Carrie Dunn - Page 35

The smash hit musical JERSEY BOYS will be celebrating its fourth London birthday at the Prince Edward Theatre on Sunday 18 March, having opened in London in 2008. This musical has now been seen by almost 2 million people and is firmly established as one of the West End's longest running and most popular shows.

Adam Garcia has confirmed he will be playing Bill Calhoun in Sir Trevor Nunn's forthcoming production of Kiss Me Kate at Chichester.

Hosted by Jan Ravens, performers Daniel Evans, Josie Lawrence, Jenny Jules, Jonathan Pryce, Jenna Russell, Samantha Spiroand Meera Syal are joined by Young Friends of the Almeida and and award-winning theatre company Inspector Sands to perform as part of Almeida Up Close, the theatre's 2012 fundraising Gala. Directed by Indhu Rubasingham, Almeida Up Close will take place on 23 February 2012 at One Mayfair. The evening of fine dining and cabaret will include music by Stephen Sondheim and Amy Winehouse.

Jodie Whittaker makes her National Theatre debut in the title role and Christopher Eccleston plays Creon

St. James Theatre, the first newly built theatre complex in central London in 30 years, will open to the public in September 2012. Rising from the site of the former Westminster Theatre at 12 Palace Street, in the heart of Victoria, the space will include a 312 seat theatre, a studio space, brasserie and bar. Entirely funded by private investment, and designed and built to the highest standards, St. James Theatre will be one of the most luxurious venues in which to enjoy ambitious, quality theatre programming.

Fifty years after its release, the MGM re-mastered film returns to the big screen in high definition with its original vocals and dialog intact. Experience this classic romantic tragedy and the bitter battle between the Jets and the Sharks as Leonard Bernstein's seminal score, featuring the much loved 'America', 'Somewhere' and 'Tonight', is dramatically brought to life on stage by The Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra conducted by Jayce Ogren.

Produced by the critically acclaimed Ruby In The Dust, The Great Gatsby Musical, which gets its world premiere at the King's Head?Theatre, Islington, from Tuesday 7 August - Saturday 1 September, remains true to their ethos of exploring dark, intricate relationships through merging new writing with the original concept.

Marking the 50th anniversary of the 1962 publication of Ken Kasey's classic American novel, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest will play a limited season at the Lost Theatre, Vauxhall from Wednesday March 14 - Saturday March 31.

In celebration of the bicentenary of Charles Dickens, PNPF Associates Ltd in association with Ovation present the new musical A Tale of Two Cities at The Charing Cross Theatre. Directed by Paul Nicholas, A Tale of Two Cities has music by multi platinum award-winner David Pomeranz, book by Emmy winner Steven David Horwich and David Soames, lyrics bySteven David Horwich and musical arrangements by John Cameron. This production runs from 5 April until 12 May with press night on 17 April 2012. Full casting will be announced shortly.

We talk to Dean Chisnall, taking over in the green ogre costume at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane...

Tom Bateman, Mark Bonnar, Harry Lloyd and Finbar Lynch join Eve Best in John Webster's great Jacobean tragedy, The Duchess of Malfi, directed by Jamie Lloyd. Eve Best last appeared at The Old Vic in London and on Broadway opposite Kevin Spacey in A Moon for the Misbegotten in the 2006/2007 Season. The Duchess of Malfi will open at The Old Vic on 28 March 2012, previewing from 17 March.

The Old Vic's production of Michael Frayn's comedy Noises Off will transfer to the Novello Theatre from March 24. Lindsay Posner directs a cast currently including Celia Imrie, Janie Dee and Robert Glenister

Last year's Trafalgar Studios hit Betwixt! seems to be heading to the silver screen - if the producers can pull together enough funding.

This time last year, our reporter Jody Vodden interviewed Samantha Barks, who was mid-run as Eponine in the West End production of Les Miserables. We look back now at some snippets from that interview...with some pictures of her from the past year of her career!

Frances Ruffelle, who created the role of Eponine in Les Miserables, is appearing in her one-woman show Beneath The Dress at the Menier Chocolate Factory on Sunday February 12.

Following a hugely successful run in 2010 both at the Chocolate Factory and in the West End, Educating Rita returns to Southwark Street for three weeks only, prior to a UK tour. Matthew Kelly and Claire Sweeney star in Willy Russell's modern classic, directed by Tamara Harvey.

Jeremy Herrin will direct David Armand, Elizabeth Berrington, Katherine Parkinson, Steffan Rhodri, Reece Shearsmith and Kara Tointon in Alan Ayckbourn's classic comedy of manners and social embarrassment Absent Friends, previewing at the Harold Pinter Theatre (formerly the Comedy Theatre).

Samantha Barks is set to play Eponine in the film version of Les Miserables - the role she played at the 25th anniversary concert.

The cast for the National Theatre's She Stoops To Conquer includes Sophie Thompson and Steve Pemberton.

Stephen Wadsworth's new production of Terrence McNally's Master Class starring Tyne Daly as the legendary opera soprano Maria Callas at the Vaudeville Theatre following its critically acclaimed, sell-out run on Broadway. Joining Daly are Gerard Carey (Stagehand), Jeremy Cohen (Emmanuel Weinstock), Naomi O'Connell (Sharon Graham), Dianne Pilkington (Sophie De Palma) and Garrett Sorenson (Anthony Candolino).