A round up of some of the top theatre productions that will be hitting the road in 2019.
A round up of some of the top theatre productions that will be hitting the road in 2019.
1. Doctor Dolittle
The musical adaptation of Doctor Dolittle began its tour at the Churchill Theatre Bromley last year before hitting the road with a schedule currently confirmed to run until November this year.
Mark Williams, who starred in seven of the eight Harry Potter films, will star as Doctor Dolittle at the first ten locations of the new touring production: Bromley, Salford, Oxford, Wolverhampton, Newcastle, Hull, Aberdeen, Northampton, Nottingham and Sheffield.
2. The Mousetrap
For those who enjoy a classic ‘whodunnit’ story, Agatha Christie’s play The Mousetrap will be travelling the UK in 2019 too and will star Only Fools and Horses’ Gwyneth Strong as Mrs Boyle.
Following a 60th anniversary debut tour in 2012, the thriller play is due to return, opening at Guildford’s Yvonne Arnaud Theatre on 29th January. The tour is currently due to conclude at Cardiff’s New Theatre, but further venues are to be announced.
3. Ian McKellen on Stage
Known for his contributions to theatre and screen, Sir Ian McKellen is set to tour the country from 25th January on a new one-man tour, opening in London. The tour will visit 80 venues in celebration of McKellen’s 80th birthday, stopping at locations such as London, Northampton, Oxford and Norwich.
Ian McKellen On Stage will feature a variety of performances and characters which McKellen has portrayed over the years, from the great wizard Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings, to his roles in Shakespearean plays.
4. The Bodyguard
A new production of The Bodyguard is touring the UK in 2019. Following its opening in Glasgow on 3rd December, the new UK tour will travel to locations including Liverpool, Milton Keynes, Bristol, Cardiff, Nottingham, Newcastle and Edinburgh, among others, until it concludes in Ireland on 17th August.
Alexandra Burke will reprise the role of Rachel Marron, after playing the character in London and on the 2015/16 UK tour. The musical is based on the Warner Bros. film of the same name and follows former secret service agent Frank Farmer as he is hired to protect superstar Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker.
5. Little Miss Sunshine
A Broadway hit, the musical Little Miss Sunshine will be making its European premiere next March in London’s West End before visiting venues up and down the UK. The musical will open on 21st March at the Arcola Theatre in London for a seven-week run before it heads off on tour starting with the New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich on the 20th May 2019.
It follows the story of the Hoover family who have more than a few troubles, but young Olive has her heart set on winning the Little Miss Sunshine beauty contest.
6. Amélie the Musical
Based on the 2001 film and adapted for stage is a musical version of Amélie. Following its opening at the Watermill Theatre in Newbury on 11th April, the musical will embark on its UK tour from May 2019. It will go on to visit venues in London, Oxford, Leicester, Birmingham, Glasgow and Edinburgh, among others.
Amélie is the story of a young woman who lives quietly in the world, but loudly in her mind. She secretly improvises small, but extraordinary acts of kindness that bring happiness to those around her.
7. The Rocky Horror Show
The musical will be returning for a 12-month UK tour beginning its venture at Theatre Royal in Brighton on 14th December before heading to an assortment of UK venues currently booking until November 2019.
The touring production will star Blue singer and Hollyoaks actor Duncan James and West End star Stephen Webb as Frank, Strictly Come Dancing Champion Joanne Clifton as Janet and a1’s Ben Adams as Brad.
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Image credit: Paul Coltas.
