What’s Up Wilma? War Horse closes, plus Mamma Mia and more theatre news

Hello everyone! Winter seems to be creeping towards us. I’m wearing a jumper for the first time in months but thankfully the news in theatreland is as hot as ever…

More than 14,000 votes have been made for the winners of this years West End Wilma Awards. If you love Theatre, make sure you have your say for who you want to win. Voting is open until 8 October 2015 so tell everyone! Click here to vote now.

The September issue of ShowFilmFirst Theatre News, which I put together every month is out now. Read all the latest news and reviews in the world of theatre (as well as my weekly blogs on Ticketmaster!). This month I visit the Edinburgh Fringe Festival as well as reviewing McQueen in London and interview Carly Bawden and so much more! Click here to read the magazine now.

Last week I went to the annual West End Bares show, raising money for the Make A Difference Trust who provide support to those living with HIV/AIDS and their families. Graham Norton hosted the event and stars of the West End stage stripped on stage to help raise money for this great cause. Click here to read all about it.

Mamma Mia say Thank You For The Other Music to raise money for MAD Trust. This Thursday (24 September), the London cast of MAMMA MIA!, accompanied by a four-piece band, will celebrate the music of ABBA, in a one-off cabaret in the Delfont Room at the Prince of Wales Theatre, in aid of The Make A Difference Trust. Whilst the cast won’t be singing the songs they usually do at the Novello Theatre, the evening will be packed full of some of the perhaps lesser known (but equally brilliant) ABBA hits. Click here to buy tickets.

After eight record breaking years, the National Theatre have announced the final extension of its West End run of War Horse, with a last performance at the New London Theatre scheduled for 12 March 2016. A major UK tour of the show is planned for 2017.

West End stars, Kerry Ellis and Louise Dearman are heading to London’s Prince Edward Theatre this Sunday to perform Live In Concert…Together; their first concert together since leaving college. The pair met twenty years ago at summer school before training together at Laine Theatre Arts. Between them they have played nearly every iconic leading female role including Elphaba in Wicked, Nancy in Oliver, Eva Peron in Evita and Grizabella in Cats to name but a few but their careers haven’t allowed them to perform together….until now.

Glenn Close will star as Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard at the ENO from 1 April 2016 for a limited run of 43 performances. Glenn Close, making her West End debut as well as her first reprisal of the role for UK audiences, plays faded silent movie star Norma Desmond, for which she has previously won a Tony Award, a Drama Desk Award, a Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award and a Dramalogue Award for the Broadway production directed by Trevor Nunn.

Right that’s all from me for this week. Time for a cup of tea I think!

Until next week poppets,

Wilma xxx