The Stage / News Headlines

Tom Ellis to appear as part of BBC1's The Preston Passion

2012-02-10T12:22:22Z

Tom Ellis and Christine Bottomley are among the actors being lined up to appear in three new dramas being made as part of BBC1's The Preston Passion, which is a re-telling of the Passion story that will feature a mix of live performance and pre-recorded content.

Doctor Who star Matt Smith made patron of Royal Court Young Writers Festival

2012-02-10T11:11:47Z

Matt Smith has been appointed as patron of the Royal Court's Young Writers Festival.

Christopher Eccleston joins NT Antigone

2012-02-10T10:40:47Z

Christopher Eccleston has been cast in the National Theatre's forthcoming production of Antigone.

Dirty Dancing musical extends UK tour

2012-02-10T13:00:45Z

Dirty Dancing is to extend its UK tour into the summer of 2013, with producers announcing five more dates.

King's Cross Award for New Writing winner announced

2012-02-09T16:28:39Z

Rob Johnston has won the King's Cross Award for New Writing 2011.

ITV to expand characters' storylines online

2012-02-09T16:15:24Z

ITV is to expand on the storylines of characters in Emmerdale, by creating content that can only be accessed online.

Josie Rourke and Bartlett Sher to discuss directing on BBC Radio 3's The Essay

2012-02-09T16:05:54Z

Directors Emma Rice, Josie Rourke and Bartlett Sher will reflect on their careers and discuss the way they work as part of BBC Radio 3's The Essay series next week.

Southampton Mayflower chief executive to retire

2012-02-09T12:25:48Z

Dennis Hall, chief executive of the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton, is to retire after 26 years in the post.

Sky orders more Stella and The Cafe

2012-02-09T11:54:41Z

Sky has ordered second series of the Ruth Jones comedy Stella, and The Cafe, written by and starring Ralf Little and Michelle Terry.

ENO dancers protest at 'absurd' pay conditions

2012-02-09T10:45:50Z

Dancers working for English National Opera are calling for an overhaul of pay conditions, claiming their rate of less than £10 an hour is "disrespectful and absurd".

Theatres must join fight for older women's roles - Equity

2012-02-09T10:45:48Z

Equity vice president Jean Rogers has called on the theatre sector to follow the example set by broadcasters and take steps to address the lack of opportunities for older female performers.

Channel 4 commissioning editor joins BBC 's entertainment department

2012-02-09T10:35:43Z

Channel 4 commissioning editor David Williams is to join the BBC as the creative director of its entertainment department in the north.

Exclusive: New Off-West End venue to replace Westminster Theatre after ten-year wait

2012-02-08T18:01:13Z

A replacement for the old Westminster Theatre will finally open this autumn, following a protracted and sometimes bitter decade-long battle to create a new purpose-built, mid-scale theatre in central London.

Third London Great Gatsby adaptation announced

2012-02-08T13:58:10Z

A third London stage adaptation of The Great Gatsby has been announced in two days, with a musical version due to open at the King's Head Theatre in August.

Wilton's to re-bid to HLF following £700k grant

2012-02-08T11:26:22Z

Wilton's Music Hall is to re-apply to the Heritage Lottery Fund for financial support for its renovation plans, after securing a £700,000 grant from a trust last week.