Relative Values officially opened at the Harold Pinter last night (Monday 14th April 2014) following four weeks of previews. The production has transferred to the West End following a successful run at the Theatre Royal Bath. Noel Coward’s hilarious play is directed by the legendary Trevor Nunn.
When casting was announced for Relative Values I had to read the announcement twice as I couldn’t believe just how strong the cast are. Patricia Hodge (Miranda), Caroline Quentin (Men Behaving Badly) and Leigh Zimmerman (A Chorus Line) star alongside Rory Bremner and Ben Mansfield.
Following its overwhelming sold out success earlier this year, Cool Rider returns to the West End today (Tuesday 15th April 2014) for a week of performances at the Duchess Theatre. The Grease sequel, which has a huge cult following, runs until Saturday 19th April 2014.
Ashleigh Gray (Wicked) and Aaron Sidwell (Loserville) return to play Stephanie and Michael, the roles created on screen by Michelle Pfeiffer and Maxwell Caulfield. Waterloo Road and Strictly Come Dancing star Mark Benton stars as Mr Stuart opposite X Factor Finalist Niki Evans as Ms Mason.
The cast also includes West End regulars Hannah Levane as Paulette, Stewart Clarke as Jonny, Luke Fetherston as Goose, Joshua Dowen as Louis, Harry Francis as Davey, Bronte Barbe as Sharon and Lucinda as Rhonda.
Good People officially opens at the Noel Coward Theatre today (15th April 2014). Jonathan Kent's production, about whether you can ever truly leave the place where you were born, made its UK premiere at Hampstead Theatre in March to great critical acclaim. The West End transfer was very last minute, filling the gap between The Full Monty and Shakespeare In Love.
The production stars Imelda Staunton, one of the West End’s most popular stars who simply can do no wrong! She recently won an Olivier Award for her performance in Sweeney Todd (Chichester/Adelphi). After Good People ends she will return to Chichester to star in a revival of Gypsy. Her other recent stage credits include: Circle Mirror Transformation (Royal Court), A Delicate Balance (Almeida Theatre) and Entertaining Mr Sloane (Trafalgar Studios).
On screen Staunton famously played Professor Dolores Jane Umbridge in Harry Potter. She stars opposite Lloyd Owen who recently played the title role in the world stage premiere of The Bodyguard (Adelphi). His theatre credits also include Loyalty (Hampstead), Stuff Happens (National Theatre) and Blood And Gifts (National Theatre).
The Weir ends its run at the Wyndham’s Theatre on Saturday (19th April 2014) following a hugely successful run. The critically acclaimed show transferred to the West End following a sell-out run at the Donmar Warehouse.
Also closing on Saturday is Ushers: The Front Of House Musical which transferred to the Charing Cross Theatre from the brand new Hope Theatre in Islington. The late-night show is a must see for anyone who works or has worked as an Usher. It is the ultimate stagey show!
Photo Credit: Catherine Ashmore