Back to Productions UNCLE VANYA FILM Following a theatrical cinema release, BBC Arts commissions Uncle Vanya on Film from Sonia Friedman Productions and Angelica Films for BBC 4. ★★★★★ A masterpiece of love, sadness and a very timely air of ennui... Quite a marvel, quite a must-see. The Telegraph This dramatic and darkly humorous adaptation - which sees a conflicted family forced to confront their despair, and each other, while living together on their isolated estate - has even greater resonance following recent world events. ★★★★★ An extraordinary, transfiguring leap from stage to screen… This is not, like the NTLive broadcasts, an attempt to transmit a theatrical event. It is a new thing. The film crackles with fresh intensity – and gains new shadows from the timing of its release… . It is often said that an elderly play is nevertheless a play for today. This one truly is. The Observer BBC Arts has commissioned a breathtaking film of Olivier Award-winner Conor McPherson’ s stunning new adaptation of the Anton Chekhov masterpiece, Uncle Vanya from Sonia Friedman Productions and Angelica Films. A specially commissioned version of the original stage production, directed by Olivier Award-nominated Ian Rickson , produced during lockdown, and filmed without an audience, the two-hour film features a superlative cast including Toby Jones , Richard Armitage , Rosalind Eleazar , Aimee Lou Wood , Anna Calder-Marshall , Dearbhla Molloy , Peter Wight and Roger Allam , and is directed for screen by Ross MacGibbon . Uncle Vanya , produced by Sonia Friedman Productions , opened at the Harold Pinter Theatre in January 2020 to five-star reviews, heralded by critics as ‘the perfect Chekhov’ (The Guardian ). Despite playing to sold-out audiences from January, and currently nominated for four Olivier Awards, Uncle Vanya ’s success was cut short in March 2020 due to the impact of COVID-19 and the abrupt closure of theatres around the world. As the first British theatre production closed by the pandemic to be filmed in situ, the production team adhered to strict protocols to ensure the safety of both cast and crew. This involved the cast being in isolation and on a COVID-19 testing schedule to allow them to perform together, and the crew have worked in protective masks and PPE while remaining socially distanced throughout the entire process. ★★★★★ It is excellent. A great work of art. It will touch your heart and soul. BBC News CAST AMY LOU WOOD – Sonya TOBY JONES – Vanya ROASALIND ELEAZAR – Yelena RICHARD ARMITAGE – Astrov ROGER ALLAM – Serebrayakov ANNA CALDER-MARSHALL – Nana DEARBHLA MOLLOY – Mariya PETER WIGHT – Telegrin CREATIVES ANTON CHEKHOV – Original Playwright CONOR MCPHERSON – Adaptation ROSS MACGIBBON & IAN RICSON – Directors

Back to News & Press SFP in the news 2007 to 2008 Friday, 4 May 2007 A selection of press quotes from 2007 to 2008. THE STAGE Friedman's reputation has soared in the West End where she is frequently described as the most exciting producer in town HARPER'S BAZAAR Sonia Friedman has breathed new life into London's West End THE STAGE Phenomenal energy, drive and attention to detail THE TELEGRAPH One of London's most prolific producers EVENING STANDARD Sonia Friedman listed as one of London's 1000 Most Influential People 2007. Puts her faith in new plays and presents more of them than any other at a time when the straight play is a dying West End species. This attractive, powerful and ruthless sister of singer Maria Friedman makes cunning use of stars and, now working for herself, is to try her hand at musicals. VARIETY, DAVID BENEDICT One of the U.K.’s most prolific legit producers, Friedman is immensely shrewd at the tricky business of juggling personal taste and box office potential. Over the past 18 months, her Sonia Friedman Prods. has presented 14 shows in London and on Broadway, nabbing eight Olivier nominations and four Tony nominations. Her London hits of Tom Stoppard's “Rock ‘n’ Roll” and “Boeing-Boeing” are Broadway-bound for the 2007-08 season. A rare and defiant commercial supporter of new writing -- a risky economic prospect -- she has around two dozen projects in development, only a few of which are new musicals. “Plays remain paramount in the repertoire of this company,” she says. TIME OUT Friedman is the uncrowned queen of Theatre Land who is responsible for a string of hits in the West End and on Broadway - with commercial theatre in her hands there's hope for the West End yet... MARK SHENTON, THE STAGE AND SUNDAY EXPRESS She's a force of nature and of nurture, in terms of bringing projects to fruition... THE GUARDIAN PROFILE ON SONIA FRIEDMAN I don't think there will ever be a theatre project that will be big enough, this is a woman who needs an empire... GUARDIAN, LYN GARDNER (on Faith Healer) Its success marks the arrival of producer Sonia Friedman as a force on Broadway. Moving in on Broadway was a natural step for Friedman, who has become uncrowned queen of the West End over the past six years. GUARDIAN, MICHAEL BILLINGTON The most urgent need is for dynamic young producers to succeed the senior generation. Only two have made their mark in recent years: the admirable Sonia Friedman. THEATREGOER There is little Sonia Friedman can't pull off... NICHOLAS DE JONGH, EVENING STANDARD Miss Friedman is not the old style producer - she is shrewd, adventurous, and young! SUNDAY TIMES CULTURE - SIMON FANSHAWE INTERVIEW The guiding light of the process is Sonia Friedman, the prodigious producer who has just earned four Tony nominations for Brian Friel?s Faith Healer, on Broadway, as well as stunning reviews for a new London production of Michael Frayn's Donkeys' Years. Despite the accolades for these revivals, though, she has a kind of demented enthusiasm for new writing. TIME OUT As soon as she's got one of your plays in hand you know for certain it is going to happen... DAILY TELEGRAPH, CHARLES SPENCER Sonia Friedman has reached the very peak of her theatrical field. Read full article here . Up Up

Back to News & Press New Cast and New Tickets for West End Production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Parts One and Two Wednesday, 14 March 2018 Rehearsals began this week for the third West End cast of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child who will start their performances at the Palace Theatre in London on 23 May 2018 following the final performance from the current cast on 20 May 2018. Joining the company are Jamie Ballard who will play Harry Potter, Susie Trayling as Ginny Potter and Joe Idris-Roberts as their son Albus Potter. Jonathan Case joins to play Scorpius Malfoy. Thomas Aldridge continues as Ron Weasley as well as Rakie Ayola as Hermione Granger and Helen Aluko as their daughter Rose Granger-Weasley. James Howard also continues as Draco Malfoy. They are joined by cast members Rosemary Annabella , David Annen , Jordan Bamford , Emma Bown , Adrian Christopher , Craig Connolly , Danny Dalton , Leah Haile , April Hughes , Martin Johnston , Gareth Kennerley , Susan Lawson-Reynolds , Ryan J Mackay , David Mara , Dylan Mason , Barry McCarthy , Sandy McDade , James McGregor , Annette McLaughlin , Tom Peters , James Phoon , Eve Ponsonby , Kate Russell-Smith , Sinéad Sharkey , Amarah-Jae St . Aubyn , Mark Theodore and Joshua Wyatt complete the 42-strong company playing a variety of characters, including seven children who will alternate two roles. In addition Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Producers Sonia Friedman and Colin Callender today announce that on 5 April 2018 at 11am BST they will release a further allocation of tickets for sale for performances from 16 January 2019 – 7 April 2019. Tickets are priced from £15 per part and for every performance there are over 300 tickets at £20 or less per part. Details of any other ticket releases will continue to be listed on the official website, social media channels and the official newsletter. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the eighth story in the Harry Potter series and the first official Harry Potter story to be presented on stage. The critically acclaimed production received its world premiere in June 2016 at the Palace Theatre in London. Subsequently Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has won twenty-four major theatre awards including the Evening Standard Best Play Award as well as a record-breaking nine Oliver Awards - including Best New Play and Best Director - the most awarded play in the history of the Oliviers. The Broadway production will begin previews at the Lyric Theatre later this week on 16 March 2018 and in early 2019 the Australian production will open at Melbourne’s Princess Theatre. It was always difficult being Harry Potter and it isn’t much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband and father of three school-age children. While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places. Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling , Jack Thorne and John Tiffany , Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a new play by Jack Thorne , directed by John Tiffany with movement by Steven Hoggett , set by Christine Jones , costumes by Katrina Lindsay , music & arrangements by Imogen Heap , lighting by Neil Austin , sound by Gareth Fry , illusions & magic by Jamie Harrison , music supervision & arrangements by Martin Lowe and casting by Julia Horan CDG . Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is one play presented in two parts. Both parts are intended to be seen in order on the same day (matinee and evening) or on two consecutive evenings. On Thursdays there is an evening performance of Part One and on Fridays an evening performance of Part Two. On those days tickets to each part can be bought together or separately. Tickets for Wednesday matinee and Wednesday evening performances can also be bought together or separately. The regular performance schedule is as follows - Monday – no performance, Tuesday – no performance, Wednesday - 2pm Part One & 7.30pm Part Two, Thursday – 7.30pm Part One, Friday – 7.30pm Part Two, Saturday – 2pm Part One & 7.30pm Part Two, Sunday – 1pm Part One & 6.30pm Part Two. Every Friday, The Friday Forty takes place at 1pm when 40 tickets are released for every performance the following week for some of the very best seats in the theatre. Subsequent ticket releases take place each Friday for performances the following week. Priced at £40 (£20 per part) tickets will secure a seat for both Part One and Part Two on consecutive performances. Customers will be selected at random for the opportunity to buy tickets online and will be able to purchase a maximum of two tickets for both Part One and Part Two in one transaction. To ensure that as many people as possible have the chance to access these tickets, they will only be available to buy online www.harrypottertheplay.com/ticket-information For patrons with physical access needs and enquiries regarding access performances call 0330 333 4410 (please note there are no general ticket sales on this number) or email CursedChildAccess@nimaxtheatres.com Returned and other late-release tickets may also become available at short notice. These are not guaranteed, but any tickets that do become available will be sold on a first-come-first-served basis, online or in person at the Palace Theatre box office at full price. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is produced by Sonia Friedman Productions , Colin Callender and Harry Potter Theatrical Productions . Up Up

Back to News & Press The Inheritance wins 2 WhatsOnStage Awards for Best New Play and Best Supporting Actress Sunday, 3 March 2019 On 3rd March, the 19th annual WhatsOnStage Awards, the only major UK theatre awards which are judged and voted for by the general public, were held at the Prince of Wales Theatre. The Inheritance was awarded Best New Play, with Vanessa Redgrave also being voted Best Supporting Actress in a Play. Up Up

Back to News & Press Full Casting Announced for Travesties Monday, 11 December 2017 Travesties will star Tom Hollander as Henry Carr with Peter McDonald reprising his role as James Joyce from the Menier Chocolate Factory production, Seth Numrich as Tristan Tzara, Nicholas Woodeson as Lenin, Scarlett Strallen as Gwendolen, Sara Topham as Cecily, Opal Alladin as Nadya and Patrick Kerr as Bennett. Tony nominee Patrick Marber will return to direct after the sold-out productions at London’s Menier Chocolate Factory and the West End. Travesties will begin preview performances on Thursday, March 29, 2018 and opens officially on Tuesday, April 24, 2018. This is a limited engagement through Sunday, June 17, 2018 at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway (227 West 42nd Street). Travesties returns to Broadway in a "near-miraculous production" of "mind-bending splendor" (New York Times ). In 1917 Zurich, an artist – Tristan Tzara, a writer – James Joyce, and a revolutionary – Lenin, collide in a kaleidoscopic thrill-ride that's "wickedly playful, intensely entertaining, infectiously theatrical" (Time Out London ). Roundabout reunites with playwright Tom Stoppard (Indian Ink , The Real Thing ) and director Patrick Marber (Howard Katz , After Miss Julie ) for a dazzling revival from London's Menier Chocolate Factory (Sunday in the Park with George ). The creative team includes Tim Hatley (Set and Costume Design), Neil Austin (Lighting Design), Adam Cork (Sound Design and Original Music) and Polly Bennett (Movement). Roundabout is additionally pleased to welcome returning actors Sara Topham (The Importance of Being Earnest ), Patrick Kerr (The Ritz ) and Opal Alladin (Hedda Gabler ). TICKET INFORMATION: Tickets for Travesties are first made available to subscribers and donors. Whether you are interested in the best value or VIP experiences, Roundabout has a package option for you. Visit roundabouttheatre.org or call 212719-1300 for more info. Sign up for Roundabout’s email club at roundabouttheatre.org to be notified when tickets go on sale to the public. For groups of 10 or more please call 212-719-9393 x 365 or email groupsales@roundabouttheatre.org . PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE: Travesties will play Tuesday through Saturday evening at 8:00PM, Wednesday and Saturday matinees at 2:00PM and Sunday matinees at 3:00PM. TRAVESTIES is made possible with Bank of America as a Proud Sponsor. Partial underwriting support for Travesties provided by Ravened Curry. Up Up

Back to News & Press Sunny Afternoon announces West End extension Monday, 4 January 2016 Tickets for new booking period are now on sale. Click here to book. With a book by Joe Penhall, music and lyrics and original story by Ray Davies, and directed by Edward Hall, Sunny Afternoon has established itself as a firm favourite with audiences and critics alike since it opened at the Harold Pinter Theatre in October 2014. Fifty years ago The Kinks were sitting at Number One in the UK charts with their single ‘Sunny Afternoon ’. The band’s popularity has not faded since the 1960s, with crowds of all ages filling the Harold Pinter Theatre night after night. Featuring some of The Kinks’ best-loved songs, including You Really Got Me, Waterloo Sunset and Lola , Sunny Afternoon marks the 50th anniversary of the band’s rise to fame. Following a sold-out run at Hampstead Theatre, this world premiere production, with music and lyrics by Ray Davies, new book by Joe Penhall, original story by Ray Davies, direction by Edward Hall, design by Miriam Buether and choreography by Adam Cooper, opened at the Harold Pinter theatre on 28 October 2014. Lighting is by Rick Fisher, sound by Matt McKenzie and the Musical Supervisor and Musical Director is Elliott Ware. Up Up

Back to News & Press Funny Girl Opens to Rave Reviews and extends West End run Friday, 4 December 2015 Following a critically acclaimed opening at the Menier Chocolate Factory this week, the smash hit production of Funny Girl extends its booking period at the Savoy Theatre due to popular demand. Michael Mayer’s “exhilarating embrace of a production – Independent” will now run until 10 September 2016 – marking the musical’s 50th anniversary year. Tickets for the extended booking period production starring Olivier and BAFTA award-winning actress and “phenomenal talent – Independent” Sheridan Smith as Fanny Brice go on sale today. “Sheridan Smith is one of British Theatre’s truly golden performers – a versatile star who thrills with her ability to be simultaneously touching and hilarious. Here she’s on glorious form.” Evening Standard With music by Jule Styne (whose musical Gypsy recently completed its award-winning run at the Savoy Theatre, starring Imelda Staunton), lyrics by Bob Merrill and book by Isobel Lennart, the Broadway smash which skyrocketed Barbra Streisand to stardom, is revived with book revisions by Harvey Fierstein. Sheridan Smith plays Fanny Brice, who rose from being a Brooklyn music hall singer to become one of Broadway's biggest stars under producer Florenz Ziegfeld. While she was cheered onstage as a great comedienne, offstage she faced a doomed relationship with the man she loved. With a score featuring now-classic songs such as "People", "You Are Woman, I Am Man", “I’m the Greatest Star” and "Don't Rain on My Parade", this brand new production promises to be the must-see musical of 2016. Sheridan Smith plays Fanny Brice. She has previously won two Olivier Awards, the first for her leading role as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde at the Savoy, and the second for Flare Path at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. Other stage work includes A Midsummer Night’s Dream directed by Michael Grandage (Noel Coward), Hedda Gabler (Old Vic), Tinderbox (Bush Theatre), Little Shop of Horrors (Menier Chocolate Factory and Duke of York’s Theatre), and Into the Woods (Donmar Warehouse). For her television work, she won a BAFTA for her performance in ITV’s Mrs Biggs. She has twice been nominated for an International Emmy, for Mrs Biggs and Cilla, for which she won the National TV Award and received a second BAFTA nomination. Other television includes The C Word, Inside Number 9, Black Work, The 7:39, The Scapegoat, Jimmy McGovern’s Accused, Jonathan Creek, Gavin and Stacey, Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, Love Soup and The Royle Family. Her film work includes The Huntsman (to be released in 2016), Quartet, Powder Room, The Harry Hill Movie, Tower Block, and Hysteria. Michael Mayer directs. His West End credits include Spring Awakening (Lyric Hammersmith and Novello Theatre) and Thoroughly Modern Millie (Shaftesbury Theatre). For Broadway his work includes Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Tony Award nomination for Best Director), On a Clear Day You Can See Forever, American Idiot (Drama Desk Award for Best Director of a Musical), Spring Awakening (Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Drama Desk Award for Best Direction of a Musical) and You're a Good Man Charlie Brown (Drama Desk Award nomination for Best Direction of a Musical). For television, his work includes Smash and Alpha House, and for film his credits include A Home at the End of the World, Flicka and currently in post-production, Chekhov's The Seagull. He made his Metropolitan Opera debut with a celebrated new production of Rigoletto. Choreography is by Lynne Page, with set design by Michael Pavelka, costume designer by Matthew Wright, lighting design by Mark Henderson and sound designer by Richard Brooker, the musical supervisor is Alan Williams and orchestrations are by Chris Walker. Up Up

Back to News & Press Harry Potter and the Cursed Child nominated for Best Musical Theater Album at the Grammy Awards Wednesday, 20 November 2019 The Music of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has been nominated for Best Musical Theater Album alongside Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations, Hadestown, Moulin Rouge! The Musical and Oklahoma! The Grammy Awards will take place on 26th January at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Up Up

Back to News & Press FANGIRLS Open Call Auditions Tuesday, 19 December 2023 The Lyric Hammersmith Theatre & Sonia Friedman Productions are looking for brilliant, charismatic, talented performers for the UK Premiere of smash-hit, multi-award-winning musical phenomenon FANGIRLS ! We are looking for performers who are very highly skilled in singing, dancing and acting with a playing age of 14-16 but who are 18+. This open call is specifically only for performers who are without professional representation . If you are interested in the production and have professional representation please ask your agent to submit you via Spotlight (to Casting Director Lotte Hines CDG). All diversity is welcome. Performers can be of any gender expression. We are especially interested in hearing from people who are currently underrepresented in the UK theatre industry such as people from the Global Majority, deaf and disabled people, trans and/or non-binary people, and people who have come into the industry through non-traditional routes. Auditions, rehearsals and performances will all take place at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre in London. In order to apply for this opportunity you must be: Over the age of 18 with a playing age of 14-16 Without professional representation Eligible to work in the UK Available for the following dates:Rehearsals: Monday 20 May 2024 – Saturday 13 July 2024 Preview performances: Saturday 13 July 2024 – Monday 22 July 2024 Press performance: Tuesday 23 July 2024 Performances: Wednesday 24 July 2024 – Saturday 24 August 2024 Group auditions will take place on Saturday 27 January & Monday 29 January 2024 at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre. You must be available for at least one of these dates. The deadline for submissions is midnight on Monday 8 January 2024. We will contact you by Monday 22 January 2024 to let you know if you have been allocated a time and date for the audition. We will also let you know if you have been unsuccessful. If you have any questions or queries please email casting@lyric.co.uk Apply here . We look forward to hearing from you! Up Up

Back to News & Press Shakespeares Globe Productions of Richad III & Twelfth Night to Transfer to West End Monday, 27 February 2012 Joining Rylance will be Stephen Fry as Malvolio in Twelfth Night and Samuel Barnett and Johnny Flynn. Tickets for the 13 week run at the Apollo Theatre go on sale today (27 February 2012). Further casting will be announced shortly. Designs are by Jenny Tiramani and music is by Claire van Kampen who along with Tim Carroll are the creative team behind the Globe’s original 2002 version of Twelfth Night. The productions, which will be designed using original Shakespearian practices, will run at the Apollo Theatre from 2 November 2012 – 3 February 2013. Press day will be on Saturday 17 November 2012 (Richard III at 1.30pm, Twelfth Night at 7pm). Sonia Friedman Productions in association with Shakespeare Road, 1001 Nights and Tulchin/ Bartner Productions present Shakespeare’s Globe productions of Richard III and Twelfth Night. Up Up

Back to Productions BENEFACTORS This production began performances on 25th June and closed on 28th September 2002. ​ ​ Spanning a period of 15 years, this moving, funny and dazzlingly written piece explores the intricate interactions of two neighbouring couples. Jane and David are successful, apparently happy professionals while Sheila and Colin seem more insecure and isolated. All of their lives, however, are about to change. ​ ​ This brand new production of Michael Frayn 's Olivier Award-winning play BENEFACTORS reunites the creative team behind The Royal National Theatre's smash hit production of his record breaking comedy Noises Off. BENEFACTORS charts four people's private and public journeys, set against the ever changing landscape of modern Britain. ​ ​ CAST SYLVESTRA LE TOUZEL – Jane ADEN GILLET – David NEIL PEARSON – Colin EMMA CHAMBERS – Sheila CREATIVES MICHAEK FRAYN – Playwright JEREMY SAMS – Director ROBERT JONES – Designer TIM MITCHELL – Lighting Designer JOHN LEONARD – Sound Designer ANNA LINSTRUM – Associate Direction

Back to News & Press Kirsten Foster, Mark McKinney, Ben Schnetzer and Susan Kelechi Watson join Helen Hunt in Eureka Day at The Old Vic this September Thursday, 28 July 2022 Joining the previously announced Academy, Golden Globe and Emmy Award winner Helen Hunt (As Good As It Gets, The Sessions, Mad About You) are Kirsten Foster (Life of Pi, The Sandman) as May, Mark McKinney (The Kids in the Hall, Superstore) as Don, Ben Schnetzer (The Book Thief, Pr;de) as Eli and Susan Kelechi Watson (This is Us, A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood) as Carina. Set against the backdrop of a mumps outbreak at a progressive private elementary school in California in 2017, Eureka Day is a satire on the quest for consensus; the central question of 'to vaccinate' or 'not to vaccinate' taking on a whole new meaning in 2022. The creative team are also announced with Set and Costume by Rob Howell , Lighting by Jon Clark , Sound by Donato Wharton , Video by Andrzej Goulding , Music by Jherek Bischoff , Casting by Jim Carnahan , Voice by Charlie Hughes-D'Aeth and Dialect by Penny Dyer . The Baylis Assistant Director is Aaliyah McKay . Eureka Day will play from 06 September to 31 October 2022 at The Old Vic. Up Up