Rakie Ayola News

We risk war. This is the consequence. Battle. Shield. Spear and sword. Conflict amongst the Gods. This must be avoided.'

Inua Ellams' new play, The Half God of Rainfall receives its world premiere at Birmingham Repertory Theatre from 13 - 20 April (press night Tue 16 April, 7pm).

Casting has been announced for Nancy Medina's forthcoming production of Inua Ellams' new play The Half-God of Rainfall. Rakie Ayola (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) will play Modupe, mother to her half-god son Demi who will be played by Kwami Odoom (Barber Shop Chronicles). This world premiere production will be directed by Nancy Medina, designed by Max Johns, with movement direction by Imogen Knight, sound design by Tanuja Amarasuriya, lighting design by Jackie Shemesh and casting by Briony Barnett.

It's the end of an era at the Lyric Hammersmith, as it is Sean Holmes' final season as artistic director - but it has begun in terrific style with the premiere of a new play with music, written by Matt Jones and Bloc Party singer-songwriter Kele Okereke. It is directed by Southpaw Dance Company's artistic director Robby Graham, and stars Tyrone Huntley and Billy Cullum as Obi and Alex, a gay couple contemplating marriage whilst battling secrets from their pasts.

London is never short of temptations, whether splashy West End shows, epic dramas or bold fringe offerings. From Cate Blanchett's UK stage debut to a reborn Andrew Lloyd Webber, here are some of this month's most eye-catching openings. Don't forget to check back for BroadwayWorld's reviews, interviews and features!

The world premiere of Leave to Remain, a new play with songs by Bloc Party frontman Kele Okereke and writer Matt Jones (Doctor Who, Mr Selfridge), runs 18 January - 16 February 2019 at the Lyric Hammersmith. Kele has written 14 original new tracks for the show and the soundtrack will be released on press night, Thursday 24 January 2019.

The much anticipated adaptation of Malorie Blackman's award-winning young adult book series Noughts + Crosses has begun filming in South Africa for BBC One.

Acorn TV features the DVD debut of the outrageous police procedural NO OFFENCE, Series 2 on November 20, 2018. The female-driven police procedural follows an unorthodox team of cops in Manchester. From 9-time BAFTA Award nominated writer Paul Abbott (Shameless, State of Play, Cracker) comes an “exhilarating, ballsy, and…filthily funny” (The Independent) police comedy-drama with fierce female characters and a shrewd, irreverent take on crime. The critically-acclaimed dramedy stars Joanna Scanlan (Requiem, The Thick of It, Notes on a Scandal) and Irish Film & TV Academy Lead Drama Actress nominee Elaine Cassidy (Acceptable Risk, The Paradise, The Others). The DVD 2-Disc Set features 7 episodes ($49.99, Amazon.com). No Offence, Series 2 made its U.S. premiere in August 2018 on Acorn TV. Called a “glorious streaming service… an essential must-have” (The Hollywood Reporter), Acorn TV is North America's most popular streaming service focused on British and international television from RLJ Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: RLJE).

After starting off the year with several must-see Acorn TV Originals including the final season of BAFTA-winning BBC comedy Detectorists, star-studded ITV drama Girlfriends, and Welsh sensation Keeping Faith, Acorn TV announces its content-packed slate for the rest of the year filled with must-see new dramas and returning favorites. North America's largest streaming service specializing in British and international television will feature the U.S. and Canadian premieres of several more Acorn TV Originals, including its first sole commission with Agatha Raisin, Series 2 starring Ashley Jensen (Catastrophe, Ugly Betty); new hit Aussie drama Mystery Road called “Australia's answer to 'True Detective'… Judy Davis is phenomenal” (Junkee); and Irish comedy Finding Joy; plus Welsh drama Bang, Italian drama Tangled Lies and new seasons of Acorn TV favorites 800 Words, Paul Abbott's No Offence, Ackley Bridge, The Heart Guy, and The Brokenwood Mysteries; as well as dates for two of its most popular Australian series with the final season of addictive period drama A Place to Call Home (Sept. 3/Labor Day) and Guy Pearce's return as the late Peter Temple's Jack Irish (Sept. 10, Trailer).

Rehearsals began this week for the third West End cast of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child who will start their performances at the Palace Theatre in London on 23 May 2018 following the final performance from the current cast on 20 May 2018.

The 18th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards, held at the Prince of Wales Theatre, was a fast-paced ceremony with great performances and an enthusiastic crowd. The WhatsOnStage awards are unique because they are voted for by theatregoers online. While a few shows took home several awards each, no one show dominated enough to take the excitement away.

We're excited to announce the winners for the 2017 Broadway UK Awards! As voted for by the public, the awards celebrate the best long-running West End productions and best new productions from around the country. Thank you to everyone who voted, and huge congratulations to our fantastic winners.

The 2017 BroadwayWorld UK Awards honour the best productions from the past year around the country and the best long-running West End shows. Voting is open until midnight on Friday, 8 December, with the winners announced soon afterwards.

The 2017 BroadwayWorld UK Awards honour the best productions from the past year around the country and the best long-running West End shows. Voting is open until Friday, 8 December - just over a week away - with the winners announced soon afterwards.

See the updated standings in the 2017 BroadwayWorld UK Awards, and cast your vote

See Current Standings In The 2017 BroadwayWorld UK Awards; Cast Your Vote!

See Current Standings In The 2017 BroadwayWorld UK Awards; Cast Your Vote!

Today, the shortlist is announced for the 2017 BroadwayWorld UK Awards, celebrating the best long-running West End productions and best new productions from around the country. CLICK HERE TO VOTE!

Ahead of the new cast's first performance at London's Palace Theatre on Wednesday (24 May 2017), the Producers of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child release a first-look set of portraits by Charlie Gray.  

Rehearsals began this week for the new West End cast of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child who will start their performances at the Palace Theatre in London's West End on 24 May 2017 following the final performance from the current cast on 21 May 2017.