BWW Previews: The UK Stage, February 2014

One of the most publicised productions to be opening in the West End in 2014 is Simon Cowell's I Can't Sing! - The X Factor musical which begins previews at the London Palladium on February 27th. Billed as "mischievious and strangely touching" the script has been written by comedian Harry Hill and boasts a well respected cast featuring Cynthia Erivo and Nigel Harman.

There are a couple of big closures this month in London. Harold Pinter Theatre's Mojo starring Harry Potter's Rupert Grint closes on February 8th and The Light Princess which is written by Tori Amos closes at The National Theatre on February 2nd.

In February the legendary Joan Collins begins her week-long run at the Leicester Square Theatre. From February 2nd - 9th she performs her one woman show "One Night With Joan". Another Hollywood star taking to the London stage, John Travolta appears in conversation with chat show host Jonathan Ross at Theatre Royal Drury Lane on February 16th. Ticket prices for what is billed as an "unmissable event" range from £30 to a staggering £350 for top price seats.

Broadway and West End star Kerry Ellis heads out on tour with Queen legend Brian May for another batch of their candelight concerts on February 18th. Following on from the unique tour which combines well known rock anthems with musical theatre, Ellis has a three-night run at the renowned Pheasantry venue for her solo cabaret show from 28th February.

Things are warming up in the regions as January is usually a quiet month post pantomime. The UK tour of The Lion King opened at Plymouth's Theatre Royal at the end of the January and runs until March 15th. A musical production of 1970s hit series Happy Days opened last month at Bromley's Churchill Theatre and continues to tour throughout the UK until summer 2014. Heading out on its final tour is RENT: In Concert. This is the third UK tour for the production which has been staged to mark the 20th anniversary of the show. In Edinburgh, War Horse opened its sold out run in late January and runs until February 15th before heading down to Southampton on the 19th. The West End production of War Horse is to be aired in US cinemas on February 27th at over 250 participating theatres. Information regarding cinema locations and timings can be found here.