Phil Willmott
23 Nov
News 
The unsung hero of Disney's Aladdin is the casting director
By Phil Willmott Monday, November 23 2015, 15:48
Disney Theatrical Productions announced have just announced who is to play the leads in the West End premiere of the new musical based on the classic Academy Award®-winning animated film, Aladdin. The eagerly awaited big budget Broadway show will open at the Prince Edward Theatre on Wednesday 15 June 2016, with previews from Friday 27 May.
Don’t get too excited, it’s no one you’ve ever heard of, mostly ex members of THE LION KING and BEND IT LIKE BECHAM casts although no doubt they’re excellent performers. The big news is that Broadway cast member Trevor Dion Nicholas will make his London stage debut as Genie.
23 Nov
Theatre Awards
Phil Willmott asks - Did the right people win the Evening Standard Theatre awards?
By Phil Willmott Monday, November 23 2015, 14:29
Last night the winners were announced for the 61st Evening Standard Theatre Awards, in a star studded gala at the Old Vic Theatre, co-hosted by the owner of the Evening Standard Evgeny Lebedev with Judi Dench and Ian McKellen, and presented by Rob Brydon.
In recent years the awards have proved somewhat controversial with several members of the judging panel walking out when a best actress award was given to Helen Mirren despite their voting for a less high-profile candidate. It seemed things were rigged to create the most glamorous event possible, generating red-carpet photographs to promote the newspaper rather than rewarding excellence.
20 Nov
News
Sick in the City
By Phil Willmott Friday, November 20 2015, 15:39
One of the star's of the hit US TV and film franchise SEX IN THE CITY has withdrawn from the Royal Court Theatre’s imminent production of new play, Linda.
Apparently this is "on the advice of her doctors". I doubt we'll ever know the full details and why should we? actors are entitled to their privacy but I must say I don't regard this news with my usual scepticism.
20 Nov
Reviews
Review: THE ILLUSIONISTS at the Shaftesbury Theatre
By Phil Willmott Friday, November 20 2015, 15:27
After decades in the doldrums, associated unfashionably with tacky variety shows from the 1970s, stage magic is very much back in the public eye with a whole generation of sexy young magicians turning acts like Dynamo, with his slight-of-hand street/wise act, into big celebrities.
The West End currently has two major magic shows, Derren Brown's at the Palace Theatre, and The Illusionists at the Shaftesbury Theatre.
13 Nov
Reviews
REVIEW: Henry V at the Barbican
By Phil Willmott Friday, November 13 2015, 18:06
The Royal Shakespeare Company's (RSC) popular and critically acclaimed production of Henry V has transferred from the company's home in Stratford Upon Avon to London's Barbican Theatre, where it's promoted as the latest in their cycle of history plays.
Things kicked off with David Tennant playing Richard II. He was deposed by Jaspar Britain's Henry IV and, in a two part play, we saw him struggle to groom his son into a suitable monarch. Anthony Sher was the star of these plays, portraying the Prince's most dissolute compnanion, John Falstaff.
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