati who stages a séance at a writer's home with the aim of gathering material for a new novel, only to call the spirit of his first wife instead. The role has been played by any great actors, including Alison Steadman, Angela Lansbury and Penelope Keith.The production, which premiered at Theatre Royal Bath in June, is set to tour the UK with a six-week West End run at the <a href="/theatres/duke-of-yorks-theatre">Duke of York's Theatre</a>&nbsp;from 5th March to 11th April.Saunders, who is known for being one-half of comedy duo French and Saunders alongside <a href="/actor-profile/dawn-french">Dawn French</a>, has starred in the TV shows Absolutely Fabulous, The Comic Strip Presents... and Jam &amp; Jerusalem.The Bath production also starred Lisa Dillon, Emma Naomi, Geoffrey Streatfeild, Simon Coates, Lucy Robinson and Rose Wardlaw, who will all revive their roles, as well as designs by Anthony Ward and lighting by Howard Harrison.<a href="/show/blithe-spirit">Blithe Spirit</a> is set to run at the <a href="/theatres/duke-of-yorks-theatre">Duke of York's Theatre</a> from 5th March.<a href="/show/blithe-spirit">Blithe Spirit tickets</a>&nbsp;are on sale now.

Jennifer Saunders to star in Blithe Spirit revival in the West End

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Noël Coward’s classic comedy starring Jennifer Saunders

Pre Visit Requirements (ATG)

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Genre: Comedy 

Genre: Play

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*Blithe Spirit* is centered on novelist Charles Condomine, who is attempting to conduct research into the occult and clairvoyance for his next novel. The show was first seen on the West End in 1941, running for nearly 2,000 performances. 

The *Blithe Spirit* play sees Charles invite a group of eccentric individuals for dinner. Part of the esteemed crowd is Madame Arcati, who conjures up spirits from the dead. But nobody’s expecting Arcati to resurrect the spirit of Charles’ ex-wife. Chaos ensues around the table in this hit British comedy, considered to be one of Noël Coward’s finest.

*Blithe Spirit* is a popular choice of play in London. In 2014, Angela Lansbury played the role of Madame Arcati, alongside Jemima Rooper, Janie Dee, and Charles Edwards in the cast. *Blithe Spirit* even toured the UK in 2011, starring Alison Steadman. This *Blithe Spirit* London production first began at Theatre Royal Bath. This production brings *Blithe Spirit* back to the West End after its run at the Duke of York’s Theatre was interrupted due to the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020. 

*Blithe Spirit* isn’t just a stage play, though. It’s also been adapted for film, television, and radio. The first *Blithe Spirit* film was released in 1945, and it was adapted by Noël Coward himself. The 2020 *Blithe Spirit* film stars Dan Stevens, Isla Fisher, and Judi Dench. There’s even a musical — the 1964 musical *High Spirits* is inspired by *Blithe Spirit*.

The *Blithe Spirit* creative team includes direction by Richard Eyre, who has previously directed *Mary Poppins* and *Ghosts*. Scenic design is by Anthony Ward, with lighting design by Howard Harrison and sound design by John Leonard, and illusions by Paul Kieve. The [London Theatre review of Blithe Spirit in London in 2020 reads](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/reviews/review-blithe-spirit-starring-jennifer-saunders-at-the-duke-of-yorks-theatre), “Eyre's production - and the wives themselves - achieve liftoff, literally so, in the second half when Anthony Ward's set and Paul Kieve's illusions provide a memorable comic finale.” 

## Pre Visit Requirements

__Mask__

We recommend that you wear a mask while inside this venue.

__Proof of vaccine and/or test__

You are required to show proof of a negative Covid-19 test or proof of vaccination in order to attend this performance.

__Health check__

When you arrive at this venue, you may be asked to fill out a health questionnaire or have your temperature taken.

__Covid safety__

This venue has additional Covid-19 safety measures in place to ensure the health and well-being of the staff, performers, and guests.

This venue is complying with the latest industry See It Safely guidelines.

Blithe Spirit - LT

We all wish we could conjure up someone from the dead. Even if we could, it’d be pretty difficult to reunite with the certain person you dream of having one more conversation. So when a medium brings up an unexpected guest at a polite dinner party, things are going to get tricky. Make sure you’ve got your place around the dinner table.

Noël Coward’s *Blithe Spirit* play starts off with novelist Charles Condomine. Struggling for creative ideas for his latest big hit, he invites Madame Arcati around for a dinner with him and his second wife, Ruth. During the dinner, Arcati manages to make contact with the dead, which seems great at first. The seance has worked! That’s until Charles realises it’s his first wife, Elvira. Life for those in Blithe Spirit is going to change forevermore, but what can Arcati do? 

No *Blithe Spirit* London play is complete without a star as Madame Arcati. Thankfully, we’re treated to luxury casting, with BAFTA-winning Jennifer Saunders as the spiritualist. There’s a top creative team too, including the five-time Olivier Award-winning director Richard Eyre and illusions by Paul Kieve that suspend all notions of reality. You can escape the real world for a few hours with a trip to theatre to see *Blithe Spirit* in London. 

## What to Watch For

- When the *Blithe Spirit* play first opened in London, West End audiences couldn’t get enough. *Blithe Spirit* began performances in 1941, and ran for 1,997 performances. By today’s standards, it’d be one of the longest-running shows.
- This production of *Blithe Spirit* began as a touring production, which opened at Theatre Royal Bath. Other Theatre Royal Bath shows to come to London include *Oleanna* and *The Man in the White Suit*.
- Did you know that *High Spirits* is a musical adaptation of *Blithe Spirit*? High Spirits ran in the West End in 1964, and put Arcati as the lead role. Noël Coward loved the stage show!

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Jennifer Saunders stars as Madame Arcati in Blithe Spirit at the Duke of York's Theatre, charming audiences for just six weeks!&nbsp;Following a writer reunited with the ghost of a former lover during a séance, get ready to&nbsp;look into the crystal ball and see a twentieth-century classic performed on stage in this sparkling revival.<h2>WHO'S IN IT?: BLITHE SPIRIT CAST</h2>Jennifer Saunders reprises her role as Madame Arcati. Best known as one half of comedy duo French and Saunders and writing and starring in Absolutely Fabulous, her West End credits include Lady Windermere's Fan at the Vaudeville Theatre.The cast is completed by Simon Coates, Lisa Dillon, Emma Naomi, Lucy Robinson, Geoffrey Streatfeild and Rose Wardlaw, who will all reprise their roles from the Theatre Royal Bath production.This production of Blithe Spirit is directed by Sir Richard Eyre, director of the National Theatre from 1987 to 1997. Notable directorial credits include the original West End production of Mary Poppins, Guys and Dolls at the National Theatre and a Broadway production of Private Lives.&nbsp;

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Jennifer Saunders is one of the UK's most popular comic actresses. Her gleefully funny performance as the eccentric clairvoyant, Madame Arcati, delighted both critics and audiences alike when the production opened in Theatre Royal Bath's 2019 Summer Season. With a distinguished creative team who have won a plethora of awards between them, this is a&nbsp;Blithe Spirt&nbsp;full of sparkling and spirit-lifting hijinks.

In 2013, Richard Eyre directed the great Lesley Manville in a harrowing production of Ibsen's Ghosts at the <a href="/theatres/almeida-theatre">Almeida</a> that subsequently transferred to the West End's <a href="/theatres/trafalgar-studios-one">Trafalgar Studios</a>. The ghosts in that play are metaphorical, summonsing the parental legacies of a dead father on his son.Now, Eyre tussles again with the spirits of the dead in Noel Coward's 1941 comedy <a href="/show/blithe-spirit">Blithe Spirit</a>, but this time they take physical form when the late wife, and subsequently (mild spoiler alert) the current wife of a writer come back to haunt and taunt him, and each other. But in swapping tragedy for comedy, Eyre strains too much for comic eccentricity, and as a result, the comedy threatens to congeal instead of being liberated by it.&nbsp;That's partly a function of the extreme characterisation of Jennifer Saunders as Madame Arcati, the medium whose work at a seance summonses the women. The play was last seen in the West End when Angela Lansbury used it as a vehicle to make a long-overdue return to the London stage (after an absence of over 40 years) in 2014, and then aged 88, stole the play and our hearts by simply being there.&nbsp;Though Saunders generates some goodwill of her own as a beloved TV star and comedy writer (though it's best to gloss over her contribution as the book writer of the flop Spice Girls musical Viva Forever), it's not her fault she's not in the iconic mould of Lansbury, who was able to merely exist in a bubble of charm. Saunders has to add lots of strenuous business, and it didn't help that she kept reminding me of Ann Widdicombe, either.&nbsp;Fortunately, though, Arcati is not the entire play, and Eyre is on more solid ground with Geoffrey Streatfeild, a superb actor in plays both classical and contemporary, as the beleaguered husband, and Lisa Dillon and Emma Naomi as his current and former wives respectively. This is classic Coward territory of warring spouses and misunderstandings of communication between them.&nbsp;Eyre's production -&nbsp;and the wives themselves - achieve liftoff, literally so, in the&nbsp;second half when Anthony Ward's set and Paul Kieve's illusions provide a memorable comic finale.The production is booked into the <a href="/theatres/duke-of-yorks-theatre">Duke of York's Theatre</a> for a run of just six weeks as a filler in-between <a href="/show/touching-the-void">Touching the Void</a> that recently closed there and back-to-back openings of <a href="/show/the-doctor">The Doctor</a> (transferred from the Almeida) and <a href="/show/the-pillowman">The Pillowman</a> that will follow it. It's an odd new model for the West End, but demonstrates both the pressure on available London theatres and accommodating the schedule of its star attraction.<a href="/show/blithe-spirit">Blithe Spirit</a> is at the <a href="/theatres/duke-of-yorks-theatre">Duke of York's Theatre</a> until 11th April.<a href="/show/blithe-spirit">Blithe Spirit tickets</a>&nbsp;are available now.&nbsp;

Review - Blithe Spirit starring Jennifer Saunders at the Duke of York's Theatre

Jennifer Saunders in Blithe Spirit

Novelist Charles Condomine and his second wife Ruth are literally haunted by a past relationship when an eccentric medium – Madame Arcati - inadvertently conjures up the ghost of his first wife, Elvira, at a séance. When she appears, visible only to Charles, and determined to sabotage his current marriage, life – and the afterlife – get complicated.

Recommended 16+. Includes themes of an adult and sensitive nature.

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The Hills of California

Blackpool, 1976. The driest summer in 200 years. The beaches are packed. The hotels are heaving.

The Harold Pinter Theatre opened on 15 Oct. 1881 as a comic opera house. Its name on opening was the Royal Comedy Theatre, though its ‘Royal’ epithet was dropped in 1884.

The Comedy Theatre helped establish the New Watergate Club in 1956, a society which helped overturn the stage censorship enforced by the Lord Chamberlain’s Office. The formation of the Club meant that the plays banned by the Government could be performed at this venue as it was now being run as a private club rather than a commercial entity. Notable plays in this category include Arthur Miller’s *A View from the Bridge* and Tennessee Williams’ *Cat On A Hot Tin Roof*. The censorship was finally overturned in 1968. 

Harold Pinter's works were often performed here: *The Homecoming*, *The Caretaker*, *Moonlight*, *No-Man’s Land* and *The Hothouse* all enjoyed successful runs, and Pinter directed a production of *The Old Masters* here in 2004. After his death, it was thought fitting to bestow the honour of naming a theatre after him, and the name was officially changed on 13 Oct. 2011 to the Harold Pinter Theatre. The Ambassador Theatre Group own the Harold Pinter Theatre.

## Harold Pinter Theatre Seating Information

The auditorium has four levels – Stalls, Dress Circle, Royal Circle and Balcony. The top three levels are a horseshoe shape around the stalls.

The Stalls is a single block of seats, and offers good sightlines. Some seats are impaired by supportive pillars and the overhang of the Dress Circle.

The Dress Circle doesn’t offer a great raking in the seating, but the view is not affected by the overhang of the Royal Circle. 

The Royal Circle seats curve towards the stage more noticeably than the Dress Circle.

The Balcony feels very high in this theatre.

Jennifer Saunders to star in Blithe Spirit revival in the West End

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