A new play by Richard Bean

A riotous journey through four waves of immigration from the 17th century to today. As the French Huguenots, the Irish, the Jews and the Bangladeshis in turn enter the chaotic world of Bethnal Green, each new influx provokes a surge of violent protest over housing, jobs, religion and culture. And the emerging pattern shows that white flight and anxiety over integration is anything but new.
Written with scurrilous bravura, Richard Bean's great sweep of a comedy follows a pair of star-crossed lovers amid cutters' mobs, Papists, Jewish anarchists and radical Islamists across four tempestuous centuries.

Well, Lisa Kron’s Tony Award-nominated comedy which played at Trafalgar Studios earlier this year, transfers to the West End’s Apollo theatre on 29 December for a limited season to 24 January.

An autobiographical play, Well depicts the relationship between American comic memoirist Kron and her mother, Ann. When Kron writes Ann into her latest play, she goes a step too far. The stage is set for a mother-daughter showdown as Kron’s well-planned show collapses into an explosion of riotous comedy and heartbreaking home truths.

Well opened on Broadway in 2006 and earned two Tony Award nominations. The play received its UK premiere at Trafalgar Studio 2 in September.

Sarah Miles and Natalie Casey play mother and daughter. Stage and film veteran Miles is best known for her Oscar-nominated performance in 1970 film Ryan’s Daughter, as well as roles in Lady Caroline Lamb and Term Of Trial, opposite Laurence Olivier. Casey starred in C4 soap Hollyoaks and sitcom Two Pints Of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps, before going on to appear on the London stage in Fame at the Shaftesbury.

The pair are joined at the Apollo by Oliver Chris, known for his roles in television comedies The Office, Green Wing and The IT Crowd. On stage he played Petruchio in The Taming Of The Shrew at Wilton’s Music Hall in 2007.

Currently at the Apollo is Rain Man, an adaptation of the film of the same name, starring Josh Hartnett and Adam Godley, which ends its run on 20 December. Well fills the gap between the end of Rain Man and Three Days Of Rain, starring James McAvoy and Nigel Harman, which previews at the Apollo from 30 January.

West End and Broadway sensation Kerry Ellis comes to The Shaw Theatre in June to perform The Great British Songbook which celebrates our contribution to music from the worlds of theatre, film and pop.
 
Kerry Ellis created the role of Meat in the original London cast of the Queen/Ben Elton musical "We Will Rock You" at the Dominion Theatre and took part in the Queen's Golden Jubilee Concert at Buckingham Palace. She played Svetlana in "Chess In Concert" at the Royal Albert Hall opposite Josh Groban, Adam Pascal and Marti Pellow; Fantine in "Les Misérables" at the Queen's Theatre; Ellen in the national tour of "Miss Saigon" and appeared in Trevor Nunn's production of "My Fair Lady" at the National Theatre and Drury Lane, playing Eliza Dolittle opposite Jonathan Pryce on many occasions.
 
Earlier this year she released her debut CD recording "Wicked In Rock", produced by Brian May. Most recently, Kerry sang "Defying Gravity" on the 2008 Royal Variety Performance with Brian May and Rufus Taylor. Kerry has just returned to the role of Elphaba in the London production of "Wicked", having played the role for the past six months at the Gershwin Theatre on Broadway.
 
The Great British Songbook celebrates the work of many of our leading composers and lyricists including Noel Coward, Lionel Bart, Anthony Newley, Leslie Bricusse, John Barry, Don Black, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Tim Rice and Elton John.
 
"Kerry Ellis has the extraordinary ability to take on a part and make you think no-one else could have ever played it as well. It is only a matter of time until she get s to create a role and makes it her own forever" Cameron Mackintosh 2008.

With this exclusive package you receive a special offer reduced price ticket(s) to "Zorro" at the Garrick Theatre and stay at Jolly St. Ermins – a centrally located 4* hotel between the dates 14-28 Dec '08, 5 Jan-1 Mar '09, 3-19 Apr '09, 22-31 May '09, 19 Jul-6 Sept '09 . Prices are per person and include 1 night stay, full English breakfast and your theatre ticket.

Crackling with action and adventure, this new multi-million pound musical brings to life the legend of the masked Spanish hero, ZORRO, featuring music by The Gipsy Kings.

This spectacular production, including astounding stage magic, sword fighting and aerial stunts, is brought to the stage by an award winning creative team led by director Christopher Renshaw. With breathtaking choreography by Spain’s acclaimed Rafael Amargo, you will be bowled over by some of the most exciting flamenco ever seen in British theatre.

Combining passion, drama and romance, ZORRO promises to be an evening of highly charged, swashbuckling entertainment.

“Insanely enjoyable musical”
“The perfect theatrical night out”
“This really is a show for all the family”
“The Gipsy Kings’ flamenco inspired music powers the whole show with rhythm and passion”
Daily Telegraph

“Dazzling choreography”
The Guardian

“Perfect summer family entertainment”
Daily Mail

“Magnificently vibrant music of the Gipsy Kings”
Daily Express

“Furiously percussive and visually ravishing spectacle, all haughty head-tossing, hand-clapping, skirt-flailing and heel-stamping”
Sunday Times

“Add in plenty of swinging around on ropes, some excellent sword fights, real flames and a couple of jaw-dropping stage illusions and you have a tequila slammer of a musical. Viva el Zorro!”
Sunday Times

With this exclusive package you receive a special offer reduced price ticket(s) to "We Will Rock You" at the Dominion Theatre and stay at Jolly St. Ermins – a centrally located 4* hotel between the dates 14-28 Dec '08, 5 Jan-1 Mar '09, 3-19 Apr '09, 22-31 May '09, 19 Jul-6 Sept '09 . Prices are per person and include 1 night stay, full English breakfast and your theatre ticket.

The Queen musical by Ben Elton and the band continues to rock the West End…

Everywhere, the kids watch the same movies, wear the same fashions and think the same thoughts. It's a safe, happy, Ga Ga world. Unless you're a rebel. Unless you want to Rock.

On Planet Mall all musical instruments are banned. The company computers generate the tunes and the kids download them. It is an age of boy bands and of girl bands. Of boy and girl bands with a couple of boys in them that look like girls anyway. Nothing is left to chance, hits are scheduled years in advance. But resistance is growing. Underneath the gleaming cities, down in the lower depths live the Bohemians. Rebels who believe that there was once a Golden Age when the kids formed their own bands and wrote their own songs. They call that time, The Rhapsody. Legend persists that somewhere on Planet Mall instruments still exist. Somewhere, the mighty axe of a great and hairy guitar god lies buried deep in rock. The Bohemians. Is the one who calls himself Galileo that man? But the Ga Ga Cops are also looking for Galileo and if they get him first they will surely drag him before the Killer Queen and consign him to oblivion across the Seven Seas of Rye. Who is Galileo? Where is the Hairy One's lost axe? Where is the place of living rock?

Rambert Dance Company's spring visit to Sadler's Wells features two very diverse London premieres. Renowned for their versatility, Artistic Director Mark Baldwin's current company of dancers is "technically assured and smoothly athletic, disciplined but highly individual" (Sunday Express).

"Any evening spent in their company is a fresh and engrossing experience" - Daily Telegraph

Christopher Bruce, one of Britain's best loved choreographers revives Hush, a lighthearted and raucous musical celebration of life. Critically acclaimed in America and set to music by Bobby McFerrin and Yo-Yo Ma, this brilliant 2006 creation will lift your spirits and keep your toes tapping.

The chequer-board stage of Itzik Galili's A Linha Curva is filled with rhythmic pulses and sexual tension. With irresistible samba inspired lines and curves Itzik Galili blends Brazilian capoeira and contemporary dance technique. This new version for Rambert by one of Israel's most talented choreographers features a live on-stage percussion band and large cast. A third work, yet to be announced completes this vibrant programme.

A pre-show talk is scheduled for the Wednesday 13th May at 6:30pm. Admittance: Tickets holders only.

Bill Kenwright, Howard Panter for Ambassador Theatre Group and John Reid present

Plague Over England by Nicholas De Jongh

"Enthralling… outstanding… ambitious… bravo!" - Charles Spencer, Daily Telegraph

21st October 1953. The recently knighted Sir John Gielgud, poised to return to the West End in a new play, is arrested in a public lavatory on charges of importuning for immoral purposes. As news of his conviction is splashed across the national press - at a time when judges, politicians and doctors were describing homosexuality in terms of a cancer, an epidemic and a threat to national life - Gielgud faces personal and professional ruin. Then something extraordinary happens.

PLAGUE OVER ENGLAND offers a fascinating insight into the dramatic changes in social attitudes to gay life in the last fifty years. The play received excellent reviews when it was previewed at The Finborough Theatre last year. Now a new production once again directed by Tamara Harvey arrives in the West End for a limited season at The Duchess Theatre from 11 Feb to 16 May.

The Guardian ****
The Times ****

Designer - Alex Marker
Costume Designer - Trish Wilkinson
Lighting Designer - James Farncombe
Sound Designer - Colin Pink

Interval(s): One 20 minute interval
Running time: 2.5 hours inclusive of interval

Askonas Holt, Raymond Gubbay and Sadler’s Wells present international dance sensation Adam Cooper with his first new production at Sadler’s Wells since his spectacular Les Liaisons Dangereuses in 2005. Set to a score comprised entirely of melodies by Richard Rodgers, Shall We Dance tells the story of one man’s extraordinary quest to find true love. His panoramic voyage transports us from the Orient to the Wild West by way of Russian folk dance, New York jazz and the delirious waltzes of a Viennese ballroom. Conceived and performed by award-winning dancer and choreographer Adam Cooper, this brand new production thrills and seduces with an exhilarating blend of tap, jazz and classical dance.

Rodgers’ show-stoppping score will be brought thrillingly to life by a full live orchestra.

This lavish production brings together the combined creative talents from the West End of musical director Richard Balcombe (Cats, Phantom of the Opera), designer Paul Farnsworth (Follies, Scrooge) and lighting designer Paul Pyant (Lord of the Rings, The Woman in White).

Oscar Wilde’s gothic fable becomes a darkly seductive dance theatre event from master storyteller Matthew Bourne.

Set in the image-obsessed world of contemporary art and politics, this ‘black fairy tale’ tells the story of an exceptionally alluring young man who makes a pact with the devil. Amongst London’s beautiful people, Dorian Gray is the ‘It Boy’ -an icon of beauty and truth in an increasingly ugly world. The destructive power of beauty, the blind pursuit of pleasure and the darkness and corruption that lie beneath the charming façade; the themes behind Wilde’s cautionary tale have never been more timely. Matthew Bourne’s first new production in three years reunites the team that created the double Olivier award-winning hit Play Without Words - designer Lez Brotherston, composer Terry Davies and lighting designer Paule Constable. New Adventures is the foremost dance theatre company in the UK, having created an enormous new audience for dance with a series of highly popular productions including Nutcracker!, The Car Man, Edward Scissorhands and the now legendary Swan Lake.

 At the outbreak of World War One, Joey, young Albert's beloved horse, is sold to the cavalry and shipped to France. he's soon caught up in enemy fire, and fate takes him on an extraordinary odyssey, serving on both sides before finding himself alone in no man's land. But Albert cannot forget Joey and, still not old enough to enlist, he embarks on a treacherous mission to find him and bring him home.

Please note - This show is suitable for children 10 and above.