Theatre

What’s Up Wilma?

Hello dears!

So we are back in the swing of things after the Christmas break and there is a lot going on in the theatre world!

This is your last chance to see the Royal Opera House production of The Wind in the Willows. The show leaps out of the West End on Saturday (17 January) after its Christmas run at the Vaudeville Theatre, so if you want to see it then get booking fast!

Bend It Like Beckham cast announced
A new musical adaption of the 2002 film Bend It Like Beckham is set to take up its home at the Phoenix Theatre in May with music and lyrics by Howard Goodall. This week the cast was announced which includes Natalie Dew and Lauren Samuels.

King Boots

Broadway Transfers
A West End transfer of the smash hit Broadway musical Kinky Boots (based on the 2005 film and with songs written for the musical by pop legend Cyndi Lauper) has been highly anticipated in the last year. This week, a UK casting announcement has been released suggesting a London production will open in August 2015. The theatre is not yet confirmed but it sounds like it’s definitely on its way.

Bradley Cooper has announced on US TV chat show Jimmy Fallon that following the Broadway success of The Elephant Man, the whole company are planning to bring the show to London’s West End this summer. No details have been confirmed but it’s in the pipeline!

Following a sold out run in Mumbai and with star Bollywood casting & creative team, Beyond Bollywood is set to come to the London Palladium this May – making it look like Cats the Musical will not extend its run any longer than currently planned, 25 April.

Book-of-Mormon 3

Booking extensions
Book of Mormon have continued their clever marketing campaign and extended the booking period by another month, now running up to 2 May. The production doesn’t show any signs of closing but extended booking announcements are being made month by month. This is a positive thing for ticket buyers as it means the cheap(er) seats aren’t sold out a year in advance and if you’re quick, you can book them once a month. Be warned, they sell fast!

Shakespeare in Love is now booking to 27 June 2015. The booking extension announcement ties in nicely with a new cast who begin their run in the show this week. This is one of the best plays on in the West End right now, so if you haven’t seen it, I can’t recommend it highly enough.

The Railway Children

The Railway Children has extended its run to 6 September 2015. The production at the new Kings Cross Theatre hasn’t even had its press night yet but is selling so well booking period has already been extended.

Meanwhile, The Lion King is now booking until 4 October 2015 at the Lyceum Theatre. A popular choice with tourists, this Disney musical is a safe bet if you don’t want to splash out the cash on a show you may not be familiar with.

That’s all my news for this week! Follow me on Twitter at @westendwilma or Like my Facebook page to stay 100% up to date with all the theatre news as it happens, with more at www.westendwilma.com.

Until next week my dears xxx