Friday, April 30

Bacharach's Promises Promises to Transfer to London?

Promises, Promises which features the music of Burt Bacharach opened this week at New York’s Broadway Theatre and it is hoped it will cross the pond to London’s West End.

It stars Sean Hayes (Jack from TV’s Will & Grace) and the Kristin Chenoweth (Wicked’s original Broadway Glinda and occasional guest star on the C4 hit Glee)

The show is based on Billy Wilder and Neil Simon’s Oscar-winning film The Apartment starring Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine when a man tries to climb the corporate ladder by letting his bosses use his apartment for their romantic liaisons.

It was the only musical written by sixties songwriter Burt Bacharach with lyrics by his long-time collaborator Hal David. It includes the classic I’ll Never Fall in Love Again with two other Bacharach favourites added for the Broadway production: Say A Little Prayer and A House Is Not A Home

Hayley Tamaddon Sharing Lady of the Lake with Jodie Prenger on Spamalot tour

Hayley Tamaddon will be playing the Lady of the Lake at certain venues in the tour of Spamalot which is due to start in Wimbledon on 29th May. 

Jodie Prenger will be playing the role at Wimbledon, Bromley, Brighton and Manchester, while Hayley will appear at Nottingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Newcastle, Southampton and Stoke on Trent.

 Hayley was the winner of the last series of Dancing on Ice and is currently touring with Torville and Dean showing off her new found ice skating skills.

She is probably best known for playing Delilah Dingle in ITV’s Emmerdale for over two years, but her stage career has included numerous West End and tours including the Rocky Horror Show, Mamma Mia, Boogie Nights, Grease, Fame and A Chorus Line.

She appeared on “Soapstar Superstar” and Michael Ball (who was one of the judges) was so impressed with her singing that he asked her to join him on his concert tour.

Casting News on Ray Charles Musical

More news on the Ray Charles musical previously mentioned  Unchain My Heart will open on Broadway later this year.   It will begin previews on October 8th and open on November 7th at a Shubert Theatre to be announced. 

Unchain My Heart features Charles’ best-known hits including:  “Georgia on My Mind,” “What’d I Say,” “Mess Around,” “Hit The Road, Jack,” “Unchain My Heart,” “I Got a Woman”, “You Don’t Know Me” and “Hallelujah, I Love Her So.”

The cast will be led by Brandon Victor Dixon as Ray Charles and Nikki RenĂ©e Daniels as Della with  Harrison White as Jeff Brown and recording artist Tasha Taylor making her Broadway debut as Margie Hendricks.

Additional members of the company and the theatre will be announced at a later date.

Hollyoaks Actor Heading for Flashdance

Gerard McCarthy who plays cross-dresser Kris Fisher in Hollyoaks will take up a role in Flashdance - The Musical later this year when it opens at the Shaftesbury Theatre on 27th September.

McCarthy made his professional debut in Perth Repertory Theatre's production of Carousel before joining the cast of the West End musical Mamma Mia!  and then transferring into the West End production of Saturday Night Fever, directed by Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Philips who is also the choreographer for Flashdance.

Thursday, April 29

Michael Ball at Hampton Court Festival

Michael Ball will be performing in concert at the Hampton Court Festival on Saturday 19th June starting at 20.45 pm. Ben James-Ellis (who was one of the runners up in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s search for Joseph in Any Dream Will Do) will be a special guest for this one night only concert. The evening will end with a fantastic fireworks display in the East Front Gardens.


Michael is currently reprising his role of Edna Turnblad at some venues of the UK Tour of Hairspray for which he also an associate producer.

Tickets can be purchased from www.hamptoncourtfestival.com 

Extra Show Added for Night of 1000 Voices

The Night of 1000 Voices which is being presented at the Royal Albert Hall this Sunday, 2nd May has added another show in the afternoon and you can now see it at 16:00 and 20:00 that day.

You can purchase tickets at www.royalalberthall.com

Sondheim’s Assassins at Union Theatre

As part of the celebrations for Sondheim’s 80th birthday earlier this year, the Union in Southwark will revive his musical Assassins from 30th June to 24th July 2010.

I saw the London premiere of this production which was directed by Sam Mendes at the Donmar Warehouse in 1992 and it lends itself perfectly to a small space like the Union.

The show is a revue-style portrayal of men and women who attempted (successfully or otherwise) to assassinate Presidents of the United States including John Wilkes Booth (Abraham Lincoln), Lee Harvey Oswald (John F Kennedy), Charles Guiteau (James Garfield), John Hinckley (Ronald Reagan) and Giuseppe Zangara (Franklin D Roosevelt).  The book is by John Weidman who worked with Sondheim on Pacific Overtures).

Amongst the other events being staged in London as part of Sondheim’s birthday celebrations are: this weekend’s The Night of 1000 Voices concert at the Royal Albert Hall, a dedicated BBC Prom, and revivals of Passion , Merrily We Roll Along and Company at the Donmar and Into the Woods at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre.

Wednesday, April 28

Wizard of Oz Opens at London Palladium next March

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s  revival of The Wizard of Oz with the winner of Over the Rainbow starring as Dorothy opens at the London Palladium in  March 2011 with the current show Sister Act closing  on 1st January. Box office opens on 9th May.

No casting or creative details have yet been announced, but Jeremy Sams (Sound of Music) is hotly tipped to direct The Wizard of Oz with choreography by Arlene Phillips.

There will also be some new songs specially written by Lloyd Webber and lyricist Glenn Slater (who worked with ALW on Love Never Dies).

Sheila Hancock and Patina Miller staying on in Sister Act with Simon Webbe

When ex Blue band member Simon Webbe joins the cast of Sister Act as Curtis Shank (bad-boy lover of Deloris Van Cartier) on 31st May he will be lucky enough to be supported by Sheila Hancock who is staying on as Mother Superior for another three months.

She was due to leave and has been appearing as a judge on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s search for a Dorothy on Over The Rainbow, but has decided to spend another summer at the London Palladium.

The glorious Patina Miller is staying on as Deloris and from 31st May will be joined by Jacqueline Clarke as Sister Mary Lazarus and ensemble members Lauren Appleby, Kiara Jay, Rachel John, Aaron Lambert, Ellie Leah, Amanda Minihan, Grant Murphy, Nathaniel Morrison, Ashley Russell and Carrie Sutton.

Mobility Scooters turned into dodgems at All the Fun of the Fair

When David Essex’s All the Fun of the Fair opens at the Garrick Theatre tonight expect a very colourful and noisy funfair with dodgem cars and sideshows as the show’s backdrop.

The creation of the funfair scenery took eight weeks and included buying four motorbikes, stripping them down to remove unnecessary weight and draining all flammable oil and petrol. The dodgems also had to be modified by gutting the engines, and putting the bodies on to battery-operated mobility scooters. But the biggest problem was the Garrick Theatre’s tall but narrow stage door which the items had to be designed to fit through.

The production staff who were touring with the production last year took about four hours to set up scenery during the get in, but in London All the Fun of the Fair took two days just to unload.

Luckily it seems to all have been worthwhile as the show has been getting standing ovations at the previews.

Sunday, April 25

Cat Lover Lloyd Webber Auditions Potential Totos

Andrew Lloyd Webber is a committed cat lover keeping Turkish van cats which are unusual in that they swim and have a love for water.

But the lord has confessed he “rather enjoyed” choosing the dogs that are competing to play Toto at a one-off West End charity gala performance of The Wizard of Oz.

He reluctantly gave in to the BBC's appeals for him to include a search for Toto in his reality TV show Over The Rainbow where he is searching for a Dorothy to star in his new musical.

He had to choose five dogs after ten hopefuls and their owners visited his home in Hampshire.  The ten were selected after the BBC held open auditions led by Jodie Prenger earlier this month and more than 1,000 pets took part.

Lord Lloyd-Webber said: “It hasn't been an easy decision for me, selecting the final five, but I was particularly drawn to the dogs I have chosen. Each of them could be a Toto in their own way. However, as adorable as they are, I remain a confirmed cat man.

Cast Changes for Chicago

As previously mentioned, Ruthie Henshall has now left Chicago the musical to play the part of Roxie Hart on Broadway, and Emma Barton (best known as Honey Mitchell in Eastenders) will take over the role at the Cambridge Theatre for 12 weeks from Monday 26th April.  She has previously played the part to rave reviews during its 2009/10 tour.

Vivien Carter (pictured), whose stage credits include We Will Rock You in Australia and Guys and Dolls in London, will star as Velma Kelly, with Terence Maynard as Billy Flynn and Adam Stafford playing Amos Hart.

Saturday, April 24

Sondheim on South Bank Show Revisited this Sunday

Stephen Sondheim's 80th birthday which was on 22nd March will be celebrated in a special edition of the The South Bank Show Revisited due to be broadcast on Sunday 25th April at 10.15 pm. Melvyn Bragg travelled to Stephen Sondheim’s home in Manhattan and carried out the interview on the eve of his 80th birthday.

Sondheim talks movingly about his childhood, his parents’ divorce and Oscar Hammerstein becoming "like a surrogate father". He describes his big break which was writing the lyrics for West Side Story (something he wasn't over keen to do but was advised by Hammerstein that it might be good experience for him to work with Leonard Bernstein and Jerome Robbins!)  Sondheim also talks in depth about the construction of his music.

This will be the third time that Stephen Sondheim has been the subject of The South Bank Show: the first was in 1980 when working on Sweeney Todd: the second in 1984 when The South Bank Show invited him to take a master class with students of the Guildhall School Of Performing Arts and the third time he was interviewed on their profile of Broadway Hal Prince who is Sondheim’s long-term collaborator. (Hal Prince is currently co-directing a brand new musical: Paradise Found which is due to open at the Menier Chocolate Factory on 19th May).

The South Bank Show Revisited includes clips from the current Broadway productions of A Little Night Music starring Angela Lansbury and Catherine Zeta Jones and West Side Story.

Charlotte Church to sing with Over the Rainbow Dorothy’s

Over the Rainbow is due to open in London’s West End some time next year (one of the rumours is that Sister Act will close and it will take its place at the London Palladium).

There are eight remaining finalists in tonight’s Over The Rainbow on BBC1 competing for the role of Dorothy in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s version of the Wizard of Oz.

Charlotte Church is one of the judges and she has also been giving performance advice (especially regarding voice control) to the hopefuls.  She is due to sing with them in the results show tomorrow night (Sunday 25th).

I think the competition is still wide open but Emilie Flemming (who was the wild card voted back in by the public) is the bookies' favourite (odds of 6-4) to be eliminated from the show this weekend. Unfortunately she is not as strong vocally as the other girls but certainly looks  the part even down to the gap in her front teeth (see picture).

Stephanie Davis is the bookies' current favourite to win the series.

Priscillabus Timetable Change When Ben Richards Hops on Board

As mentioned previously, Jason Donovan is leaving Priscilla Queen of the Desert and Ben Richards is taking over the part of Tick/Mitzi.

Jason leaves on Saturday 29th May and Ben appears on Tuesday 1st June.  If you’re wondering why there is a gap on Monday 31st May it’s because there is no performance.

This is because it’s the week when Priscillabus goes on to her summer timetable with performance on Tuesday to Saturday evenings at 19.30 and matinees on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 15.00 at the Palace Theatre.

Friday, April 23

Line Up for Night of 1000 Voices

The full cast has been announced for 10th Anniversary performance of The Night of 1000 Voices at the Royal Albert Hall on 2nd May. The show includes a special birthday tribute composer Stephen Sondheim.

Aled Jones will introduce performers including Kerry Ellis (Nancy in Oliver!), Adam Pascal, Philip Quast, Teri Bibb, Kenneth Nichols and David Michael Johnson. Joining them on stage will be a special VIP musical guest,  Robin Cousins (Teen Angel in Grease), the original Calendar Girls, Gloria Hunniford and Ainsley Harriott.

Leap of Faith Musical to Premiere in Los Angeles

The new Alan Menken-Glenn Slater musical Leap of Faith will have its world premiere in Los Angeles from September 5th-October 17th 2010.

Leap of Faith has a libretto written by Janus Cercone with Glenn Slater. Menken (Beauty and the Beast) is the eight-time Academy Award-winning composer; Tony nominee Glenn Slater (pictured)  is a lyricist known for Broadway's The Little Mermaid and the Menken musical Sister Act, plus the new Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Love Never Dies (for which he co-wrote the book).

The new musical is based on the motion picture "Leap of Faith," produced by Paramount Pictures Corporation.

Leap of Faith is the story of super-cynic Jonas Nightingale, a rock star in evangelist's clothing, who cons his way across the drought stricken farm belt. A consummate manipulator, Jonas meets his match in a beautiful young widow and her son who compel him to acknowledge forces beyond his control - the power of love, human connection and hope. Through them he gets one last chance to believe in something.

Booking Period for Grease Extended into Next Year

The booking period for the  Grease the musical  has been extended from September 2010 for another year until 3rd September 2011.

The show at the Piccadilly Theatre currently stars Noel Sullivan and Siobhan Dillon as high school sweethearts Danny and Sandy, with Dancing On Ice judge Robin Cousins appearing as Teen Angel until 19th June 2010.

Billy Elliott Cast changes

Joanna Riding is leaving Billy Elliott at the end of May and award-winning Australian actress Genevieve Lemon is to make her West End debut on 31 May, playing the dance teacher Mrs Wilkinson (which Julie Walters played in the film of the same name).

Lemon has already played the role at both Sydney’s Capitol Theatre and Melbourne’s Her Majesty’s Theatre, collecting awards for her performance.

Her credits include Australian dramas The Flying Doctors and Neighbours with a number of productions for the Sydney Theatre Company including The Seagull, Once In A Lifetime, The Madras House and Merrily We Roll Along. She has also appeared in the Australian production of Priscilla Queen Of The Desert The Musical.

Aaron Watson also joins the Billy Elliot cast in May at the Victoria Palace Theatre, joining Dean-Charles Chapman, Oliver Gardner and Rhys Yeomans alternating in the show’s title role.

Since opening in London’s West End in 2005, Billy Elliott has been staged in Australia, Chicago and on Broadway, with more productions scheduled for Korea, Toronto, Japan, Germany and Holland.

Ben Richards from the Bill taking over from Jason Donovan in Priscilla

Ben Richards who plays PC Nate Roberts in the Bill is taking over on 1st June from Jason Donovan who is leaving Priscilla Queen of the Desert at the Palace Theatre.  Donovan is involved in a huge arena tour of Jeff Wayne’s War of the Worlds later in the year playing the artilleryman.

Ben Richards is known for his television work also playing bullying Bruno Milligan in Footballers' Wives, but he started his career in musical theatre and has played in Guys And Dolls, Grease, The Full Monty and Saturday Night Fever - to name just a few.

In 2006 he was a judge on Strictly Dance Fever which was hosted by Graham Norton with choreographers Stacey Haynes, Arlene Phillips and Wayne Sleep. He appeared in Holby City in 2006 as physiotherapist Justin Fuller. He also appeared on Celebrity Stars in their Eyes as Ricky Martin.

Don Gallagher and Oliver Thornton will continue to play Bernadette and Adam in the show when Ben arrives to play the part of Tick.

Richard Fleeshman to take over from Duncan James in Legally Blonde

The ex-Coronation Street actor Richard Fleeshman will replace Duncan James as the male lead opposite Sheridan Smith in Legally Blonde at the Savoy Theatre when he leaves the show in June.

Richard joined Corrie when he was just 12 years old and stayed there for four years playing the role of Craig Harris.

Fleeshman is a singer/songwriter and in 2003 was the youngest celebrity contestant to win a Stars in Their Eyes Celebrity Special at the age of 13. He also won Soapstar Superstar in 2006 and went on to perform as Elton John’s support act on his Summer Stadium and Red Piano Tours.

Thursday, April 22

Sondheim and Rodgers & Hammerstein Concerts at BBC Proms

As I mentioned on 15th April,  Musical Theatre will be strongly represented at this year’s BBC Proms, with one concert featuring the work of Stephen Sondheim and another the work of Rodgers & Hammerstein.

Maria Friedman and Simon Russell Beale will perform at the prom on 31st July which is dedicated to Stephen Sondheim in honour of his 80th birthday. They will be joined by Bryn Terfel to perform numbers from A Little Night Music, Into the Woods and Sunday in the Park with George.

The Rodgers and Hammerstein concert on 22nd August marks the 50th anniversary of the death of Hammerstein and will feature music from Carousel, The King and I, Oklahoma! The Sound of Music and South Pacific, performed by Kim Criswell, Anna-Jane Casey, Julian Ovenden, Rod Gilfry, the Maida Vale Singers and the John Wilson Orchestra.

Both concerts will be broadcast on BBC2.

Robert Downey Jr to Star in Wizard of Oz Movie?

Robert Downey Jr is reportedly set to play the lead role in a film prequel of the ‘The Wizard of Oz.” entitled “Oz: The Great and Powerful.”

Instead of following Dorothy this version is based on parts of the original L. Frank Baum's Oz books, and Downey Jr. would play The Wizard from a travelling circus who mysteriously lands in Oz.

Oscar winning director Sam Mendes is under consideration for the project but reports have also hinted that “Hairspray” director Adam Shankman could get behind the camera, reports The New York Daily News.

Gavin Creel from Hair to Perform at Ronnie Scott’s

Broadway's Gavin Creel is currently re-creating his Broadway performance of Claude in the original cast of Hair at London’s Gielgud Theatre.

He will appear for one night only at 11.30 pm on Tuesday May 4th at Ronnie Scott's in London performing original acoustic pop with songs drawn from his debut album "Goodtimentation”  as well as some new songs and classic covers. He will be joined by co-writer Robbie Roth and fellow Hair cast member Steel Burkhardt.

Creel took over the role of Bert in the original stage production of Mary Poppins at the Prince Edward Theatre. He has twice been nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his performances in Hair in 2009 and Thoroughly Modern Millie in 2002. He has also appeared on Broadway in the 2004 revival of La Cage aux Folles where he played Georges' son Jean-Michel. He was in Stephen Sondheim's Bounce Off-Broadway as well as the American première of Honk!

Tickets for performance will be available at the door or you can RSVP on Facebook at www.facebook.com where you will be added to a "guest list" and receive your tickets at a discounted price of £10 instead of the advertised £12.

Latin Fever Tour

Following a sell-out season in 2009 the dance sensation Latin Fever returns for a UK tour.

Husband and wife team Darren Bennett  and Lilia Kopylova from BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing plus four leading Latin American couples present a fantastic dance spectacular which takes you from the streets of Brazil to the bullrings of Spain and from the Carnival in Rio to the clubs of Buenos Aries. They dance the rumba, cha-cha-cha, paso doblè, jitterbug and the tango in this celebration of Latin American dance.

The tour starts on 5th June and runs until 4th July visiting venues including Brighton, Sheffield, Harrogate, Stoke on Trent, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Croydon, Eastbourne, Cardiff, Bournemouth, Nottingham, Glasgow and Gateshead. 

They only appear for one night at each venue (apart from Sheffield where they are on for two) so ticket availability will be limited.  To find out more and book seats visit:  www.raymondgubbay.co.uk

Wednesday, April 21

Maureen Lipman Joins Panel at Sondheim Award Ceremony

Maureen Lipman joins the judging panel for The Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer Of The Year Competition & The Stiles and Drewe Best New Song of 2010 Awards which will be hosted by Hannah Waddingham at The Queen's Theatre on Sunday 6th June at 15:00.

Hannah Waddingham has recently appeared in Spamalot and A Little Night Music and is due to play the Witch in Sondheim’s Into The Woods at the Open Air Theatre Regent’s Park in August.  She will also be performing at the ceremony.

Frank Loesser Centenary Tribute Concert

Brian Conley and Imelda Staunton are lined up to perform with the BBC Concert Orchestra and Capital Voices at a Friday Night is Music Night BBC Radio 2 concert celebrating the life of Guys and Dolls composer Frank Loesser in his centenary year. The special event will be hosted by Paul Gambaccini and broadcast live from the Mermaid Theatre in London on May 7th.

Loesser was born in 1910 and made his first attempts at song writing during the Second World War. In 1948 he wrote On a Slow Boat to China and went on to pen more than 700 songs, including Hey, Good Looking, Luck Be a Lady, Two Sleepy People the Oscar-winning Baby it’s Cold Outside.

He also wrote stage musicals including Guys and Dolls, Where’s Charley?, The Most Happy Fella and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying -  in which Daniel Radcliffe (of Harry Potter Fame) is due to appear on Broadway next year.  Imelda Staunton played Miss Adelaide in the 1983 and 1996 productions of Guys and Dolls at the National Theatre.

See West End Live Theatre Festival at Leicester Square 19 & 20 June

West End Live is the world’s largest free theatre festival which is now in its sixth year.  This summer it will be held at Leicester Square on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th June from 11:00-18:00 and 12 noon-18:00 respectively.  More than 200,000 people expected over the two days.

The event is organised by Westminster City Council and supported by the Society of London Theatre (SOLT) and offers street entertainment, live broadcasts, arts workshops and interactive exhibitions from some of London’s top museums and tourist attractions.

The 2010 line-up of musical theatre performers is yet to be finalised, but as usual it is likely to feature most of the West End’s major musicals. Last year more than 15 productions took part including Oliver!, Avenue Q, Dirty Dancing, Jersey Boys, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Sister Act, Thriller - Live, We Will Rock You, Wicked, Stomp and Chicago.

For more information visit www.westendlive.co.uk

Darius - from Rhett Butler to Escamillo

Darius Campbell (formerly Danesh) last appeared in London’s West playing Rhett Butler (pictured) in Trevor Nunn's ill-fated musical Gone with the Wind.  He is now moving on to opera singing the lead role of Escamillo in Bizet's Carmen at the O2 Arena next month. Ironically the role is described as “A handsome toreador, Escamillo is aware of his own good looks and knows how women are attracted to him”.  He also gets to sing “the Toreador Song” which won fame quite a few years ago as a jingle advertising Esso.

He recently won the reality series Popstar To Operastar (during which he sang an aria from Carmen) and will perform on the final night of a three-night run at the O2 from 21st to 23rd May 2010.

After coming to public attention as a contestant on early reality TV shows Pop Stars and Pop Idol, Darius made his West End debut in 2005 playing Billy Flynn in Chicago and then went on to play Sky Masterson in Michael Grandage’s tour of Guys and Dolls.

More Problems for Spider-Man the Musical

The actor Alan Cumming was set to make his return to Broadway playing the Green Goblin super villain in the musical “Spider-Man Turn Off The Dark”, but he has just announced he has withdrawn from the production which features music by U2.

His withdrawal is explained as a scheduling conflict, but his departure from the show marks the latest setback for Spider-Man. It was originally scheduled to open in February at the Hilton Theatre on Broadway, but the production apparently has huge problems with overspends and technical hitches.

This has led to widespread speculation in theatrical circles as to the show’s future. The official website shows that no tickets are currently being sold.

Blue or Sister Act?

Duncan James has announced that he is leaving Legally Blonde at the Savoy Theatre when his contract runs out in June as he has other projects he wants to pursue, including a reunion of the pop group Blue. 

But apparently not during 2010 ...  because if West End rumours are true, Simon Webbe is strongly tipped to join Sister Act at the London Palladium  when the new cast moves in over the summer.

He  will play the main bad guy and gets to sing a couple of really good R & B numbers.

Sister Act will be at the Palladium until  next year, when Andrew Lloyd Webber's Over The Rainbow will move in.

Tuesday, April 20

Harriet Thorpe appearing in Mamma Mia!

Harriet Thorpe (pictured)  takes over the role of Tanya in Mamma Mia! at the Prince of Wales Theatre from 14th June 2010.

Harriet has worked extensively at the Royal National Theatre, and did two Shakespeare seasons at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. She was in the original revival cast of Cabaret as Fraulein Kost at the Lyric Theatre and appeared with Jason Donovan as Mrs. Lovett in the national tour of Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd. She originated the role of Ida Arnold in the Almeida Theatre's original musical, Brighton Rock, played the role of Madame Thenardier in the hit musical, Les Miserables and took over the role of Madame Morrible in London production of Wicked which she left at the end of March 2010.

Linzi Hateley and Jessie May will continue in their roles as mother and daughter Donna and Sophie Sheridan.

The new cast of Mamma Mia! will also feature Catherine Russell as Rosie, Norman Bowman (Sam Carmichael), Paul Ryan (Harry Bright), Christopher Hollis (Bill Austin), Joshua Sasse (Sky), Nicola Hawkins (Ali), Nicky Griffiths (Lisa), Alex Jessop (Pepper) and Paul-Michael Jones (Eddie).

Mel C Leaves Blood Brothers This Saturday

Spice Girl Melanie Chisholm is to leave Blood Brothers when her contract expires this Saturday 24th April to be replaced by 2007  X Factor contestant Niki Evans (pictured) playing the role of Mrs Johnstone at the Phoenix Theatre.

Niki Evans first played the role in the Willy Russell  musical in 2008 until Melanie C took over for a limited season in October last year . At the moment Niki  is scheduled to appear until 21st August 2010.

The current cast also features: Craig Price, Stephen Palfreman, Richard Reynard, Louise Davidson, Louise Clayton, Stephen Pallister, Michael Southern, Rob Hughes, Alastair Brookshaw, Amy O’Neill, Alex Harland, Anna Sambrooks and Karl Greenwood.

Hugh Jackman, Patti LuPone and Shirley MacLaine in Concert

Now that I've got your attention, the bad news is that the concert is in the States.

Hugh Jackman is hosting the Motion Picture & Television Fund's fifth annual A Fine Romance benefit concert which is a tribute to musicals and being held on May 1st at the Fox lot. Fox studio co-chief Jim Gianopulos and his wife Ann are co-hosts.

Volcanic ash apart, I would give anything to be there as it really is the ultimate dream team. Apart from the gorgeous Hugh Jackman you can listen to some real musical theatre stars including  Kristen Bell, Joel Grey, Cheyenne Jackson, Melina Kanakaredes, Patti LuPone, Shirley MacLaine, James Marsden, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Kelli O'Hara and  Lea Salonga.

I saw Hugh Jackman in the Boy from Oz on Broadway several years ago and it was one the best musicals performances I’ve ever watched. He won a Tony Award and I wish someone would bring it into London. But if Jackman wasn’t available they would have real trouble finding someone with enough star quality, stamina and all round ability to fill the Peter Allen part.

Gareth Gates Les Miserables Concert at Mermaid Theatre

Gareth Gates is currently playing Marius in the tour of Les Miserables.  He and co-star John Owen Jones (who plays the lead John Valjean) will be singing numbers from the show on “Friday Night Is Music Night” with the BBC Concert Orchestra conducted by Mike Dixon at the Mermaid Theatre. They will also be joined by Shona Lindsay and Jacinta Whyte, 

The show is also expected to feature an interview with the show’s lyricist, Alan Boublil.

The  first half of the live show will feature music from an array of musicals, including Cabaret, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Jesus Christ Superstar and Funny Girl  and Gates will sing numbers from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, in which he played the title role in the West End production in 2009.

The second half will largely be devoted to Les Miserables, with around seven numbers performed from the musical.

The concert will be broadcast on Radio 2 at 8:00 pm on Friday 21st May 2010.

Les Miserables is also running in London's West End at the Queens Theatre.

Michael Flatley touring with Lord of the Dance

Michael Flatley has not performed in his show Lord of the Dance for more than a decade, but is now but to appear in a number of cities in late autumn this year, beginning in Sheffield Arena on October 30th.

Lord of the Dance was created, choreographed and produced by Flatley. Some members of the 40 strong cast in this year’s tour performed with him in the original show in 1996. Since it opened the dance spectacular has played to more than 60 million people in more than 60 countries across the world.

Flatley has just completed a tour of Taiwan in ‘Feet of Flames’ which exceeded box office expectations and had audiences begging for more even after five standing ovations

Lord of the Dance is based on Irish folklore telling the story through dance of good versus evil.

Tour dates are as follows:  UK & Ireland:  30th October – Sheffield Arena: 31st October – Manchester Evening News Arena: 3rd November – London O2 Arena: 4th November – Birmingham LG Arena: 6th November – Nottingham Arena: 7th November – Liverpool Echo Arena: 8th November – Wembley Arena: 10th November – Newcastle Arena: 12th November - Belfast Odyssey Arena: 13th November – Dublin O2 Arena: 14th November – Dublin O2 Arena
 
Europe: 20th November – Mannheim, Germany: 22nd November – Zurich, Switzerland: 23rd November – Munich, Germany: 24th November – Vienna, Austria: 26th November – Oberhausen, Germany: 27th November – Halle, Germany: 29th November – Cologne, Germany: 30th November – Hamburg, Germany: 2nd December – Stuttgart, Germany: 3rd December – Frankfurt, Germany: 7th December – Leipzig, Germany

News of Dirty Dancing and Flashdance Casting

The very talented Charlie Bruce (pictured)  won BBC's So You Think You Can Dance earlier this year and may now be appearing in the West End.

Nigel Lythgoe and Arlene Phillips were on the judging panel and huge fans of Charlie, so it comes as no surprise that Arlene (who is the choreographer for Dirty Dancing and Flashdance in the West End) is considering her for the role of alternate Baby in Dirty Dancing at the Aldwych Theatre, and also considering her for the lead role in Flashdance, which opens at the Shaftesbury Theatre in September.

Monday, April 19

Burn the Floor Dance Spectacular at Shaftesbury Theatre

The ballroom and Latin dance show Burn the Floor will full the gap left between Hairspray closing and Flashdance opening at the Shaftesbury Theatre at the end of September. Burn the Floor will run from 21st July to 4th September and feature guest stars Brian Fortuna and Ali Bastian (pictured) who were runners up in the last series of Strictly Come Dancing.

The show is described as a Latin and ballroom dance spectacular. It has been on a worldwide tour including a run on Broadway last year and was originally put together for a special performance at Elton John's 50th birthday celebrations in 1997. Two years later the show opened UK and has now played in over 30 countries.  

Burn the Floor features numbers from Harlem in New York with dances like the Lindy hop, Foxtrot and Charleston and the Latin Quarter where the Cha-Cha, Rumba and Salsa were conceived. Burn the Floor illustrates the drama of dance through the Viennese Waltz, Jive, Paso Doble, Tango, Samba, Mambo, Quickstep and Swing. 

The company features 20 award winning dancers from all over the world and is directed and choreographed by Jason Gilkison who is a former world champion Latin and Ballroom dancer, and guest choreographer on the fourth season of America’s So You Think You Can Dance.

Harry Potter Hocus Pocus at Polka Theatre

Magician Paul Kieve is appearing at the Polka Children’s Theatre from 3rd to 5th June with his magic show Hocus Pocus which is suitable for anyone over the age of seven.

Kieve was a consultant on the Harry Potter films and the private tutor of Daniel Radcliffe. He has worked all over the world and with illusionists David Copperfield and Derren Brown.

Hocus Pocus is based on Kieve’s book of the same name and aims to bewilder and entertain as it takes the children on a journey through the past exploring the work of some of the world’s greatest magicians. Live music is provided by David Kieve.

You can book tickets at www.polkatheatre.com

Dances With Wolves - the musical

American Producer Matt Murphy is currently involved in the new Broadway musical 'Memphis' at the Shubert Theatre. He was a producer of the Tony-nominated production of 'Thurgood' starring Laurence Fishburne, and Michael Jacobs’ 'Impressionism' starring Joan Allen and Jeremy Irons. He has now acquired the stage rights to Michael Blake’s 1986 best-selling novel Dances with Wolves which he intends to adapt into a dramatic musical for the Broadway stage.

Blake’s novel was made into a film in 1990 which was directed by and starred Kevin Costner. It was a worldwide blockbuster winning seven Oscars.

“Dances with Wolves will be a uniquely spectacular and dramatic new musical,” says Murphy. “I envision a score that is inspired by Appalachian, folk, Civil War era, and Native American music, coupled with a production design that celebrates the spirit and ceremony of Native American culture amidst the awe-inspiring landscape of the American frontier. I am seeking a creative team who can make the epic story of Dances with Wolves sing for a new medium and a new generation of audiences.”

The novel tells the story of a Lieutenant sent to a remote frontier outpost in the wilderness of Dakota Territory during the American Civil War. He is eventually accepted into the local Sioux tribe where he falls in love with a white woman who was raised by them. This all forces him into a decision about his future that will not only affect him, but the lives of the Sioux tribe who know him only as Dances with Wolves.

Listen to Neil Sedaka Tonight - From Brooklyn To Brill

Anyone who has been lucky enough to catch the tour of Laughter in the Rain which charts Neil Sedaka’s life story will realise what a remarkable and long career he’s had. And to quote the man himself “and I’m still alive!”

If you want to hear him in conversation and listen to his excellent music then at 10.00 pm tonight you can hear him on BBC Radio 2 in the first of a two-part documentary - From Brooklyn To Brill.

DJ Johnnie Walker talks to Neil Sedaka who illustrates his life and music through the magic of the piano. Recorded at the BBC Radio Theatre the American singer-songwriter charts a journey which began in Brooklyn and where he now has a street named after him: Neil Sedaka Way.

Neil studied at the Juilliard School in New York and signed to Atlantic Records when he was just 16 convincing Connie Francis to record Stupid Cupid after just eight bars. He worked alongside legends including as Gerry Goffin and Carole King, Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller, Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman.

Sunday, April 18

Trevor Nunn told "no name, no Follies"

When Sweet Charity, starring Tamzin Outhwaite,  ends its run at the Theatre Royal Haymarket at the end of this year, Trevor Nunn is to direct four productions there and has included the Stephen Sondheim musical Follies on the list of shows he wants to present as part of the season.

But he will need to sign a major box-office name before he will get the green light for Follies as it will cost £2 million.

Soapdish is New Stiles & Drewe Musical

Gavin Creel (from Hair) and Sally Ann Triplett have been involved in a workshop earlier this month for George Stiles and Anthony Drewe who are currently working on a new musical comedy based on the 1991 film Soap Dish starring Sally Anne Field, Robert Downey Jr and Kevin Kline.

It’s about the behind-the-scenes lives of several soap opera actors. Celeste Talbert is the star of the declining show and she is furious when her rival Montana Moorehead tried to persuade the producer (who is totally smitten with her) to write her out of the show.

The producer decides to bring Talbert's hated ex-lover back onto the series, with the hope of driving the fragile star to an early retirement. The fact that Anderson's character was decapitated in an episode which was shown over 20 years ago is seen as a difficult, but not insurmountable, obstacle.

More Dates Added to Chess Tour

A couple more dates have been added to the tour of Chess which Craig Revell Horwood is directing in the autumn.

The tour kicks off at the Theatre Royal Newcastle on 27th August and will now also visit Edinburgh on 21st September and Norwich on 30th November.

No casting details have yet been released.

Ruthie Henshall Heading for Broadway

This is the last week that Ruthie Henshall will be playing Roxie Hart in Chicago at the Cambridge Theatre in London's West End.

Then she heads off for New York to play the part of Roxie again on Broadway opening on Monday 26th April and appearing there until 13th June.

Full Cast Announced for UK Tour of Spamalot

Joining Jodie Prenger as Lady of the Lake, Marcus Brigstocke as King Arthur and Todd Carty as Patsy on the UK Tour of Spamalot will be Simon Lipkin (Sir Galahad), Graham MacDuff (Sir Lancelot), David Langham (Prince Herbert), Samuel Holmes (Sir Robin) and Robin Armstrong as Sir Bedevere.

Other cast members include Kit Orton, Philip Catchpole, Amy Papa, Rachel Knowles,Tim Bonser and Paul Bullin.

Saturday, April 17

Avenue Q’s Julie Atherton in Cabaret at Delfont Room

Julie Atherton has appeared in London’s West End originating the roles of Kate Monster and Lucy the Slut in Avenue Q and played Sophie in Mamma Mia!  She is also an experienced concert artist, having performed at venues including the Donmar Warehouse and the Royal Albert Hall.

She will launch her second album No Space for Air at the same time as she appears in cabaret at London’s exclusive Delfont Room at the Prince of Wales Theatre at 19:00 on Sunday 6th June 2010.

 No Space for Air offers numbers which have been arranged with Julie’s musical influences ranging from Alanis Morissette and Skunk Anansie to the legendary Stephen Sondheim.

You can pre-order a copy of Julie's  album No Space For Air from:  www.dresscircle.co.uk  or book tickets for the Delfont Room on  www.delfontmackintosh.co.uk

John Barrowman at National in June

John Barrowman will be in discussion at a Royal National Theatre platform on Thursday 24th June 2010 with his brand new book "I Am What I Am".

He will be talking about talent shows, West End musicals and Saturday night TV.  This event is followed by a book signing. Tickets £3.50/£2.50. Running time: 45mins. To purchase tickets visit: https://ticketing.nationaltheatre.org.uk

Andrew Lloyd Webber in trouble for painting Adelphi Theatre black

Andrew Lloyd Webber is facing a 20,000GBP fine for illegally painting the Adelphi Theatre black in line with the marketing and poster publicity material for his latest musical Love Never Dies.

He had been asked to restore the Adelphi or he could face legal action. His "Really Useful Theatre Company" lodged a planning application with Westminster City Council on 21st January, but the painting occurred before they received this application.

Council planning officers issued a report saying "The works have changed the character and appearance of the theatre and harmed its special architectural and historic interest, and also the Covent Garden conservation area's character and appearance." The Theatres Trust is saying that the Adelphi may remain black as long as it is restored at the end of the production.

A meeting of the council's planning applications sub-committee next Thursday will decide whether or not legal enforcement will take place. A draft of the letter which will be sent to Andrew Lloyd Webber reads, "It is a criminal offence to carry out work on a listed building without our consent. We will be pursuing enforcement action for the removal of the black paint."

Friday, April 16

Ramin Karimloo back tonight in Love Never Dies

Ramin Karimloo is back in Love Never Dies tonight and tomorrow night (Saturday) at the Adelphi Theatre, but will not perform at the Saturday matinee as his surgeon has advised him to take one show at a time.

Hope he continues to recover.