The big screen version of Take That musical The Band is being actively developed during the lockdown, with ‘high calibre’ film stars being sought to appear in it. ‘We’re putting it together, and once all the serious things settle down, we can get on with making it,’ Danny Perkins, chief executive of the Elysian Film … Read more
Sitting at the table, watching old sitcoms out of the corner of her eye while having tea with her family, helped Esther Smith develop her comic chops. ‘I was a fan of The Good Life and Dad’s Army when I was growing up,’ the 33-year-old West Midlands-born actress told me. ‘When I got older, it … Read more
Nigel Havers and Patricia Hodge are going to help Britain find its funny bone again by taking Noel Coward’s comic classic Private Lives on the road in October. David Pugh, who is producing with the newly formed Nigel Havers Theatre Company, said ticket prices would be kept low: under £10, with a top price under … Read more
Sheridan Smith, who is expecting the arrival of her first baby in five weeks, told me that the ‘little fella’ loves a song and dance Sheridan Smith, who is expecting the arrival of her first baby in five weeks, told me that the ‘little fella’ loves a song and dance. The BAFTA and Olivier award-winning … Read more
At school Joe Cole learned lessons he’s put to good use in a scorching new television action thriller. The 31-year-old is the star of Sky’s ten-part Gangs Of London, in which he plays Sean Wallace, a public school-educated, cold-eyed scion of a crime family who takes over the business when his father (Colm Meaney) is … Read more
Michael Ball will be boasting a scene-stealing, 54EEE treasure chest in the hit musical Hairspray when it moves to a brand new date in the autumn. Ball won awards and accolades during the original run 13 years ago for his turn as larger-than-life laundress Edna Turnblad. In addition to that awe-inspiring bust, Edna is also … Read more
Helen McCrory and Damian Lewis have been toying with the idea of making their first West End appearance together — hopefully next year, if their respective upended commitments will permit. The couple fell in love when both were cast in the play Five Gold Rings at the off-West End Almeida Theatre back in 2003. ‘Damian … Read more
Award-winning star Kristin Scott Thomas is delighted that people will still get to hear her sing in the Military Wives feature film, even though its cinema release was cut short by the coronavirus outbreak. Scott Thomas plays Kate, the colonel’s lady who, with other wives on an army base — including fellow star Sharon Horgan … Read more
Baz Luhrmann has gone into isolation for 10 days after halting production of his upcoming Elvis Presley biopic after star Tom Hanks and his wife, Rita Wilson, were diagnosed with coronavirus. The 57-year-old shared an update on his health to Twitter on Saturday, where he said his family and himself were ‘doing well’. The Moulin Rouge … Read more
Baz Luhrmann has temporarily halted production of his upcoming Elvis Presley biopic after star Tom Hanks and his wife, Rita Wilson, caught coronavirus while filming. The Australian director urged the cast and crew of the project, which is currently filming on the Gold Coast, to stay home in a private letter obtained by the Gold Coast … Read more