Children's Favourite - Bristol Old Vic's production of Swallows and Amazons is to play in London's West End for a five-week Christmas run. Based on the classic children's novel by Arthur Ransome, the songs for the musical have been created by The Divine Comedy's Neil Hannon. It will be directed by Bristol Old Vic's Tom Morris, co-director of the National Theatre's West End hit War Horse. The show will run at the Vaudeville Theatre from 15 December - 14 January.
Loan Expires - Lend me a Tenor the Musical has posted closing notices, announcing that it will end its run at the West End's Gielgud Theatre on 6 August after a run of only two months. In a statement, producers Martin Platt and David Elliott said, "We wish to thank the extremely dedicated cast of Lend Me a Tenor the Musical, author Peter Sham and composer Brad Carroll and everyone who has taken part in the project. "Despite mostly wonderful notices from the press, great feedback from our audiences and nightly standing ovations, this has not translated into growing sales and we feel it is in everyone's best interests to close the production."
Master of the guild Alan Henry told The Stage, "The idea now is to renovate the existing building in order to extend its life. The Holywood Trust has also funded us to buy a house and shop which is next door, so we now own all the property round about. The idea is to redevelop that to give us a studio and rehearsal space and a scenery-building workshop."
Downsizing - Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant joined two bands at a charity show in Monmouth to a crowd of invited guests. The event was a tribute to his friend, Pat Moran, a former Plant co-producer, who died of a rare dementia in January. Plant delighted the 200-strong crowd at the Bridges Community Centre in the Monmouthshire town with six songs including some R&B classics and his solo hit Big Log.
Moran, who worked as an engineer on Plant's first solo album, and engineered and co-produced his second at the nearby Rockfield studios in Monmouthshire, died of Pick's Disease in January and the event was a fundraiser in his memory. Organiser, Mr Moran's brother Brian said, "It was very kind of Mr Plant to join in - Pat would have been very proud."
Awards Update - At the Mojo Awards in London, Donovan, took the maverick award and Gary Numan picked up the inspiration award. John Lydon collected Public Image Ltd's award for outstanding contribution to music, and the classic songwriter award was presented to Squeeze.
The Beach Boys' Brian Wilson flew in from the US to be inducted into Mojo's Hall of Fame. "As one of the principle architects of the Beach Boys sound, Brian sold us visions of America that were infused with romanticism, hope and in places, sheer fragility. Genius is the only word for it," said Mojo magazine's editor-in-chief Phil Alexander.
Family Matters - Two of Michael Jackson's brothers have criticised a planned tribute concert to the pop superstar in Cardiff as "inappropriate" and "ill-timed". Jermaine and Randy Jackson are unhappy that it will clash with the trial of Conrad Murray, the doctor charged in relation to their brother's death. The 8 October gig at the Millennium Stadium was announced by producers Global Live Events on Monday. But the event has won the backing of the late singer's mother Katherine.
At a press conference Mrs Jackson said, "Michael gave his entire life to the wo
