Marianka Swain - Page 50

An epic tale of lust, jealousy and revenge, DIAOCHAN: THE RISE OF THE COURTESAN finishes its UK tour with a three-week run at the Arts Theatre in the West End this May. The production comes courtesy of British East Asian theatre company Red Dragonfly. Ross Ericson has adapted for the stage The Romance of the Three Kingdoms - one of China's oldest tales, and often referred to as a Chinese Macbeth.

London is never short of theatre temptations, whether splashy West End shows, epic dramas or bold fringe offerings. From Kit Harington's Faustus and Glenn Close's Norma Desmond to Annie Baker's Pulitzer Prize-winner and a heist farce, here are some of this month's most eye-catching openings. Don't forget to check back for BroadwayWorld's reviews…

As expected, the 40th anniversary Olivier Awards showered trophies on the sensational Gypsy. Imelda Staunton and Lara Pulver's performances and Mark Henderson's lighting were recognised, and the production took Best Musical Revival. But there were surprises elsewhere, with starry shows like Benedict Cumberbatch's Hamlet going home empty-handed, Nicole Kidman losing out in the Best Actress race, and an underdog win for Pat Kinevane and Fishamble's Silent at Soho Theatre - all welcome given concerns that changes to the Oliviers voting process might favour long-running West End shows and/or A-listers Here are some of the night's major hits and misses.

The Almeida has announced its 2016/17 season, which is bookended by Shakespeare. It kicks off with the Rupert Goold-directed RICHARD III, starring Ralph Fiennes and Vanessa Redgrave, and closes with Andrew Scott's Almeida debut in the title role of HAMLET. The season also includes a world premiere from Ella Hickson and the West End return of Robert Icke and Duncan Macmillan's adaptation of George Orwell's 1984, followed by an international tour.

Full casting has been announced for RICHARD II at the House of Commons and Arcola Theatre. Jack Gamble and Quentin Beroud's production relocates the action to 21st-century Westminster, where it opens on the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death. This is the first ever performance of a Shakespeare play in the Palace of Westminster, with only 100 tickets available for the one-off performance on St George's Day (April 23).

Jonathan Kent's triumphant revival of GYPSY, starring Imelda Staunton as an indelible Momma Rose, leads the way at this Sunday's Olivier Awards with eight nominations. Staunton is hot favourite to pick up Best Actress in a Musical for her lauded performance, which fuelled hit runs at Chichester Festival Theatre and London's Savoy, as well as a BBC broadcast. Gypsy also scored Olivier nominations for Best Musical Revival, Kent's direction, Stephen Mear's choreography, Mark Henderson's lighting, and Lara Pulver, Dan Burton and Peter Davison in supporting roles.

West End musical phenomenon WICKED, which tells the incredible untold story of the Witches of Oz, has released the first pictures of Mark Curry as The Wizard. Actor and presenter Curry took over the role on March 25, alongside Emma Hatton (Elphaba), Savannah Stevenson (Glinda), Oliver Savile (Fiyero), Liza Sadovy (Madame Morrible), Sean Kearns (Doctor Dillamond), Daniel Hope (Boq) and Katie Rowley Jones (Nessarose).

James Norton and Kate Fleetwood star in BUG, the tense and blackly comic play from award-winning writer Tracy Letts (August Osage County, Killer Joe) at Found111. Bug, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, is a taut exploration of two people on the edge, where the lines between reality and delusions become blurred.

The great Glenn Close reprises the iconic role of Norma Desmond in SUNSET BOULEVARD in a semi-staged English National Opera production at London Coliseum from next week. Lonny Price directs the strictly limited run of 43 performances, which begins on April 1 and closes May 7. The cast also includes Michael Xavier, Siobhan Dillon, Fred Johanson, Anna Woodside, Emily Bull, Julian Forsyth, Mark Goldthorp, Fenton Gray, Haydn Oakley and James Paterson.

Transferring to the West End after a sell-out National Theatre run, Duncan Macmillan's PEOPLE, PLACES & THINGS opened last night at Wyndham's Theatre. Directed by Jeremy Herrin, the show is a collaboration between the National and Headlong. It's recently extended its run and is now booking to June 18.

Music & Lyrics and West Yorkshire Playhouse have announced that Matt Gillett will take the role of The Childcatcher in the much-loved Sherman Brothers musical CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, which is touring across the UK and Ireland until February 2017. Matt was already a part of the ensemble when the producers discovered his talent for playing this iconic role. John Stalker, Executive Producer of Music & Lyrics, said: 'We are delighted to offer Matt this starring role having understudied the part of The Childcatcher since the beginning of the show in Leeds. Matt's performance will have everyone on the edge of their seats!' Martin Kemp, who currently plays The Childcatcher, leaves the production on April 24 and Matt will be taking over the role from May 4 in Milton Keynes.

Following a sell-out London run last year, spectacular musical revue MISS-LEADING LADIES is set for a UK tour in May and June. Ria Jones and Ceri Dupree star in this stunning celebration of some of the greatest grande dames of stage and screen, from Ethel Merman to Doris Day, Marlene Dietrich to Danny La Rue - with the musical sisters adding their own unique family twist to proceedings.

In an unprecedented exploration of lighting, sound and projection, Sadler's Wells presents the world premiere of NO BODY on June 7-12. Turning the theatre's building inside out, this multisensory installation experience brings together the essential elements of dance performance, but without the physical presence of dancers. The evening features specially commissioned works by the leading composers, lighting designers, filmmakers and other artists who bring dance to life.

Last night, Kenneth Branagh and Rob Brydon opened in THE PAINKILLER at Garrick Theatre, the fourth production in Branagh's resident season. The pair last joined forces for Sean Foley's adaptation of Francis Veber's classic French farce at the Lyric, Belfast in 2011. They're joined in the Garrick production by Claudie Blakley, Marcus Fraser, Mark Hadfield and Alex Macqueen, and the show runs until April 30. For more information or to buy tickets, visit www.branaghtheatre.com

This autumn, award-winning choreographer Jasmin Vardimon will create a brand new adaptation of classic fairy tale PINOCCHIO. Based on the original book by Collodi and performed by Vardimon's multi-talented dancers, Pinocchio will bring to life the famous marionette as he embarks on a fantastic journey to become a human boy.

Georgia May Foote will play the role of Holly Golightly in the UK tour of BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S from September 19 to November 19. She will be sharing the role with Pixie Lott and Emily Atack, whose dates have been announced previously.

This year's Brighton Fringe will play host to a brand new seaside venue, Republic, a magnificent 500-seat Spiegeltent which brings with it a scintillating (and titillating) programme of comedy, cabaret, food, drink and merriment.

The New Vic Theatre and Oldham Coliseum Theatre's world-premiere production of Kiss Me Quickstep, the new play by Amanda Whittington, comes to the Stephen Joseph Theatre next month. Directed by New Vic Artistic Director Theresa Heskins, this piece looks at the real lives behind the fixed smiles and fake tan of the world of ballroom dance.

Internationally renowned theatre company Punchdrunk has announced a ground-breaking Artists Residencies in Care Homes programme. Supported by intergenerational arts specialists Magic Me, the company brings its signature immersive practice to Greenhive Green, an award-winning care home run by Anchor in Peckham, south London.

Further casting has been announced for the Music & Lyrics Limited and West Yorkshire Playhouse production of the much-loved Sherman Brothers musical CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG. From May 4 until 2 October 2, Carrie Hope Fletcher (Les Miserables, War of the Worlds) will play Truly Scrumptious, and from May 4 until August 21, Shaun Williamson (The Railway Children, EastEnders) will play Lord Scrumptious/Baron Bomburst. Phill Jupitus (The Producers, Hairspray), who currently plays the roles of Lord Scrumptious and Baron Bomburst, returns to the show from August 24.