The full cast for the European premiere of David Lindsay-Abaire and Jeanine Tesori’s Tony Award-winning musical Kimberly Akimbo has been confirmed.
Tag Archives | Maria Friedman
Maria Friedman to star in European premiere of Kimberly Akimbo
Triple Olivier Award winner Maria Friedman will take on the title role in the European premiere of David Lindsay-Abaire and Jeanine Tesori’s Tony Award-winning musical Kimberly Akimbo in London later this year.
Movie Review – Merrily We Roll Along Broadway production
Merrily We Roll Along was filmed at the Hudson Theatre, New York in June 2024. The movie played in selected UK cinemas from 5 December 2025. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ It’s special and not to be missed.
Productions of Once and My Fair Lady to feature in Alan Cumming’s first Pitlochry Festival Theatre season
A revival of Once and a major new production of My Fair Lady will feature in Alan Cumming’s inaugural season as artistic director of the Pitlochry Festival Theatre.
Music Review: Merrily We Roll Along – New Broadway Cast Recording
Merrily We Roll Along – New Broadway Cast Recording (Masterworks Broadway). The joy of recordings such as this – with its A-list leads – is its wider appeal than perhaps the typical cast album. Merrily We Roll Along – New Broadway Cast Recording (Masterworks Broadway). Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
My Favorite Things: The Rodgers & Hammerstein 80th Anniversary Concert – Theatre Royal Drury Lane
My Favorite Things: The Rodgers & Hammerstein 80th Anniversary Concert at Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ An unforgettable evening celebrating an enormous body of work, still relevant today in its bold subject matter, conveyed in simple, but meaningful and ultimately timeless, melodies and lyrics that go straight to the human heart and soul.
John Partridge and Natasha J Barnes join The Witches Of Eastwick concert cast
John Partridge and Natasha J Barnes have stepped into the cast of The Witches Of Eastwick In Concert after the previously announced Giles Terera and Danielle Steers became unavailable. Partridge (Cabaret, UK tour, A Chorus Line, London Palladium) will play the devilish central character of Darryl Van Horne with Barnes (Funny Girl, Menier Chocolate Factory/Savoy Theatre, […]
Trio of West End stars to play title roles in The Witches of Eastwick concert
Carrie Hope Fletcher, Danielle Steers and Laura Pitt-Pulford, will join the previously announced Giles Terera in a special concert performance of The Witches of Eastwick at the Sondheim Theatre on 20 June 2022. Currently starring in the title role in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella (until 12 June), Hope Fletcher (The Addams Family, UK tour, Heathers, […]
Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends – Sondheim Theatre
Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends at the Sondheim Theatre, London (and live-streamed at the Prince Edward Theatre). Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ It must be a record! The fastest time to stop a show after curtain-up came at the Sondheim Theatre when Julia McKenzie stepped on to the stage and softly sung […]
Tickets for a live screening of the sold-out Sondheim’s Old Friends Gala to be released
Tickets for a live screening at the Prince Edward Theatre of the sold-out Sondheim’s Old Friends Gala are to be released today, 30 March 2022. Priority will be given to the thousands of people who signed up in the hope of securing tickets but couldn’t be accommodated for the performance at the Sondheim Theatre. Booking […]
Giles Terera to star in one-off concert performance production of The Witches Of Eastwick
Olivier Award-winner Giles Terera will star as Darryl Van Horne in a special concert performance of The Witches Of Eastwick for one night only this summer. The Hamilton star will play the devilish central character in a production directed by triple Olivier Award-winner Maria Friedman with musical staging by double Olivier Award-winning choreographer Stephen Mear […]
Legacy: Maria Friedman and Friends – Menier Chocolate Factory
Legacy: Maria Friedman and Friends continues at the Menier Chocolate Factory, London until 17 April 2022. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Maria Friedman – the three-time Olivier winner from nine nominations – is suddenly one of the busiest women in showbusiness. Having not long ago completed a week-long residency at the […]
An all-star cast of Old Friends will celebrate Sondheim at the Sondheim
Cameron Mackintosh has invited many of Stephen Sondheim’s old friends to join him in celebrating his extraordinary talents and legacy at the theatre which was recently rebuilt in Sondheim’s honour. The all-star cast for OLD FRIENDS so far includes Michael Ball, Petula Clark, Judi Dench, Daniel Evans, Bonnie Langford, Adrian Lester, Damian Lewis, Julia Mckenzie, […]
Maria Friedman unveils new show celebrating the work of Hamlisch, Legrand and Sondheim
Triple Olivier Award-winner Maria Friedman will celebrate the genius of Marvin Hamlisch, Michel Legrand and Stephen Sondheim in a new show premiering at London’s Menier Chocolate Factory in March 2022. Presented by the Menier Chocolate Factory in association with Sonia Friedman Productions, Maria Friedman & Friends – Legacy will begin preview performances on 3 March […]
Maria Friedman and Friends Celebrate Sondheim – Crazy Coqs
Maria Friedman and Friends Celebrate Sondheim continues at Crazy Coqs, London until 8 January 2022. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ What a belter of a start to 2022! The formidable Maria Friedman is rightly showbiz royalty and this was a right-royal celebration in song and story of her mentor and friend, the […]
First birthday celebrations for Maria Friedman and Adrian Der Gregorian’s Doorstep Productions
West End stars Maria Friedman and Adrian Der Gregorian’s Doorstep Productions is celebrating its first birthday. Launched in 2020, the company which was set up to bring the magic of live theatre to the people’s doorsteps and neighbourhoods during lockdown has proved a hit with theatre-lovers across the country. Commenting on the success of the […]
Maria Friedman and Adrian Der Gregorian launch company to bring theatre to UK doorsteps
West End stars Maria Friedman and Adrian Der Gregorian have launched a new production company aimed at bringing the magic of live theatre to the people. Backed by leading figures within the theatre community including Cameron Mackintosh, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group and Nica Burns, Doorstep Productions will bring professional quality theatrical entertainment to […]
CD Review: Anyone Can Whistle – Studio Cast Complete Recording
ANYONE CAN WHISTLE – Studio Cast Complete Recording – 2 CD (JAY RECORDS – CDJAY2 1457) Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ The 23 year wait for the much-anticipated complete recording of Stephen Sondheim’s Anyone Can Whistle has finally come to fruition and the crop is as delicious and mouthwatering as anything […]
Elaine Paige and Bernadette Peters will host first West End Woofs animal adoption event
Musical theatre royalty from both sides of the Atlantic will unite to host the UK’s first virtual dog and cat adoption event this month. Co-hosted by the West End’s Elaine Paige and Broadway’s Bernadette Peters, West End Woofs will be a UK-based version of Broadway Barks, the annual star-studded animal adoption event benefiting New York […]
Crazy Coqs announces August and September live and live-streamed programme
Janie Dee, Maria Friedman, Lauren Samuels, Sophie Evans, Cedric Neal and a celebration of the work of Andrew Lloyd Webber will be among the attractions lined up to feature over the next two months at London’s Crazy Coqs within the Brasserie Zédel complex. Subject to Government guidelines and any changes to lockdown rules, the popular […]
Joseph re-run to close out first Shows Must Go On Season
Universal’s popular The Shows Must Go On YouTube channel will take a break from streaming full shows after a repeat showing of the 2000 adaptation of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat on 10 July 2020. Starring Donny Osmond, Maria Friedman, Richard Attenborough and Joan Collins, the film will be available for 48 hours free […]
Hope Mill to celebrate writer Jonathan Harvey and launch writing prize
Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre will host a star-studded online celebration of the work of writer Jonathan Harvey, scheduled for 18 July 2020. Coinciding with the launch of Through The Mill, a new playwrighting prize which will include the opportunity of a mentorship with Harvey, An Evening With Jonathan Harvey will include an interview with the […]
Stephen Sondheim Society sponsors Lockdown Sondheim Quiz Night
The Stephen Sondheim Society (SSS) will join forces on Sunday 17 May 2020 with Jordan Li-Smith (currently assistant MD for City of Angels) for the latest Lockdown Sondheim Quiz Night, raising much-needed funds for Acting for Others. Since lockdown, Li-Smith has been running his very successful #LockdownMTQuizNight on Sundays. This week, the SSS is sponsoring […]
Online fundraiser to mark Joseph’s 50th year
Over 30 performers from across the world will appear in a star studded online charity concert to celebrate 50 years of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. With the support of the Really Useful Group and the Universal Group, work is well under way on creating the special concert version of Andrew Lloyd Webber and […]
Hope Mill Theatre streams free online Rodgers and Hammerstein concert
With the UK theatrical premiere of the Broadway version of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella at Hope Mill Theatre on hold the team at the award-winning Manchester venue are streaming a free online concert celebrating the work of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. Available until 3 May 2020 and hosted by Hope Mill’s founders William […]
Dame Vera Lynn headlines morale-boosting music video ‘We’ll Meet Again
Alfie Boe has joined the previously announced line-up of socially distanced West End stars for a unique video version of ‘We’ll Meet Again’ featuring a special message of love and best wishes from Dame Vera Lynn. The inspirational face and voice of the Second world War is working her magic once again in a special […]
West End stars join Dame Vera Lynn for We’ll Meet Again video
Dame Vera Lynn is uniting with a host of socially distanced West End stars for a special morale-boosting video aimed at the theatre industry. The inspirational face and voice of the Second World War will work her magic once again by providing a personal message of love and best wishes for a unique video version […]
West End stars will feature in Hope Mill Theatre’s online concert of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s music
Hope Mill Theatre is staging an online concert featuring West End stars, celebrating the much-loved music from legendary songwriting duo Rodgers and Hammerstein, on 26 April 2020 at 7pm. Like many theatres across the country, Hope Mill Theatre has been closed since 17 March due to Covid-19. The venue ceased all productions and made the […]
Selected Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals to be streamed on new free channel The Shows Must Go On
Things will get a little bit brighter for musical theatre fans from 7pm on Friday (3 April 2020) when the 2000 adaptation of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat will be made available free of charge on YouTube. Starring Donny Osmond, Maria Friedman, Richard Attenborough and Joan Collins, the production will be the first in […]
Fiddler on the Roof – Playhouse Theatre
Fiddler on the Roof continues at the Playhouse Theatre, London until 2 November 2019. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩ When news comes that a classic musical – perhaps one that it is nearly 60 years old like Fiddler on the Roof – is going to be revived, the announcement is rarely […]
Open auditions for new Dusty Springfield musical
Open auditions are to be held in London next week for dancers and singers to appear in Dusty, the new musical about the turbulent life of one of British pop’s most distinctive singers, Dusty Springfield. Dancers and singers “who excel in commercial dance” are being invited to attend the auditions on Friday 19 January at […]
Ruffelle, Huntley and Kemp to play new Pizza Express live venue
Frances Ruffelle, Tyrone Huntley and Martin Kemp are among the latest additions to the star-studded launch season line-up at restaurant chain Pizza Express’ latest London entertainment venue. Tickets are already on sale for An Audience With Martin Kemp on 31 August, West End favourite Ruffelle’s solo show I Say Yeh-Yeh on 3 September and Evening […]
Pizza Express to open new entertainment venue in London
Restaurant chain Pizza Express will open a new live entertainment venue at its newly designed restaurant in London’s High Holborn at the end of August. The intimate space in the basement will feature a wide range of music, cabaret, comedy, and ‘audience with’ Q&A sessions. Designed to allow the audience to get close to some […]
Lenny and Steve: Maria Friedman – Live At Zédel
Lenny and Steve: Maria Friedman continues at Live At Zédel, London until 20 May. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ British artists who truly understand the intimate art of cabaret are few and far between, but the wonderful Maria Friedman is one who stands alongside the very best and an evening in […]
Maria Friedman to direct new Dusty Springfield musical in 2018
The turbulent life of one of British pop’s most distinctive singers, Dusty Springfield, will be the subject of a new musical to be directed by one of the West End’s most accomplished leading ladies, Maria Friedman. Billed as the first ‘authorised’ musical about Springfield, Dusty will be written by playwright, novelist and screenwriter Jonathan Harvey […]
Something for everybody at Live at Zédel
To launch its spring programme, Piccadilly cabaret room Live at Zédel gave us a taster of seven very different acts, drolly introduced by French comic/compere Marcel Lucont, who is very funny indeed, rather naughty, and will be well worth seeing during Zedel’s French Fest in March. From a musical theatre point of view the highlight […]
Lenny and Steve – Maria Friedman – Live at Zedel
Lenny and Steve – Maria Friedman continues at Live at Zedel, London until 14 November. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ British artists who truly understand the intimate art of cabaret are few and far between but the wonderful Maria Friedman is one who stands alongside the very best Americans, and an evening with her […]
Stepping Out reaches the West End in March 2017
Amanda Holden, Angela Griffin, Tracy-Ann Oberman, Tamzin Outhwaite and Nicola Stephenson will be Stepping Out in the West End when Richard Harris’ award-winning comedy opens at London’s Vaudeville Theatre with preview performances from 1 March 2017 and opening night on 14 March 2017. Directed by Maria Friedman, this brand new staging will first tour the UK from 12 October 2016 including […]
Stepping Out – Amanda Holden leads cast and Maria Friedman directs
Amanda Holden, Angela Griffin and Nicola Stephenson will star in a new production of Stepping Out by Richard Harris, directed by Maria Friedman. The production opens at the Theatre Royal Bath (12 to 22 October) followed by pre-West End dates at Richmond Theatre and Cambridge Arts Theatre (additional dates to be announced). Actress, singer and presenter Amanda Holden became a […]
The Oliviers in Concert – Royal Festival Hall, London
The Oliviers in Concert, featuring the BBC Concert Orchestra, at the Royal Festival Hall, London. Star rating: three stars ★ ★ ★ ✩ ✩ So it’s 40 years since the Olivier Awards were created (they were originally inaugurated in 1976 as the Society of West End Theatre Awards) and kicking off the celebrations was this one-off […]
The Stable launches £60K crowdfunding bid to support new musical theatre
Investors are being invited to grab a stake in the future shape of musical theatre in the UK through a new scheme launched by the production house, The Stable. The Stable’s equity based Crowdcube campaign will offer genre fans the chance to buy shares in the company which is planning to commission, develop and produce […]
Jenna Russell and Maria Friedman join line-up for Sondheim 85th Birthday Tribute
A star-studded West End cast of more than 50 principals, a 40-piece orchestra led by Gareth Valentine and an ensemble of over 50, including a chorus from ArtsEd, will celebrate the songs and shows of Stephen Sondheim in Hey, Old Friends! An 85th Birthday Tribute to Stephen Sondheim at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane on Sunday 25 […]
High Society – the Old Vic
High Society continues at the Old Vic, London until 22 August. Star rating: 4 stars ★ ★ ★ ★ Well, did you evah? What a swell party this is! Silly but swelegant and it’s hard not to fall in love with Maria Friedman’s swish, sparkling update of the 1998 Broadway show of the 1956 Frank Sinatra-Grace Kelly-Bing […]
Interview – rising star Ellie Bamber having a ball in High Society at the Old Vic
ELLIE BAMBER is the rising star who plays the role of 14-year-old Dinah Lord in Maria Friedman’s effervescent revival of Cole Porter’s High Society at The Old Vic (opening tonight, Thursday 14 May). Ellie made her screen debut at the age of 15 alongside Martin Clunes in the ITV drama A Mother’s Son, having earlier appeared on stage […]
High Society at the Old Vic – full casting revealed
Full casting for the Old Vic’s new production of High Society has been announced. Casting includes the previously announced Kate Fleetwood , Barbara Flynn, Jamie Parker, Annabel Scholey and Rupert Young along with Ellie Bamber, Richard Grieve, Christopher Ravenscroft and Jeff Rawle. The Old Vic’s new in-the-round production of Cole Porter’s classic musical is directed by Maria Friedman, with Joe […]
High Society – Kate Fleetwood and Jamie Parker lead line-up at the Old Vic
Kate Fleetwood, Barbara Flynn, Jamie Parker, Annabel Scholey and Rupert Young are to star in The Old Vic’s new production of Cole Porter’s classic feelgood musical, High Society, directed in the round by Maria Friedman, with Joe Stilgoe and the High Society Band. The show runs from 30 April to 22 August, press night is […]
Interview – Maria Friedman celebrates New Year’s Eve with special musicals gala
It’s an understatement to say that Olivier Award-winning actress and director MARIA FRIEDMAN is busy. Along with performing her acclaimed cabaret shows and making plans to stage the Cole Porter musical High Society at the Old Vic next year, she is regularly filming BBC1’s EastEnders (playing the character of Elaine Peacock). So one would imagine that […]
Maria Friedman will direct High Society at the Old Vic
Multi-award-winning director and actress Maria Friedman will direct an in the round production of Cole Porter’s classic musical High Society at the Old Vic, previewing from 30 April 2015 and running until 22 August (press night is 14 May). High Society is, of course, based on The Philadelphia Story by Philip Barry and the 1956 MGM film musical starring Bing […]
Maria Friedman – Back To Before – The Pheasantry
Maria Friedman: Back to Before continues at The Pheasantry, London, until 26 October. Nobody understands the art of cabaret better than Maria Friedman, actress, singer, director and now EastEnder extraordinaire, and her new show, Back to Before, in residence for two weeks at The Pheasantry on Chelsea’s Kings Road, is, as expected, a joy from […]
Anything Goes: A Celebration of the Music of Cole Porter – Cadogan Hall
Anything Goes: A 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Music of Cole Porter at Cadogan Hall, London continues until 23 August. Goodness knows why we need a reason to celebrate the genius of Cole Porter, but the official excuse for these two beautiful hours of unadulterated joy is that 50 years ago in October the great man left us […]
