Marianka Swain - Page 24

Australian actor Simon Gleeson's extensive musical theatre credits include Far Pavilions, Eureka, Mamma Mia! and Love Never Dies. He's currently starring as Jean Valjean in Les Miserables at the Queen's Theatre.

This is pure titular titillation - a strategy that backfires with this dated, laboured and distinctly unsexy piece. 'Serious' writer Olivia (Emilia Fox) at one point bemoans the fact that her failed first novel was falsely marketed as a chick-lit romp, and here too there's a mismatch between erotic promise and Laura Eason's polemical two-hander about the inner workings of the publishing industry.

Anton Stephans became a household name following his stint on The X Factor. His musical theatre credits include Porgy and Bess, Smokey Joe's Cafe and Moby Dick, and tonight he brings his show Brave to Live at Zedel.

Steffan Lloyd-Evans's work includes Into The Woods at Menier Chocolate Factory, The 306: Dawn at the National Theatre of Scotland, Beyond the Fence at the Arts Theatre, and the UK tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. He's currently starring in Mischief Theatre's latest West End hit The Comedy About A Bank Robbery.

Kate Stanley Brennan's theatre work includes Wuthering Heights at the Gate Theatre, Yerma at the West Yorkshire Playhouse and The Night Alive at Lyric Belfast. She's currently starring in Annie Ryan's production of Webster's The White Devil in the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, the evocative candlelit indoor space at Shakespeare's Globe.

Conleth Hill is beloved by millions of Game of Thrones watchers as spymaster Varys, but he's also a respected theatre actor, with work ranging from The Cherry Orchard and Stones in His Pockets to the 2013 revival of Quartermaine's Terms. He's about to embark on Edward Albee's masterpiece Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, starring opposite Imelda Staunton; the production begins previews at the Harold Pinter Theatre on 22 February.

'I give you truth in the pleasant disguise of illusion,' declares Tom Wingfield, the narrator of Tennessee Williams's exquisite memory play. Director John Tiffany has proved gloriously adept at handling both sides of the equation in the magical trick-filled yet emotionally authentic Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, and here too, in this acclaimed production that comes to the West End via Broadway and Edinburgh, wonders rub shoulders with bruising truths.

Leo Bill's work includes Laura Wade's Posh, Light Shining in Buckinghamshire at the National, the Benedict Cumberbatch-starring Hamlet at the Barbican, and, on screen, Mike Leigh's Vera Drake and TV series Taboo. He's currently playing Bottom in Joe Hill-Gibbins's dark production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, which begins previews at the Young Vic on 11 February.

London is never short of theatre temptations, whether splashy West End shows, epic dramas or bold fringe offerings. From a major Albee revival to starry Shakespeare and a steamy musical, here are some of this month's most eye-catching openings. Don't forget to check back for BroadwayWorld's reviews...

As part of Hull UK City of Culture, the Back to Ours festival transforms local venues - including schools, shopping centres and social clubs - into performance spaces for everything from theatre, music and comedy to dance and cabaret. In order to give all residents an opportunity to see the work, ticket prices begin from as little as £2.50. Three participants give us a sneak preview.

American actor Brian J Smith's diverse credits include independent film Hate Crime, TV series Sense8, and, on stage, John Tiffany's acclaimed production of Tennessee Williams's The Glass Menagerie. The latter was a hit on Broadway and in Edinburgh, and is now playing in the West End at the Duke of York's Theatre.

Actor Ian Bartholomew's work ranges from Mrs Henderson Presents and Shakespeare in Love to Radio Times and Into the Woods. He's currently starring as eccentric playwright Chitterlow in West End hit Half a Sixpence.

Frances Ruffelle is perhaps best known for originating the role of Eponine in Les Miserables. She's since done numerous other stage roles, produced several albums and represented the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest, and will soon star as Queenie in The Wild Party, the opening musical of Andrew Lloyd Webber's revamped The Other Palace; the show begins previews on 13 February.

Actress Claire Machin's numerous West End credits include Memphis, The Pajama Game, Betty Blue Eyes and Les Miserables. She's currently starring in Gary Barlow and Tim Firth's new musical version of the Calendar Girls story, based on the real life story of a group of WI members creating a memorable charity calendar. The Girls, which debuted at the Grand Theatre in Leeds last year, begins its West End run at the Phoenix Theatre later this month.

New Eponine Hollie O'Donoghue talks Les Mis

Matthew Bourne's acclaimed new production of THE RED SHOES had its Sadler's Wells press night this week and a special gala performance last night. The show runs until 29 January, 2017.

Tom Parker rose to fame as a member of band The Wanted. He's now taking on his first theatrical role, starring as Danny Zuko in the UK tour of musical Grease, along with Danielle Hope, Louise Lytton and Darren Day. The tour kicks off in Manchester in March 2017.

To celebrate the festive season, the Royal Albert Hall has recreated the world's first ever commercial Christmas card - designed by Sir Henry Cole, instrumental in creating the iconic venue - using 14 stars from its glittering past.

Lin-Manuel Miranda is currently in London filming MARY POPPINS. He and Trevor Dion Nicholas, currently playing the Genie in the West End production of ALADDIN, chat Disney, unexpected stairs on public transport, and British baby food... Watch the exclusive video below!

One of the big theatre stories of 2016 is women reclaiming Shakespeare, from Gillian Bevan's Cymbeline and Michelle Terry's Henry V to Glenda Jackson's Lear and Phyllida Lloyd's landmark all-female trilogy starring Harriet Walter.