The Menier Chocolate Factory's production of Sunday in the Park with George, which has the backing of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine, is in 'advanced discussions' to transfer to the West End/>, and possibly to Broadway. A sell-out at the Menier, it recently extended its run by three weeks and a cast recording is in the works. The critics raved for the production, which makes extensive use of video projection, calling it 'a technically dazzling, emotionally charged revival' (Guardian). Directed by Sam Buntrock and starring Daniel Evans and Anna-Jane Casey, it is produced by the Menier's David Babani and Danielle Tarento, who were this week named number 20 in The Stage newspaper's top 100 most influential people in UK/>/> theatre.
Topping the list of those 100 most influential people in UK/>/> theatre, complied by The Stage newspaper, was David Ian, producer of Guys and Dolls and The Producers. Ian is the chairman of Live Nation (formerly known as Clear Channel Entertainment) and has numerous shows under his belt; the upcoming Sound of Music, the UK/> tour of My Fair Lady and the Las Vegas/>/> production of The Phantom of the Opera, which opens later this year. Cam/>eron Mackintosh was at number two with Andrew Lloyd Webber down from one to three, equal with Howard Panter and Rosemary Squire (producers for the Ambassador Theatre Group).
Christopher Eccleston's eagerly anticipated return to stage next month has been shelved. The Doctor Who star, who quit the television drama after filming just one series, was due to appear in The School of the Night at the Comedy Theatre in a production directed by Bill Alexander, but over the weekend tickets were removed from sale and the production cancelled. Eccleston, a regular face in television dramas, was last on stage in 2002 as Hamlet at the West Yorkshire Playhouse, but hasn't been in the West End/> since Miss Julie at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in February 2000. No replacement production has been announced.
The English Touring Theatre are to transfer two productions into the West End/> over the coming months. Hamlet, directed by ETT artistic director Stephen Unwin with Ed Stoppard (son of Tom) and Anita Dobson in the leads, opens at the New Ambassadors on 20th February, where it is booking until 22nd April, then from March 20th Timothy West leads a revival of Alan Bennett's The Old Country into the Trafalgar Studios until May 16th. Meanwhile, Otherwise Engaged, a revival of Simon Gray's 1975 play starring Richard E Grant and Anthony Head, has announced it will close at the end of its booking period.
There's controversy down at the Royal/> Court/> Theatre/>/> over the inclusion of Trevor Nunn and Tom Stoppard in its 50th Anniversary celebrations. Neither Stoppard or Nunn has any connection to the theatre, so many feel they shouldn't be taking part in the year-long celebration of classics and new work; Stoppard has written a new play which Nunn will direct. William Gaskill, a former Royal Court artistic director, has cancelled his play Sirens in protest and many are murmuring that Cary/>l/> Church/>/>ill too withdrew her play in protest – though this is heavily denied by the venue. The first play in the Anniversary celebrations - Stella Feehily's O Go My Man - starts previewing this week.
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