Rent Remixed

Yet another 'juke-box musical' with a whimsical plot written around a collection of well known hit songs would appear on the surface to be a nightmare theatrical scenario. But Bill Kenwright's production of Can't Smile Without You currently playing at the Bristol Hippodrome during the early stages of its UK tour turns out to be a very pleasant and hugely enjoyable surprise. The enjoyment is due partly to the fact that the hit songs are by Barry Manilow - a vintage songwriter whose melodies always soar and touch the right emotional buttons - and partly due to some knock-out performances by an immensely talented cast. (more...)

Tickets On Sale Sept 23 For GHOST: The Musical

Tickets will go on sale on Thursday 23 September for Ghost The Musical which begins its West End run at the Piccadilly Theatre on 22 June 2011, with booking open for performances until 28 January 2012. (more...)

'Rent' Remixed at the Duke of York's

When Jonathon Larson conceived his ground-breaking musical Rent, he set out to create a serious piece of musical theatre with a rock score. Director William Baker and musical supervisor Steve Anderson have decided to 'remix' what has become a revered rock cult classic musical rather than re-hash the Broadway and previous West End productions. Unfortunately, despite some quite lavish new orchestrations and some great vocal performances, it does not totally work. (more...)

MISS POLLY RAE: The All New Hurly Burly Show Plays the Leicester Square Theatre February 23-28

February 2010 will see the UK burlesque sensation Miss Polly Rae, revolutionise the scene by taking burlesque away from small stage cabaret and onto the stage at the Leicester Square Theatre in Miss?Polly Rae: The All New Hurly Burly Show. (more...)

FLASH FRIDAY: RENT Returns & A Retrospective

In honor of the fresh, new Off-Broadway revival of RENT currently in previews at New World Stages, today we are taking a look back at the various incarnations of the Pulitzer Prize-winning rock musical by Jonathan Larson over the years - from the lighting-in-a-bottle original cast led by relative theatrical newcomers Adam Pascal, Anthony Rapp, Daphne Rubin Vega, Taye Diggs, Jesse L. Martin, Idina Menzel and more, all the way up to today and the new New York revival. We also look at the stupendous Blu-ray capture of the final cast of the original Broadway production, in addition to the Chris Columbus film version starring most of the original cast, live performances such as at the 2008 Tony Awards and the 1996 Democratic National Convention, some glimpses of both RENT and Rent Remixed in the West End and all about the very best documentaries on the show! After all, when it comes to reviewing RENT in all its guises, well, there's no day but today! (more...)

BWW:UK's Best And Worst Of The Decade - 2000-2009

As 2009 becomes 2010, BWW:UK's writers pick out their favourites - and least favourites - from the past ten years... (more...)

STRICTLY COME DANCING: Van Outen And Walsh Beaten By Gymnast Smith!

West End stars Denise Van Outen (Chicago, Tell Me On A Sunday, Rent: Remixed) and Kimberley Walsh (Shrek) were beaten by Olympic gymnast Louis Smith in the final of Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday night! (more...)

'Rent Remixed' Closing West End Run Early, Feb.2

The London remixed production of Rent has posted an early closing notice, scheduled to close February 2, 2008. (more...)

Leon Lopez To Star In A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC In Paris?

The former Hollyoaks star reveals on his Twitter account that he's set to star in the production of the Sondheim classic (more...)

GHOST THE MUSICAL Announces UK Tour, Beginning April 2013 in Cardiff

The smash hit West End musical GHOST the Musical, based on the Academy Award winning film, is to tour throughout the UK opening at the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff in April 2013. GHOST the Musical is directed by the Tony award winning Matthew Warchus (Matilda, Art) and has music and lyrics by Grammy® award winning Dave Stewart (Eurythmics) and Glen Ballard and features the iconic song Unchained Melody. Set and costume designs are by Rob Howell, musical supervision and arrangements by Christopher Nightingale, illusions are by Paul Kieve, choreography is by Ashley Wallen, video and projection designs by Jon Driscoll, lighting by Hugh Vanstone and sound by Bobby Aitken. The UK tour is being produced by David Ian Productions, The Ambassador Theatre Group, Colin Ingram, and Hello Entertainment/David Garfinkle. Full casting for the tour will be announced later this year. (more...)

BWW Reviews: MONKEE BUSINESS, Manchester Opera House, April 4 2012

Craig Hepworth is not impressed with this new jukebox show (more...)

Denise Van Outen Weds Lee Mead

British TV personality and former 'You're the One That I Want' Co-Host Denise Van Outen has married her fiance, actor Lee Mead in the Seychelles. (more...)

BWW INTERVIEWS: Notes from New York's Paul Spicer

Carrie Dunn talks to the actor and producer about The Last Five Years and tick...tick...BOOM! (more...)