London Theatre News

West End shows to take part in BBC’s Children in Need 2020

UPDATE: The Six cast performing are the UK tour queens. This includes Lauren Drew, Maddison Bulleyment, Harriet Watson, Shekinah McFarlane, Jodie Steele and Athena Collins.Ahead of this month's televised charity event, the line-up for this year's Children in Need has been confirmed. The live broadcast will take place on 13 November, with West End casts appearing, as well as performers including Beverley Knight.The Six queens will perform all together, just a few weeks before the residency at the...

‘Little Wars’ extends to December, starring Juliet Stevenson

UPDATE: Little Wars will receive an encore streaming period. Little Wars will be available to watch once more from 19 April - 16 May, with more information here.Following the livestream premiere of Little Wars, an extension has been announced. The digital revival will now be available to stream for an additional four weeks.The cast includes Sophie Thompson, recently nominated for an Olivier Award for her performance in Present Laughter at the Old Vic. Juliet Stevenson also appears, previously...

The top British Shakespeare actors

There's nothing quite like seeing a Shakespeare show. Integral to the canon of British literature, William Shakespeare's works really have stood the test of time. His plays went on to change the English language as we know it. Idioms like "heart of gold" and "green-eyed monster" originally derive from the Bard himself.From tragedies like Romeo and Juliet, comedies like Measure for Measure, and histories like King John, everyone's got their favourite Shakespeare play. But, do you have a favourite...

‘From Here to Eternity’ livestream taking place this weekend

From Here To Eternity is the latest full-length musical to be streamed online, courtesy of The Shows Must Go On YouTube channel. The West End musical will be live from 7pm on 6 November, available for 48 hours.Based on James Jones' novel, From Here To Eternity documents the American atmosphere at the time of the Pearl Harbor attack. The lives of a private and his platoon sergeant are set on a brand new course, which they're unable to control.The musical features a book by Bill Oakes, with music...

Eleanor Lloyd to take over as President of Society of London Theatre

At the Annual General Meeting of the Society of London Theatre (SOLT), a new President was announced. Eleanor Lloyd will take over as SOLT President, succeeding Kenny Wax.Ahead of her tenure, Lloyd said: "Our theatre industry has a crucial role to play as the nation recovers from an unprecedented crisis. I am proud to be stepping up at this critical moment and committed to helping our vibrant and diverse community rebuild... I can't wait to welcome back our passionate audiences and I will work...

'Kings of Broadway' concert scheduled at the Palace Theatre in December

UPDATE: Sam Tutty, Grace Mouat and Jacob Fowler will join the Kings of Broadway cast on 9 December.Following an online concert that took place earlier this year, Kings of Broadway will entertain live audiences this December. The musical celebration will take place at the Palace Theatre on 9 December, just a week after the upcoming England lockdown is said to end.Over 30 performers will come together for the concert, celebrating music of Jule Styne, Jerry Herman and Stephen Sondheim. Styne wrote...

Theatres and arts venues in England to stay open for livestreams in lockdown

UPDATE: West End theatres are to close from 16 December, and London is now a "tier four" area. At the moment, theatres can still open for rehearsals and stream performances.Ahead of a four-week lockdown from 5 November, the government has clarified on whether theatres and arts venues can stay open throughout the period. Although live performances to an audience at the theatre will be suspended, theatres and arts venues will be allowed to stay open if they are continuing to be a place of work.In...

Socially distanced ‘Cinderella’ pantomime to open at the Turbine Theatre

Following a season of theatre on a jetty, the Turbine Theatre will reopen its doors later this year. The off-West End theatre will open with Cinderella: The Socially Distanced Ball, written by Jodie Prenger and Neil Hurst.Adapting the well-known fairytale for an adult audience, Jodie Prenger and Neil Hurst's new work will premiere at the Turbine Theatre. Lizzy Connolly directs, with performances from 5 to 23 December.Rufus Hound will star in the show, previously appearing in Everybody's Talking...

How does the UK lockdown in November affect London theatres?

UPDATE: As London has been placed in tier two, all West End theatres can reopen after the national lockdown. For more information, read here.Following the news of a second lockdown in England from 5 November to 2 December, all live theatre is currently suspended. Obviously, this is deeply gutting for all West End shows and London theatres that were gearing up to open their doors once again in November.Below, we've listed all the West End shows that were either due to open in November, or were...

Four new productions announced to be staged at Southwark Playhouse

UPDATE: Livestreams of Public Domain andThe Fabulist Fox Sister have now been extended, and will be available to 31 January.Following The Last Five Years at Southwark Playhouse, new shows to play at the off-West End venue have been announced. It includes a revival in "The Large", with three productions opening in "The Little" in December.Nick Payne's Constellations will be performed in "The Large" from 26 November to 19 December.* Ronkẹ Adékoluẹjo and Oliver Johnstone will star in the show,...