Forbes Masson News

Pure magic are the two words I would use to describe The Boy in the Dress. Appearing for the first time on stage, David Walliams' book has sold over 32 million copies worldwide. Most recently the BBC adapted it for screen, which went down very well and ensured that the story reached even more people. Now, it is the RSC and Mark Ravenhill's turn to bring it to life, under the direction of the venue's Artistic Director Gregory Doran. It's an adventurous challenge and clearly there has been no expense spared to ensure that the musical remains as authentic to its origins as possible.

Production images for the Royal Shakespeare Company's (RSC) new musical The Boy in the Dresshave now been released.

Full casting is announced for The Boy in the Dress, the Royal Shakespeare Company's (RSC) new musical, which runs in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre from 8 November.

'Drink to the cause, and pure vapours.' We've reached the end of August, which for us means the summer bank holiday and Notting Hill Carnival - but go back a few centuries and the only thing on Londoners' minds would be Bartholomew Fair. An annual event that sprung up in Smithfield around St Bartholomew's Day, it saw all manner of people from every part of society come together in one place for roast hog, a variety of stalls, and all the fun of the fair. It's this melting pot upon which Ben Jonson focused when writing his city play of the same name, and that Blanche McIntyre has brought to the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse for a limited run this summer.

Casting kicks off with the first announcement for The Boy in the Dress, the Royal Shakespeare Company's (RSC) new musical which runs in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre from 8 November.

More2Screen has announced that the Shakespeare's Globe production of the hilarious The Merry Wives of Windsor will be broadcast live to over 325 cinemas across the UK and Ireland on Thursday 20 June 2019 at 7.20pm. The production stars Bryony Hannah as Mistress Ford, best-known from BBC One's Call the Midwife.

Shakespeare's Globe announced the full cast for William Shakespeare's The Merry Wives of Windsor, directed by Elle While, and Ben Jonson's Bartholomew Fair, directed by Blanche McIntyre.

Sonia Friedman Productions confirms the previously announced end-date of 19 January 2019 for the West End production of Summer and Smoke. Audiences have less than three weeks to catch Rebecca Frecknall's critically acclaimed revival and reinvention of Tennessee Williams' intoxicating and gripping classic. This breathtaking production starring the sensational Patsy Ferran and Matthew Needham completes its highly successful West End run at the Duke of York's Theatre.

Music sits very much at the heart of director Rebecca Fracknell's vision of Summer and Smoke, the stage surrounded by pianos. Giving us an insight into how that world is created on stage, actor Forbes Masson also shares how that music continues offstage with a certain cast tradition.

Straight off her win for Best Actress in a New Production of a Play at BroadwayWorld's UK Awards, Patsy Ferran shares what it's like to have a character in your head for that long a time. Taking us through how her own impressions of Alma have changed, she also reveals just how Alma has changed her too.

Rebecca Frecknall's production of Summer and Smoke lands in the West End after a starry run at Almeida Theatre earlier this year. In its new incarnation, one of Tennessee Williams' undervalued pieces is turned into an aesthetic dream to inspire a broader reflection on how the 1948 play resonates 70 years later.

The West End transfer of Tennessee Williams' intoxicating and rarely staged classic, Summer and Smoke, follows a sold-out and critically lauded run at the Almeida Theatre. Directed by the Almeida's Associate Director Rebecca Frecknall with the full cast reprising their roles for the West End run, this innovative new production of Summer and Smoke has a limited run from 10 November 2018 - 19 January 2019, at the Duke Of York's Theatre, with press night on Tuesday 20 November at 7pm.

London is never short of temptations, whether splashy West End shows, epic dramas or bold fringe offerings. From new musicals to Shakespeare, Pinter and Magic Mike, here are some of this month's most eye-catching openings. Don't forget to check back for BroadwayWorld reviews, interviews and features!

A thrilling cast of stars have this evening taken part in a one-off charity gala celebrating the life and work of Harold Pinter. The event Happy Birthday, Harold was held on Pinter's birthday, the 10th October, in the theatre which bears his name, as a part of the Pinter at the Pinter season, which has just opened to critical acclaim.

To celebrate less than six weeks until the West End transfer, an exclusive trailer for Tennessee Williams' intoxicating and rarely staged classic, Summer and Smoke, has been released.

A thrilling cast of stars will take part in a one-off charity gala celebrating the life and work of Harold Pinter. The event Happy Birthday, Harold will be held on Pinter's birthday, the 10th October, in the theatre which bears his name, as a part of the Pinter at the Pinter season, which has just opened to critical acclaim. A limited number of public tickets are now on sale.

For the misfits of Skid Row, life is full of broken dreams and dead ends. But there's hope on the horizon for flower shop assistant, Seymour, when he discovers a mysterious new plant with killer potential. Will his newfound fame and fortune win the attention of kind, sweet, delicate Audrey? Can he finally break free and be happy…whatever the consequences?

London is never short of temptations, whether splashy West End shows, epic dramas or bold fringe offerings. From starry Shakespeare and a new musical to family entertainment, here are some of this month's most eye-catching openings. Don't forget to check back for BroadwayWorld reviews, interviews and features!

Regent's Park Open Air Theatre presents Little Shop of Horrors. Directed by Maria Aberg, the production plays 03 August - 15 September.

It's big...it's green...and no, it's not just the park! This summer, Regent's Park Open Air Theatre stages Little Shop of Horrors with rehearsals currently underway.  Though his character Seymour may be 'full of broken dreams', Marc Antolin certainly isn't. Taking on his dream role, Marc shares his favourite songs from the show and why he loves returning to Regent's Park.