If you want to get great deals on normal theatre ticket prices, then go on line to Theatre Monkey, lots of interesting information about locations of seats and the best deals in town.

Last updated Thursday 20 Nov 2008

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ABOVE THE STAG THEATRE
SAINTLY SINNERS - Something naughty this way comes.
Directed by Omar F. Okai
‘Burlesque is playing to the whole house and it is the house that pays you.’

5th December – 21st December 2008 Thursdays to Sundays at 19:15 in the evenings

Burlesque has come to Victoria and it’s ‘doors’ are open! Directed by award-winning Director and Choreographer Omar F. Okai (Ruthless, Purlie, Come Dancing), Saintly Sinners is the exciting new burlesque show that is being presented at Above The Stag Theatre, a new 50 seat venue in central London. The production stars Leon Ancliffe (this year’s winner of the Male Tournament of Tease), Chloe Elizabeth Hunter and Jan Michael Hicks. Never leaving their side is the sensational Martyn Niele (original cast member of The Bloo Lips), as the production’s Master of Ceremonies, Musical Director and Arranger.

Saintly Sinners follows the adage ‘Burlesque is playing to the whole house and it is the house that pays you.’ Okai and Ancliffe, who are also producing the show, in collaboration with choreographer Kasper Cornish bring to life through song and dance the wonder and magic of the silver screen. These acts range from the comic genius of the much loved Charlie Chaplin and Laurel and Hardy, to the wickedness of the controversial cult classic Clockwork Orange, intertwined with the passionate journey of Brokeback Mountain, all complemented with a range of original and stylish burlesque performances.

The audience is in for a fun, sexy, wild and promiscuous ride. So belt up and get 'sublimely wet' at this original and inventive Burlesque production by Saintly Sinners.

CALL the Box Office 0844 478 0030 £15 tickets or book on line www.abovethestag.com

THEN the Christmas Panto in Stag Land

To book, call 0844 478 0030
Bette Rinse in
The Pan Arts Production of
SINDERFELLA
An outrageous adult pantomime
by Simon Gross
Directed by Simon Gross and Peter Kosta
3rd - 22nd December
Mon - Wed 7.30pm; Thurs - Sat 9pm
Sun 4pm
(note: no performance on Tuesdays)

Cast : Ed Comley, Michael C. Griffin, Simon Gross, Denis Khoroshka, Jay Nelson, Bette Rinse, Sarah Whitlock

Last updated Sunday 16 Nov 2008

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This was excellent - the audience sits on either side of the stage so it creates an intimacy which I haven't experienced before. The performances were amazing, I suppose it's obvious but the character of Vittoria really stood out - someone who refused to be brow-beaten by the men in her life. Also the effects - the grisly deaths of almost everyone was really well handled (in an age of TV and movies and CGI, some of the deaths in this were almost shocking in their realism) and the lighting - amazing how just changing the lighting or angle of light can transform an area.
I would also say that the staff at Menier were really lovely. We had a meal afterwards there, and thoroughly enjoyed the food and the service.

Last updated Sunday 16 Nov 2008

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There is a fun new show down at the New Players Theatre underneath
Charing Cross Station to thrill and titillate you! Risky and Risque'!

Call: 0207 930 6601 to reserve tickets, special price for Audience Club members only £10.00 show your card at the door.

A brand new theatrical production, Burlesque-Esque pulls together elements of burlesque, variety and cabaret, featuring The Kitten Club and very special guests.
Special Guest Stars as the Comedian Star Turn.

The frisky felines present an evening of song, dance, comedy, magic, fire-eating and much more… a sizzling burlesque troupe, each night features live music and a star guest performance, ranging from the UK’s greatest stand-ups to stars of the West End and award-winning jazz artists.

Last updated Saturday 15 Nov 2008

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Presented by The Betsey Group
Reviews of their last show: Private Scenes in Public Places
Susan Irvine TELEGRAPH, “One for those in the know, The Betsey Group are an explosive cocktail of visceral acting, risk-taking plays and edgy venues.
Robert Elms BBC RADIO LONDON “Great fun, one of the best nights out in town”
Dazed & Confused magazine “Truthful and spontaneous theatre”

Now we are featuring the Premiere of their new one act play:
Be prepared for something very different!
Tape is a fast-paced and unpredictable
psychological drama about the love-hate chemistry
that endures between true friends.
To get the special Audience Club price of only £7.00 Tues - Friday up till 28th Nov
call 020 7493 7388 or email to info@screamlondon.com

Last updated Saturday 15 Nov 2008

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Theatre Grand-Slam
Sunday 23rd November @ 8pm
Fourteen very short plays battle it out to be voted 'Best new play' in this unique and popular competition. Expect high drama, variety and top quality acting! Time Out's critics choice as it's one of the most entertaining, value-for-money nights out South of the river!
VENUE: The Bedford, 77 Bedford hill, SW12 9HD
TUBE: Balham
DURATION: 1 hr 30
TICKETS: £7 (incl programme and your very own voting card!)
Tickets will be sold on the door on the night from 7pm

Last updated Monday 10 Nov 2008

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ABOVE THE STAG THEATRE
Presents Bette Rinse
In - The Pan Arts production of the Outrageous
SINDERFELLA The most Adult Panto of the Season
By Simon Gross
Directed by Simon Gross and Peter Kosta
3 – 22 December 2008 MON & WED 7.30pm; THURS – SAT 9pm
SUN 4pm (Note: no performance on Tuesdays)
PRESS NIGHT Thursday 4th December, 7.30 pm
Preview – Wednesday 3rd December 7.30pm is a Benefit performance for The Pink Singers
All Tickets £12:00 Book up now through the Box Office 0844 478 0030 On line sales: www.abovethestag.com (no bkg fee)

Last updated Monday 10 Nov 2008

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FREE TICKETS FOR Kirsty Wark's popular BBC4 SHOW THE BOOK QUIZ

A witty, informed & often hilarious BBC4 panel game, The Book Quiz presents two teams of book-loving celebrity guests with questions on all things literary, from the classics to contemporary works which we all read and talk about. The show will once again be hosted by Newsnight's Kirsty Wark.

The show will tape on Tuesday 4th and Wednesday 5th November 2008 at The ITV Studios near Waterloo Station and during each show, there will be a prize draw in the studio for £50 of book vouchers to be won by one of our audience members!
Booking is now open for the new series. If you'd like to join us for a night of literary fun, then apply now!

Booking is now open and you may apply via our website at http://www.sroaudiences.com
or by emailing tickets@sroaudiences.com with the following detaiils:

Full name:
Postcode:
Number of tickets required:

Choice of date & time:
11.30am Tuesday 4th November
2.00pm Tuesday 4th November
3.45pm Tuesday 4th November

11.00am Wednesday 5th November
1.45pm Wednesday 5th November
3.30pm Wednesday 5th November

Last updated Friday 31 Oct 2008

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Tuesday to Thursday performances. Special for members is a 2 for 1 offer on Wednesday 5th and Thursday 6th November. Phone the box office (020 8858 9256) and quote "The Audience Club" when booking and get HALF PRICE TICKETS.

Check out Flat Pack Productions website www.flatplackproductions.com for all details on the fascinating show on the Fringe.

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HURRY - FOR CHRISTMAS SAKE MATINEE TICKETS JUST RELEASED
Saturday December 20th at 3pm at Cadogan Hall, Sloane Square
various ticket prices call the Box Office to book on
0207 730 4500

Last updated Wednesday 29 Oct 2008

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The Birmingham Stage Company's production is a rip-roaring family show. Rudyard Kipling's "The Jungle Book" in aid of the Moon Bears
The story of Mowgli, a young boy raised in the jungle by wolves.
ONE SPECIAL NIGHT ONLY on 22 December 7pm at UCL Bloomsbury Theatre, 15 Gordon Street, WC1H 0AH.
Tickets for this wonderful show are available now, just £60 for two adults and two children, or Adult £20 and Children £15.00
All profits from this show and after show auction will be helping to rescue , rehabilitate and care for more suffering Moon Bears in the new sanctuaries in China and Vietnam where in Baloo's own words, "a bear can rest in peace"
Animals Asia Foundation.

To book call 020 7388 8822 or send cheques payable to University College London to Bloomsbury Theatre Box Office, 15 Gordon STreet, London, WC1H 0AH (£2.50 booking fee per transaction on postal bookings)

Last updated Monday 27 Oct 2008

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Sexy new shorts by America's Hottest Playwrights - ADULT THEMES
Directer by Peter Bull
Above the Stag is the newest Fringe Theatre Venue and its above The Stag Pub at 15 Bressenden Place, London SW1E 5DD.

October 28th - Nov 23rd at 8pm Tues - Sat and 6pm on Sundays
Tickets are £13/Conc £10. Call 0844 478 0030 or go on line
to their new website. www.abovethestag.com

Last updated Monday 20 Oct 2008

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I've just seen The White Devil at Menier Chocolate Factory. A superbly entertaining rendering of a notoriously "difficult" play. Intelligent detailed direction and gripping performances by a brilliant ensemble of actors, complemented by some fantastic design elements ( set, costume , lighting & music). Thanks for the tickets. I'm going again & will bring some friends.

Last updated Monday 20 Oct 2008

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The Royal and World Premiere screening of the new British Film - A Bunch of Amateurs - Monday 17th November at 7pm at the Odeon Leicester Square in the presence of Her Majesty The Queen.

This event is in aid of The Cinema & Television Benevolent Fund, the trade charity for the UK film and commercial television industries with a Pre Premiere Reception at Cocoon, 65 Regent Street W1B 4EA.

Directed by Andy Cadiff, A Bunch of Amateurs stars Burt Reynolds and enjoys a hugely respected British cast including Academy Award nominee Imelda Staunton, award-winning Sir Derek Jacobi CBE and Samantha Bond. This hugely funny and entertaining film sees Jefferson Steel (Reynolds), an ageing Hollywood star, lured to England to play King Lear in what he believes is the next big production in Stratford-upon-Avon. Comic complications ensue in this funny and ultimately moving new British comedy.

Members of the public are not normally able to purchase tickets for this Gala Event but as Audience Club members you can and also get a reduction. This is a star studded event in the presence of Her Majesty The Queen and loaded with VIPs from the Film and Television world. This is a very exciting opportunity to dress up to the nines and be part of this fabulous evening with the Royal Family and the Stars of stage and screen and support this Charity that helps a diverse range of people across film, cinema and television who encounter accident, illness, bereavement or unemployment. Please click onto this link for more info. http://www.ctbf.co.uk/

Centre Stalls seat with Pre Premiere Reception Normal price £135 Audience Club special rate £120
Rear Stalls seat with Pre Premiere Reception Normal price £90 Audience Club special rate £80
Centre Stalls seat only Normal price £90 Audience Club special rate £75

Hurry to purchase tickets for this fabulous evening our allocation is limited and you will be supporting the charity as well as having a splendid experience. Call the CTBF Fundraising Department on Tel: 020 7439 2966 or email: events@ctbf.co.uk

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We are thrilled to tell you about Harold Sanditen's new show soon be performend at the Pizza on the Park. He recently made his New York cabaret debut with The Secret of Life. Now he's travelled back across the Atlantic to present the show to a home town audience. The show, which presents a musical journey of his take on life, including songs from Gershwin and Irving Berlin through to James Taylor and Burt Bacharach, was developed with director Helen Baldassare and musical director David Gaines. For the London dates, David's arrangements remain, and Harold will work with Nathan Martin on piano.

Three performances only! The doors open at 7 pm. Tickets are £15 each. More info on Harold's flyer, which you can see HERE.

You can have a meal or a drink or both before the show. In fact, Pizza on the Park has a new menu. The show starts at 8.30 pm. For more information you can go to the Pizza on the Park website

Last updated Friday 17 Oct 2008

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Featuring a cast of 13 including West End regular John Harwood.
Performed at St Paul's Church at Covent Garden Plaza.

Ted Hughes died on 28th Oct 1998, possibly the greatest classical dramatic poet of the 20th Century. A scholar of Shakespeare and Euripides, he had a sensual, visceral connection with the greatest of storytellers. In Alcestis he reaches the pinnacle of his dramatic verse, being both intensely personal and deeply universal in scope. In commemoration of the ten year aniversary of his death, Iris presents this his masterpiece.

With music from Bartok's Violin Duos creating a feast of text, movement & sound. This is the story of a king, Admetus, who escapes death when his wife volunteers to die in his place. As she dies Admetus rails against the Gods’ indifference, spurred on by his own guilt. For the absorbing story and more information click HERE

Ted Hughes, started work on this piece in 1993, but only finished it a few months before his death in 1998. What was a translation quickly became a complete re-imagining of the story exploring in a very raw personal way the themes of the play. As Ademetos fights to come to terms with the death of his wife, the verse is startling in its uncompromising honesty.

Dates: Tues 4th Nov 7.30pm - Gala First Night to 15th November
Prices & Tickets: £13 full price, £10 concession To book tickets visit: www.ticketweb.co.uk or phone 08444 77 1000

Last updated Wednesday 15 Oct 2008

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Spyski: We all went to see Spyski tonight and soooooooo enjoyed it! EVERYONE should try and get to it - the NHS bill for antidepressants would be reduced radically! It was thoroughly daft yet clever and very funny. The actors must have been shattered by the end. We came away having laughed ourselves silly and with our appetites whetted for a straight production of The Importance of Being Earnest! Hopefully
some theatre company somewhere will oblige. I could happily see it again - the jokes and puns came so fast and furious that I am sure I missed some. All in all there was a very good feel in the theatre so I am sure it will have a long and successful run. From Audience Club Member, Sarah.

White Devil: The play was magnificent - am spreading the word!
From Audience Club Member, Cristina.

Keep your reviews coming in!

Last updated Monday 13 Oct 2008

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News of the new production at Brockley Jack, one of our favourite venues in SE London. 14th October - 8th November 7.45pm Sundays at 5.00pm. Ticket prices £12, £9.00 concessions. The Audience Club Members see The Theatre Ladder for performances on Weds 15th and Thurs 16th.

Directed by Mark Leipacher. Associate Director Alexander Summers

A company of 28 actors burst on stage at the Brockley Jack to make Shakespeare’s most popular history play truly epic.

Mark Leipacher returns to the Brockley Jack following the success of Coriolanus to direct a powerful physical production of Richard III using the actors to create what they need to tell the story: everything from thrones and tables to towers and horses will be created by the performers’ bodies. theFaction also intend to challenge fringe theatre’s unwritten dogma that casts must be meagre. This production allows audiences to follow the individual storylines of the Houses of York and Lancaster without the doubling of actors that you’d expect on the Fringe. It will provide a fresh interaction with the play for audiences and actors alike

TheFaction is an independent theatre company dedicated to original and innovative productions of classical texts. TheFaction use a highly physical approach which complements the muscularity of the language of the text.

Last updated Friday 10 Oct 2008

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At the Gate House Theatre in Highgate a brand new musical tickets are very reasonable only £12 and £10 concessions
look at their website www.upstairsatthegatehouse.com

Last updated Wednesday 08 Oct 2008

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Our very first .biz website recommendation! dramaclasses.biz is a unique site designed to put children and students in touch with their local drama school. It is an excellent drama resource site for children, parents, teachers and older students. Children’s drama classes have always been very popular but now, more than ever, drama is recognised as an essential tool to build children’s confidence. If you’re looking for children’s drama school or a drama school for older students you just type in your post code or county and check out your local drama school. There are many after school activities for children and drama is now one of the most popular. Children’s drama schools, full and part time, are available throughout the UK and it is a good idea to view several different drama schools before making your choice.

Last updated Monday 06 Oct 2008

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Memory at the Pleasance Theatre - "It was one of the best ones I've been to. The acting was very good. It all builds slowly, revealing bit by bit of the tragic past of the main protagonist. It gets very emotional in the end - the audience was quite touched by it."

Crooked Wood at the Jermyn Street Theatre - What a gem - in fact both theatre and performance. I love these smaller venues - so much easier to get drawn into the production. It was so good to see Jean Mantle again who I remember best from One Foot in the Grave although she has appeared in many different roles. The play was both funny and sad - I actually had tears in my eyes at one point - and unfortunately, from what I have read, very true to life. The audience was with the characters from the beginning and it was great to hear the roar of dellight that went up when one of the characters fell through the stairs - I almost expected to hear a pantomime hiss! It was a good evening - a mixture of humour and pathos, and I will certainly recommend it to friends.

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The Audience Club Gift Certificates are now available. Give a theatre lover you know an Annual Membership to say Happy Christmas, Happy Birthday, or simply Thank You. A gift that really will last the whole year.

Call 020 7708 5770 or email angela@theaudienceclub.com for more details.

Last updated Monday 29 Sep 2008

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Members' Reviews
Sarah went to see The Neville Brothers and sent us this review.
"It was my first outing to the Indigo 2 venue and I was pleasantly surprised.As for the band they are great. Four fantastic musician brothers from New Orleans playing funk, blues and R & B. Everyone was up and dancing towards the end (except for the poor guy on crutches in front of me!) and there was a real good feeling in the theatre. All brothers have been playing for decades - they must be in their 50's/ 60's and are great at their own particular instrument. I adore the sax and Charles Neville gave us some outstanding saxophone while the lead vocalist Aaron who has an amazing plaintive voice gave us a wonderful wailing rendition of Amazing Grace as an encore at the end. The theatre was far from full and so many people really missed a treat."
We would love to receive more reviews so get writing!

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For more up to date news on what's happening on the London Stage go to the Official London Theatre Guide

Last updated Sunday 28 Sep 2008

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There is a new website in town, just launched and listing all kinds of fab events around London. Check it out and keep it in your favourites.

http://www.freelondonlistings.co.uk/

Last updated Sunday 28 Sep 2008

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November 16th 4pm Leicester Square Theatre - Jackie Skarvellis stars as The Diva, written by Sir Richard Parsons in this hour long comedy of theatrical bad manners. More details to be posted soon for this hilarious show. Book direct with box office tickets only £10.00 each 0844 8472475

Recommendation
For loads of great information about London theatres, shows, reviews, deals and lots lots more check out one of our new favourite sites Theatre Monkey . It’ll help you get the most from your West End theatre visit.

Get in touch
Just wanted to remind you all that Members have a 10% discount at the lovely Le Garrick Restaurant and Bar. Pop in for a drink or have a full meal – your discount applies to your whole bill just show your Membership Card before you ask for the bill.
And don’t forget to let us know what you think about the Club and the shows you have seen. We love to get your feedback. Contact me HERE.

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The new rep season has started at the New Players underneath the arches of Charing Cross Station. Tickets for Audience Club members are only £15 each. Book via the Soho box office, call 020 7478 0135 and The Audience Club is the code word.

Season running in rep from the 2nd October, go to New Player's Theatre for more information.

The House of Bernarda Alba by Federico Garcia Lorca, directed by Rhys Thomas
Bernarda Alba is a ferocious mother of five daughters, determined to hide them from village gossip, farmhands and disreputable marriage. The youngest Adela is fuelled by passion and sexual desire, forcing Bernarda to use shocking and unbelievable tactics to stop an unsuitable match. The House of Bernarda Alba boasts an all female cast.
A Patriot For Me by John Osborne, directed by David Harris
Set in the 1900s, Alfred Redl is an exemplary Austrian-Hungarian soldier, working up through the ranks to Colonel whilst battling with his homosexuality. His struggle takes him on a riveting journey through relationships, eccentric parties, unrequited love and blackmail. Finished in 1965, this play was met with huge opposition from the Lord Chamberlain and forced to perform to “club” audiences. It then won The Evening Standard Best Play of The Year.

Last updated Wednesday 24 Sep 2008

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2 for 1 ticket deal on week-day seats. To take up the offer please contact Aruna at arunabuchananbrown@gmail.com.
That Moment by Dougie Blaxland - Tues 23rd Sept – 12th Oct @ 1pm

Hilariously funny, witty and compelling this is the journey of would-be actress Alicia Harding. We’re taken on an oh-too-familiar romp through the theatrical world of mediocre agents, unpaid fringe and bit parts in ‘the bill’. As desperation mounts, there’s little Alicia won’t do to right the wrongs inflicted and get her ‘big break’.
VENUE: The King’s Head Theatre, 115 Upper Street, N1 1QN (Angel tube)
DURATION: 1 hr

Last updated Wednesday 24 Sep 2008

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The Bush Theatre has announced an exciting new programme from 6–25 Oct, The Broken Space Season: plays all specially written to be performed in a particular state of natural light – from dusk through to total darkness.

7.30pm Falling Light – a series of 3 monologues by Neil LaBute, Bryony Lavery & Simon Stephens
8.30pm St Petersburg by Declan Feenan
9.30pm What the Dark Feels Like – a series of six ghostly new plays by Mike Bartlett, Nancy Harris, Lucy Kirkwood, Ben Schiffer, Jack Thorne & Anthony Weigh

Call the Box Office 020 8743 5050 Tickets are £20 and £17 for concessions or book Online

Getting to The Bush. In case you didn't know, the Shepherds Bush Central Line Station is closed until October 2008, but that's OK because Goldhawk Road station on the Hammersmith and City line is even closer, and Hammersmith is 15 minutes’ walk. You can still use the Central Line: get off at Holland Park, cross the road and take bus 31, 94, or 148 to Shepherds Bush, which should add about 10 minutes to your journey.

Last updated Tuesday 23 Sep 2008

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We can confirm that the Menier Chocolate Factory will indeed be reviving Stephen Sondheim’s A Little Night Music,which be directed by Trevor Nunn, and will run from 21 November 2008 to 8 March 2009. Cast yet to be announced.

Spamalot the hit show at the Palace Theatre closes in early January to be replaced from 10th March by the mega hit show from Australia, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Will there be enough time to sow on all those sequins?!

Andrew Lloyd Webber has revealed the title of his sequel to Phantom of the Opera which opened in 1986! The new opus will be called Love Never Dies and is pencilled in to premiere late 2009.

Last updated Friday 19 Sep 2008

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The newly refurbished space now known as the Leicester Square Theatre - previously the Venue,is hosting a comedy festival, The Big Laugh till early November featuring luminaries such as: Roseanne Barr; Scott Capurro; Russell Howard and the outrageous Tina C. Later in the season Blowing Whistles returns starring Paul Keating in this sexy hit comedy about being gay! Watch this space!

The most unlikely juxtaposition occurred in the press last week! "Fat Pig Kelly Brook" will make her West End debut in the hit show which transfers shortly from Trafalgar Studios to the Comedy Theatre. We have no idea about Ms Brook's thespian abilities but we do know that she sure ain't fat! We wish her all the best in the role!

Coming up on the fringe look out for: 1800 Acres, by David Myers at the Riverside Studios (16 Sep to 12 Oct 2008) followed by Lola: The Life of Lola Montez with live music from flamenco guitarist Ricardo Garcia (21 Oct to 2 Nov 2008; : Laughing in the Dark at the New End Theatre (14 Oct to 2 Nov 2008); at the Blue Elephant Theatre, First Class (7 to 25 Oct 2008) followed by Toy Boy/Living With... a double bill (11 to 29 Nov 2008); at the King Head's Theatre,That Moment by Dougie Blaxland (lunchtimes 23 Sep to 12 Oct 2008; at Upstairs at the Gatehouse, A Tale of Two Cities, a musical adaptation written by Steven David Horwich and David Soames with music by David Pomeranz (27 Sep to 2 Nov 2008); at the Old Red Theatre, Back of the Throat, by Yussef El Guindi (23 Sep to 11 Oct 2008). And finally The Oval House Theatre's autumn season: Yours Abundantly, from Zimbabwe by Gillian Plowman (30 Sep to 18 Oct 2008); Catalysta by Allister Bain (21 Oct to 8 Nov 2008); Muhammad Ali and Me by Mojisola Adebayo and the Ali Collective (11 to 29 Nov 2008); Yard Gal by Rebecca Prichard (28 Oct to 15 Nov 2008); Vakomana Vaviri ve Zimbabwe (Two Gentlemen of Verona)(18 Nov to 13 Dec 2008).

We're looking forward to autumn already!

Last updated Friday 05 Sep 2008

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Cage Aux Folles returns after a hugely successful run at the Menier Chocolate Factory for a West End season at the Playhouse Theatre from 20th October till 10th January - the perfect Christmas panto with a twist! Douglas Hodge continues in the role of Albin and will be playing opposite Denis Lawson who takes over the role of his lover, George, played before by Philip Quast.

Another transfer to a bigger West End stage sees Piaf move from the intimate Donmar to the Vaudeville Theatre for a limited 14 week season.

Last updated Monday 01 Sep 2008

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As we ease into August and the Edinburgh fringe previews move north, now is typically a quiet time in the city. We haven’t slowed up though and there is still loads to choose from on the Theatre Ladder – so go take a look frequently, even daily as shows are being added all the time. If you are finding two tickets just isn’t enough then we have two options for you. You can upgrade anytime to Prestige Membership for another £25 a year. Just send us a cheque and we will upgrade you immediately. Alternatively you can buy your friends and family their own membership. What a great idea for birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas or just to say Thank You! Contact us and we can email a gift certificate to the person of your choice on the date you tell us. BTW - if you are having some time out of the office you may want to consider changing your email address to one you can access whilst you are away. Sometimes our last minute deals are RED HOT and you don't want to miss out, do you?

Stop The Press!!!
We hear on the grapevine that after they stop Playing Our Song it’s back to the 17th century at the Menier Chocolate Factory with a revival of the 1612 play by John Webster, The White Devil, directed by Jonathan Munby. After the bloodletting, fingers crossed that Trevor Nunn’s production of Sondheim’s A Little Night Music will be heading to the Factory for a Christmas season.

News Headlines
The Arts Theatre has closed for a rebuild five months earlier than planned. Council planning laws mean that there must be a theatre in the new £20 million development. A 317-capacity, state-of-the-art theatre with hydraulically retractable seats that will reveal an open-plan space is envisaged by the property developer. Nearby the recently renamed Leicester Square Theatre (formerly The Venue) is reopening ahead of schedule with A Conversation With Edith Head a one-woman show about the late Oscar-winning costume designer. Leicester Square’s 420-seat main house opens officially open on 29 August with the UK premiere of Joan Rivers - A Work in Progress by a Life in Progress. Pacific Playhouse presents Romeo and Juliet – the Lost Generation, using Shakespeare’s original text but set in 1918 against a backdrop of a post-war industrial city. The disaffected youth having suffered and experienced the worst of humanity try to find solace in whatever way they can, whether that be violence, drugs or love. Catherine Tate, fresh from assisting Dr Who, stars with Francesca Annis and Chris O’Dowd at the Duke of York’s in a revival of David Eldridge’s Under The Blue Sky. West Side Story celebrated its 50th anniversary by returning to the stage at Sadler’s Wells
For more up to date news on what's happening on the London Stage go to the Official London Theatre Guide

Featured Venue
Battersea Arts Centre is housed in Grade 2* former Battersea Town Hall on Lavender Hill, Clapham Junction. Creative producing underlines BAC's artistic philosophy and, as such, has been the basis of creating one of theatre's most ground-breaking artistic programmes. The centre is often referred to as the National Theatre of the Fringe. Its history as a home for the arts began in the early 1900's when the Grand and Lower Halls staged talent contests, traditional jazz performances and musical evenings, taking over the role of the bombed Shakespeare Theatre as a music hall venue for a period during the 1950's.
In 1974 the building, saved from demolition, was reopened as a community arts centre run by Wandsworth Borough Council, then becoming independent and known as the BAC in 1980 with an annual grant to cover operating costs. In 1993, its centenary year, BAC took over the running of the Grand and Lower Halls. Of especial interest over the next few weeks is a programme of production featuring future theatrical names from the Mountview Academy of Performing Arts postgraduate students. The programme kicked off with The Storm or The Howler and is followed by The Killing Game and finally Don Juan Returns From the War. Members should see the Theatre Ladder for a very special offer.


If you haven’t yet done so do go to Theatre Monkey and take a trawl through all the wonderful theatre information. From seating plans to all the great offers you cannot really go wrong with the monkey.

Members' Reviews

Kim Shankar writes about Cosi crrently playing at the White Bear Kennington: "blazing and highly emotive performances by an excellent cast made the rather long performance utterly compelling and eminently watchable throughout. it's an original and touching story...may have to go and see it again, it was so remarkable!"

Don’t forget to send me your reviews. We want to hear what you think about the shows you are booking with us. Ever fancied being a theatre critic? Now’s your chance. And don’t forget to let us know what you think about the Club. We love to get your feedback. Contact me HERE.

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Featured Venues
From now on we won’t just be changing the Show News completely every few weeks but adding new news to the front end so that an archive builds up over time. Here are is the best of Featured Venues from the last few months.

The Space on the Isle of Dogs. Housed in a 19th century converted church with stained glass windows, a Steinway grand piano and flexible seating, this multi-arts centre has a “unique and atmospheric environment”. Its programme is an eclectic mixture of theatre, music, comedy and dance.

Southwark Playhouse Theatre Company was founded in 1993 by Juliet Alderdice, Tom Wilson & Mehmet Ergen. They leased a disused workshop turning it into a flexible theatre space.The education programme they developed back then continues to thrive and to attract substantial funding each year. Over the past fifteen years the theatre has established itself as one of London's leading studio theatres and a couple of years ago moved to its present base under two large railway arches off Tooley Street near London Bridge. The future looks bright for this one of south London's theatrical gems as Southwark Playhouse has been chosen for inclusion in a new development at the Elephant & Castle. The theatre will move to a brand new premises with a 200 seat auditorium together with a dedicated education and community space.

Rosemary Branch is an independent, privately-owned, art-friendly freehouse situated across the road from the Grand Union Canal on the borders of Hackney, Islington and Shoreditch. Originally a music hall where Charlie Chaplin is rumoured to have played and where Marie Lloyd certainly did, this local venue seats c 65 people above a popular pub. There is an eclectic selection of cushions on the chair seats to make your visit a bit more comfortable. The building has been on this site since 1783 and the name comes from the sprig of rosemary worn in the hats of The Levellers, a radical left wing group of the 1640's who held meetings at a nearby tavern. In the summer, the theatre is often used as a tryout space by comedians working on productions for Edinburgh.

We have been fortunate indeed in being able to attend a number of wonderful concerts at the Cadogan Hall in Sloane Square. This is the home of the London Philharmonic Orchestra and the Brodsky Quartet ans one of the newest concert halls in London. Originally built in 1907 as the First Church of Christ Scientist it was re-opened as a concert hall in 2004. The Cadogan is a work of art in its own right - designed by Robert Fellowes Chisholm, who was the British Government’s consultant architect in India. Chisholm filled the hall with a dramatic mixture of Byzantine, Romanesque and Indo-Saracenic elements. In addition, a Danish nobleman, Baron von Rosenkrantz, who was a designer for Tiffany in New York, devised stained glass throughout the building drawn from variations on a Celtic knot theme.

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