UK Roundup - Patrick Stewart, Wicked, Blue Man Group, High Society

Patrick Stewart is to revive his acclaimed one-man production of A Christmas Carol at the Albery Theatre. Filling the unexpected gap left by Ducktastic, which closes tonight (November 19th), Stewart gives just 23 performances of his self-written show, in which he plays over 40 different characters. The production opened on Broadway in 1991 - where it has returned three times since - and played the OldVicTheatre in 1993, where it earned Stewart the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Entertainment. A Christmas Carol is the latest stage appearance from the Star Trek actor; he was last seen earlier this year in Mamet's A Life in the Theatre and in 2003 in The Master Builder. It opens on December 6th with tickets ranging from £10 - £40.

Nominations for the 2005 Evening Standard Awards have been announced, with many of Britain's finest artists in the running. Mike Leigh's play Two Thousand Years has picked up a Best Play nomination, Richard Eyre is nominated for directing Hedda Gabler and Mary Poppins, and Eve Best, Claire Higgins, Kristin Scott Thomas and Harriet Walter make up a strong Best Actress category. Simon Russell Beale – soon to be seen in Broadway's Spamalot – picks up a Best Actor nomination against Brain Dennehy and Derek Jacobi. In the only musical category Billy Elliot runs against The Big Life and Mary Poppins for Best Musical. Full nominations can be found here with the winners being announced on November 28th.

Despite its acclaimed cult status The Blue Man Group opened in the West End last week to mixed reviews. "For £40 a ticket (£50 if you want a premium seat), you get to watch a series of special effects and big cheer-led moments culminating in a chance to behave like the Andrex puppy" said Lyn Gardner's one star review in The Guardian, "there's pleasure along the way; though not, perhaps, £40 worth of pleasure" said Mark Shenton on Whatsonstage.com, but Paul Taylor in the Independent enjoyed it - "the humour has a likeable, deadpan puckishness and constant technical flair.. children and adolescents of all ages will have a ball". It's booking at the New London Theatre until February 19th.

The Open Air Theatre production of Cole Porter's High Society is to close prematurely at the Shaftesbury Theatre. Opening last month to weak reviews – "badly microphoned, desperately choreographed.. it looks a bit cheap and eager" (Independent), "somebody forgot to put the bubbles in this stage version" (Guardian) – audience capacity fell even more after star attraction Jerry Hall pulled out due to illness. It had been booking to March 25th 2006 but will now close on January 21st after a run of just three months. The latest closure announcement enforces the idea of the Shaftesbury as a plagued venue; its string of high-profile flops includes Bat Boy, The Far Pavilions and Thoroughly Modern Millie.

In other news – Billy Elliot has delayed its cast recording date; it was due to be released on November 21st but will now come out on December 5th. For those fans wondering, it features all three Billys singing. More information about Evita has been leaked by Variety; it will open at the Adelphi Theatre with Phillip Quast more than likely signed on for Peron. And finally, there's lots of buzz in the air about Wicked and Movin Out at the Apollo Victoria; rumours suggest that Movin Out will play a limited run followed by a big Wicked opening in October 2006. Here's hoping!

 

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