The Book Of Mormon & Shakespeare In Love Welcome New Casts, 2015 Theatre Gossip + More #WestEndUpdate
Posted on 31 December 2014
2015 is almost upon us and it looks set to be a very exciting year! Major January openings include Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (Playhouse Theatre), Taken At Midnight (Theatre Royal Haymarket), The Ruling Class (Trafalgar Studios), My Night With Reg (Apollo Theatre) and Di And Viv And Rose (Vaudeville Theatre).
Looking further ahead, various rumours have been flying around over the past few months as to what we may be able to expect in the West End over the next year (and beyond). Firstly Playful Productions have confirmed that they plan to bring Harold Pinter’s No Man’s Land starring Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen to the West End. The pair previously starred in the show on Broadway.
Speaking to the Daily Mail about No Man’s Land’s reported West End run, McKellen recently said: "We’re planning it very carefully, because we have schedules to come to terms with. We’re definitely doing it. The question that hasn’t been answered is: when." Stay tuned for further info!
It has also been revealed that Matthew Warchus' recent film Pride could be adapted into a musical. Baz Bamigboye recently reported that Warchus and writer Stephen Beresford have been "discussing the possibility". The stage production may not work out; however, if it does the musical could open in 2016 or 2017. Imelda Staunton gave an excellent performance in the film.
Elsewhere, Hollywood superstar Bradley Cooper has spoken out about transferring The Elephant Man – which he is currently starring in on Broadway – to the West End. The play originally premiered at the Hampstead Theatre in 1977 before transferring to the National Theatre and then Broadway starring David Bowie. Speaking to the Evening Standard, Cooper said: "The West End is amazing and incredible. It would be an honour and exciting to do The Elephant Man in the West End.”
Maureen Lipman and James Dreyfus are currently preparing to star in Lindsay Posner’s new touring production of Mary Chase’s comedy Harvey. The show’s producers have already made it very clear that they are keen to bring the production to the West End following its tour. Harvey premiered in London in 1949 at the Prince of Wales Theatre.
The Book of Mormon has confirmed its new West End cast. Broadway actors Nic Rouleau and Brian Sears will join the production at the Prince of Wales Theatre from Monday 2nd February 2015 as Elder Price and Elder Cunningham. Alexia Khadime, Stephen Ashfield, Hugo Harold-Harrison and Chris Jarman will continue in their starring roles.
The West End production of Shakespeare In Love has also confirmed its new cast. From 12th January the production will welcome Orlando James and Eve Ponsonby as Will Shakespeare and Viola De Lesseps. The pair recently appeared together in Cheek by Jowl’s production of ‘Tis Pity She’s A Whore. The star of the show is a dog named Barney who will continue to play Spot the Dog.
Finally, this week marks your last chance to catch East Is East (Trafalgar Studios), The Mikado (Charing Cross Theatre), Neville’s Island (Duke Of York’s Theatre) and White Christmas (Dominion Theatre) as all four productions close over the weekend. Wishing you all a very Happy New Year!
