Theatre Breaks to see Love Never Dies

Love Never Dies is the title of a new musical which has been written as a sequel to The Phantom of The Opera. 'Phantom' has been (and still is) a West End and Broadway phenomenon, running continuously at Her Majesty's Theatre, London since 1986.

During that time many people have been to see the spectacular musical over and over again but soon it will be possible to relive Phantom of The Opera theatre breaks in London without seeing the same show. The new musical called Love Never Dies, and set in New York is due to open in London and other cities imminently. Phantom of the Opera theatre breaks have been the upmarket choice for hundreds of thousands of couples wanting a special night out with spectacular effects, operetta style music, a full orchestra and a short theatre break in London never to forget.

The Masked Phantom himself sent out an email which read -

“Ladies and Gentlemen, At 11 o’clock on the eighth day of October 2009, I will be making an announcement of global importance. Should my commands be ignored, a disaster beyond your imagination will occur. Amor Numquam Moritur. Your Obedient Servant, The Phantom”

Love Never Dies the musical is set in 1907, ten years after the conclusion of the original Phantom Of The Opera story. The Phantom himself escaped to New York in the US with Madame and Meg Giry. There he worked as a magician and entertainer on Coney Island. He builds a new opera house and convinces Christine Daae, now a huge star in her own right, to sing for him once again.

Love Never Dies the musical has lyrics by Glenn Slater, is directed by Jack O'Brien and designed by Bob Crowley, with choreography by Jerry Mitchell and lighting by Paule Constable.

The launch day announcement on October 8th is expected to confirm rumours that the Love Never Dies will have a world premiere opening at London's Adelphi Theatre in March 2010, following lengthy previews. Casting is expected to include Ramin Karimloo as the Phantom, American Sierra Boggess as Christine, and Summer Strallen as Meg Giry. Well those are the rumours, but with rehearsals well under way at a big location outside of London, it's also just possible that the opening of Love Never Dies will be brought foreward in time for the December January peak theatre season.

London transfer for RSC Twelfth Night

Latest News: London transfer for RSC Twelfth Night

First published: 03 Sep 2009

The capital’s theatregoers will be able to enjoy Richard Wilson’s Royal Shakespeare Company debut when Twelfth Night, which opens in Stratford in October, transfers to the Duke of York’s theatre for a Christmas season.

The Bard’s popular comedy of confused identity and entangled love lives runs in London from 19 December until 27 February and also stars James Fleet, Nancy Carroll, Jo Stone-Fewings, Sam Alexander, Alexandra Gilbreath, Richard McCabe, Pamela Nomvete, Simeon Moore and Miltos Yerolemou.

Wilson, most famous for his long-running role as the curmudgeonly Victor Meldrew in BBC sitcom One Foot In The Grave, is to play tormented steward Malvolio in the Gregory Doran-directed production. Also prolific as a director and supporter of new writing, Wilson’s casting comes as something of a shock as he has, in the past, expressed a dislike of Shakespeare, claiming in an interview with The Independent that: “I just don't have the intellectual capacity for Shakespeare... So I would rather not bother.”

Another performer easily recognisable to sitcom fans, Fleet, who played the dappy Hugo in The Vicar Of Dibley, returns to the RSC, for whom he has worked extensively, to play the foolish Sir Andrew Aguecheek. The piece also marks returns for Carroll and Gilbreath, who played opposite each other in Doran’s 2000 production of As You Like It.

The tale of Twelfth Night follows twins separated by a shipwreck who find themselves caught up in a web of love. Viola (Carroll) disguises herself as a boy to enter the service of Orsino (Stone-Fewings), whom she loves, but soon finds herself taking his words of affection to Olivia (Gilbreath), who has no time for Orsino, but falls, instead, for the disguised Viola. Meanwhile Olivia’s puritanical steward Malvolio finds himself persecuted by a band of drunken revellers.

Twelfth Night has been one of London’s most revived Shakespearean plays in recent years, with three productions since the summer of 2008, when Janie Dee and Clive Rowe starred at the Open Air theatre. In September 2008, Filter staged a version, which had previously been seen as part of the RSC’s Complete Works Festival, at the Tricycle theatre, while last Christmas Michael Grandage directed the Donmar West End production at the Wyndham’s theatre. The Donmar production starred Derek Jacobi in the role of Malvolio, for which he won the 2009 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor.

MA

via officiallondontheatre.co.uk

Shakespeare always does well in London's West End and 12th night is one of the most popular plays.

Posted via web from London Theatre Breaks