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THE BOOK OF MORMON, SWEENEY TODD and THE BODYGUARD Among Shows Vying for West End Theatres

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West End theatres are likely to be at a premium next year, with the possibility of THE BOOK OF MORMON, SWEENEY TODD, VIVA FOREVER, THE BODYGUARD and more taking a bow.

Confirmed for a West End run is THE BODYGUARD, with its star Heather Headley announcing via Facebook that that "We'll start on the West End in London and then we'll move to Broadway (if all goes well - - I think it will)." Thea Sharrock is set to direct; Alex Dinelarius has penned the book, which is not a carbon copy of the film, though it reportedly retains some of its memorable soundtrack hits.

Meanwhile, Sonia Friedman (producer of the West End's Legally Blonde, Arcadia, La Cage Aux Folles, A Little Night Music, and many more) aims to take THE BOOK OF MORMON to London next year as well. THE BOOK OF MORMON features book, music and lyrics by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone. Parker and Stone are the four-time Emmy Award-winning creators of Comedy Central's landmark animated series, "South Park." Tony Award-winner Lopez is co-creator of the long-running hit musical comedy, Avenue Q. The world premiere musical is choreographed by three-time Tony Award-nomineeCasey Nicholaw Monty Python's Spamalot, The Drowsy Chaperone and directed by Nicholaw and Parker.

SWEENEY TODD also aims for a West End debut next year. The production of the oft-produced Stephen Sondheim musical, which debuted at Chichester’s Festival Theatre, stars Michael Ball in the title role. The cast also features Robert Burt, Imelda Staunton, Luke Brady, Lucy May Barker, Daniel Graham, Gillian Kirkpatrick, James McConville and Simeon Truby. The ensemble includes Valda Aviks, Will Barratt, Josie Benson, Emily Bull, John Coates, Robine Landi, Brian McCann, Tim Morgan, Aoife Nally, Adam Pearce, Vincent Pirillo, Wendy Somerville, Anton Stephans, Kerry Washington and Annabelle Williams. The Daily Mail reports that SWEENEY TODD will likely take the Adelphi after ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS departs.

The Spice Girls musical VIVA FOREVER, along with an adaptation of the film BRIDGET JONES' DIARY, are also on the lookout fot a theatre to house the productions - even the touring TOP HAT has its eye on a West End theatre next year.

Read the Daily Mail article here.