WHAT'S HOT IN LONDON

Love Never Dies, the long awaited sequel to The Phantom of the Opera has began previews at the Adelphi Theatre starring Ramin Karimloo and Sierra Boggess. Graced with stunning designs, passionate lyrics and a magnificent score, this brand-new musical is a rollercoaster ride of obsession and intrigue...in which music and memory can play cruel tricks...and The Phantom sets out to prove that, indeed, Love Never Dies.

Lucy Prebble's new play, Enron, has now transferred to the Noel Coward Theatre after its hugely successful run at the Royal Court Theatre and the Chichester Festival. The Telegraph describes Enron as 'an era-defining must-see theatrical event'. If you want to know where all the money went this savage comedy, directed by Ruper Goold, is for you.

Jez Butterworth's smash hit new play Jerusalem arrives in at the West End's Apollo Theatre, straight from its sellout run at the Royal Court Theatre. A comic, contemporary vision of life in our green and pleasant land, starring Mark Rylance and Mackenzie Crook. 'Unarguably one of the best dramas of the 21st century' The Guardian.

Noel Coward's dazzling comic masterpiece Private Lives provides a riotous show down between two of the screens most magnetic stars, Kim Cattrall and Matthew Macfadyen, now showing at the Vaudeville Theatre.

Sir Ian McKellen and Roger Rees star in Waiting For Godot as it returns to the Theatre Royal Haymarket for a second time after last year's sell out run.

Hot from Broadway comes a new comedy, The Little Dog Laughed at the Garrick Theatre starring Tamsin Greig and Rupert Friend. Gossip and entanglements snare a rising Hollywood star and his agent in this satiric look at celebrity.

Sheridan Smith and Duncan James are painting London pink in the new musical Legally Blonde at the Savoy Theatre. Based on the hugely successful movie this is the latest transfer from Broadway and is getting great audience reviews.

Griff Rhys Jones joins Jodie Prenger and the rest of the cast of Oliver! in the role of Fagin at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

Damian Lewis leads an outstanding ensemble with Tara Fitzgerald, Keira Knightley and Dominic Rowan in Martin Crimp's blistering version of Moliere's greatest comedy, The Misanthrope at the Comedy Theatre.

BOOK NOW FOR...

Mark Rylance, David Hyde Pierce and Joanna Lumley are to star in a new production of La Bête, which will premiere in the West End before transferring to Broadway. Matthew Warchus will direct the revival of David Hirson’s 1991 comedy, which will preview from June 26 at the Comedy Theatre and run until August 28.

Tamzin Outhwaite will reprise her performance as Charity Hope Valentine in the Menier Chocolate Factory's production of Sweet Charity when it transfers to the West End's Theatre Royal, Haymarket after a sold out run off West End. It will begin performances on 23 April, prior to an official opening on 4 May.

David Suchet and Zoe Wanamaker star in All My Sons, the first great success of Arthur Miller's supremely influential career, a compelling story of love, guilt and the corrupting power of greed. Opens at the Apollo Theatre 19th May 2010.

The new production of Tom Stoppard's The Real Thing begins performances at London's Old Vic April 10, prior to an official opening April 21. Hattie Morahan, Barnaby Kay and Fenella Woolgar will star alongside Stephens in this comedy which examines the complex nature of love, art and reality.

Felicity Kendal, legend though she is, is not the only reason to be excited about Mrs Warren's Profession transferring to the West End for a run at Comedy Theatre. Mrs Warren's Profession is a witty and provocative look at Victorian high society and the hypocrisy of its morals. Mrs Warren's Profession opens at London’s Comedy Theatre on 16 March and runs until 19 June.

Following a sell-out 62-date national tour in 2009 Jenny Eclair, Susie Blake, Wendi Peters return to the West End for a second helping of grumbling at the Novello Theatre this spring. Grumpy Women Live 2 - Chin Up Britain will have a limited run at the Novello Theatre from 14 April 2010, initially booking to 5 June 2010.

Tap Dogs needs little introduction. This was the show, launched from Newcastle with six tap dancers, Olivier Award-winning choreographer Dein Perry, designer/director Nigel Triffitt and composer Andrew Wilkie, that took the world by storm. Novello Theatre from 15 June 2010.

Sparks will fly this year as the West End Premiere of Flashdance, The Musical explodes onto the stage at the Shaftesbury Theatre from 27 September 2010. Produced by David Ian, Flashdance is directed by Nikolai Foster and choreographed by musical theatre veteran and former Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips.

LAURENCE OLIVIER AWARD NOMINATIONS

The 2010 Laurence Olivier Award nominations have officially been announced. The Laurence Olivier Awards, set to take place on 21 March are awarded to recognise excellence in professional theatre. Find out who is up for which award in this year's ceremony.

The 2009 Tony Nominations are dominated by Royal Court Theatre shows in the play category. Enron and Jerusalem go head to head with six nominations each. A View From The Bridge (four nominations) and The Misanthrope (three nominations) are also among the leading contenders.

In the musical categories Spring Awakening leads the way with six nominations, followed by A Little Night Music (five), Sister Act (four) and Hello, Dolly! (four).

Nica Burns, President of the Society of London Theatre commented on the nominations:
"In an outstanding year for drama, a whole new generation of playwrights step into the spotlight. Eight wonderful new plays – challenging, stimulating and inspiring – include two women in their twenties. Mirroring this, the voting for the best acting awards was so close that the nominations had to be increased, with some of the most exciting young acting talent around taking their place alongside some our most acclaimed screen stars. What a memorable year!"

MUSICALS