The British Theatre Guide: News for 23rd November, 2003

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Dateline: 23rd November, 2003

Les Mis to Move
After eighteen years at the Palace Theatre, the long-running musical Les Miserables will have its final performance there on 27th March, 2004, after which it will transfer to the Queen's. At the moment the Palace is owned by Andrew Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Theatres, which also has a lease on the Queen's (from Cameron Mackintosh), which is due to expire in 2006. Urgent renovations are needed at the Palace, so Mackintosh and RUT have agreed that he will take possession of the Queen's two years early.

Mackintosh has plans for the redevelopment of of the Shaftesbury Avenue site which includes both the Queen's and the Gielgud, and whoich will be the site of his proposed new Sondheim Theatre (see our story of 27th April).

Dreyfuss for the West End
According to the Daily Mail, Richard Dreyfuss may be appearing in the West End production of The Producers as Max. Already cast is Lee Hall as Leo and there are rumours that Michael Crawford and Robert Lindsay have both been considered ad have both turned it down. It is thought that Nathan Lane, who originally played the part on broadway and has now returned to the show, will not appear in the West End, and it is thought to be highly unlikely that Henry Goodman, who followed Lane on Broadway but was sacked because he didn't appeal to Americans (see our story of April 2002), would be asked - or would accept if he was.

Cook Will Direct Hunter
It is reported that Dominic Cook, associate director at the RSC and formerly of the Royal Court, will direct The Bog of Cats, which is said to be the vehicle for Holly Hunter's West End debut next year.

Jerry Springer CD released
Sony has released a 2CD set of the cast recording of Jerry Springer - The Opera, which is now onsale (and can be bought from our Bookshop).

Brown to Write a Wonderful Life
Steve Brown, composer of Spend! Spend! Spend! is working on a musical version of the James Stewart film It's a Wonderful Life. Brown, who will write the music and lyrics, already has a producer, Jon Thoday (Jerry Springer - The Opera), and hopes it will appear in the West End in 2004.

From Fields to Merman
Angela Richards, who last year starred in Dorothy Fields Forever, is to play Ethel Merman in Call Me Merman, which opens at the King's Head on 30th December (previews from 23rd) and runs until 1st February. Also in the cast will be Susannah Fellows.

More Monologue Dates
The national tour of The Vagina Monologues will continue in the new year with performances in Taunton, Truro, Toquay, Bristol, Ipswich, Tunbridge Wells, Chatham, Jersey, Harlow, Catford, Newbury, Bury St Edmonds, Radlett, Derby, Bradford, York, Kings Lynn, Swansea, Darlington, Southhampton, Cambridge, Swindon, Bath, Belfast, Buxton, Bracknell, Wellingborough, Cheltenham and Worcester.

Hardy Mini-Series to Be Broadcast after Two Years
A two-part TV version of The Mayor of Casterbridge, starring Ciaran Hinds, Juliet Aubrey and James Purefoy, is to be broadcast just after Christmas on ITV, more than two years since it was made. It was originally meant to be broadcast early in 2002 but was shelved because of financial belt-tightening at ITV. It will be broadcast on 27th and 28th December.

Players Take over The Venue
The Venue in Leicester Square, home to Money to Burn, which has been dark since that show collapsed after just two nights, is to host a series of Sunday concerts. At 4.00 will be The Very Best of British Old Time Music Hall, presented by the Players Theatre which lost its own venue at Charing Cross railway station last year, whilst at 8.00 Showtime will present music from West End shows presented by West End performers.

Extending
The following shows have extended their booking periods:

Tonight's The Night extends by four months to 5th June
Les Miserables extends to 27th March
Phantom of the Opera also extends to 27th March

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