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Dateline:
9th December, 2001
And Now Kelly Goes
Jude Kelly, director of the West Yorkshire Playhouse, is the latest
in a series of top directorial names in British theatre to announce
her resignation. She leaves the theatre in autumn 2002 after a twelve
year stint. She was actually appointed in 1988, two years before the
building opened.
She was rumoured to be a hot contender for Trevor Nunn's post at the
National and, during the time the rumours were flying around, actually
bought a house in London, although she did say that she had no intention
of moving permanently but simply wanted to have a base near the Royal
Ballet School, where he son is a student.
Kelly admitted that deciding to leave was a difficult decision, but,
she went on, "artistic institutions thrive on constant challenge
and change and so do the individuals within them. I am excited by what
new challenges the future holds for me and am keen to see the Playhouse
evolve under new leadership."
The move puts her firmly in the frame for consideration for the posts
that have fallen vacant in recent weeks.
The Greatest Show
on Earth!
Mayor of London Ken Livingstone launched "The Greatest Show on
Earth" on 5th December at the Prince of Wales, supported by Joan
Collins, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Miriam Margolyes, Linda Nolan, The Reduced
Shakespeare Company and cast members from Rent, Umoja
and Buddy. "The Greatest Show" is his new initiative
to support London tourism and theatre in the wake of the effects of
the Foot and Mouth epidemic and the events of 11th September by offering
60,000 discounted tickets, free return bus travel, meal discounts at
ninety restaurants and £45 rooms at the Hilton Hotel.
The half million pounds originally offered by Livingstone increased
to £2m, thanks to contributuions from theatre managers, hoteliers,
restaurants and Transport for London.
Mr Livingstone announced that 20,000 people had called in the two hours
after the phone lines opened.
Hilton to Sponsor
the Oliviers
Hotel chain Hilton UK and Ireland is to sponsor the Olivier Awards ,
which will be announced on 15th February at a ceremony to be held in
- where else? - the London Hilton on Park Lane. BBC TV will broadcast
the ceremony.
The New Year in Hampstead
The Hampstead Theatre has announced its season for the new year, the
last in the present building.
- Dead Eye Boy by Angus Maclachlan (21st January to 9th February:
previews from 17th January).
- Hand in Hand by Simon Block (20th February to 16th March:
previews from 14th February)
- Bones by Peter Straughan, a co-production with Live Theatre,
Newcastle-upon-Tyne (22nd March to 13th April)
- 18th April to 1st June: TBA
- After the Gods by Steve Waters (11th June to 6th July: previews
from 6th June)
The season will end with a revival of Mike Leigh's Abigail's Party
(dates to be announced). Later in the year the theatre will move into
its new purpose-built building.
Boston Marriage
Transfers
David Mamet's A Boston Marriage, which played to full houses
at the Donmar earlier this year, has now tranferred to the New Ambassadors.
The original cast - Anna Chancellor, Zoe Wanamaker and Lyndsey Marshall
- also transfers.
Rent
Returns
Jonathan Larson's musical Rent, based on La Bohème,
has begun a second West End outing at the Prince of Wales, after a national
tour. The show will have a limited eight week run.
Classic Musicals
Extend
Two of the classic musicals currently playing in the West End have extended
their runs. Kiss Me, Kate is now booking to 2nd September, 2002,
and the RNT My Fair Lady (Theatre Royal Drury Lane) has extended
to the end of August next year. Joanna Ridings will join the cast as
Eliza Doolittle on 10th December.
Noises to
Come Off
Michael Frayne's Noises Off (Piccadilly) is to close on 26th
January, 2002, but the producers have aid that it will transfer to another,
as yet unnamed, theatre.
It will be followed at the theatre by the Chichester Festival transfer
of the George and Ira Gershwin musical My One and Only, which
is due to open on 18th or 25th February (previews from 8th).
Cary Honoured in
Home Town
Hollywood "great" Cary Grant has been honoured by his home
city of Bristol by the unveiling of a bronze statue of the actor.
New Relative
Values Tour
Susan Hampshire is to star in a new Bath Theatre Royal production of
Coward's Relative Values, which will tour in the new year. It
will visit Malvern, Newcastle, Richmond, Canterbury, Bath, Oxford, Woking,
Milton Keynes and High Wycombe.
Film and TV Awards
for Women
The winners of the 2001 Carlton Women in Film and Television Awards
has been announced. They include Kathy Burke (The Deluxe London Award
For Creative Originality), Maureen Lipman (The Carlton Television Mae
West Award) and Diana Rigg (The Channel 4 Lifetime Achievement Award).
International Music Theatre Festival
Launched
The International Music Theatre Festival in Cardiff, celebrating new
musicals, has been launched. We have the full story here.
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