Tag: West End

All the latest breaking news on West End. Browse THEGAYUK’s complete collection of news, articles and commentary on West End.

  • EVITA is returning to the West End

    Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s EVITA returns to London’s West End for a strictly limited season.

    Opening on Tuesday 16 September at the recently refurbished Dominion Theatre, the musical considered by many to be Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s masterwork will play for 55 performances only in the West End, with musical theatre and pop icon Marti Pellow playing Che, and extraordinarily talented newcomer Madalena Alberto in the title role.

    With more than 20 major awards to its credit, and the Oscar winning film version starring Madonna and Antonio Banderas, Evita has become iconic. It features some of the most memorable and best loved songs in musical theatre, including Don’t Cry For Me Argentina, On This Night of a Thousand Stars, You Must Love Me, and Another Suitcase in Another Hall. Evita charts the story of Eva Peron, wife of former Argentine dictator Juan Peron, from her humble beginnings through to the extraordinary wealth, power and iconic status which ultimately led her to be heralded as the ‘spiritual leader of the nation’.

    Marti Pellow, one of music’s most respected artists, plays Che, a character who reflects the voice of the Argentine people – linked to Eva by destiny; he brings conflict to the story of Eva’s rise to fame. For over 30 years Marti Pellow has enjoyed global success as the lead singer of Wet Wet Wet, as a solo artist, and now as one of the UK’s most acclaimed and respected leading men of musical theatre. Starring roles include The Witches of Eastwick, Chess, Jekyll & Hyde, Chicago and Blood Brothers. As a solo-singer, recording artist and with Wet Wet Wet, Marti Pellow has enjoyed virtually unrivalled chart success, with over 25 hits and three of the UK’s biggest number one singles, including the seminal Love Is All Around. In 2013, after 20 years apart, Wet Wet Wet reunited for a sell-out arena tour.

    Madalena Alberto’s musical theatre credits include the role of Piaf at the Curve Theatre and Fantine in the 25th Anniversary production of Les Misérables. Other roles include Lucy in Jekyll and Hyde, Carmen Diaz in Fame, Sam in Over the Threshold and Sonia in Godspell. The Portuguese singer-songwriter’s first album Don’t Cry For Me will be released to coincide with the opening.

    LISTINGS NEWS:
    ADDRESS – Dominion Theatre, 268-269 Tottenham Court Rd, London W1T 7AQ
    DATES – Tuesday 16 September – Saturday 1 November 2014
    TIMES – Mon – Sat @ 7.45pm, Thu & Sat @ 3pm, Mon 22 Sept @ 7pm
    TICKET PRICES – £25 – £65; Under 16s, £10 off top three prices Mon – Thu & Sat Mat
    BOOKING INFORMATION – www.dominiontheatre.com / 0845 200 7982

  • RIP | Viva Forever to close in June

    West End Musical Viva Forever is set to close at the end of June

    In a statement from the producers of Viva Forever:

    Producer Judy Craymer announced that VIVA FOREVER! the new musical, inspired by the songs of the Spice Girls, has posted closing notice at the Piccadilly Theatre for 29 June, 2013. Anyone wanting to join in the fun is urged to book tickets now and get down to the Piccadilly Theatre in the next eight weeks for a fabulous, feel-good night out.

    In a press statement issued this morning, Ms CRAYMER, said

    “It is with a heavy heart that we’ve had to make this very difficult decision to post closing notices for this original show which is blessed with one of the most brilliant casts currently on the West End stage. We set out to create a contemporary story that truly reflects our time; to take a satirical look at the underbelly of a TV Talent show and the chaos that ensues for a mother, her daughter and their friends, a theatrical event to embrace all generations both on and off the stage. Testament to that achievement is the standing ovation at every performance from an audience of families and friends all enjoying a great night out. The show has evolved since we first opened and is now brighter, lighter and funnier, but despite the wonderful audiences and extremely positive feedback we just can’t make it work. I’m so proud of everyone involved in this production. VIVA FOREVER! may be taking it’s leave for now in the West End but the legacy of Spice Girls will never fade.”

    Writer Jennifer Saunders added:

    “It is disappointing the show is to close. I am particularly sad for the cast and crew that have worked so hard to produce a wonderful show.”

    The Spice Girls said

    “We want to thank the cast and all the fans for their support, and although Viva Forever won’t continue in the West End we are thrilled that the thousands of people who came to the show had as much fun as we did.”

    VIVA FOREVER! is a feel-good musical comedy with a book by Jennifer Saunders inspired by the music of the SPICE GIRLS. Charting the trials and tribulations of wannabe girlband Eternity, the musical tells an original story as it hurls the audience headfirst into the final rounds of TV talent show Starmaker, where a panel of fame vultures passes judgment on our wannabe heroines while desperately clinging to the limelight themselves.

    VIVA FOREVER! is directed by Paul Garrington and choreographed by Lynne Page. The production is designed by Peter McKintosh, with lighting design by Howard Harrison, sound design by Bobby Aitken and musical orchestration by Martin Koch.

    VIVA FOREVER! is produced by Judy Craymer in association with the Spice Girls, Simon Fuller and Universal Music.

    Tickets for VIVA FOREVER! are available until 29 June 2013