Tuesday, May 31

Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark Album

U2 front man Bono who composed the music with band mate the Edge for the $70 million Broadway production Spider Man Turn off the Dark says the revamped show "will be there by opening night" on June 14th.

The most expense Broadway musical ever has undergone a revamp with director and chief creative force Julie Taymor being replaced by The Boy From Oz director Philip McKinley.

Bono and the Edge performed "Rise Above” which is a song from the production on American Idol. He said "There's another version of it in the play, and it was this beautiful hook about trying to transcend your circumstances. This song is one of the first songs that jumped out at us."

Because of all the delays and postponed openings for Spider Man they are in the unusual position of the cast album being ready for release on 14th June which is the opening night.  You can pre-order the CD of Spider Man Turn off the Dark from Amazon for £9.64.

The track listings are: Bouncing Off The Walls: Picture This: Rise Above 1 - Reeve Carney, Bono & The Edge; No More:  Boy Falls From The Sky: DIY World: A Freak Like Me Needs Company: I Just Can't Walk Away (Say It Now): Pull The Trigger: Turn Off The Dark and Sinistereo

Sunday, May 29

Peter Jöback playing Phantom in London next year

According to an interview Swedish musical theatre star Peter Jöback has just given he is taking over from John Owen-Jones playing the Phantom of the Opera when he leaves next March

Jöback has appeared in London’s West End as Chris in Miss Saigon at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in 1997. He created the role of Michael in The Witches of Eastwick three years later at the same theatre.

Saturday, May 28

Tommy Steele new tour of Scrooge

Tommy Steele will be appearing at The Lowry at Salford Quays this Christmas, playing Ebenezer Scrooge in Bill Kenwright’s record-breaking London Palladium production.

Tommy Steele’s legendary career includes over 20 hit singles, Hollywood movies including The Happiest Millionaire and Finian’s Rainbow and the award winning stage musicals Half a Sixpence, Hans Andersen and Singin’ in the Rain.

Scrooge the Musical will be playing at The Lowry from Monday 12th December 2011 to Saturday January 2012. 

Before it opens at the Lowry,  Scrooge the Musical plays at the Llandudno Venue Cymru 14th -19th November  Liverpool Empire from 5th-10th December and in the New Year it is at the New Theatre in Oxford from 9th-14th January 2012.

Lee Mead Concert with Bath Male Choir

West End musical theatre star Lee Mead has recently finished playing Fiyero in Wicked and is due to join Legally Blonde the Musical at the Savoy Theatre on 20th June playing Emmett.

On Saturday 5th November at 7:30 pm he will be appearing in concert with the Bath Male Choir (Last Choir Standing) and the award winning Bristol Musical Youth at Bath Forum Theatre. The concerts have been organised by choir leader Grenville Jones, who has previously brought artists Katherine Jenkins and Aled Jones to the Bath City Church venue.

Tickets from £10 - £35 from Bath Box Office on 01225 463362or visit online from Bath Forum

Spamalot tour extended

The current tour of Spamalot is due to end at the Southampton Mayflower on 11th June, but it is due to restart at Christmas when it plays at the Theatre Royal Brighton from 5th December-14th January 2012.  For this production Marcus Brigstocke is returning to the role of King Arthur and Todd Carty is back as the hapless Patsy, Further casting is still to be announced.

Next year the tour goes on to visit Liverpool, Oxford, Grimsby, Woking, Torquay, York, Stoke, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Richmond, Aylesbury and Sunderland. Will let you know as soon as I have dates and booking details.

Michael Crawford & Hannah Waddingham at Dress Circle next week

Cast members from The Wizard of Oz including Danielle Hope, Michael Crawford, Hannah Waddingham and David Ganley will be signing copies of the London Cast Recording CD at Dress Circle in London’s Great Monmouth Street (near Covent Garden) on Thursday 2nd June between 1.30-2.15 pm.

Friday, May 27

John Owen-Jones, Alex Gaumond and Ricardo Afonso in Concert

To celebrate the new home of the BBC Philharmonic, Friday Night Is Music Night presents a number of West End leading men in a concert which will be hosted by Tamzin Outhwaite and broadcast at 8:00 pm on BBC Radio2 on Friday 3rd June.

You can hear John Owen-Jones (Phantom) Ricardo Afonso (We Will Rock You); Alex Gaumond (Legally Blonde); Matt Rawle (Zorro) and Paul Spicer singing songs from West End shows including Hair, Aspects of Love and Jesus Christ Superstar accompanied by  the BBC Philharmonic conducted by Mike Dixon

Shrek cast to appear on Britain’s Got Talent

If you want to hear the cast of Shrek the Musical singing their classic hit “I’m A Believer” tune into Britain’s Got Talent results show on Tuesday 31st May ITV1 at 9:45pm.  The show is previewing at the moment and due to open at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane on 14th June.

Ant and Dec are hosting the second live semi-final when eight acts perform in front of a live studio audience and judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Michael McIntyre and David Hasselhoff.

Amanda Holden is playing Princess Fiona in Shrek and said: "I think one of the most important things when you‘re on a show like Britain's Got Talent and judging other people, is to be willing to stand on the stage and put your own self up for judgment. Next Tuesday, the audience along with my TV colleagues Simon, Michael and the Hoff will be sitting in judgment of me. I‘m just praying they don‘t use their buzzers!"

Camelot to replace Love Never Dies?

According to today’s Daily Mail Andrew Lloyd Webber is struggling to keep Love Never Dies running in the West End which is unlikely to recoup its costs. The musical cost £5.5M to stage and has returned about £1.3M to investors. The producers are not allowed to raise further funds to keep it running and the Really Useful Group been funding it for several months, cutting the running costs by £15,000 a week.

It is currently booking to January 14th, with rumours at one stage that it was to close at the end of this summer. The Adelphi Theatre is jointly owned by Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group and the New York-based Nederlander Organisation who have been pushing for a proposed revival of Lerner & Lowe’s musical Camelot directed by David Leveaux and starring Robert Lindsay to take its place.

A new version of Love Never Dies has been very well received in Australia and opens in Melbourne tomorrow. An executive involved in the London shows has said ‘There is no decision to close the show in London.’ If ALW does want to include the changes from this new production he would have to shut it again to reopen with new sets, costumes and cast.  The current Phantom, Ramin Karimloo, is due to leave the show later this year on 3rd September.

So Camelot is on hold for now … watch this space.

New Tim Rice musical From Here To Eternity

The James Jones tome From Here to Eternity is a 900 page novel so it will take some adapting to cut it down to a manageable size for a stage musical.  But Tim Rice and his collaborators are trying to do just that … after all Les Miserables was eventually cut down to size.

The 1953 film version was about life in a US military fort on the Hawaiian island of Oahu before Pearl Harbour and deals with the troubles of the soldiers played by Burt Lancaster, Montgomery Clift, Frank Sinatra and Ernest Borgnine with Deborah Kerr and Donna Reed playing  the women in their lives. It featured that wonderful Lancaster/Kerr beach scene which was considered very risqué in those days.

Rice explained that the stage show is based on the book and not Daniel Taradash’s movie screenplay. He said: “It’s taken several years to secure full stage rights. It’s only really now that we are all gung-ho”. 

Rice is the co-producer with a score by  young British composer Stuart Brayson.  Bill Oakes has written the book and Tamara Harvey (Tell Me On A Sunday) will direct.

Thursday, May 26

Midnight Tango, Blues Brothers and Spamalot cheap ticket deals

The following special tickets deals are on offer from 09:00 tomorrow (Friday 27th May)  for 72 hours:

Phantom of the Opera’s 25th Birthday at Royal Albert Hall

The Royal Albert Hall in London is set to host the 25th anniversary celebrations of The Phantom of the Opera this October.  The show’s original choreographer Gillian Lynne is staging the show and lighting will be designed by Patrick Woodroffe, who recently worked on the Les Mis 02 concerts. The concert will be produced by Cameron Mackintosh and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group.

Full details of the event have yet to be announced, but sources claim it will be a “completely new production”. Nicholas Allott from Cameron Mackintosh Ltd said full details would be announced “within the next three weeks”.

No date has been confirmed yet, but there is a clue with no performances on sale at Her Majestys between 7th-10th October!

Ramin Karimloo has already confirmed that he is playing the Phantom, and it is also understood that Sierra Boggess is coming back from New York to reprise the role of Christine Daae.  She played the eponymous heroine in the Las Vegas production in 2006, and also in Love Never Dies starring with Karimloo until she left in March this year.

Jessica Martin in the Music of Dan G Concert

Waterloo East Theatre is launching its first concert focusing on new British music theatre writers, and is  presenting  the Music of Dan Gillingwater on Sunday 5th June at 8:00 pm.

Dan’s classical music is performed all over the country with his most recently commissioned work being William Blake's poems by the London Gay Men’s Choir at The Cardigan Hall.

The concert at Waterloo East focuses on his musical theatre songbook with a host of West End stars including Valerie Cutko : Richard Dempsey : Joanna Forest : Beverley Klein : David Lucus : Louise Marshall : Jessica Martin : Matt Nalton : Dale Rapley: Alice Redmond : Sarah Redmond  and  Gemma Sutton

Leading the band will be Dan Gillingwater as Musical Director with Ronnie Scott’s artistic director and internationally acclaimed pianist, James Pearson guesting on the piano.

Tickets at https://waterlooeast.ticketsolve.com

Directions: You can get to Waterloo East via National Rail: Waterloo or Tube: Jubilee, Bakerloo, Northern, and Waterloo & City.   Exit Waterloo tube or railway at Waterloo Road exit, cross over the pedestrian crossing bearing left and turn right into Sandell Street. Walk to the end and turn left under bridge and you will see Brad Street immediately on your right, Theatre entrance is on the corner.

Barbra Streisand back in the frame to play Mama Rose in Gypsy film

Barbra Streisand may still play Mama Rose in a new Gypsy movie despite author Arthur Laurents deciding not to go ahead with the idea because he didn't think another movie version was necessary.

Laurents passed away aged 93 on 5th May and apparently in the month before his death had second thoughts and gave his blessing to the film. This would be the third film of Gypsy. The first being made in 1962 (starring Rosalind Russell) and then again in 1993 for television (starring Bette Midler). 

The New York Times is reporting that the film’s producer Joel Silver "is now concluding a deal with Ms. Streisand to star as Mama Rose; it would be her first on-screen singing-starring role since "Yentl" in 1983."

The Hollywood producer  is developing the film based on the 1959 Broadway musical and has made a deal with Universal Pictures to finance the picture.  (Laurents' agent has confirmed that he signed the project off before his death).

A director, screenwriter and actors for the other lead roles of Herbie and Louise still need to be chosen, but Silver said he was hopeful that production could begin next spring.

Wednesday, May 25

Phantom extends and moves matinees

The Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty’s Theatre has extended its booking period by six months to 28th April 2012.  Christmas performances from 19th-31st December are not yet on sale.

The show is also changing its mid week matinee with effect from 3rd November when it will move from Tuesday to Thursday.

Cast changes are due to take place in September with some cast members leaving on the 3rd.  John Owen-Jones is staying on playing the Phantom until March 2012.

Help! I’m A Prisoner In A Toothpaste Factory live radio recording at Leicester Square Theatre

Wireless Theatre KIDS presents a live recording of a radio drama written by John Antrobus (The Bedsitting Room, The Goon Show). It takes your children into the world of radio drama so that they can see what goes on behind the scenes.  

Help! I’m A Prisoner In A Toothpaste Factory is about Ronnie who finds himself trapped in a toothpaste factory! With hilarious characters, live music, wacky visuals and live sound effects performed by the Foley Brothers

Wireless Theatre KIDS is an online audio theatre company specialising in bringing radio drama and stories to children. They are part of the award winning Wireless Theatre Company which is an online audio theatre website which aims to keep radio drama alive for all ages!

Help! I’m A Prisoner In A Toothpaste Factory is a live children's radio recording which will take place on 30th July at 2.30pm at The Leicester Square Theatre’s Main House

Tickets for Help! I’m A Prisoner In A Toothpaste Factory

Casting for Victoria Wood's Musical That Day We Sang

Updated 20th November:  Victoria Wood's musical That Day We Sang is next being presented at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester from 5th December - 18th January.

The full cast has been announced: Dean Andrews is Tubby (DS Ray Carling in the BBC TV drama Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes), Anna Francolini/Enid with Sally Banks, Andy Brady, Faye Brookes, Joel Danziger, Craige Els, William Haresceugh, Darren Lawrence, Laura Medforth, Aki Omoshaybi, Kelly Price, Alex Starke and James Quinn.

Tickets for That Day We Sang 
...

Musical theatre diva and Olivier Award-winning actress Jenna Russell will star in Victoria Wood's That Day We Sang at the Manchester Opera House from 6th-16th July. She is joined in the cast by Vincent Franklin, Lorraine Bruce, Jemma Drake, Gerard Horan, Ian Marr and Martin Savage.

The musical is part of the biennial Manchester International Festival who commissioned Wood to write and direct the musical about two Mancunians: a prim secretary (Russell) and an overweight insurance man (Franklin).It’s the summer of 1969 and they are back on the stage of the Free Trade Hall forty years after they first stood there as children, singing their hearts out with Hallé orchestra. It’s the anniversary of the Manchester School Children’s Choir recording of Nymphs and Shepherds.

But Tubby and Enid don’t sing any more - they’re just doing a little interview for local television. And they are not children with everything ahead of them, they are two middle aged people who have left a lot of chances pass them by.

Two stories unfold in Victoria Wood’s new play: the children of 1929 are eagerly gearing up for the big day of the recording and in 1969, Tubby and Enid are trying to reconnect with who they were then, and who they could be now.

The piece will reconstruct the recording of the famous 78 of Purcell’s ‘Nymphs and Shepherds’ and will feature a specially formed Manchester Children’s Choir and members of the Hallé Youth Orchestra.

Alfie Boe, Matt Lucas, Sheila Hancock and Kerry Ellis on R2 this Friday

Friday Night is Music Night is launching the Classics Season in a special concert celebrating the music of Desert Island Discs at the Mermaid Theatre in Blackfriars.

Kirsty Young is presenting the programme with former castaways including Sheila Hancock, Paul Gambaccini and Jo Brand and special performances from Alfie Boe, Matt Lucas, Kerry Ellis, Ronnie Corbett, Julian Lloyd Webber, Courtney Pine, and  Maureen Lipman  with the BBC Concert Orchestra conducted by Roderick Dunk.

Tickets for the concert have sold out but you can hear it live on BBC Radio 2 on Friday 27th May at 8:00

Tuesday, May 24

Jonathan Ansell's guests on concert tour next month

Ex G4 singer Jonathan Ansell is starting an extensive UK concert tour Jonathan Ansell & Friends starting on 3rd June.

He has just announced that the “friends” joining him on this tour will include Helena Blackman (How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria), Olly Taheri (Merrily We Roll Along, Whistle Down the Wind) and Thomas Oliver (Only Men Aloud).

Monday, May 23

Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom to open in Sydney

As previously blogged, Moulin Rouge director Baz Luhrmann has agreed to turn his film Strictly Ballroom into a stage show. Luhrmann is spending four weeks in Sydney at the end of this year working with Global Creatures productions which has already invested millions in the project including acquiring the theatrical rights. He will be holding a workshop and looking at the show's structure, score and choreography with them.

He has just announced that Sydney has beaten London and New York to host the world premiere of the stage musical which will open at the Lyric Theatre from September 2013.

Strictly Ballroom was Luhrmann’s first film and a great hit at 1992 Cannes Film Festival. He wants to direct the production and turn it into something that will “redefine musical theatre”. "Of all my shows, Strictly Ballroom is the most personal," he said.

Sunday, May 22

Les Mis' Killian Donnelly joining Phantom

Killian Donnelly is currently playing Enjolras in Les Miserables at the Queen’s Theatre, but is due to leave on June 18th when the cast change takes place.

He has just announced that he will not be out of work for long as he is joining the cast of The Phantom of the Opera playing Raoul at Her Majesty’s Theatre when the cast change takes place in September.

Another "ex-Misser" John Owen-Jones is staying on playing the Phantom until March 2012 and Simon Shorten (Babet and JVJ cover in Les Mis) has also announced that he's joining the cast as understudy for the Phantom and swing.

Saturday, May 21

John Barrowman replacing Nigel Lythgoe on So You Think You Can Dance Tonight

Head honcho Nigel Lythgoe has commitments on American Idol which prevent him heading the judging panel on So You Think You Can Dance tonight so John Barrowman is to step in as a guest judge on the show which airs on BBC1 at 5:35 pm with the results show at 7:30 pm.

Arlene Phillips will be promoted to head judge for this week as the 10 remaining dancers are put through their paces with Lythgoe returning on May 28th.

Barrowman has already appeared as a guest judge in the current service at the “choreography camp” stage. He said “I can’t wait to come back and see how they have improved and developed as performers. It’s going to be great now it’s down to the top 10 dancers – the competition is getting hotter.”

Lythgoe is soon to launching another series of SYTYCD Dance in the US and added: “I will be watching them dance for their lives from LA. I have no doubt John will bring his incredible pedigree to the panel and keep the dancers on their toes.”

Friday, May 20

Betwixt Musical Booking Extended at Trafalgar Studios

Betwixt! is a comedy musical written and directed by Ian McFarlane which is playing at the Trafalgar Studios from Tuesday 26th July to Saturday 20th August. (Now extended 3 weeks to September 10th).

It is set in modern day New York,  with writer Bailey (suffering writer's block) and flamboyant roommate Cooper Fitzgerald being  catapulted headfirst into a strange enchanted world.

Their arrival fulfils a prophecy that tells of a brave hero and a great queen and they are tasked with searching out a fading daytime TV star who is the only hope for saving a pregnant princess from losing the throne...

Sex-crazed nymphs, hunchbacks, cross-dressing mutes, dancing reporters, enchantresses (of the evil-world-dominating variety) and a disembodied head with a Bavarian accent are teamed with sitcom-styled dialogue and a toe-tapping score in a truly funny musical comedy.

Ellen Greene (the original Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors) is playing three roles as the identical triplets - The Enchantress, Princess, Nymph Queen until 20th August.  Lizzie Roper will then take on the role for the extension of the run until September with  Steven Webb (Cooper) , Ashleigh Gray (Miranda) and newcomer Benedict Salter playing Bailey.

Olivier nominee and ex-Blue Peter presenter Peter Duncan also takes on three roles in the show playing The Great Garbo, Prince Haydn and Haydn Prince.

Tickets at: http://ambassadortickets.com

Tommy Steel Scrooge Tour in December

Tommy Steele will be appearing at The Lowry at Salford Quays this Christmas, playing Ebenezer Scrooge in Bill Kenwright’s record-breaking London Palladium production of the musical Scrooge.

Tommy Steele’s legendary career includes over 20 hit singles, Hollywood movies including The Happiest Millionaire and Finian’s Rainbow and the award winning stage musicals Half a Sixpence, Hans Andersen and Singin’ in the Rain.

Scrooge the Musical will be playing at The Lowry from Monday 12th December 2011 to Saturday January 2012.  Tickets at: www.thelowry.com

Before it opens at the Lowry,  Scrooge the Musical plays at the Liverpool Empire from 5th-10th December and in the New Year it is at the New Theatre in Oxford from 9th-14th January 2012.

Popular! Cabaret at Landor

John-Webb Carter and Chris Macklin  from Three Card Cabaret present Popular! – The Songs You’re Not Allowed To Sing Any More at the Landor Theatre from 24th-28th May at 8:00 pm

This is an evening of Musical Theatre cabaret featuring songs that no West End performer would dream of using as an audition piece.

Popular! Performers include Michael Baxter (Les Misérables 25th Anniversary Tour), Adam Bayjou (The Full Monty), Poppy Carter (The Children’s Hour) and Ashleigh Jones (The Full Monty) along with a special guest at each performance:

Helena Blackman 24th May - (How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? (BBC), South Pacific (UK Tour), West End Premiere of Sondheim's Saturday Night)
Sam Harrison 25th May – (Avenue Q, Salad Days, Crazy for You, Too
Marvellous for Words)
Lucy May Barker 26th May - (Spring Awakening, The Reluctant Debutante, The Crucible, and Earthquakes in London)
Anton Stephans 27th May – (Porgy and Bess, Starlight Express (UK Tour), Hey, Mr Producer!)
Jessica Robinson 28th May - (BBC1’s Over The Rainbow, Smokey Joes Café)

Tickets from: www.landortheatre.co.uk

Blue to perform at Michael Jackson’s Thriller Live 1000th West End performance

The West End musical Thriller Live is based on the music and life of Michael Jackson featuring classic songs played by a great band and a variety of singers playing Michael Jackson through all stages of his career.

It is celebrating its 1000th performance at the Lyric Theatre next Thursday 26th  May when there are one-off performances by the boy band Blue who have just competed in the Eurovision Song Contest and 13 year old Britain’s Got Talent's Shaheen Jafargholi who sang "Who's Lovin' You" at Michael Jackson's globally televised public memorial service in July 2009.

Ray Quinn and Samantha Womack on Sing If You Can tomorrow

Keith Lemon and Stacey Solomon present the extended grand final of this slightly alarming off the wall celebrity singing competition on ITV1 from 6:45-8:00 pm tomorrow evening, 21st May. 

The two teams who have been most successful on the Moneyspinner over the series return to fight it out for the title, taking on even more extreme challenges to try and win money for Teenage Cancer Trust.  Ray Quinn is singing with live snakes and EastEnder Samantha Womack (shortly due to star in the tour of South Pacific) is one of the panellists.

Thursday, May 19

Ria Jones & Graham Bickley Best of Broadway Concert

On Friday 14th October at 7:30 pm you can hear the Best of Broadway at the Royal Albert Hall. 

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and vocalists Ria Jones, Mary Carewe, Graham Bickley and Michael Dore are presenting numbers from favourite West End shows including Wicked, Mamma Mia!, Chicago, Les Misérables and many, many more!

Plus there is a special tribute to the MGM musicals featuring The Wizard of Oz, Kiss Me Kate, Annie Get Your Gun, Easter Parade and High Society.

David Firman is the Musical Director for the Concert.

Tickets at www.royalalberthall.com

Matilda opening at Cambridge Theatre in October

As previously mentioned, the RSC's smash hit Matilda the Musical is transferring into the West End with some members of the original company reprising  their Stratford roles including Lauren Ward as Miss Honey, Bertie Carvel as Miss Trunchbull, Josie Walker as Mrs Wormwood, Melanie Le Barrie as Mrs Phelps and Paul Kaye as Mr Wormwood.

Also staying on will be Marc Antolin, Verity Bentham, Michael Kent, Matthew Malthouse, Alastair Parker, Nick Searle and Emily Shaw.

The four children playing  Matilda are still being cast.
 
Matilda which starts  previewing  at the Cambridge Theatre on  Tuesday  18th October and opens on  22nd  November.

Buy Tickets for Matilda

Chicago the Musical on the move or closing?

The musical Chicago is currently playing at the Cambridge Theatre and was taking bookings to 29th January 2012.  But this has now changed and you can only book up until 27th August 2011, with tickets for  the RSC hit musical Matilda going on sale this Saturday for October previews and a November opening at the Cambridge.

As already mentioned, Roald Dahl’s Matilda needs the central aisle and the understage space which the Cambridge Theatre can provide and the Aldwych (which was originally mooted) is lacking.

As I have not heard of any closing notices being posted for Chicago, it is more likely that it will transfer to another theatre like the Aldwych.  This also ties in with new cast members Jonathan Wilkes and Debbie Kurup only being contracted until 26th June.

The producers of Chicago said today they "are hopeful the show's record breaking 14-year run in the West End will continue". Further details along with new casting for the show will be announced shortly.

Wednesday, May 18

Jye Frasca in Thrill Me at Charing Cross Theatre

After receiving rave reviews and a sell out run at the Tristan Bates Theatre, the multi-award winning musical Thrill Me - The Leopold & Loeb Story transfers to the Charing Cross Theatre (formerly the New Players Theatre) from Tuesday 17th May - Saturday 11th June  with George Maguire and Jye Frasca reprising their roles in Guy Retallack’s acclaimed production.

George Maguire plays Richard Loeb and Jye Frasca is Nathan Leopold. Frasca was the original Joe Pesci in the musical Jersey Boys and has regularly played Frankie Valli in the show . His other theatre credits include: Wicked, Mary Poppins (both West End) and Trevor Nunn’s productions of Love’s Labour’s Lost and Anything Goes (National Theatre). George Maguire’s West End credits include Oliver! and Fame.

Thrill Me is based on the true  case of Leopold and Loeb  who were  self- confessed “Thrill Killers”. It takes place in 1920’s Chicago when two rich college kids who are studying law become obsessed with crime and love. Loeb believed he was above the law and  Leopold was a loner who became a willing accomplice to what they both believed was the perfect crime...

The true events were also the basis for Never the Sinner, Swoon and Alfred Hitchcock’s thriller Rope.

Tickets at: http://charingcrosstheatre.ticketsolve.com

Line up at this year’s West End LIVE

London’s free theatrical extravaganza West End LIVE will be held from 11:00-18:00 on 18th June and 12:00-18:00 on 19th June. The seventh West End LIVE is being staged in Trafalgar Square instead of its usual location in Leicester Square which is being redeveloped. It is expected to attract 500,000 people to the capital.

This year’s line up includes new musicals Betty Blue Eyes, Ghost The Musical, The Wizard Of Oz, Shrek The Musical and Lend Me A Tenor The Musical. The event will feature a special sneak preview of the Broadway hit Rock Of Ages, which is not due to open in London until September but the US cast are flying in to perform.

The full line up of shows taking part includes Crazy For You, The Lion King, The Flying Karamazov Brothers, Jersey Boys, Legally Blonde The Musical, Love Never Dies, Mamma Mia!, Million Dollar Quartet, Potted Potter, Priscilla Queen Of The Desert The Musical, ZooNation’s Some Like It Hip Hop, Stomp, Thriller Live and War Horse.

West End stars  attending include Danielle Hope from The Wizard Of OzLee Mead from Legally Blonde, Sarah Lancashire & Reece Shearsmith from Betty Blue Eyes and Oliver Thornton, Don Gallagher and Richard Grieve from Priscilla Queen of the Desert. There will also be appearances by Angelina Ballerina and  Bob The Builder plus shows from Free Run, the West End Gospel Choir and the London Gay Men’s Chorus.

For more information visit www.westendlive.co.uk

New Barry Manilow 15 Minutes CD

15 Minutes is the first original album from singer-songwriter Barry Manilow in ten years. He has recently performed four sell out  shows at the London O2 Arena in front of more than 60,000 fans.

His new album’s title is inspired by the Andy Warhol quote that “In the future, everybody will be world famous for fifteen minutes”.

The tracks include 15 Minutes: Work The Room: Bring On Tomorrow: Now It’s For Real: Wine Song: He’s A Star: Written In Stone: Letter From A Fan / So Heavy, So High: Everybody’s Leavin’: Who Needs You?: Winner Go Down: Slept Through The End Of The World: Reflection: Trainwreck: 15 Minutes (Reprise) and Everything’s Gonna Be All Right

Barry Manilow’s 15 Minutes is due for release on 20th June, but you can pre-order it at a special Amazon issue price of £8.93 with free UK Super Saver Delivery.

Hannah Waddingham & Lesley Garrett Songs for Survivors

On Sunday 22nd May at 7:00 pm there will be a Songs For Survivors Concert at Cadogan Hall in London’s Sloane Square.

Songs for Survivors UK is a for a fundraiser supporting men who have been sexually violated and brings together opera legends including Lesley Garrett and West End stars including Hannah Waddingham from The Wizard of Oz. Other artistes appearing include David McAlmont, jazz sensation Ian Shaw and London Gay Men’s Chorus

Songs For SurvivorsUK marks the 25th anniversary of this pioneering organisation that provides a national helpline and London based counselling services to men who have experienced sexual violation at any time in their lives. The charity also assists the partners and carers of these men and provides links and signposting to services around the country.

Tickets: www.cadoganhall.com

Josh Groban, Katherine Jenkins & Rock of Ages Cast performing at Proms in the Park

This year’s Proms in the Park will be held in London’s Hyde Park on Sunday 10th September starting at 5:30pm.

The event will be hosted by BBC Radio 2’s Ken Bruce and artists performing include: Josh Groban, The Overtones, Deacon Blue, the Cast of Rock of Ages, Katherine Jenkins, Russell Watson, Lang Lang, the Royal Choral Society and the BBC Concert Orchestra conducted by Keith Lockhart.

Highlights of the Hyde Park concert will be included as part of the live coverage of the Last Night of the Proms on BBC One and BBC Two, while digital TV viewers can choose to watch the Royal Albert Hall Last Night or the Proms in the Park concert via the Red Button.

Tickets at: www.bbc.co.uk/

Tuesday, May 17

Mamma Mia! Cast Changes

There are some new cast members joining Mamma Mia! at the Prince of Wales Theatre with effect from 13th June as well as some old ones returning to the show.

Sally Ann Triplett is taking over from Linzi Hateley as Donna Sheridan (which is why she isn't making the transfer with the Plymouth Lend Me a Tenor cast).

She will be joined by Donna De Waal (Sophie Sheridan), Joanna Monro (Rosie), Craig Fletcher (Sky), Hannah Fairclough (Ali), Rachel Sargent (Lisa), Kim Ismay (Tanya),  Alex Jessop (Eddie), Oliver Senton (Harry Bright), Warren Sollars (Pepper), Mark Gillis (Bill Austin),William Tapley (Sam Carmichael) and Gerard Leighton Duffy as Father Alexander.
At certain performances, the role of  Donna Sheridan will be played by Melissa Jacques.

Tuesday, May 10

Graham Bickley & Jacqui Dankworth in Just the Swing

The Cadogan Hall located in the heart of Chelsea is presenting Just the Swing which is an evening of vintage and contemporary swing on Tuesday 2nd August at 19:30 with guest star vocalists Graham Bickley and Jacqueline Dankworth. 

Brass meets orchestral strings in classic songs including I've Got You Under My Skin, Have You Met Miss Jones?, Get Happy, I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm, Luck Be A Lady and many more.

Tickets at: www.cadoganhall.com

Meow Meow in Concert

Currently appearing in The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, the singing star of La Clique, Meow Meow, makes her long-awaited West End solo debut for 3 nights only at the Apollo Theatre from 23rd-25th June.

This is by popular demand following her sell-out season at the Soho Theatre.  The crowd-surfing queen of song presents her unique brand of kamikaze cabaret, obsessive love songs, 1930’s Shanghai show tunes, 60’s French pop, Brel, Brecht, Casal, Kitt, Radiohead revisioned and Dolly Parton!

Plus some tired old tricks and gorgeous cabaret ditties aided and abetted by musical director Lance Horne.

Visit: https://tickets.nimaxtheatres.com or call 0844 482 9671(24hrs) Tickets from £10.00

David Essex makes his EastEnders debut on 3rd June

The singer, actor and 1970s heartthrob David Essex  was born and raised in London’s East End, and is now set to appear in a role which has been described as his “charismatic alter-ego”.

This summer he will be extending the Moon clan by joining nephew Alfie (played by Shane Richie) and son Michael as Eddie Moon complete with on-screen sons - actors Matt Lapinskas (Anthony) and Tony Discipline (Tyler) who arrives in Albert Square looking for his father, while older brother Anthony arrives shortly after.

His first appearance on the show will be on Friday, 3rd June.

Essex was on set for some publicity photos prior to filming and said “I've met some of the cast I will be working with who were very friendly and welcoming and I can't wait to start filming. Being an East Ender myself I'm really excited to be joining Albert Square.”

Essex is also due to take his musical All the Fun of the Fair on the road again later this year.  It has already toured once and played at the Garrick Theatre in London’s West End last year.  The new tour starts at the New Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham on 16th September.

Monday, May 9

Spice Girls Viva Forever Musical Delayed

Although the director and writer are in place for the new Spice Girls' Viva Forever musical the timing has hit a stumbling block as the girls want to be involved in the stage spectacular but are all very busy with both work and family commitments. Victoria Beckham and Melanie Brown, are pregnant, while Emma Bunton gave birth to a son Tate last week.

Melanie Chisholm said: "We were planning to open around summer time but it's likely to be a Christmas show now. We've put it back to make sure it's right." She also said: "The script is funny and emotional. But there won't be any cameos from us."

David Bedella in Sondheim’s Road Show at Menier

As reported last October the Menier Chocolate Factory will present the European premiere of Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman’s latest musical Road Show from 24th June-17th September (opening night 6th July).

Road Show is the third collaboration between Sondheim and book writer John Weidman (Pacific Overtures and Assassins), but is not their first attempt with this material which has also been called Gold, Wise Guys and Bounce.

It tells the true boom-and-bust story of Addison Mizner and his fast-talking brother Wilson who were two of the most colourful and outrageous fortune seekers in American history.  It is about their adventures across America from the Alaskan Gold Rush to the Florida property boom in the 1930s.

This production is directed and designed by the Tony Award-winning John Doyle and features an outstanding cast that includes: David Bedella, Gillian Bevan, Adrian Der Gregorian, Fiona Dunn, Sarah Ingram, Michael Jibson, Julie Jupp, Glyn Kerslake, Elizabeth Marsh, Christopher Ragland, Jon Robyns and Robbie Scotcher

Tickets at: www.menierchocolatefactory.com

Saturday, May 7

Top Hat's Bill Deamer on SYTYCD

If you've just watched So You Think You Can Dance on BBC1 you can't fail to have loved the last Broadway number Sing, Sing, Sing which was choreographed by Bill Deamer.

His routine encapsulated all the magic of the Astaire and Rogers Hollywood numbers which makes him the perfect choice as choreographer for the Irving Berlin musical Top Hat which starts touring in August.

It has very strong cast featuring Tom Chambers, Summer Strallen, Martin Ball , Vivien Parry and Ricardo Afonso which means that a West End transfer early next year is highly likely.

Full cast breakdown for Shrek the Musical

The new musical Shrek starring Nigel Lindsay (Shrek), Richard Blackwood (Donkey), Nigel Harman (Lord Farquaad) and Amanda Holden as Princess Fiona had its first preview at Drury Lane last night.  There are quite a few more as the show does not have its opening night until 14th June.

The full cast breakdown is now available and joining the main characters above are Landi Oshinowo (Dragon, Humpty Dumpty), Jonathan Stewart (Pinocchio, Dragon Puppeteer), Jon Scott Clark (Peter Pan, Dragon Puppeteer), Lucy Tapp (Queen Lillian, Wicked Witch), Karli Vale (Fairy Godmother, Bluebird), Alice Fearn (Sugar Plum Fairy, Gingy), Bradley Jaden (Papa Bear), Emma Lindars (Mama Ogre, Mama Bear) and Delroy Artkinson (White Rabbit, Bishop) with  Michelle Francis (Tweedle Dee, Blind Mouse), Amy Beadel (Tweedle Dum, Teen Fiona), Dean Chisnall (Papa Ogre, Pig, Theloni, Knight), Ste Clough (Guard, Dragon Puppeteer), Ross Dawes (King Harold Wolf, Captain of the Guard, Pied Piper, Knight), Lucie Downer (Baby Bear, Blind Mouse), Ashley E Hale (Ugly Duckling, Blind Mouse), Aaron Lee Lambert (Pig, Knight), Stuart Matthew Price (Pig, Walter, Knight), Damien Poole (Mad Hatter, Dragon Puppeteer), Samantha Allison/Chorlene Biron-Monnier/Lauren Dawes /Madeleine Hill/Emilia Jones/Sophie Whyte (Young Fiona, Young Shrek, Dwarf), Stephanie Bron/Rosanna Hyland/Leigh-Anne Stone (Swing), Spencer O’Brien/Michael Watson/Lee William-Davis (Swing), Grant Murphy (Swing, Dance Captain) and Jacqui Sanchez (Swing, Puppet Captain)

Friday, May 6

Sondheim's Follies at Pleasance Theatre

Stephen Sondheim’s Follies is celebrating its fortieth anniversary this year, and there will be a fringe production of the show in London at the Pleasance Theatre in Islington. It will run there from 31st May until 11th June and is being produced by 2nd Company Productions who were responsible for the fortieth anniversary production of Company there last year.

The show features a number of Broadway standards including Losing My Mind, Broadway Baby, I’m Still Here, and Could I Leave You.

The large cast includes Maggie Robson (Sally Plummer), Sarah Shelton (Phyllis Stone), Angela Neal (Young Phyllis), David Anthony (Ben Stone), Daniel Norman (Young Ben), Ashley Knight (Buddy Plummer), Richard Chatwin (Young Buddy), Carola Stewart (Carlotta Campion) and Toni Green (Stella Deams).

Book tickets at www.pleasance.co.uk

Gypsy & West Side Story writer Arthur Laurents dies

Arthur Laurents was the writer of the classic stage musicals West Side Story and Gypsy. It has just been announced that he has died at his Manhattan home from complications of pneumonia.  He was aged 93.

One of his credits as a stage director was I Can Get It For You Wholesale, which is best remembered as the musical which introduced a 19-year-old Barbra Streisand to Broadway in 1962. Earlier this year Miss Streisand was in talks with Laurents to star in and possibly direct a new film version of Gypsy.

Martin Ball, Vivien Parry & Ricardo Afonso join Chambers and Strallen in Top Hat tour

The tour of the 1935 Irving Berlin musical Top Hat starts at the Milton Keynes Theatre on 16th August with the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers roles being played by Tom Chambers and Summer Strallen.  

They will now be joined by a very strong cast including  Martin Ball (currently Thenardier in Les Miserables) as Horace, Vivien Parry (Donna in Mamma Mia!) as Madge, Ricardo Afonso (currently Galileo in We Will Rock You)  as the poor dope Alberto Beddini and Stephen Boswell as Bates the valet.

Thursday, May 5

Jason Donovan staying on in The Sound of Music tour

Jason Donovan was originally playing the role of Captain Von Trapp in the tour of The Sound of Music until the end of June, but he is now staying with the show until 17th September (with the exception of Nottingham 19th July-6th August) when the role will be played by Keiron Crook.

Verity Rushworth is playing Maria until 6th August when Connie Fisher rejoins the show for the dates at the Cardiff Millennium Centre 23rd August-3rd September: Manchester Palace Theatre 5th-17th September: Newcastle Theatre Royal 20th September-8th October and at the New Wimbledon Theatre - 11th-22nd October

Casting for Captain Von Trapp is not yet confirmed for the Newcastle and Wimbledon dates.

Ben Richards to star with Daniel Boys and Les Dennis in Peter Pan

As already mentioned, Daniel Boys is to play Peter Pan in a new musical of the same name about the boy who never grew up which will play at The Grand Canal Theatre in Dublin from July 15th - August 8th  before a run at The Southampton Mayflower Theatre from December 9th - January 14th.

He is now being joined by Ben Richards (The Bill, Priscilla Queen of the Desert) who is playing Captain Hook, Maureen Nolan as Mrs Darling and Les Dennis (Hairspray) as Smee the pirate.

The show is a new take on J M Barrie's classic play which David Morgan will direct with choreography by Helen Rymer.  Music is by Robert Scott and book and lyrics by Roger Moss.

Wednesday, May 4

Jonathan Wilkes joining cast of Chicago

Jonathan Wilkes has recently been playing the role of Khashoggi in the tour of We Will Rock You.

He is now due to join the cast of Chicago at the Cambridge Theatre taking over the role of Billy Flynn from David Bedella when he leaves on 7th May.  Jonathan will be performing in the show from 9th May for a limited period of seven weeks.

Tuesday, May 3

Liam Tamne and Lauren Samuels at Café Koha on Friday

Show Off! is a London version of the piano bars of New York where anyone who loves musical theatre can listen to songs from the shows and even get up and perform.

It is held at Café Koha at11 St Martin's Court, London, WC2N 4AJ. (Look for the alley between Leicester Square tube station and the Wyndham's Theatre.) The doors open at 8:00 pm with the music starting at 9:00 pm and going on until 1:00 am.

This Friday 6th May Sarah Lark will be hosting the show with Liam Tamne, Lauren Samuels and Olivia Phillip scheduled to sing a few songs from Chris Passey's new album. 

www.showoffpianobar.com

Daniel Crossley, Michael Brandon and Scarlett Strallen join Singin' in the Rain

Daniel Crossley, Scarlett Strallen, Adam Cooper (Guys and Dolls), Michael Brandon (Jerry Springer The Opera), Sandra Dickinson (The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy) and Katherine Kingsley (Aspects of Love) will appear there in Singin’ in the Rain from 27th June-10th September. It will be directed by Jonathan Church, Chichester's Artistic Director.

Singin’ in the Rain is based on the MGM film which starred  Gene Kelly as Don Lockwood the silent movie star with everything he could want - fame, adulation and a well-publicised ‘romance’ with his co-star Lina Lamont. But Hollywood is about to change forever. There is rumour in the studio of a new kind of film, where the actors actually talk,  sing.and dance!

Singin’ in the Rain is the story of that first Hollywood musical, the moment when the silver screen found its voice and never looked back. It features classic numbers including Make ‘em Laugh, Good Morning, Moses Supposes and Singin’ in the Rain.