The news that has had theatreland talking this week includes
Casting announced for The Winters Tale
History will be made at Shakespeare’s Globe next year, with The Winter’s Tale being staged across both theatres. The audience will be invited to move across the venues during the performance with the indoor playhouse becoming the setting for Sicilia and the Globe stage acting as Bohemia.
The cast for this groundbreaking production includes Toby Barnett-Jones and George Robinson as Mamillius, Samuel Creasey as Young Shepherd, Ed Gaugham as Autolycus, Colm Gormley as Antogonus and Old Shepherd, Nadine Higgin as Paulina, Beruce Khan as Camillo, John Lightbody as Polixnes, Bea Segura as Hermione, Sarah Sliming as Florizel, Sergo Cares as Leontes and Jacoba Williams as Perdita.
Blackpool Grand Theatre staff member steps in to save panto
When the Blackpool Grand Theatre’s production of Sleeping Beauty was a cast member down due to Tomas Alsop having to step up to play the prince, front of house member Lenny Ryan stepped in to save the day.
Ryan, who trained at Barbara Jackson school of dance, stepped into an ensemble role having watched the show every day since it opened.
He said: “I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity and so pleased to be performing in my hometown – my favourite place!
Adam Knight, Grand Theatre chief executive, said: “We are delighted for Lenny and the opportunity that has presented itself. To have such talent waiting in our own wings shows the aspiring talent of our team members.”
Mother Goose announces further tour dates
Further tour dates have been announced for Mother Goose, the pantomime starring Ian McKellen and John Bishop.
The show will continue in London until 29 January before visiting Chichester, Sheffield, Wolverhampton, Liverpool, Oxford, Leicester Curve, Dublin, Cardiff, Salford and Bristol.
Further details for Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends BBC Broadcast announced
Further details have been announced for the tv broadcast of Stephen Sondheims Old Friends, which was recorded in May.
The broadcast, which will be shown tomorrow on BBC 2 features performances from Michael Ball, Helena Bonham Carter, Rob Brydon, Petula Clark, Anna-Jane Casey, Rosalie Craig, Janie Dee, Judi Dench, Daniel Evans, Maria Friedman, Hayden Gwynn, Bonnie Langford, Damian Lewis, Julia McKenzie, Julian Overden, Bernadette Peters, Sian Phillips, Jon Robyns, Clive Rowe, Jenna Russell, Imelda Staunton, Charlie Stamp, Gary Wilmot and Michael D Xavier.