Sarah Soetaert, Rachel McDowall and Terence Maynard Will Portray the Leads at the Garrick Theatre

It has been announced that the West End’s “Chicago” will be boasting some new – or should that be old? – cast members by the beginning of the new year as America Ferrera, Amra-Faye Wright and Darius Campbell step down from the lead roles. They are set to be replaced by previous cast members Sarah Soetaert, Rachel McDowall and Terence Maynard as Roxie Hart, Velma Kelly and Billy Flynn respectively, with the former two appearing from January and the latter from Boxing Day 2011.

Chicago reopened at the Garrick Theatre in November following its closure at the Cambridge Theatre in August, which made the way for “Matilda the Musical”. It tells the story of girls behind bars in 1920s Chicago who make their bids for freedom so that they can pursue a life in the spotlight, recruiting the sleazy lawyer Billy Flynn along the way. It started life as a play by Maurice Dallas Watkins before the musical appeared and was popular enough to spawn a movie version in 2002.

Chicago runs at the Garrick Theatre and is currently booking there until Saturday 26th January 2013.

Stiles, Drewe and Fellowes Set to Bring the Classic Novel to the Stage

It has been revealed that audiences in the West End will soon have an opportunity to witness a brand new musical head to the stage as George Stiles and Antony Drewe – who recently worked on Betty Blue Eyes at the Novello Theatre – team up with Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes to bring The Wind In The Willows to the capital.

The production will be adapted from Kenneth Grahame’s 1908 novel and will portray the adventure embarked upon by Mr Badger, Ratty, Mole and Mr Toad as they get into trouble with some weasels.

All three of the names attached to the musical have previous West End credits and together they also brought the Laurence Olivier Award-winning musical Mary Poppins to the stage in the last decade. Stiles and Drewe are also known for the likes of Soho Cinders, Honk! and Frost at Midnight, whilst Fellowes has worked on the likes of Gosford Park and The Importance of Being Earnest. The latter has also worked as an actor in the likes of Tomorrow Never Dies and The Scarlett Pimpernel.

Further details for The Wind In The Willows will emerge closer to its start-date.

Audiences Can Now Choose New Dates for Matilda the Musical and The Pitmen Painters

It is not unusual for popular shows to add new dates to their respective run, though it does indicate that sales of theatre tickets remain high and audiences are getting a lot out of their London theatre experiences. Both shows are available at boxoffice.co.uk and they are Matilda the Musical, based on the book by Roald Dahl, and The Pitmen Painters, from writer Lee Hall. The shows are now booking until October 2012 and April 2012 respectively. Read more »