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BIO

Popular Productions is an international producer of quality theatre and entertainment with over thirty major productions to its name. Based in London and Dubai its producers are Lucy Magee & John Payton.



Most recently the company presented ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’ to huge success. This followed a Middle East tour of ‘The Woman in Black’ at the ‘First Group Theatre’ in Dubai and the ‘Al Jaheli Theatre’ in Abu Dhabi. Preceding this was the Timeout Dubai Nightlife Award winning production of ‘The Sound of Music’ at the Bahrain Summer Festival, BIECC. This followed the sell-out production of ‘OLIVER!’ (First Group Theatre). Other productions include: The UAE premiere of Stephen King’s horror ‘Misery’ starring UK TV and West End’s Darren Day and Yvonne O’Grady (First Group Theatre).

The 2011 record-breaking sell out production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s ‘The Sound of Music’ (First Group Theatre) and the Middle East premiere of Disney’s new musical ‘Camp Rock’ (First Group Theatre). Other productions include: ‘When Harry Met Sally’ (First Group Theatre ‘Fame’ (First Group Theatre), ‘Blood Brothers’, (First Group Theatre), ‘The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged (First Group Theatre)’ ‘Stones in His Pockets’ (First group Theatre & Centrepoint Theatre, DUCTAC), ‘Disney High School Musical 2’ (Centrepoint Theatre, DUCTAC), ‘Annie’ (Madinat Theatre),‘Disney High School Musical’ (Centrepoint Theatre, DUCTAC), ‘Blues Brothers Unlimited’, (Centrepoint Theatre, DUCTAC); John Godber's comedy 'Teechers' and Neil Simon's comedy musical 'They're Playing Our Song' (Madinat Theatre), Willy Russell's 'Educating Rita', (Madinat Theatre); The hit London revival of the West End comedy musical 'I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change', (West End and Dubai); John Osborne's classic play 'Look Back in Anger' (Madinat Theatre) and the critically acclaimed production of Stephen King's thriller 'Misery' which starred Susan Penhaligon and Michael Praed (Kings Head Theatre, London).

Productions

 
[London Fringe, 2005]
Producer

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News


NEWSIES, THE WIZARD OF OZ & More Set for Tuacahn 30th Season

Tuacahn Center for the Arts revealed its 30th season lineup, featuring fan-favorite productions, including The Wizard of Oz and more. See the full lineup of shows celebrating the theatre's anniversary and see how to purchase tickets.
Don Reed's THE DMV is Coming to The Marsh SF

Don Reed will bring his comedic take on the DMV experience to The Marsh SF this fall, offering audiences a humorous look at the trials and tribulations of waiting in line. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
San Francisco Ballet Brings Iconic SWAN LAKE To Madrid's Teatro Real

San Francisco Ballet has announced the principal casting for SWAN LAKE at Madrid's Teatro Real from October 15-22, featuring performances by renowned dancers.
Are Broadway Showtimes Getting Earlier?

This time, the reader question was: What is the deal with alternative show times on Broadway, like Oh, Mary!’s 5pm Saturday performance?
SENSE AND SENSIBILITY, ANNIE and More Included in Stratford Festival 2025 Season Lineup

Stratford Festival announced its 2025 season, featuring productions of HAMLET, THE TEMPEST, and A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM. The season will also include a new adaptation of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE.
Cygnet Theatre Announces Cast And Creative Team For THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW

Cygnet Theatre reveals the cast and creative team for THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, running from September 11 to October 20, 2024.
Photos: Upstart Crows Presents AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT

Upstart Crows of Santa Fe is presenting And now for something completely different a mash-up of scenes from Shakespeare and Monty Python at The Crows’ Nest (7 Caliente Road, Building 1 - enter through the Fusion Taco lobby), July 12, 13, 14, at 6:30 p.m.. See photos from the production.
Review: A CHORUS OF DISAPPROVAL, Salisbury Playhouse

What can be more cheering on a dreary, wet evening than seeing a jolly Alan Ayckbourn comedy?
Review: John Adams's EL NINO Finally Arrives at the Met After World Travels

Back in December, I saw the chamber version of John Adams’s EL NINO—dubbed EL NINO: NATIVITY RECONSIDERED—at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. Pared down to its essence, it was wonderful, starred two of the singers who made their debuts in the premiere at the Met, soprano Julia Bullock and bass-baritone Davone Tines plus countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo, who were at their best. It was a somber evening in a dramatic setting—a far cry from the oratorio/opera’s over-the-top welcome to Lincoln Center last night, in Lileana Blain-Cruz’s production that made me wonder what Franco Zeffirelli might have done with it. Think the Parisian throngs in Act II of the Met’s LA BOHEME (which, of course, is one of the Met’s most popular productions with audiences).
LUMINATION OF THE FORGOTTEN Comes to Hong Kong Rep

Lumination of the Forgotten runs from 18th May to 2nd June at the Hong Kong City Hall Theatre. Tickets are now available at URBTIX outlets.
THE ART OF CARE World Premiere & More Set for Mosaic Theater Company 2024-25 Season

Mosaic Theater Company is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a season centering iconic artists and new plays. See the full lineup and learn how to purchase tickets.
Seattle Opera Closes Season With THE BARBER OF SEVILLE

One of the most popular operas in history, Gioachino Rossini’s comedy The Barber of Seville returns to the Seattle Opera stage to close out the company’s 60th-anniversary season.
Auditions Scheduled For ANNE OF GREEN GABLES The Musical At Wake Forest Renaissance Centre

Auditions announced for the musical 'Anne of Green Gables' at Wake Forest Renaissance Centre. Open auditions on Feb 22 and callbacks on Feb 24. Singers and actors of all ages welcome. Rehearsals begin in March. Don't miss this heartwarming production!
Farmers Alley Theatre Presents NATIVE GARDENS By Karen Zacarias

Farmers Alley Theatre announces the upcoming production of Native Gardens in Kalamazoo, MI. Check out the press release for more details.
Tweed & Company Announces Their 2024 Season; A Stunning Lineup in Both Tweed and Bancroft

Tweed & Company announces their 2024 season with a lineup of five major theatrical productions in Tweed and Bancroft. Tickets go on sale November 21st.
National Theatre Live Will Release DEAR ENGLAND and VANYA to UK and Ireland Cinemas

The National Theatre will release two new National Theatre Live productions to audiences in cinemas across the UK and Ireland this winter. Following sold-out runs, Dear England and VANYA will be new to NT Live, alongside the re-release of Olivier-award winning production, Skylight. 
Review: MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE, Peacock Theatre

If using the relaxing music of dinner party favourite Sting as the basis for a wild and inventive hip hop dance show isn’t an act of iconoclastic bravado, then what is?
Photos: First Look at IOLANTHE at the London Coliseum

Following a series of successful hits which have cemented the English National Opera’s (ENO) place as a major home for Gilbert & Sullivan’s works, Cal McCrystal’s  Iolanthe returns to the London Coliseum for its first revival this October. Check out all new production photos here!
FROZEN, ANASTASIA, JERSEY BOYS & More Set for Tuacahn's 2024 Season

Tuacahn has revealed its 2024 season featuring five productions that have never before graced the Tuacahn stages. Learn how to purchase tickets!
IOLANTHE Returns to the London Coliseum in October

Cal McCrystal’s Iolanthe returns to the London Coliseum for its first revival this October. Learn more about how to get tickets here!

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