KATE THORNTON CONFIRMED AS CELEBRITY GUEST HOST

AS MATT DI ANGELO, DARREN GOUGH & CHRISTOPHER PARKER

JOIN

ZOE BALL, LETITIA DEAN, DENISE LEWIS & LOUISA LYTTON

AS

STRICTLY COME DANCING GOES LIVE!

FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME

ACROSS THE UK IN JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2008

Audiences across the country will soon get the chance to join celebrities, dance champions and those all important judges for the arena extravaganza STRICTLY COME DANCING LIVE! Matt Di Angelo, Darren Gough and Christopher Parker are confirmed to join previously announced celebrity dancers Zoe Ball, Letitia Dean, Denise Lewis and Louisa Lytton in what is promising to be the arena spectacular of the new year. Television presenter Kate Thornton is today confirmed as the special guest host.



STRICTLY COME DANCING LIVE! will open at the SECC in Glasgow on 18 January before playing the Newcastle Metro Radio Arena, London’s O2 Arena, Nottingham Arena, the MEN Arena in Manchester, Sheffield Arena and Birmingham, where it finishes at the NEC Arena on 16 February 2008.

Featuring all of the audience’s favourite elements from the hit television series, STRICTLY COME DANCING LIVE! will pit our celebrity dancers and their partners against judges Len Goodman, Arlene Philips and Craig Revel Horwood. Remaining faithful to the much-loved BBC show, the judges will deliver their analysis with their famous wit and wisdom.

Warming up for their first showdowns on the ballroom floors of some of the UK’s major arenas are heartthrob actor Matt Di Angelo, who takes part in the current fifth series, television and radio presenter Zoe Ball (Series 3, 3rd place), Cricketing legend Darren Gough (Series 3 winner), Olympic gold medallist Denise Lewis (Series 2, runner up), ex-EastEnder and The Bill actress Louisa Lytton (Series 4, 4th place), actor and TV presenter Christopher Parker (Series 1, runner up) and Albert Square legend Letitia Dean (appearing in Series 5). The celebrities will be paired up with series regulars including Darren Bennett, Flavia Cacace, Matthew Cutler, Nicole Cutler, Camilla Dallerup, Lilia Kopylova, Vincent Simone and Ian Waite, who are amongst the world's leading professional dancers.

James Seabright presents

Bill Hicks: Slight Return

By Chas Early and Richard Hurst
Performed by Chas Early
Directed by Richard Hurst

The true story of one man’s attempt to change the world through stand-up. In this solo comedy, the greatest comedian ever returns from the dead for one more show, revealing how to end the war on terror, why drugs are better than alcohol, and what the Bush family has done for porn.
After sell-out seasons at the Edinburgh festival, elsewhere in the West End, and on tour in the UK, Chas Early’s astonishing performance comes to the Apollo for one night only, prior to a world tour. The show will feature all-new material, as well as its regular features of bad language and political incorrectness.

Matthew Bourne and New Adventures are back with their magical adaptation of the classic Tim Burton motion picture Edward Scissorhands.  This touching and witty gothic fairytale returns to Sadler’s Wells for a limited Christmas season after a sell-out world tour.

A treat for all the family, Edward Scissorhands is the story of a boy created by an eccentric inventor who dies leaving him alone and unfinished. Left with only scissors for hands, Edward must find his place in a strange new suburban world where the well meaning community struggle to see past his strange appearance to the innocence and gentleness within.

"A fantastic family show! Full of brilliant comic detail and engaging life"

DAILY TELEGRAPH

Other works by New Adventures include Swan Lake, Nutcracker! Highland Fling and the multi-award winning Play Without Words. A five time Olivier award winner, Matthew Bourne has also choreographed the hit musical Mary Poppins, is the creator of the world’s longest running ballet production and is the only British director to have won the Tony Award for Best Director and Best Choreographer of a Musical (1999 for Swan Lake).

 
PLEASE NOTE

1. Latecomers not admitted until the interval
2. Recommended for ages 8+ “It's a family show, but as a guideline, suitable from ages 8+. SOme scenes contain very powerful imagery and may upset younger children. At parents discretion. There is no sex, nudity or swearing”.
3. Stobe lighting will be used in the production

Cast includes Judi Dench
Director Michael Grandage

Against her mother’s wishes, Renée remains vehemently devoted to her husband, the Marquis de Sade, the notorious aristocrat imprisoned in the Bastille for his lurid escapades and licentious behaviour.

Set in Paris as it hurtles towards a violent revolution, Mishima’s poetic masterpiece brings to life the fascinating story of the Marquis de Sade told through the eyes of six remarkable women.

Part of the Donmar Warehouse season at the Wyndham's Theatre. Tickets available now. The Donmar Warehouse season at the Wyndham's Theatre in London's West End includes Jude Law directed by Kenneth Branagh in Hamlet by William Shakespeare, Kenneth Branagh directed by Michael Grandage in Ivanov by Chekhov, Judi Dench directed by Michael Grandage in Madame de Sade by Mishima and Derek Jacobi directed by Michael Grandage in Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare.

The King of Denmark is dead.

Consumed with grief, Prince Hamlet determines to avenge his father's apparent murder, with devastating consequences for his family and the kingdom.

Kenneth Branagh directs Jude Law as Hamlet in Shakespeare's iconic revenge tragedy.

Part of the Donmar Warehouse season at the Wyndham's Theatre. Tickets available now. The Donmar Warehouse season at the Wyndham's Theatre in London's West End includes Jude Law directed by Kenneth Branagh in Hamlet by William Shakespeare, Kenneth Branagh directed by Michael Grandage in Ivanov by Chekhov, Judi Dench directed by Michael Grandage in Madame de Sade by Mishima and Derek Jacobi directed by Michael Grandage in Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare.

Cast includes Derek Jacobi
Director Michael Grandage

Shipwrecked and fearing her twin brother dead, Viola is swept onto the shores of Illyria . Disguising herself as a boy, she takes a post in the Duke’s court and, on his behalf, attempts to woo his loved one, the Lady Olivia.

Derek Jacobi plays Malvolio in Shakespeare’s romantic comedy of mistaken identity, infatuation and broken hearts.

Part of the Donmar Warehouse season at the Wyndham's Theatre. Tickets available now. The Donmar Warehouse season at the Wyndham's Theatre in London's West End includes Jude Law directed by Kenneth Branagh in Hamlet by William Shakespeare, Kenneth Branagh directed by Michael Grandage in Ivanov by Chekhov, Judi Dench directed by Michael Grandage in Madame de Sade by Mishima and Derek Jacobi directed by Michael Grandage in Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare.

Cast includes Kenneth Branagh
Director Michael Grandage

Once a man of limitless promise, Ivanov is plunged into debt. His marriage is in crisis, and his evenings are spent negotiating loans, avoiding love affairs and fighting to resist the small town jealousies and intrigues which threaten to engulf his life.

Kenneth Branagh plays the title role in Chekhov’s explosive portrait of a man plagued with self-doubt and despair, which vividly captures the electrifying atmosphere of Russia on the brink of change.

Part of the Donmar Warehouse season at the Wyndham's Theatre. Tickets available now. The Donmar Warehouse season at the Wyndham's Theatre in London's West End includes Jude Law directed by Kenneth Branagh in Hamlet by William Shakespeare, Kenneth Branagh directed by Michael Grandage in Ivanov by Chekhov, Judi Dench directed by Michael Grandage in Madame de Sade by Mishima and Derek Jacobi directed by Michael Grandage in Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare.

Chris Rock - comedian, TV & film actor, director & producer, social commentator - hot on the heels of his January UK appearances brings his stand up show to the O2 Arena - if you missed him in January get your tickets now - Rock Rocks London!!

From the producers of Sing-a-long-a Sound of Music, a brand new show based on the 2007 film starring John Travolta.

It’s Baltimore and it’s 1962 – what better time and place for big-hearted Tracy Turnblad to indulge her passion for DANCING! Based on the film of the smash-hit stage show (now running in the West End), Sing-a-long-a Hairspray is a wild, noisy, fun filled experience. Dance in the aisles, boo Velma and be amazed at John Travolta’s fat suit. This is the show where no amount of hair products will stop you letting your hair down and there are NO RULES.

Starring Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken, Queen Latifah and our own live host, who will lead you through all the special magic moments.

Ideal for all ages

Make someone's day in a BIG way with gift vouchers for tickets to Hairspray, the mother of all musicals, at the Shaftesbury Theatre, London.

You buy the vouchers and whoever you give them to can redeem them against the price of tickets to the performance of their choice!

Available in denominations of £10-£60 with a £1.50 transaction charge per booking. These vouchers are redeemable either in person at the Shaftesbury Theatre boxoffice or by making a reservation over the phone and posting the vouchers to the Shaftesbury Theatre boxoffice.

Vouchers are redeemable on performances up to 25th October 2008 only.

BIG MUSICAL BIG COMEDY BIG HAIR!

It’s time to let your hair down and dance the night away!
HAIRSPRAY, Broadway’s hit musical comedy is coming to London.

“ALL SINGING, ALL DANCING – one of the most ridiculously enjoyable musicals I have ever seen” Daily Telegraph

“So many numbers bring down the house, it’s a wonder the theatre is still standing!” New York Magazine

“**** A GREAT BIG GORGEOUS HIT“ New York Post

“IRRESISTIBLE! Fresh, winning & deliriously tuneful!” The New York Times

Hairspray, the mother of all musicals, follows Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart as she sets out to dance her way onto TV’s most popular dance show.

Can this ordinary girl realise her extraordinary dreams, inspire her mum and still have time to win the boy she loves?

One of Britain’s leading musical stars Michael Ball will undergo a major transformation to play Tracy’s mother Edna. Michael’s many musical credits include leading roles in Aspects of Love, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and A Woman in White. He has also had 12 best-selling solo albums, and countless sell out concerts.

PLEASE NOTE: Michael Ball will be on holiday and will not be appearing Hairspray in performances from 22 December 2007 - 7 January 2008.

Comedian and actor Mel Smith will play Tracy’s father Wilbur. Mel first shot to fame in the comedy show Not the Nine O’Clock News and is widely known for his comedy sketch series’ Smith and Jones.

Leanne Jones trained at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts and makes her professional debut to play Tracy.

MP3s

The producers of Hairspray have kindly provided us with three MP3s of the Original Broadway Cast Recording to get you in the mood for the musical opening of the year.

Good Morning Baltimore - Marissa Jaret Winokur & Ensemble (MP3 4.3MB)
Welcome to the 60's - Ensemble (MP3 4.6MB)
You Can't Stop the Beat - Ensemble (MP3 6.7MB)