In the rich firmament of Juke Box Musicals Jersey Boys is surely the brightest star. The old cliché goes: if you remember the sixties you weren’t there. These days, all over the globe, we have radio shows devoted entirely to oldies, MTV and its ilk, wall-to-wall tribute acts and a burgeoning re-fascination with vinyl so it is entirely possible for anyone of whatever age to cut through the time-mists and hippy-fog to immediately recognise the two-and-a-half minute … [Read more...]
Piccadilly Theatre London News & Reviews
Pretty Woman: The Musical
One of Hollywood’s most beloved romantic stories of all time is now coming to the West End!
Pretty Woman: The Musical features direction and choreography by two-time Tony Award® winner Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde, Hairspray), an original score by Grammy® winner Bryan Adams and his longtime songwriting partner Jim Vallance (“Summer of ’69”, “Heaven”) and a book by the movie’s legendary director Garry Marshall and screenwriter J.F. Lawton.
Book Tickets for Piccadilly Theatre
16 Denman Street, London, W1D 7DY
Piccadilly Theatre Seating Plan
Venue and travel information:
Nearest Tube: Piccadilly Circus
Tube Lines: Bakerloo, Piccadilly
Directions from nearest tube: Pass the famous illuminated signs on your right to take Glasshouse Street/Sherwood Street where the theatre can be seen.
Railway Station: Charing Cross
Bus Numbers: (Shaftesbury Avenue) 14, 19, 38; (Regent Street) 3, 6, 12, 13, 15, 23, 88, 94, 139, 159, 453
Night Bus Numbers: (Shaftesbury Avenue) 14, N19, N38; (Regent Street) 6, 12, 23, 88, 94, 139, 159, 453, N3, N13, N15, N18, N109, N136
Car Park: Brewer Street
Within Congestion Zone: Yes
Venue Facilities: Air conditioned, Bar, Infrared hearing loop, Toilets and Wheelchair accessible
The Piccadilly Theatre London
The opening of the theatre was on 27th April 1928 with the musical Blue Eyes, by Jerome Kern and starring Miss Evelyn Laye.
The Piccadilly Theatre was at the time one of the largest theatres to be built in London, as its souvenir brochure of the time proclaimed “If all the bricks used in the building were laid in a straight line, they would stretch from London to Paris”.
In its early days, the Piccadilly operated as a cinema and made history when it premiered the first talking picture to be shown in Britain, which was The Singing Fool with Al Jolson. Jolson also opened the Jazz Singer in 1928, appearing on-stage after the show to sing Mammy.
When the theatre opened it was named The Piccadilly Theatre in a multi-purpose theatre used to house musicals, revue and films, the theatre reopened as The London Casino on 2nd April 1936 having been converted into a cabaret restaurant which became particularly noted for its lavish stage shows. During the Second World War it was used by servicemen under the name The Queensbury All Services Club.
There have been a number of Royal Shakespeare Company productions including Edward II, starring Ian McKellen. Henry Fonda made his West End debut in the solo play Clarence Darrow and Y. The 1990s witnessed an expansion in musicals, ballet and dance, which resulted in the most successful commercial ballet season ever to play in the West End, Adventures in Motion Pictures production of Swan Lake.
The Piccadilly Theatre has been home to a season of plays directed by Sir Peter Hall, starring famous actors and actresses such as Dame Judi Dench, Julia McKenzie, Michael Pennington and Eric Sykes. It has also hosted the smash-hit musical Spend Spend Spend starring the Olivier award-winning actress, Barbara Dickson, the sell-out run of Shockheaded Peter, together with one of the most successful plays ever, Noises Off starring Lynn Redgrave. Most recently closing is Annie and before that Jersey Boys, which had transferred from the Prince Edward Theatre.
Interview with Andrew Langtree – Gooper in Cat On A Hot Tin Roof
Cat On A Hot Tin Roof by Tennesee Williams is at Theatre Clwyd in Wales with previews from 4th February, and Opening Night on 10th February, and runs until Saturday 5th March 2016. Robert Hastie directs Desmond Barrit who takes on the role of Big Daddy and is joined by Catrin Aaron (Mae), Gareth David Lloyd (Brick) Ryan Ellsworth (Dr Baugh) Ian Hallard (Rev Tooker) Andrew Langtree (Gooper) Abigail McKern (Big Mama), and Catrin Stewart (Maggie). Following … [Read more...]
5-star Annie Review – Book Tickets While You Can! – Review
Every avid theatre-goer is familiar with the sensation. It’s one of the reasons we keep going back for more. It’s that soul-tingling feeling when a little-known actor or actress steps on to the stage, opens their mouth to sing, and the heavens fall silent. The silence is one of reverence, because we are witnessing the birth of a star. So it was last night at Annie at the New Wimbledon Theatre, the tour’s only London venue. All the orphans are perfectly cast. All the actors are outstanding, … [Read more...]
Jersey Boys West End Extends Booking Period to October 2016
Jersey Boys, the popular smash hit musical, is extending its booking period at the Piccadilly Theatre until 23rd October 2016. Jersey Boys stars Michael Watson as Frankie Valli, Edd Post as Bob Gaudio, Jon Boydon as Tommy DeVito and Gary Watson as Nick Massi. Sandy Moffat plays the role of Frankie Valli at certain performances. Also in the cast are Simon Adkins, Nicola Brazil, Matthew Cutts, Stuart Dawes, Lucinda Gill, Thomas Goodridge, Nicky Griffiths, Matthew Hunt, Mark Isherwood, … [Read more...]
New cast announced for Jersey Boys UK & IRELAND Tour from 18th August 2015
From Tuesday 18th August 2015, Matt Corner will play the role of Frankie Valli in the UK and Ireland tour of Tony, Olivier and Grammy Award-winning Best Musical JERSEY BOYS. Matt previously played the role at certain performances. Sam Ferriday as Bob Gaudio, Lewis Griffiths as Nick Massi and Stephen Webb as Tommy DeVito will continue in their roles. Michael Pickering will join the cast to play the role of Frankie Valli at certain performances. Also joining the tour cast will be Mark … [Read more...]