Back to the Future - Further shows of Secret Cinema's Back to the Future extravaganza in London were cancelled at the weekend. The organisation stated, Secret Cinema Presents Back to the Future, is our most ambitious production to date out of the 45 large scale productions. Unfortunately, we have experienced some difficulties and have had to cancel tonight [Friday] along with the remainder of this first weekend and plan to re-open next Thursday 31 July. We are hugely sorry for what we are sure will be extremely disappointing news. The show is going to be spectacular and we are working around the clock to ensure that all issues are ironed out as soon as possible in order to give ticket holders an incredible night."
Secret Cinema was started by Fabien Riggall in 2007, with the events immersing film fans into the world of the film they have come to watch. Past productions include Paranoid Park, staged in tunnels underneath London Bridge, and Lawrence of Arabia which was shown at Alexandra Palace.
Go West - Wiltshire's annual Womad attracted a capacity crowd for the first time since relocating from Reading in 2007. Over the festival's four days 40,000 people attended to see and hear 184 performances by 106 artists from 42 countries. Sinead O'Connor closed this year's festival and Womad director Chris Smith attributed the sellout to "the excellent weather and a strong line-up".
Convention News - Fairport's Cropredy Convention, Oxfordshire's longest-established rock festival, has sold all the available tickets 10 days before the gates open. The unprecedented demand means the festival's box office has now closed several days earlier than usual. "We are really delighted so many people are coming to Cropredy and we want to thank everyone for their continuing support," says festival director Gareth Williams. "However, the capacity of our site is limited by the premises license as well as considerations of safety and comfort for our festival-goers. So once we reach our capacity of 20,000 that's it."
The three-day outdoor festival of rock, pop and acoustic music has been running for 35 years. It is organised by Fairport Convention and takes place on 7, 8, and 9 August 2014. This year's headliners include The Waterboys, Chas & Dave, The Australian Pink Floyd Show and Marillion. The customary Saturday night headline performance from host band Fairport Convention will be preceded by a set from Al Stewart.
Billy's Back - Liam Mower, who originated the role of Billy Elliot in the first stage production of the show, will return to the West End cast for a special performance to be broadcast live around the world. Mower, who took on the title role in 2005 aged 12, will now play the role of Older Billy in the performance, which will be broadcast live from London's Victoria Palace Theatre on 28 September.
Stephen Daldry, the show's director, said, "All of us at Billy Elliot are really looking forward to what we hope will be a very special performance when we broadcast our show live around the world... The show's journey has been a remarkable one and the live broadcast in September will mark yet another chapter in the extraordinary life of Billy Elliot."
Unpaid Bills - Producer Bill Kenwright has blamed a "get rich quick" mentality among inexperienced producers for the number of shows and tours that are leaving performers unpaid. His com
