Elf on Tour - An arena version of the West End musical Elf will tour the UK this Christmas, it has been announced. The musical, which is based on the Will Ferrell film of the same name, will feature Martine McCutcheon and David Essex, and Tam Ryan in the lead role of Buddy. The company also includes Louise English and a cast of more than 70 performers.
The show previously ran in the West End in 2015 as well as on tour in 2017. It was also filmed and shown on Channel 5 over Christmas. The tour will visit Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena from 14-16 December, before visiting the Genting Arena in Birmingham from 20-24 December and Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena from 28-30 December.
The original staging will be upscaled to include giant screens showing computer graphic backdrops and live action close-ups. It will be presented on a 70ft stage with scenes taking place around and above the audience.
Olivier Awards - Catherine Tate has been announced as the host of this year’s Olivier Awards. The actor and comedian will present the awards ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall in London on 8 April.
Tate said she was delighted to be hosting the Oliviers, which are in their 42nd year, adding: “Theatre has always been a big love of mine both as a performer and as an audience member. For me it’s the shared experience that can’t be beaten. There is so much to celebrate within the UK theatre scene and it’s my pleasure to be involved in this exciting and inspiring event.”
This year will also see the premiere of a new four-part series about the awards that will be broadcast on Facebook in the run up to the ceremony. It will include interviews with the nominees, backstage footage at nominated shows and performances. The nominations will be announced on 6 March at 1pm.
Oscar Winners - Composer Robert Lopez became a double EGOT at the Oscars. That is someone who has won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and Tony award. There are only 12 individuals who have achieved the feat, including Whoopi Goldberg and Mel Brooks. But Lopez is the first to do it twice. With his wife and writing partner Kirsten Anderson-Lopez the pair won for their song Remember Me from Coco.
Other sound winners included: Best sound editing: Dunkirk - Richard King and Alex Gibson; Best sound mixing: Dunkirk - Mark Weingarten, Gregg Landaker and Gary A Rizzo; Best original score: The Shape of Water - Alexandre Desplat.
(Jim Evans)
6 March 2018

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