Back to News & Press Sonia Friedman, the formidable producer, says that despite the recession, business in Theatreland is booming Wednesday 30 December 2009 It is a struggle to see the similarities between the ditzy, Chihuahua-carrying, all-things-pink loving shopaholic heroine of Legally Blonde, and Sonia Friedman, the powerhouse producer who is bringing the musical adaptation of the 2001 Hollywood film starring Reese Witherspoon to the West End. But Friedman, one of the world's most successful theatre producers, admits with mild embarrassment that the story of Elle Woods, a homecoming queen dumped by her boyfriend for someone more "serious", who cures her heartbreak by hitting the books at Harvard Law School, struck a deep chord with her when she first saw the show on Broadway. "I was feeling particularly gloomy and depressed that day, and at the interval I just felt like someone had given me an injection of adrenaline," she says. "As a woman, I just fell for it and I loved its message. On a more profound level, though it's difficult to talk about this without sounding pretentious, I sort of identified with Elle. It's embarrassing, but I did. Because Elle is a great role model for women. She shows that there's nothing wrong with wearing pretty clothes and lipstick, while still being a strong woman. "This story about a girl who is assumed can't have a career because she likes wearing a pink tracksuit appealed to me." Britain's theatre-goers seem to agree. During its preview run, Legally Blonde, The Musical attracted a "Beatlemania-like atmosphere" among its predominantly female audiences. It has since been hailed as a recession-bucking success, taking a reported £2million in advance ticket sales. The frothy, feel-good show is a major departure from the critically-acclaimed but less obviously commercial productions that Friedman usually takes on. Her recent productions include Shakespeare's Othello, Tom Stoppard's Arcadia, Harold Pinter's No-Man's Land, and The Norman Conquests by Alan Ayckbourn. Legally Blonde, The Musical seems to jar with such a heavyweight back catalogue. Sitting at a desk in the offices of Sonia Friedman Productions above the reknowned Duke of York's in the heart of Theatreland, Friedman explains her unusual choice. "As a woman working in a man's world - and it is a man's world, without question, whatever man tells you it's not - I wanted to do it. For years, women have had to mould themselves into the style of what a man imagines a tough woman to be, and I started my career thinking I should wear a suit and carry a briefcase." Today, Friedman's uniform is jeans and knee-high leather boots. From 1989 to 1993, Friedman was a producer at the National Theatre, where she says sexism was rife. "People said I only got the job because I was pretty, I only got the job because I wore a mini skirt - all this s***." She rolls her eyes recalling an incident when her outfit for a meeting at the Arts Council raised eyebrows among her colleagues. "I was wearing a pair of PVC trousers - I was very young and they were very trendy at the time, honestly," she laughs. "But a man came up to me and said: 'You can't wear that, they won't take you seriously.' "So I went along with the PVC trousers on anyway. The meeting went fine, and I got exactly what I wanted from it. Nobody mentioned my trousers." She concedes that little has changed. "I still get it now. I am accused all the time of having affairs with men who are very powerful and successful in this business. If I am working with them, it is apparently not because I'm good at my job, but because I'm having an affair with them. "Only last week someone took me to one side and said: 'I think you should know there's a rumour about you and so-and-so.' Sadly, I'm as single as you can be. I don't even know whether it's men or women who start these rumours - it almost doesn't matter - but being one of the few women in this industry, it comes at me a lot." Friedman manages to keep remarkably cool on such a sensitive subject. "I hate it," she says shrugging resignedly. "Thankfully, I'm talking to another woman, because if I was talking to a man I could not have this conversation. If a woman talks about working in a man's world, we come across as feminists, and I'm most definitely not a feminist. I'm just a woman doing a job. "I actually get annoyed when I'm described as 'one of the top female producers'. I don't want to be one of the top female producers, I want to be one of the top producers." Friedman is without doubt exactly that, and despite the recession, business in theatreland is booming. She is encouraged by the recent success of "big-issue plays" like the sell-out run of Enron at the Royal Court, and David Hare's The Power of Yes at the National, which have stood shoulder to shoulder in sales with the safe-bet, feelgood musicals. Jerusalem, Jez Butterworth's comic take on Britain's broken society was another hit at the Royal Court earlier this year, which Friedman will take to the West End in January. "I think people are very interested in the state of the nation, and where we are at the moment," she says. "Jerusalem is an example of an epic piece about who we are, the break down of society, the rural world we live in and all those big ideas. "We are all trying to search for answers as to the mess we're in. The confusion of the wars, why we're doing it, what's going on. I think we're looking to our art to give us some answers. We [theatre] can do that very well, without being didactic or lecturing. It can really make us think about why we are where we are, and we don't have our politicians doing that for us. "In times of certainty - call them the 'Thatcher years' - where it was very definite what was going on, whether you agreed with it or not, there was less powerful theatre around. But it's in times of uncertainty that artists rise up and emerge and start to ask the questions. Right now, people haven't got a clue what is going on, I know I don't, and I am certainly looking to writers to try and help me." Performance was always in Friedman's blood. Her father, Leonard Friedman, a Jewish violinist born to Russian immigrant parents, was one of the most eminent musicians of his day, and her mother Clair an equally talented concert pianist. Her sister Maria is an award-winning stage singer, her brother Richard is a violinist, and her younger half-brother Ben is a playwright. Only one sister, Sarah, a scientist, has not followed in the Friedmans performing footsteps. "I grew up in north London in a very bohemian household. We woke up to lots of music and chaos," she recalls, adding that she was even the star of her very own show at just six years old. "I would come into the living room and say in a squeaky voice, 'Welcome to the Sonia Friedman show', and my family would come on and sing and do readings." Home now for Friedman, 44, is a converted pub in Stepney Green, east London which she has spent six years lovingly renovating. "I'm the happiest I've ever been, because my pub is full of my family," she says. "My brother, sister, brother-in-law and nephew are all living there at the moment. We're on the piano the whole time, and it's like being back in my childhood. I can get home from work after a very tense day of being an adult, and pretend to be a little girl again." After cutting her teeth at the National Theatre, where much to her delight, Harold Pinter once asked her to write a "pause" into a prop script, Friedman set up Out of Joint theatre company with the Royal Court's former artistic director, Max Stafford-Clark. In 2002, she founded Sonia Friedman Productions, a subsidiary of the Ambassadors Theatre Group, the largest theatre owner in the world. Like an ever-increasing number of West End shows, Legally Blonde, The Musical will be led by a cast of television and pop stars including Sheridan Smith and Jill Halfpenny, actresses best known for their roles in Gavin and Stacey and EastEnders. Duncan James, a former member of the boy band Blue, will play the male lead. Has the West End, perhaps, become too obsessed with the film and television "star" draws at the expense of lesser-known but more capable actors? "What you have to think about is does it compromise the work?" says Friedman. "Has it raised the bar so high that audiences are expecting a 'star' to be in everything? Does that star have the experience? And very often they do but sometimes they don't," she says. "Film stars who can who can act really well and who have stage craft are few and far between. "I read today that Abi Titmuss is playing Lady Macbeth," she continues, raising a sceptical eyebrow. "I wouldn't do that. The fact is Abi Titmuss has been cast because they know that's a sensational idea." Despite having just opened two shows on Broadway - A Little Night Music starring Catherine Zeta-Jones and Angela Lansbury, and A View from the Bridge with Scarlett Johansson - Friedman has no fewer than 56 projects on her "to-do list", including developing a musical adaptation of the film Shakespeare in Love. Gathering up her Bichon Frise, Teddy, who has been snoozing on the sofa beside me, Friedman laughs when I point out that with her penchant for pocket-size show dogs, she does indeed share a passion with Legally Blonde's heroine, Elle. For such a tough and outspoken businesswoman, I tell her Teddy seems a rather fluffy accessory. In response, she picks up a piece of paper from her desk on which she has scribbled a recent quote from the American senator, Diane Feinstein. It reads: "Toughness doesn't have to come in a pinstripe suit." Source: Daily Telegraph, 24th December 2009 - full article here . Up Up

Back to Productions CHIMERICA This production began performances on 6th August and closed on 13th October 2013. ★★★★★ Epic, exhilarating, exceptional Daily Telegraph Tiananmen Square, 1989. As tanks roll through Beijing and soldiers hammer on his hotel door, Joe – a young American photojournalist – captures a piece of history. When a cryptic message is left in a Beijing newspaper more than 20 years later, Joe is driven to discover the truth behind the unknown hero he captured on film. Who was he? What happened to him? And could he still be alive? ★★★★★ Lucy Kirkwood’s magnificent drama. A towering achievement Evening Standard The Headlong and Almeida Theatre's five-star sold-out co-production of Lucy Kirkwood 's new play Chimerica will play at the Harold Pinter Theatre from 6 August for a strictly limited 11-week run. Directed by Lyndsey Turner , Chimerica received its world premiere last month at the Almeida Theatre where it has subsequently been acclaimed by critics and audiences alike. Sonia Friedman Productions , Tulchin Bartner Productions , Jean Doumanian and the Almeida Theatre , in association with 1001 Nights , Scott M Delman , JFL Theatricals /Tanya Link Productions , Burnt Umber Productions , Michael Ostin , present The Headlong & Almeida Theatre co-production of “CHIMERICA ” by Lucy Kirkwood . ★★★★★ A dazzling, thoughtful, wonderfully ambitious drama Financial Times CAST STEPHEN CAMPBELL MOORE – Joe Schofield BENEDICT WONG – Zhang Lin CLAUDIE BLAKLEY – Tessa Kendrick ELIZABETH CHAN – Liuli/Jennifer VERA CHOK/WENDY KWEH – Michelle/Marcy Chang/Deng KARL COLLINS – David/Peter/Paul/Office Hyte TREVOR COOPER – Frank NANCY CRANE – Susanna Schofield SEAN GLIDER – Mel Stanwyck SARAH LAM/LIZ SUTHERLAND – Feng Meihiu/Ming Xiaoli ANDREW LEUNG – Young Zhang Lin/Benny DAVID K S TSE – Zhang Wei/Wang Pengsi ROSIE ARMSTRONG – Ensemble TINA CHIANG – Ensemble CHRIS HOLLNSHEAD – Ensemble MATH SAMS – Ensemble KEVIN SHEN – Ensemble CREATIVES LUCY KIRKWOOD – Playwright LYNDSEY TURNER – Director ES DEVLIN – Set Designer TIM LUTKIN – Lighting Designer CAROLYN DOWNING – Sound Designer FINN ROSS – Video Designer CHRISTINA CUNNINGHAM – Costume Designer

Back to News & Press Merrily We Roll Along transfers to The Harold Pinter Theatre Friday 22 February 2013 Due to unprecedented demand and huge critical acclaim – including winning the Critics’ Circle Award for Best Musical (New or Revival) for 2012 – the Chocolate Factory’s production of the Sondheim/ Furth musical Merrily We Roll Along directed by Maria Friedman will begin previews at the Harold Pinter Theatre from 23 April. It will open 1 May for a strictly limited 12-week season. 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 impressively talented cast includes Mark Umbers, Jenna Russell and Damian Humbley, as Franklin Shepard, Mary Flynn and Charles Kringas respectively. Mark Umbers has appeared in the Chocolate Factory’s production of Sweet Charity, My Fair Lady, The Browning Version and the BBC’s The Scarlet Pimpernel. Jenna Russell won an Olivier Award and a Tony nomination for her role as Dot in the Chocolate Factory’s production of Sunday in the Park with George. Her other notable credits include Guys and Dolls, Soho Cinders, Into the Woods and Season’s Greetings. Damian Humbley starred in Lend Me A Tenor – the Musical, The Woman in White and the Chocolate Factory’s production of The Last Five Years. The production co-stars Josefina Gabrielle (Olivier nominated for Sweet Charity) as Gussie Carnegie, Clare Foster (Crazy for You, Regent’s Park/West End) as Beth and Glyn Kerslake (Road Show, Chocolate Factory) as Joe Josephson. The ensemble features Matthew Barrow, Martin Callaghan, Amanda Minihan, Kirk Patterson, Amy Ellen Richardson, Ashley Robinson, Robbie Scotcher, Zizi Strallen and Joanna Woodward. Making her directorial debut, Maria Friedman’s extensive performing credits include Maria Friedman: Re-arranged, which transferred from the Chocolate Factory to Trafalgar Studios (Olivier Award nomination for Best Entertainment); Fosca in Sondheim’s Passion (Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical); Mother in Ragtime (Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical); Maria Friedman, by Special Arrangement which transferred from the Donmar Warehouse to the Whitehall Theatre (Olivier Award for Best Entertainment); Chicago at the Adelphi Theatre (Olivier Award nomination); Sunday in the Park with George (Olivier Award nomination for Outstanding Performance of the Year by an Actress in a Musical) and Lady in the Dark (Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical) both at the National Theatre; West End and Broadway productions of The Woman in White (Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical/Theatre World Award for Outstanding Broadway Debut). Orchestrations are by long-time Sondheim collaborator Jonathan Tunick whose credits include the Chocolate Factory’s production of Road Show and the original Broadway productions of Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, Pacific Overtures, Sweeney Todd, Merrily We Roll Along and Into the Woods. He is one of just 11 people to have won all four major American show business awards: Tony, Oscar, Emmy and Grammy. Design is by award-winning Soutra Gilmour, whose work includes the Chocolate Factory’s recent production of Torch Song Trilogy, the recent Broadway production of Cyrano de Bergerac and Macbeth currently playing at the Trafalgar Studios. David Hersey was Lighting Consultant for the National Theatre for ten years. He has also received Tony Awards for Best Lighting Design for Evita, Cats and Les Misérables and Olivier Awards for Burning Blue, The Glass Menagerie and Twelfth Night (RSC). He was lighting designer for the original Broadway production of Merrily We Roll Along. Sound designer Gareth Owen was nominated for the Tony and Olivier for End of the Rainbow and the Tony for the Chocolate Factory’s A Little Night Music. He currently has fifteen shows running around the world, including Disney’s Little Mermaid, Evita and Jesus Christ Superstar. Musical supervision and direction is by Catherine Jayes who was musical supervisor and director for the Chocolate Factory’s production of Road Show. She is an associate director of Cheek by Jowl and has worked as musical supervisor/director for many Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre productions. For this production audiences will be able to take advantage of the Menier Chocolate Factory’s dynamic pricing policy with 100 seats* at £25.00 in the stalls and dress circle on sale for every performance until Saturday 1 June. The production will be presented by Chocolate Factory Productions, Bob Bartner, Just for Laughs Theatricals, Tanya Link, Neal Street Productions and Sonia Friedman Productions. *These seats will NOT be restricted view Up Up

Back to News & Press SFP Productions take home 9 Tony Awards Monday 17 June 2024 Sonia Friedman Productions took home the following 9 Tony awards last night: Best Revival of a Musical, Merrily We Roll Along Best Orchestrations, Jonathan Tunick, Merrily We Roll Along Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical, Daniel Radcliffe, Merrily We Roll Along Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical, Jonathan Groff, Merrily We Roll Along Best Play, Stereophonic Best Scenic Design of a Play, David Zinn, Stereophonic Best Sound Design of a Play, Ryan Rumery, Stereophonic Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play, Will Brill, Stereophonic Best Direction of a Play, Daniel Aukin, Stereophonic Up Up

Back to News & Press Sunny Afternoon transfers to West End Wednesday 25 June 2014 Sunny Afternoon, the critically acclaimed new musical which tells the story of the early life of Ray Davies and the rise to stardom of The Kinks, will open at the Harold Pinter Theatre in October 2014. Following a sold-out run at Hampstead Theatre, this world premiere production, with music and lyrics by Ray Davies, new book by Joe Penhall, direction by Edward Hall, design by Miriam Buether and choreography by Adam Cooper, will begin previews on 4 October 2014. Musical Director is Elliott Ware, lighting is by Rick Fisher and sound by Matt McKenzie. Tickets go on sale to priority bookers today and the Box Office opens for general on-sale on Monday 30 June at 10am. Featuring some of The Kinks’ best-loved songs, including You Really Got Me, Waterloo Sunset and Lola, Sunny Afternoon marks the 50th Anniversary year of the band’s debut release. The Kinks exploded onto the 60s music scene with a raw, energetic new sound that rocked a nation. But how did that happen, where exactly did they come from and what happened next? Set against the back-drop of a Britain caught mid-swing between the conservative 50s and riotous 60s, this production explores the euphoric highs and agonising lows of one of Britain’s most iconic bands and the irresistible music that influenced generations. The principal cast members remain with the production: John Dagleish plays Ray Davies, George Maguire plays Dave Davies, Ned Derrington plays Pete Quaife and Adam Sopp plays Mick Avory – The Kinks. The cast also includes: Carly Anderson, Philip Bird, Ben Caplan, Lillie Flynn, Emily Goodenough, Vince Leigh, Amy Ross, Dominic Tighe and Tam Williams, with further casting to be announced shortly. Sonia Friedman Productions commissioned Joe Penhall in 2010 to write the book based on Ray Davies’s original story. The company developed the production over the next four years, assembling the creative team and cast that presented Sunny Afternoon earlier this year at Hampstead Theatre under the direction of Edward Hall. Up Up

Back to News & Press UK Premier of The Secret life of Bees Monday 22 August 2022 "Me and my sisters We hold this house together Hurt just one, you hurt us all" From the Pulitzer Prize-winning writer of Sweat, the Tony Award-winning composer of Spring Awakening, and Tony Award-nominated lyricist of Jelly's Last Jam, comes a captivating new musical about a group of women ignited by rebellion and longing for acceptance. 1964, South Carolina. Rosaleen is fighting for her right to vote, and Lily is escaping her violent father. When this unlikely pair flee their small town, they seek salvation at a remote honey bee farm run by the remarkable Boatwright sisters. But will their past catch up with them? Written by playwright Lynn Nottage , composer Duncan Sheik and lyricist Susan Birkenhead , The Secret Life of Bees is directed by Whitney White (What to Send Up When It Goes Down) and based on the bestselling novel by Sue Monk Kidd . The Secret Life of Bees will play at The Almeida from 4th April – 27th May 2023. Up Up

Back to News & Press Sunny Afternoon to leave London in October Wednesday 15 June 2016 The multi-Olivier award-winning hit British musical SUNNY AFTERNOON will conclude its London run at the end of its current booking period on 29 October this year, after more than two years in the West End. The production will begin a national tour on 19 August at the Manchester Opera House. To mark the 50th anniversary of The Kinks’ hit single Sunny Afternoon reaching Number One in 1966, 50 top price tickets for every performance in July are on sale for £19.66. The critically-acclaimed musical Sunny Afternoon tells the story of the early life of Ray Davies and the rise to stardom of The Kinks. It has established itself as a firm favourite with audiences and critics alike since it opened at the Harold Pinter Theatre in October 2014. Danny Horn (Doctor Who; The Dead Dogs) plays Ray Davies, with Oliver Hoare (Antony and Cleopatra, Chichester) as Dave Davies, Tom Whitelock (Times Square Angel, Union) as bassist Pete Quaife and Damien Walsh (Dreamboats and Petticoats) as drummer Mick Avory. At certain performances, the role of Ray Davies will be played by Ryan O’Donnell (Romeo and Juliet, RSC; Quadrophenia). Full cast: Jason Baughan, Niamh Bracken, Christopher Brandon, Harriet Bunton, Alice Cardy, Oliver Hoare, Danny Horn, Gillian Kirkpatrick, Megan Leigh Mason, Jay Marsh, Ryan O’Donnell, Stephen Pallister, Charlie Tighe, Gabriel Vick, Damien Walsh and Tom Whitelock. Understudies: Alice Cardy, Lia Given, Lloyd Gorman, Vicki Manser, Kay Milbourne, Nick Sayce, Robert Took, Alex Tosh, Robbie White. Up Up

Back to News & Press Tony Awards 2019: British producer Sonia Friedman sweeps the board on Broadway Monday 10 June 2019 A British theatre producer was hailed as the Queen of Broadway after two of her shows won six Tony awards. Sonia Friedman Productions , which has won 22 Olivier Awards in the past three years and six Tony’s last year for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child , was honoured this year for The Ferryman and Ink . Friedman , the daughter of the Russian violinist Leonard Friedman, is also well-placed for Broadway success next year with the punt she took on the epic six-hour play The Inheritance , which is to transfer to the US. She said yesterday that she was “thrilled that these wonderful productions have been recognised”. Jez Butterworth ’s The Ferryman , which opened at the Royal Court in London and is set in Northern Ireland during The Troubles, won best play, best costume design, best scenic design and best direction for Sam Mendes at the ceremony hosted by James Corden. “I’m hugely grateful for the embrace New York has given this play and production,” Mendes said. Ink , the tale of The Sun newspaper in the 1970s, written by James Graham and co-produced by the Almeida Theatre , won best lighting design and best featured actor for Bertie Carvel, who played Rupert Murdoch. Click here to view article on The Times website Up Up

Back to News & Press New cast for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child announced Wednesday 30 August 2023 A fresh ensemble is set to grace the stage for the upcoming performances of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in the West End. Slated for their inaugural show on October 17, 2023, taking on roles will be David Ricardo-Pearce, who is set to portray Harry Potter, while Polly Frame steps into the shoes of Ginny Potter, and Ellis Rae assumes the role of their son, Albus Potter. Thomas Aldridge continues to embody Ron Weasley, joined by Jade Ogugua, who makes her entrance as Hermione Granger. Taneetrah Porter adds depth to the cast as their daughter, Rose Granger-Weasley. Steve John Shepherd embraces the character of Draco Malfoy, while Harry Acklowe portrays his son, Scorpius Malfoy. This lineup is joined by an ensemble of Ishmail Aaron, David Annen, Nairn Archer, Darrell Brockis, Sabina Cameron, Robert Curtis, Toby De Salis, Odelia Dizel-Cubuca, Rory Fraser, Jemma Geanaus, Harry Goodson-Bevan, Jemma Gould, Kelton Hoyland, David Ijiti, Chris Jarman, Sally Jayne Hind, Emma Louise Jones, Kathryn Meisle, Ian Redford, Abigail Rosser, Clancy Ryan, Tonny Shim, Adam Slynn, Sara Stewart, Benjamin Stratton, Maia Tamrakar, Alex Tomkins, Jake Tuesley, Sam Varley, Jess Vickers, Wreh-asha Walton, and Katie Wimpenny. The cast also includes Benedict Archer, Jonah Haas, Honor Hastings, Delilah O’Riordan, Jude Parry, Jojo Perez Hoadley, and Isabella Woodman, who will rotate in two children’s roles, bringing the total to a formidable ensemble of 47. The original two-part, multi-award-winning production is currently available for booking until May 19, 2024, at the Palace Theatre. Book here. Up Up

Back to News & Press Sonia Friedman at Number 2 in The Stage 100 list Thursday 7 January 2016 Sonia Friedman moves up one slot in The Stage 100 list to number two, behind Ambassador Theatre Group joint chief executives Rosemary Squire and Howard Panter who have topped The Stage 100 list for the seventh year in a row. Sonia Friedman Productions (SFP) has been responsible for some of the most successful theatre productions in London and New York. Since 1990, SFP has developed, initiated and produced over 140 new productions and has won numerous Olivier and Tony Awards, winning 6 at last year’s Olivier Awards - including Best New Musical and Best New Play - and a record-breaking 14 at last year’s Olivier Awards, including the quartet of Best New Musical, Best New Play, Best Revival of a Musical and Best Revival of a Play. Last year Sonia co-produced the BBC TV adaption of Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall, starring Mark Rylance, and Executive Produced the BBC production of Ronald Harwood’s The Dresser starring Ian McKellen and Anthony Hopkins. West End and Broadway productions include the UK premiere of The Book of Mormon, Funny Girl at the Menier Chocolate Factory, A Christmas Carol, Farinelli and the King, Hamlet, Sunny Afternoon, Bend It Like Beckham, The Nether, The River, Electra, King Charles III, Shakespeare in Love, 1984, Ghosts, Mojo, Chimerica, Merrily We Roll Along, Old Times, Twelfth Night and Richard III, A Chorus of Disapproval, The Sunshine Boys, Hay Fever, Absent Friends, Top Girls, Betrayal, Much Ado About Nothing, Clybourne Park, The Children’s Hour, A Flea in Her Ear, La Bête, All My Sons, Private Lives, Jerusalem, A Little Night Music, Legally Blonde, Othello, Arcadia, The Mountaintop, The Norman Conquests, A View from the Bridge, Dancing at Lughnasa, Maria Friedman: Re-Arranged, La Cage aux Folles, No Man’s Land, The Seagull, Under The Blue Sky, That Face, Dealer’s Choice, Hergé’s Adventures of Tintin, In Celebration, Boeing-Boeing, The Dumb Waiter, Rock ’n’ Roll, Love Song, Faith Healer, Bent, Eh Joe, Donkeys’ Years, Otherwise Engaged, Celebration, Shoot The Crow, As You Like It, The Home Place, Whose Life Is It Anyway?, By the Bog of Cats, The Woman in White, Guantánamo, Endgame, Jumpers, See You Next Tuesday, Hitchcock Blonde, Absolutely! {Perhaps}, Sexual Perversity in Chicago, Ragtime, Macbeth, What the Night Is For, Afterplay, Up For Grabs, A Day in the Death of Joe Egg, Noises Off, On An Average Day, A Servant to Two Masters, Port Authority, Spoonface Steinberg and Speed-The-Plow. Forthcoming productions include Funny Girl at the Savoy Theatre, the UK tour of Sunny Afternoon and, with her co-producing partner, Colin Callender, collaborating with J.K. Rowling on Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Up Up

Back to News & Press Take a look inside the rehearsal room for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Parts One and Two Thursday 21 April 2016 J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany and Jack Thorne have invited fans inside the rehearsal room for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Parts One and Two in an exclusive video. You can view the video here . Up Up

Back to News & Press Full cast announced for JUNO AND THE PAYCOCK Wednesday 21 August 2024 Sonia Friedman Productions (SFP) today announces full cast for the new production of Seán O’Casey 's timeless masterpiece, Juno and the Paycock , directed by Tony and Olivier award-winner Matthew Warchus . Joining the previously announced J. Smith-Cameron (Juno Boyle) and Mark Rylance (‘Captain’ Jack Boyle) are Paul Hilton (‘Joxer’ Daly), Aisling Kearns (Mary Boyle), Eimhin Fitzgerald Doherty (Johnny Boyle), Ingrid Craigie (Mrs Tancred), Anna Healy (Mrs Maisie Madigan), Chris Walley (Charles Bentham), Seán Duggan (‘Needle’ Nugent), Leo Hanna (Jerry Devine), Jessica Cervi, Caolan McCarthy, Bryan Moriarty, John Rice and Jacinta Whyte. Juno and the Paycock sees Sonia Friedman, Matthew Warchus and Mark Rylance reunite following their acclaimed productions of Boeing-Boeing and La Bête . The strictly limited run opens at the Gielgud Theatre on Thursday 3 October, with previews from Saturday 21 September, and runs until Saturday 23 November 2024. The creative team is Rob Howell (Set and Costume Designer), Hugh Vanstone (Lighting Designer), Claire van Kampen (Composer), Simon Baker (Sound Designer) and Serena Hill CDG (Casting Director). As part of an ongoing commitment to make theatre accessible for as many people as possible, there are over 1100 tickets per week at £25 or lower, with more than one third of the house for every performance priced at £55 or lower. Additionally, there will be 1260 tickets across the run priced at £30 for under 30s as well as £25 day seats for every performance. Each week there will be a limited number of seats released for the week ahead in the Stalls and Dress Circle at £25 or Standing at £10. ‘WHAT CAN GOD DO AGAINST THE STUPIDITY OF MEN?’ Dublin, 1922, the Irish Civil War is tearing the nation apart. In the cauldron of the family’s tiny tenement flat, Juno Boyle, a beleaguered matriarch whose sharp wit is a survival tool, struggles to make ends meet and keep the family together. Her husband, ‘Captain’ Jack Boyle, fancies himself a ship's commander but sails no further than the pub. When providence comes knocking with life changing news, could the family’s troubles finally fade away? Poetic, poignant, and hilarious, Juno and the Paycock is a big-hearted, black-humoured, tragi-comic triumph that reflects on a mother’s resilience in the midst of life’s most trying moments. Up Up