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Musicals Extend: Betty Blue Eyes, Billy & BrothersDate: 8 June 2011
Betty Blue Eyes, the musical adaptation of the Alan Bennett-scripted comedy film A Private Function, has extended its booking period by three months, with tickets now on sale to 28 January 2012 at the Novello Theatre.
The show, which opened at the Novello Theatre on 13 April 2011 (previews from 19 March), is directed by Richard Eyre with the action set in a Yorkshire village after the Second World War, where rationing presents a challenge for the locals who want to celebrate a Royal wedding in style.
Looking to slaughter an illegally raised pig for the event, chaos ensues when the pig is stolen and a food inspector arrives, determined to stop such activities.
The cast includes Sarah Lancashire, Reece Shearsmith, David Bamber, Jack Edwards, Ann Emery, Mark Meadows and Adrian Scarborough.
The show, the first completely new musical produced by Cameron Mackintosh for over a decade, features a book by Americans Ron Cowen and Daniel Lipman with music and lyrics by George Stile and Anthony Drewe.
Now in its seventh year at the Victoria Palace Theatre, musical Billy Elliot has extended its booking period to 15 December 2012, releasing 630,000 new tickets for sale.
Based on the Oscar nominated film, Billy Elliot opened in 2005 and follows the dreams of a young boy in the North East in the 1980s. Despite the political turmoil surrounding him, Billy has found a passion of his own – as a ballet dancer – and he hopes to follow his dreams to the top.
The stage production reunites the creative team behind the 2000 film: director Stephen Daldry, writer Lee Hall and choreographer Peter Darling. It features an original score by pop singer-songwriter Elton John, with lyrics by Lee Hall.
Finally in extension news, West End long-runner Blood Brothers has announced that tickets are on sale for a further 12 months, through to 24 November 2012 at the Phoenix Theatre.
Written by Willy Russell, the musical premiered in the West End in April 1983 at the Lyric Theatre and closed in October 1983. Bill Kenwright picked up the rights to the musical in 1987, and a re-vamped Blood Brothers was revived at the Albery Theatre in July 1988 before transferring to the Phoenix Theatre in November 1991.
Set in Liverpool, the show is the story of the Johnstone twins, separated at birth. The twins' different backgrounds take them to opposite ends of the social spectrum, one becoming an Oxbridge-graduated councillor and the other unemployed and in prison. They both fall in love with the same girl, causing a tear in their friendship and leading up to a tragic conclusion.
Blood Brothers is directed by Bob Tomson and Bill Kenwright. The design is by Marty Flood and the musical director is Rod Edwards.
- Matt Hannigan
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| Brief Encounter With ... Billy Elliot's Ann Emery - 5th Dec 2011 interviews |
| Photos: Victoria Palace Marks 100 Years, Plans for Next 100 - 7th Nov 2011 news |
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| Marti Pellow Joins West End Blood Brothers as Narrator - 30th Sep 2011 news |
| Stiles & Drewe's Soho Cinders Debuts, WOS Partners - 20th Sep 2011 news |
| WOS TV: Up Close With ... Betty Blue Eyes' Reece Shearsmith - 12th Sep 2011 tv |
| Novello Goes Crazy After Betty??? - 26th Aug 2011 gossip |
| Betty Blue Eyes Posts Early Closing Notices, 24 Sep - 22nd Aug 2011 news |
| Photos: Kylie Minogue Hams it up with Betty Blue Eyes - 11th Aug 2011 photos |
| Top Ten: Screen-to-Stage Musicals - 21st Jun 2011 features |
| Billy Elliot  - 18th May 2011 reviews |
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| Musicals Go Pig in the Community - 15th Apr 2011 blog |
| Review Round-up: Did Betty Bring Home Bacon? - 14th Apr 2011 roundup |
| 1st Night Photos: Stars Pig Out at Betty Premiere - 14th Apr 2011 photos |
| Betty Blue Eyes - 14th Apr 2011 reviews |
| Opening: Donmar Moonlight, Blue Eyes, NT Road - 11th Apr 2011 news |
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| Betty Blue Eyes Confirms Dates, More Casting - 19th Nov 2010 news |
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| Betty Blue Eyes Premieres at Novello in Spring - 1st Oct 2010 news |
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| Mel C Makes West End Debut in Blood Brothers - 8th Sep 2009 news |
| WOS TV: Billy Celebrations in London & at Tonys - 8th Jun 2009 tv |
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| WOS Radio: Liam Mower’s Farewell Billy Interview - 25th Sep 2006 radio |
| WOS Radio: Go Backstage with the Billy Elliot Boys - 13th Jul 2005 radio |
| Radio: Listen to New Whatsonstage.com Podcast - 30th Jun 2005 radio |
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