Back to News & Press David Tennant to lead cast in Don Juan in Soho Wednesday, 2 November 2016 The production will preview at Wyndham’s Theatre from 17 March 2017, with press night on 28 March 2017. It will complete its strictly limited eleven week run on 10 June 2017. Direction is by Patrick Marber with set and costume designs by Anna Fleischle (who won the Olivier Award for Hangmen at the same venue) and sound and music by Adam Cork . Further casting will be announced at a later date. “Please don’t be charmed, he’s not a lovable rogue...” Loosely based on Molière tragicomedy 'Don Juan', this savagely funny and filthy modern update transports the action to contemporary London and follows the final adventures of its debauched protagonist – a cruel seducer who lives only for pleasure. David Tennant has worked extensively in theatre, television and film winning numerous awards for his work including the Critics' Circle Award for Best Shakespearean Performance and the National Television Award’s Outstanding Drama Performance. For the Royal Shakespeare Company his credits include Richard II , a role he reprised earlier this year at the Barbican and at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York, As You Like It , The Herbal Bed , The Comedy of Errors , Romeo and Juliet , A Midsummer Night’s Dream , Love’s Labour’s Lost and the title role in Hamlet , as well as co-hosting the live broadcast of Shakespeare 400. Tennant was last in the West End playing Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing . His film credits include What We Did On Our Holiday , The Decoy Bride , Fright Night , Nativity 2: Danger in the Manger , St Trinian’s II: The Legend of Fritton’s Gold , Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire , Bright Young Things , LA Without a Map and the forthcoming Mad To Be Normal , Fish Without Bicycles and Bad Samaritan . On television he is best known for playing the tenth incarnation of the Doctor in the BBC’s classic series Doctor Who . He has just wrapped on the third season of ITV’s award winning series Broadchurch and starred in the US version, Gracepoint . His other television credits include playing Kilgrave in Netflix’s Jessica Jones , and The Escape Artist , The Politician’s Husband , Spies of Warsaw and Casanova , all for the BBC. Patrick Marber ’s plays include Dealer’s Choice , After Miss Julie , Closer , Howard Katz , Three Days in the Country and The Red Lion . His film credits include Closer (directed by Mike Nichols), Notes on a Scandal (directed by Richard Eyre), Old Street and Love You More . For television his co-writing credits include The Day Today and Knowing Me, Knowing You With Alan Partridge . In December this year Ivo van Hove will direct Marber’s new version of Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler for the National Theatre starring Ruth Wilson and Rafe Spall. As well as directing a number of his own plays his other directing credits include Travesties by Tom Stoppard currently playing at the Menier Chocolate Factory and transferring to the Apollo Theatre in February next year, The Caretaker at the Comedy Theatre, Blue Remembered Hills at the National Theatre, ‘1953’ by Craig Raine at the Almeida and The Old Neighbourhood by David Mamet at the Royal Court Theatre. His plays have won Evening Standard, Olivier, Time Out, New York and London Critics’ Circle and Writers’ Guild awards. His TV work has received BAFTA, British Comedy and Royal Television Society awards. His screenplays have been nominated for Golden Globe, BAFTA and Academy Awards. He received the British Independent Film Award for Notes on a Scandal. Marber ’s Don Juan in Soho , which premiered to great acclaim ten years ago at the Donmar Warehouse, is now produced in the West End by Matthew Byam Shaw, Nia Janis and Nick Salmon for Playful Productions in association with Sonia Friedman Productions. Up Up

Back to News & Press King Charles III General Bookings Open Today Sunday, 29 April 2007 Tickets for the Almeida Theatre’s acclaimed production of King Charles III go on public sale today. The production will play at the Wyndham’s Theatre from Tuesday 2 September until Saturday 29 November. Tim Pigott-Smith will once again play Charles. The cast also includes Richard Goulding, Nyasha Hatendi, Adam James, Margot Leicester, Tom Robertson, Nicholas Rowe, Tafline Steen and Lydia Wilson. Further casting is to be announced. Tickets for King Charles III are now available to buy from Delfont Mackintosh Theatres 0844 482 5120 or kingcharles3play.co.uk as well as from the Almeida Theatre on 020 7359 4404. The Queen is dead: after a lifetime of waiting, the prince ascends the throne. A future of power. But how to rule? Mike Bartlett's controversial play explores the people underneath the crowns, the unwritten rules of our democracy, and the conscience of Britain's most famous family. The production played to sell-out crowds at the Almeida Theatre, and has received international critical acclaim. Directed by the Almeida Theatre’s artistic director Rupert Goold, King Charles III is designed by Tom Scutt, music composed by Jocelyn Pook, with lighting by Jon Clark and sound by Paul Arditti. King Charles III is produced in the West End by Sonia Friedman Productions, Stuart Thompson Productions and the Almeida Theatre. Up Up

Back to Productions FANGIRLS This production began performances on 13th July and closed on 24th August 2024 as part of the Lyric Hammersmith's 2024 season. ★★★★★ Combining the acid wit of ‘Six’, the rebel streak of ‘Matilda‘ and the gooey heart of ‘Everybody’s Talking About Jamie’, Yve Blake’s new musical will inspire outsized feelings and ardent devotion The Independent FANGIRLS , written and composed by Yve Blake and directed by Paige Rattray , will close the season in a six-week run from 13 July – 24 August . The multi-award-winning Australian pop musical phenomenon makes its UK premiere in a brand-new production co-produced with Sonia Friedman Productions. Edna is in love with Harry. But she’s a 14-year-old misfit and he’s a singer in the biggest boyband in the world. FANGIRLS is the embodiment of the rush of first love; an effervescent, adrenaline-fuelled, electrifying night out. ★★★★★ An extraordinary, heartfelt show that also embraces the ridiculous WhatsOnStage Get ready for an unmissable show that pulses with the soaring adrenaline of a first crush and feels like the best pop concert you’ve never been to… Meet Edna: she's 14, she’s a mistfit, and she's in love with Harry. There's just one problem: Harry’s in the world’s biggest boy band, has 38 million fans, and doesn't know she exists. When Harry’s band announces a tour stop in Edna's hometown of Sydney, Australia, she knows this is her destiny – her one chance to meet him. But how on EARTH will she get Harry's attention?! And exactly how far is she prepared to go in the name of love? If you think this is just a story about loving a boy band... think again. FANGIRLS is a thrilling and subversive musical comedy about the danger of underestimating teenage girls. After multiple sell-out runs across Australia, including the Sydney Opera House, this brand new production of the multi-award-winning, pop musical phenomenon FANGIRLS is about to take the UK by storm. ★★★★★ Fangirls has everything that you could want from modern musical theatre Broadway World CAST MIRACLE CHANCE (SHE/HER) – Brianna JASMINE ELCOCK (SHE/HER) – Edna MAC GILL (HE/SHE/THEY) – Greta / Ensemble (Swing / Dance Captain) THOMAS GRANE (HE/HIM) – Harry MAX JAMES HODGE (HE/HIM) – Pat / Ensemble (cover Salty / Harry) TERIWUE JARRETT (HE/HIM) – Salty DEBBIE KURUP (SHE/HER) – Caroline MARY MALONE (SHE/HER) – Jules GRACIE MCGONICAL (SHE/HER) – Lily EVE NAOMI DE LEON ALLEN (THEY/THEM) – Dom / Ensemble (cover Jules / Brianna) LENA PATTIE JONES (SHE/HER) – Ash / Ensemble (cover Edna / Lily) NICKY WONG RUSH (HE/THEY) – Odette / Ensemble (Assistant Dance Captain) CREATIVES YVE BLAKE – Book, Music and Lyrics PAIGE RATTRAY – Director DAVID FLEISCHER – Production Designer EBONY WILLIAMS – Choreographer ASH J WOODWARD – Video Designer JESSICA HUNG HAN YUN – Lighting Designer TONY GAYLE – Sound Designer ZARA STANTON – Vocal Arranger and Orchestrator DAVID MURATORE – Music Producer ALEX SARMIENTO – Associate Choreographer LAURENCE STANNARD – Associate Musical Director

Back to News & Press Brand new trailer released for award-winning Dreamgirls Friday, 9 February 2018 www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcNLhv3LhdE Marisha Wallace , Moya Angela and Karen Mav share the iconic role of Effie White throughout the week with Brennyn Lark as Deena Jones and Asmeret Ghebremichael as Lorrell Robinson, making up the soulful trio ‘The Dreams’. Joe Aaron Reid plays Curtis Taylor Jr, Tosh Wanogho-Maud plays Jimmy Early, Durone Stokes plays C.C. White, Delroy Brown plays Marty and Kimmy Edwards plays Michelle Morris. The full cast of Dreamgirls includes Michael Afemaré , Callum Aylott , Georgia Bradshaw , Jabari Braham , Ashford Campbell , Sanchia Amber Clarke , Nicole Raquel Dennis , Nicole Deon , Rhiane Drummond , Ashlee Irish , Emma Louise Jones , Ashley Luke Lloyd , Samira Mighty , Jayde Nelson , Aston New , Sean Parkins , Kirk Patterson , Rohan Pinnock-Hamilton , Ryan Reid , Rohan Richards and Joshua Robinson . Let your soul sing with the dazzling multi-award winning Dreamgirls at the Savoy Theatre, London. With an extraordinary story and the unforgettable, spine-tingling vocals that are sending audiences wild at every single show, this spectacular musical production soars with the classic songs, ‘And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going’, ‘I Am Changing’, ‘Listen’ and ‘One Night Only’. Meet The Dreams – Effie, Lorrell and Deena – three talented young singers in the turbulent 1960s, a revolutionary time in American music history. Join the three friends as they embark upon a musical rollercoaster ride through a world of fame, fortune and the ruthless realities of show business, testing their friendships to the very limit. The Original London Cast Recording of hit West End musical Dreamgirls is available via Sony Masterworks Broadway. Dreamgirls is Directed and Choreographed by Olivier and Tony Award®-winning Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon, Disney’s Aladdin and Something Rotten!), with Set Design by Tim Hatley , Costume Design by Gregg Barnes , Lighting Design by Hugh Vanstone , Sound Design by Richard Brooker and Hair Design by Josh Marquette . The Musical Supervisor is Nick Finlow , the Orchestrator is Harold Wheeler, with Additional Material by Willie Reale . With Book and Lyrics by Tom Eyen and Music by Henry Krieger , the original Broadway production of Dreamgirls, Directed and Choreographed by Michael Bennett opened in 1981 and subsequently won six Tony Awards®. The original cast recording won two Grammy awards for Best Musical Album and Best Vocal Performance for Jennifer Holliday’s ‘And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going.’ In 2006 it was adapted into an Oscar winning motion picture starring Beyoncé Knowles, Jennifer Hudson, Eddie Murphy and Jamie Foxx. Swarovski is delighted to be the Set and Costume Design partner for Dreamgirls , bringing to life the incredible visions of Tim Hatley and Gregg Barnes. Over one million Swarovski crystals have been incorporated into the production, adorning 275 costumes and 3 crystal curtains. Moya Angela, Asmeret Ghebremichael, Brennyn Lark and Marisha Wallace are appearing with the support of UK Equity, incorporating the Variety Artistes’ Federation, pursuant to an exchange program between American Equity and UK Equity. Up Up

Back to News & Press Samuel L. Jackson, John David Washington, Danielle Brooks Starring in Broadway Revival of ‘The Piano Lesson’ Monday, 28 March 2022 The revival of August Wilson’s play will be directed by LaTanya Richardson Jackson, who will be the first woman to direct a Wilson play on Broadway. The revival is scheduled to begin performances on 19 Sept at the St. James Theater; the run is expected to last 16 weeks. Brian Moreland (“Thoughts of a Colored Man”), Sonia Friedman Productions and Tom Kirdahy (“Hadestown”) are the producers. Up Up

Back to News & Press Ruth Wilson to star in The Human Voice Friday, 26 November 2021 Sonia Friedman Productions today announces that Ruth Wilson will star in Ivo van Hove ’s adaptation of Jean Cocteau ’s The Human Voice , which he also directs with design by Jan Versweyveld , originally produced by Internationaal Theater Amsterdam . The production opens at the Harold Pinter Theatre on 22 March, with previews from 17 March, and runs for three weeks only until 9 April. Booking opens today, with tickets from just £5, and over 300 tickets at each performance at £25 or under. Ruth Wilson said today, “I am absolutely thrilled to be collaborating again with Ivo and Jan on this wonderful, heartbreaking and deeply human monologue from Jean Cocteau. A woman alone with only her phone as companion, Cocteau explores the nature of intimate relations through inanimate objects. In a world in which are all addicted to and dependent on our phones, this play from the 1930s couldn’t feel more prescient. Ivo is the perfect director to bring Cocteau’s play to life as both share a love of the absurd as a mirror to truth.” Sonia Friedman added, “It’s a privilege to begin the New Year in reuniting the extraordinary talents of two incredible theatre makers – Ruth Wilson and Ivo van Hove, bringing to London Ivo’s adaptation of Jean Cocteau’s The Human Voice , an intimate, captivating and devastatingly raw monologue.” “We’ve never been more connected. We’ve never been more alone. Two-time Olivier Award-winner Ruth Wilson stars in The Human Voice - the searing story of a woman's heartbreak over the course of a final phone call with her former lover. Reunited with groundbreaking director Ivo van Hove for the first time since their acclaimed Hedda Gabler, Ruth Wilson returns to the West End for 31 performances in this explosive reimagining of one of theatre’s greatest roles. Jean Cocteau’s stunning monologue is more illuminating about love and loneliness than ever .” Supported by Arts Council England Produced with the kind permission of the Chairman of the Comite Jean Cocteau Up Up

Back to News & Press New York New York: A New Musical, coming to Broadway March 2023 Wednesday, 26 October 2022 Producers Sonia Friedman and Tom Kirdahy are proud to announce the brand new Kander & Ebb musical, NEW YORK, NEW YORK , will begin performances Friday, March 24, 2023 and officially open Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at Broadway’s St. James Theatre (246 West 44th Street). Featuring music and lyrics by Tony, Emmy & Grammy Award winners and Academy Award nominees John Kander & Fred Ebb (Chicago, Cabaret ), written by Tony Award nominee David Thompson (The Scottsboro Boys, Steel Pier ), co-written by Sharon Washington (Audible’s Feeding The Dragon ) and featuring additional lyrics by Pulitzer, Tony, Emmy & Grammy Award winner and Academy Award nominee Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton, In The Heights ), NEW YORK, NEW YORK will be directed and choreographed by five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman (The Producers, The Scottsboro Boys ). This new musical is inspired by the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Motion Picture New York, New York written by Earl M. Rauch. Producers Sonia Friedman and Tom Kirdahy said, “The great John Kander said to us recently, when referring to his time in New York City in the years following the end of World War II, “the possibility of a future was always there.” Perhaps the same could be said of living and working in New York City today. Once again, the city is bursting with energy, new hope, and the sense that anything is possible – feelings that lie at the very heart of our musical NEW YORK, NEW YORK . Bringing the legendary music from John Kander and the late Fred Ebb back to Broadway, is a great honor and joy. We can’t wait to share the music, dance, stories and characters of New York with Broadway audiences this spring." Composer John Kander said, “In 1945, World War II ended. In the years that immediately followed, hundreds of thousands of ex-servicemen and women – myself included – descended on New York City, a tough, gritty, beautiful dream palace, filled with youthful energy and optimism. ‘The sadness is over! This is where I can become the person I was meant to become!’ And this is the New York of our story.” Director and choreographer Susan Stroman said,” I feel very grateful to be collaborating with John Kander, David Thompson and Sharon Washington again. The four of us have loved being in the musical theater trenches creating New York, New York — a show that celebrates the city’s resilience and all the characters that inhabit it. The show is inspired by Kander and Ebb's famous song ‘New York New York’ – ‘I want to be a part of it.’ New York is music — a city that is always in motion. Everything moves with its own distinct rhythm. This allows for dance sequences to drive the story telling, pulling our various characters through famous locations throughout the city. They come from everywhere to pursue something that can only happen in New York — because fortunes can change in a New York minute.” Writer David Thompson said, “In New York, you turn left instead of right, and you either step into a pothole, or meet the love of your life. It’s a city of the highest highs and the lowest lows – there’s no in-between. We have the biggest snowstorms, the most torrential rainstorms, the hottest heat waves. And still, we’re passionate about this city. And that’s what drives the characters in our story. It’s the opportunities – and the obstacles – that create an incredible alchemy that can only happen in New York.” Co-writer Sharon Washington said, “I’m a proud Native New Yorker. Born and raised. My family has lived in every borough of the city and specifically in Manhattan since 1835. My roots and the stories of the people of ‘the city that never sleeps’ run deep. In New York, New York we bring some of these many and varied characters, neighborhoods, languages, sounds and rhythms of the city to life. A powerful combination of incredible opportunity, obstacles, persistence and luck. Our story is a valentine to New York where the city itself becomes another character.” A brand-new musical bringing Broadway legends back together, NEW YORK, NEW YORK is a glittering love letter to the greatest city in the world. Featuring an exhilarating new score by the incomparable John Kander and Fred Ebb , an original story by David Thompson with Sharon Washington, additional lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, and visionary direction and choreography by Susan Stroman, NEW YORK, NEW YORK will whisk you right through the very heart of the city that never sleeps. It is 1946, the war is over, and a resurgent New York is beginning to rebuild. As steel beams swing overhead, a collection of artists has dreams as big and diverse as the city itself. But do these singers, dancers, musicians and makers have what it takes to survive this place, let alone to succeed? If they can make it there, they can make it anywhere. NEW YORK, NEW YORK is a spectacular show for a singular city. With a unique blend of dazzling new songs and big band classics (“New York, New York,” “The World Goes Round”), this jubilant new musical is destined to become the talk of the town. Be a part of it. Tickets for NEW YORK, NEW YORK are now on-sale at www.NewYorkNewYorkBroadway.com . NEW YORK, NEW YORK marks the first new John Kander & Fred Ebb musical to open on Broadway since 2015’s The Visit , which was nominated for 5 Tony Awards including Best Musical. The legendary duo is also currently represented on Broadway with Chicago , which holds the distinction of being the longest-running American musical in Broadway history. This production reunites John Kander with director and choreographer Susan Stroman and book writer David Thompson , who collaborated with both John Kander & Fred Ebb on Broadway’s The Scottsboro Boys , which was nominated for 12 Tony Awards including Best Musical, and Steel Pier , which was nominated for 11 Tony Awards including Best Musical, as well as Off-Broadway productions of The Beast in the Jungle, And the World Goes ‘Round and the revival of Flora and the Red Menace . Casting and additional creative team members will be announced at a later date. NEW YORK, NEW YORK is produced by Sonia Friedman and Tom Kirdahy , in association with MGM ON STAGE and Chartoff-Winkler . Follow NEW YORK, NEW YORK at @nynybway on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & TikTok. For more information visit www.NewYorkNewYorkBroadway.com . To stay up to date with all things SFP, subscribe to our newsletter . Up Up

Back to News & Press Bend It Like Beckham to play its final performance on 5 March 2016 Wednesday, 13 January 2016 Rehearsals began for the critically acclaimed production in March 2015 with a company led by Natalie Dew as Jess and Lauren Samuels as Jules. The Producers are currently finalising both national and international touring offers including a tour of India visiting multiple stadia. Bend It Like Beckham The Musical is directed by Gurinder Chadha, with original music by Howard Goodall and lyrics by Charles Hart, new book by Paul Mayeda Berges & Gurinder Chadha; choreography and musical staging by Aletta Collins; set design by Miriam Buether; costume design by Katrina Lindsay; lighting design by Neil Austin; sound design by Richard Brooker; musical direction by Nigel Lilley and orchestrations by Howard Goodall & Kuljit Bhamra. Gurinder Chadha said: "I am incredibly proud of the Bend It Like Beckham cast, musicians, production and creative teams. We opened at the Phoenix Theatre to the most amazing five star reviews and we've inspired and entertained people of all ages and all backgrounds, something I have not seen in the West End for many years. I set out to tell our stories from my perspective of our multicultural London. Our show celebrates all of us on stage and behind the scenes, something myself and the team worked so well together to realise. From the responses I have received since we opened there is a genuine hunger for to us to tell our story internationally so as well as planning a UK tour for the show, we are now working on expanding the production for a proposed tour of India to include multiple stadia. Whether in the UK or abroad, Bend It Like Beckham will continue to defy expectations and proudly represent and celebrate the UK we all know and love." ★★★★★ Daily Mail, Sunday Express, The Daily Telegraph, The Independent, The Mail on Sunday, The Stage, The Sunday Telegraph ★★★★ Daily Express, Financial Times, London Evening Standard, Metro, The Times, Time Out As well as topping Time Out’s Best West End Musical poll, Bend It Like Beckham The Musical The Musical was shortlisted for the Evening Standard Radio 2 Audience Award for Best Musical and Natalie Dew was shortlisted for the Evening Standard’s Newcomer in a Musical Award. Bend It Like Beckham The Musical won the Best Stage Production at the Asian Media Awards which took place earlier this year. Lauren Samuels is nominated for this year’s What’s On Stage Best Supporting Actress in a Musical award and Bend It Like Beckham is nominated for Best New Musical. The cast is led by Natalie Dew (Jess) with Lauren Samuels (Jules), Jamie Muscato (Joe), Sophie-Louise Dann (Paula), Jamal Andréas (Tony), Preeya Kalidas (Pinky), Tony Jayawardena (Mr Bhamra) and Natasha Jayetileke (Mrs Bhamra). Sohm Kapila, Buckso Dhillon-Woolley and Harveen Mann play Aunties, Irvine Iqbal and Karl Seth play Uncles, with Sejal Keshwala, Serina Mathew and Sharan Phull as Cousins. Rakesh Boury, Jorell Coiffic-Kamall, Tom Millen, Daniel Bolton play footballers, with Teetu played by Raj Bajaj. The Harriers are played by Michelle Bishop, Lisa Bridge, Chloe Chambers, Genesis Lynea, Kayleigh McKnight, Leanne Pinder, Kirstie Skivington and Danielle Young. Rekha Sawhney and Shahid Khan are the production’s Indian Heritage Singers. Bend It Like Beckham The Musical is a celebratory fusion of culture, music, emotions and fun, bursting with warmth, humour and heart. Jess needs extra time. She is facing the most important decision of her life: live up to family expectations of university, career and marriage, or follow in the footsteps of her hero David Beckham. When the talented teenager is spotted playing football in Southall, a world of unexpected opportunities opens up before her. But as her sister’s traditional Indian wedding approaches, can she keep her family happy and still follow her dreams? The cast CD was released in September 2015 by Sony Classical, a division of Sony Music Entertainment. Recorded over several performances at the Phoenix Theatre to capture the excitement of a live performance, the original cast album which features seventeen tracks from the show including Girl Perfect, Heer, Bend It, People Like Us, UB2 and Glorious, made the number one slot in the Itunes soundtrack album chart. Bend It Like Beckham The Musical is produced in the West End by Sonia Friedman Productions, Deepak Nayar Productions, Bend It Films, Fischer & Vaswani Productions, Tanya Link Productions & Zeilinger Productions, Lost Marbles & Two Way Split, Delman Jacobson, DOIT Media & Entertainment (India) and Reliance Entertainment. Up Up

Back to News & Press London cast recording of Funny Girl to be released on 5th August Tuesday, 12 July 2016 Together with Darius Campbell and the London cast, Smith delivers her much lauded performances of some of the most iconic songs in film and theatre history, including People , You Are Woman, I Am Man and Don't Rain on My Parade - perfectly captured on this recording for all to experience. BAFTA and multi Olivier Award-winner Sheridan Smith OBE has earned rave reviews for her sensational performance in the musical – with the Evening Standard declaring that she “triumphantly reinvents Brice for a new generation of musical theatre lovers”. This musical tells the fascinating and bitter-sweet life story of the Ziegfeld Follies star Fanny Brice, whose vocal talents and comedic ability saw her rise from Brooklyn music hall singer to Broadway star, and her tempestuous relationship with gambler Nicky Arnstein. With music by one of America’s all-time great songwriters, Jule Styne (‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes’, ‘Gypsy’), lyrics by Bob Merrill and book by Isobel Lennart , the musical first opened on Broadway in 1964, transferring to London in 1966. Michael Mayer ’s new production of Funny Girl , produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, Scott Landis Productions and Chocolate Factory Productions is currently playing at the Savoy Theatre until 8 October, following its record-breaking run at the Menier Chocolate Factory. 2016 marks the 50th anniversary of the original London production of Funny Girl , so what better way to celebrate the legendary musical than with a new album to capture the sound of the show – and its remarkable leading lady – for years to come. Up Up

Back to News & Press Sonia Friedman: Everyone was looking to me, so I took the decision Tuesday, 16 March 2021 Sonia Friedman said, ‘In March 2020, I had 19 productions either running or about to go into rehearsals around the world. On March 6, I wrote in a notebook: “Prepare for a shutdown of six, eight or 12 weeks. Discuss ramifications of a 12-week shutdown with theatre owners and mitigating actions.” That’s what the thinking was. At 5pm on the 16th, the public was told not to go to the theatre, but there was no mandate to shut us down. There was about 10 minutes of “What am I meant to do?” Everyone was looking to me, so I took the decision. I sent each of my associate producers to the theatres and said ‘Tell them we can’t continue’. I then had to start dismantling dozens of productions. It was a while before the enormity of it hit me. It was very distressing and I don’t quite know why I didn’t have a breakdown but I was close to it. It took me about 15 weeks to go back to the West End. I stood outside Leopoldstadt at the Wyndham’s, having passed Harry Potter on the way. The scale of the loss was so immense, I thought: ‘How do we come back from this?’” I’m still asking that question.’ Full article can be read here . Up Up

Back to Productions MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG – DIGITAL Cinema screenings took place in the UK in October 2013, and in early 2014 in the United States. ★★★★★ It is, make no mistake, one of the great musical productions of this or any era. The Independent The production was filmed by Digital Theatre and distributed by Cinema Live in the UK, and SpectiCast and Fathom Events in the US. The film was released in more than 1000 cinemas around the world, including the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Sweden, The Netherlands, Russia, and the United States. Merrily We Roll Along was the first Digital Theatre film to be screened in the United States. The one-night-only screening took place on October 23, 2013. The screening was sold out in advance, and late-night screenings were added to help meet the demand for tickets. Starting in December 2013, Digital Theatre made the film available for digital download for almost a year. On October 22, 2014, Digital Theatre held a “final online global watchalong,” encouraging viewers to share the viewing experience by tweeting with the hashtag #MerrilyOnScreen. After the global online screening, the film was removed from the site. ★★★★★ Maria Friedman’s glorious revival, rightly transferred to the West End. The Daily Telegraph Set over three decades in the entertainment business Merrily We Roll Along charts the turbulent relationship between three friends Franklin, Mary and Charley. Starting in 1980 and travelling backwards in time, this powerful and moving story features some of Sondheim’s most beautiful songs including ‘Good Thing Going’, ‘Not a Day Goes By’ and ‘Old Friends’. ★★★★★ The most intelligent, gripping, brilliant musical in town, perfectly realised. Anyone with a heart should come out reeling. The Times CAST MARK UMBERS – Franklin Shepard DAMIAN HUMBLEY – Charley Kringas JENNA RUSSELL – Mary Flynn CLARE FOSTER – Beth Spencer JOSEFINA GABRIELLE – Gussie Carnegie GLYN KERSLAKE – Joe Josephson ZIZI STRALLEN – Meg MATTHEW BARROW – Ensemble MARTIN CALLAGHAN – Ensemble AMANDA MINIHAN – Ensemble AMY ELLEN RICHARDSON – Ensemble ROBBIE SCOTCHER – Ensemble CREATIVES GEORGE FURTH – Book STEPHEN SONDHEIM – Lyrics and Music MARIA FRIEDMAN – Director CATHERINE JAYES – Musical Director JONATHAN TUNICK – Orchestrations TIM JACKSON – Choreographer SOUTRA GILMOUR – Designer DAVID HERSEY – Lighting Designer GARETH OWEN – Sound Designer

Back to News & Press Drama Desk nominations announced Monday, 3 May 2010 The nominations for the 2009-10 Drama Desk Awards were announced yesterday, with LA CAGE AUX FOLLES receiving 7 nominations and A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC and A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE both receiving 3 nominations: Outstanding Revival of a Play A View From the Bridge Outstanding Revival of a Musical A Little Night Music La Cage aux Folles Outstanding Actor in a Play Liev Schreiber, A View From the Bridge Outstanding Actor in a Musical Douglas Hodge, La Cage aux Folles Outstanding Actress in a Musical Catherine Zeta-Jones, A Little Night Music Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play Scarlett Johansson, A View From the Bridge Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical Robin de Jesus, La Cage aux Folles Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical Angela Lansbury, A Little Night Music Outstanding Director of a Musical Terry Johnson, La Cage aux Folles Outstanding Choreography Lynne Page, La Cage aux Folles Outstanding Costume Design Matthew Wright, La Cage aux Folles Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical Jonathan Deans, La Cage aux Folles It was also announced that Jerry Herman would be honoured with a special award for "enchanting and dazzling audiences with his exuberant music and heartfelt lyrics for more than half a century". Up Up