Michael Ball, Kerry Ellis, Gina Beck and David Shannon to perform at Kenwood House later this year

It has been announced that two time Olivier Award winner Michael Ball is to host and perform at “Summertime - An Evening of Gershwin” as part of the Live by the Lake concert season which is set to take place in the majestic setting of Kenwood House on Sunday 1st September. Michael will be joined by theatre royalty Kerry Ellis as well as West End favourites Gina Beck and David Shannon. (Michael Ball, Kerry Ellis & Gina Beck pictured below.)

Michael Ball has starred in countless West End and Broadway shows. Just a few of his theatre credits include Edna Turnblad in Hairspray (West End and UK Tour), Count Fosco in The Woman in White (Broadway and West End), Alex Dillingham in Aspects of Love (Broadway and West End), Raoul in Phantom of the Opera (West End) and Marius in Les Les Misérables (West End). Michael recently won the 2013 Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical for playing the title role in Sweeney Todd (West End and Chichester),

Harry Potter's Bonnie Wright to star in The Moment of Truth at the Southwark Playhouse

It has been announced that Bonnie Wright will make her stage debut in Southwark Playhouse's fortchoming revival of Peter Ustinov's The Moment of Truth. The production opens at the Southwark Playhouse on 28th June (previews from 26th June) and runs until 20th July 2013

Bonnie is best known for starring as Ginny Weasley in the Harry Potter films. She will play 'The Girl'. Joining her is Likely Lads star Rodney Bewes as well as Mark Carey, Callum Coates, Toni Kanal, Damian Quinn, Miles Richardson and Daniel Souter.

Ustinov's largely forgotten play centres on the mechanics of toppling governments, the pretences of war and the power of propaganda and will be directed by Robert Laycock.

Sam Attwater and Helena Blackman to star in UK Tour of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

It has been announced that Sam Attwater and Helena Blackman will star in a stunning new touring version of the classic musical Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.

The tour is being directed and choreographed by Broadway’s award-winning Patti Colombo, who has already won rave reviews for this version in the USA. 

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers will open at the Churchill Theatre, Bromley on Friday 13th September 2013 before visiting Cardiff, Edinburgh, Wimbledon, Crewe, Birmingham, Aylesbury, Cheltenham, Blackpool, Sunderland and Glasgow. 2014 dates will be announced soon.

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers tells the story of Adam, the eldest of seven brothers living in the rural backwoods, who goes to town to get himself a wife. Convincing Milly to marry him that very same day, he forgets to mention he has six brothers - all living together in his cabin. Milly decides to reform the uncouth siblings, who are anxious to get wives of their own. 

Review: To Kill A Mockingbird at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

To Kill A Mockingbird
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
Reviewed on Thursday 23rd May 2013

The Regent's Park Open Air Theatre has kicked off its 2013 season with an extraordinary production of To Kill A Mockingbird (adapted for the stage by Christopher Sergel) which is performed with class and sincerity.

An Evening of Movies and Musicals transfers to the West End for one night only starring John Owen-Jones and Louise Dearman

Louise Dearman

Following four sell out concerts across the UK, it has been announced that An Evening of Movies and Musicals is transferring to the West End in December 2013 for one night only at the Apollo Victoria Theatre! The concert will star John Owen-Jones and Louise Dearman.

An Evening of Movies and Musicals debuted in early 2012 at St David’s Hall in Cardiff. Featuring the music of John Williams, Hans Zimmer, James Horner and many more, the show has sold out every date thus far and received glowing acclaim from press and public alike. The show has previously starred Ruthie Henshall, Peter Karrie and Nathan James.

West End legends John Owen-Jones and Louise Dearman will be joined by the West End Gospel Choir and Welsh musical theatre actress Sarah Lark, guiding the audience through hits from the best-loved musicals. This show will be the ideal way to begin Christmas celebrations, with a specially themed Christmas section for the festive period.

UK Tour of Cats heads to the Milton Keynes Theatre

Casts, one of the longest-running shows in West End and Broadway history, is currently touring the UK and will visit the Milton Keynes Theatre for two weeks between 25th June and 6th July 2013. 

Based on T.S Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s record- breaking adaptation is directed by Trevor Nunn, with choreography by Gillian Lynne and set and costume design by John Napier. 

On just one special night of the year, all Jellicle cats meet at the Jellicle Ball where Old Deuteronomy, their wise and benevolent leader, makes the Jellicle choice and announces which of them will go up to the heaviside layer and be reborn into a whole new Jellicle life. Music, dance and verse fuse together in an enchanting blend of fantasy, drama and romance. 

X Factor musical named 'I Can't Sing! The Musical'

According to the Evening Standard, the forthcoming X Factor musical will be called 'I Can't Sing! The Musical' and will premiere at the London Palladium on 26th March 2014, with previews beginning in February. Harry Hill has written the show which is named after one of the musical numbers, tickets go on sale tomorrow.

Simon Cowell, whose company Syco Entertainment is co-producing the show with Stage Entertainment, told the Standard: "We’d been umm-ing and ahh-ing about the title for a while, then it hit us - there’s never been a musical called I Can't Sing! It also happens to be the title of one of the funniest songs in the show, and we hope hints at the direction we’re taking this production."