London/> will get the chance to see what all the fuzz is about when Avenue Q opens in February next year at the Theatre Royal Stratford East before an anticipated West End/> transfer. The East London venue came as a surprise announcement, as it was expected that Cameron Mackintosh would co-produce the Broadway musical in one of his West End/> theatres - an out-of-town tryout (expected to be eight weeks) was unexpected. Winner of the Best Musical 2004, Q is currently playing at the Golden Theatre on Broadway, and soon to open in Las Vegas/>/> as well. Speaking exclusively to Broadwayworld.com, Jeff Marx and Bobby Lopez said they would 'have to do some rewrites for the upcoming London/>/> version of Avenue Q, trying to avoid some potentially confusing issues like Brits wondering "who is Gary Coleman?"' It's perhaps worth noting that Sesame Street, which the musical parodies, isn't shown in the UK/>/>, and when it was it garnered more criticism that praise, so its success will be much harder to predict here.
Simon Callow, last seen on screen as Andre in the Andrew Lloyd Webber film The Phantom of the Opera, is to return to the West End/> making his musical theatre debut. As Count Fosco in The Woman in White, Callow follows a host of star names in the role, which will require him to wear a fat suit. Originated by Mich/>ael Crawford, who left due to 'illness' (ind/>ustry speculation says otherwise), replaced by Mich/>ael Ball (who is touted to take the role on Broadway) and currently played by Anthony Andrews, Cal/>/>low will be the fourth Fosco since the musical opened in September last year. Though he has not sung on stage before he is no stranger to the character of Fosco – he played the villain for BBC TV in 1997. His credits also include The Holy Terror and Amadeus, though he has also directed extensively for stage. He takes over at the end of August, precise date to be confirmed, and will star alongside new lead Ruthie Henshall, who recently replaced Maria Friedman. (Update: There will be a new press night on September 19th so critics can view modifications made by Trevor Nunn for the Broadway production)
In other casting news – TV star Sarah Lancashire will replace Jane Krakowski in Guys and Dolls in December, putting an end to the rumours that Megan Mullally will be coming over for it. Also, at the Menier Chocolate Factory Anna Jane Casey stars alongside Daniel Evans in Sunday in the Park with George.
A concert to celebrate Stephen Sondheim's 75th Birthday will take place at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in October. Children Will Listen, with proceeds going to children's charity Childline, features a brilliant all-star line-up with leading names from the UK/>/> theatre scene – John/> Bar/>rowman, Imelda Staunton, Laura Michelle Kelly, Sally Ann Triplett, Tim Flavin, Rosemary Ashe, James Dreyfus, Gemma Craven, Claire Sweeney, Daniel Evans, Josie Laurence and many more plus a special guest spot from Eartha Kitt. Seats are priced from £20 to £120, and the concert takes place on October 23rd. This year has been a special year for Sondheim, with numerous concerts and stagings taking place to commemorate his birthday – from the Ravi/>nia Festival's Sondheim 75 series to the Sondheim at the Bowl extravaganza last month, photos of which can be found here.
I'm getting very excited to see that amateur productions of The Witches of Eastwick are cropping up around the country, carefully licensed by Cameron Mackintosh Ltd. The amateur premiere will take place in Bristol/> at the Hippodrome Theatre in November presented by the Bristol/> Light Opera Club, with separate productions taking place in Sheffield (November 2005), Glasgow/>/> (February 2006 – promising 'a fabulous new set' and 'amazing special effects') and York (February 2006). To stage the show, companies must have proven track records in large-scale productions, and budgets to ensure they can use the complex flying rig for the Act 1 finale. The show ran in the West End/> for approximately 18 mont/>hs, a period which included a change of house downsizing the show. Despite highly positive reviews – especially after the downsize – the show struggled to find an audience, and 9/11 sealed its fate for good. It is an exceptionally good show – I saw it numerous times during its run – and the small town community setting combined with juicy leading roles will be perfect for amateur companies.
And finally, I'm pleased to say that tickets are now on sale for my own debut play, which will receive its world premiere in the fourth week of August. Sam's Game - directed by Indhu Rubasingham, whose credits include the European premiere of Anna in the Tropics at the Hamsptead Theatre last year - is a short one act play which will be presented as part of the Theatre Writing Partnership's first Young Writer's Festival. Set amid a long summer holiday, the play is about three teenagers facing their adulthood. It runs alongside three other plays by writers between the ages of 16 and 26 from across the East Midlands/>, though 21 in total will receive public readings. In addition to directing Anna in the Tropics, Rubasingham's extensive credits include Yellowman (West Yorkshire Playhouse – transferred to The Hampstead Theatre, West End/> transfer 2006), Clubland (Royal Court) and The Ramanaya (Birmingham/> Rep – transferred to The National Theatre Oliiver). Full details can be found on the Theatre Writing Partnership's website.
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