Wednesday, November 30

Judith Owen Live at the Pheasantry

Following her sell out West End show with Ruby Wax in "Losing It” and her two sell-out debut shows at The Pheasantry in the King’s Road, Judith Owen will be playing her final date there this year on Tuesday December 6th at 8:30 pm.

Guesting with Judith will be singer/songwriter Julia Fordham, Gabriella Swallow on cello, Judith's partner Harry Shearer (Spinal Tap and The Simpsons), will be playing double bass and Lawrence Cottle will play bass.

Owens' poignant music is emotional, moving and funny one minute and haunting and atmospheric the next. Her folk-jazz voice is soulfully cool and deeply introspective, whispering when necessary and wailing when the moment calls for candour.

Ticket price  £15.00 from www.pizzaexpresslive.co.uk/ Reservations:    Tel:  0845 6027017  (option 8)  

Alex Gaumond, Jamie Muscato, Jodie Jacobs, Darius Campbell and Katie Hall guests on Ruthie Henshall's After Show

David Bedella is  starring in Cardiff’s Christmas Panto so the next  “After Show with David Bedella” will be hosted by Ruthie Henshall on December 8th at the Alleycat Bar in Denmark Street. Doors: 10:00pm-3:00am

After Show is a live late night chat show with  Ruthie talking to an impressive line up of West End stars including Alex Gaumond, Jamie Muscato, Jodie Jacobs, Darius Campbell, Angie Brown, Ben Stott and Katie Hall. They will also sing a song or two along with a jazz trio and the very best of West End singers.

In the new year After Show will resume on Thursday, February 9th with David Bedella back at the helm.

Advance Tickets: £15 www.wegottickets.com
Cast Rate Tickets: £10 on the door

Complete new cast list for Ghost the Musical

I wrote yesterday that Caissie Levy and Richard Fleeshman were leaving Ghost the Musical in London's West End on 12th January next year to transfer with the show to Broadway, and that Siobhan Dillon and Mark Evans would be taking over their lead roles from 13th January.

The full new cast list for Ghost the Musical from 13th January is Siobhan Dillon (Molly Jensen), Mark Evans (Sam Wheat), Sharon D Clarke (Oda Mae Brown), Andrew Langtree (Carl Bruner), Ivan de Freitas (Willie Lopez), Adebayo Bolaji (Subway Ghost), Mark White (Hospital Ghost), Lisa Davina Phillip (Clara) and Jenny Fitzpatrick (Louise).

They are joined by  Jaygann Ayeh, Paul Ayres, Darren Carnall, Samuel Edwards, Rebecca Giacopazzi, Emily Hawgood, Louise Lawson, Rochelle Neil, Michael Peters, Laura Selwood, Yemie Sonuga, Spencer Stafford, Philippa Stefani, Jez Unwin, Sally Whitehead and Mark Willshire.

Tuesday, November 29

Mark Evans & Siobhan Dillon to star in Ghost the Musical

Caissie Levy (Molly Jensen) and Richard Fleeshman (Sam Wheat) are to transfer to the Broadway production of Ghost the Musical when it opens on April 23rd 2012 (previews from March 15th) .  They will be joined by Bryce Pinkham as Carl Bruner and  Da’Vine Joy Randolph as Oda Mae Brown.

Their roles in the London production will be taken by Siobhan Dillon and Mark Evans  from 13th January 2012.  They will join Sharon D Clarke as Oda Mae Brown and Andrew Langtree as Carl.

Ghost the Musical Cast Changes

Ghost the Musical is due to open on Broadway next year and in Melbourne in 2013. Closer to home in London's West End  there is a cast change due to take place in February at the Piccadilly Theatre.

Mark Evans who is currently playing Fiyero in Wicked! the musical takes over from Richard Fleeshman as Sam and Siobhan Dillon  takes over from Caissie Levy as Molly.

Jessie Buckley, Alison Jiear, Deborah Myers, James Graeme & Tim Howar in The Sound of Musicals

At 15:00 on 28th December at the Barbican Hall  The Sound of Musicals will feature West End stars Alison Jiear, Deborah Myers, James Graeme and Tim Howar performing a new programme of show-stopping songs from the greatest Broadway and West End musicals including: Les Misérables, Anything Goes, South Pacific, The Sound of Music, Sweet Charity, The Phantom of the Opera, Wicked, The Wizard of Oz, Grease, Love Never Dies, Cats and Carousel.

They will be accompanied by the London Concert Orchestra conducted by David Shrubsole

Tickets from: www.barbican.org.uk

Backbeat Beatles Musical Closing 18th February

The musical Backbeat which is about the Beatles early years in Hamburg during the 1960's is booking at the Duke of York’s Theatre until 24th March 2012, but it has just been announced that Zach Braff's comedy All New People will open at that theatre on 22nd February and Backbeat will now close on 18th February 2012.

Monday, November 28

David Bowie denies songs being used in Heroes Musical

Yesterday I wrote an article about Heroes: The Musical featuring David Bowie songs which was due to play at the IndigO2 in March.

It had been reported in a Sunday newspaper that Bowie had surprisingly given permission for his songs to be used in the show which was to feature a cast of over 30 performers and a live band.

This news seems to be inaccurate as last night David Bowie’s website issued a statement saying: "Neither the David Bowie Organization, nor its co-publishers EMI Music and Chrysalis, has issued a license for this performance at the O2. There are no negotiations pending for a long running musical featuring the music of Mr Bowie."

Must admit I felt a bit uneasy when I checked the O2 website and the musical was not listed, but with statements from the writer and a poster published it seems to be legitimate …

Sunday, November 27

David Bowie Songs in Heroes: The Musical

David Bowie has given his permission for the first time for his songs to be turned into a show called Heroes: The Musical which has been described as a futuristic fantasy which will be based on the story of Major Tom, the star man and a young man called David.

Heroes is a classic 1977 David Bowie track which is considered to be one of the greatest singles of all time.

Deep Singh wrote the musical and told the Observer: "We could not really believe it when they gave us permission. His people had warned us that it was very unlikely that he would be interested and that he had been asked many times before. We did not want Mr Bowie to think it was going to be a tribute show, and that seems to have had an effect. Mr Bowie's representatives have been incredibly supportive when we have asked them for things and yet hands-off in terms of letting us get on with the project."

Heroes: The Musical will be directed and choreographed by Matthew Gould and will feature around 20 songs including Heroes, The Man Who Sold the World and Let's Dance.  Gould said:  "We want the audience to become involved with the characters. There is a fear a whole generation might not get to hear Bowie's extraordinary music without a show like this."

The world premiere will take place at IndigO2 on Sunday 11th March 2012 with proceeds going to three charities, the Orpheus Centre, Albert & Friends Instant Circus and Youth Music Theatre UK.

Saturday, November 26

David Essex misses All the Fun of the Fair performance

Singer David Essex had to pull out of a performance at the Theatre Royal Bath last night after developing a viral infection. It is believed this is only the first or second time he has missed a performance or gig in his 40-year career. Essex saw a doctor and was advised to rest his voice.

His lead part of Levi Lee in All the Fun of the Fair was performed by understudy David Burrows. The production’s general manager said that he Essex had been struggling to give of his best and did not want to let fans down. “He’s a professional and he always wants to give 110% and his voice was not allowing him to sing to his full potential. He’s always very mindful that he doesn’t want to disappoint fans.

The stint in Bath ends today with matinee and evening performances and hopefully Essex will be well enough to perform at least one of the shows. The tour opens at Cardiff’s New Theatre on Monday.

Update Sunday 27th November:  David managed to perform at the evening show of All The Fun of the Fair last night so hopefully is now on the road to recovery.

Thursday, November 24

Alfie Boe Bring Him Home Concert at Cinemas live from Festival Hall

Tenor and West End star Alfie Boe leaves Les Miserables this Saturday to get ready for an extensive UK Concert Tour which starts on 6th December.

He performs at London’s Royal Festival Hall on 7th December when his Bring Him Home concert tour will be streamed live to certain Odeon and Myvue UK cinemas.

The concert will include a collection of classics including "When I Fall In Love", "Maria", "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" and "Bring Him Home" from Les Miserables.

He will also be joined by special guests including Matt Lucas, Melanie C, Claude Michel Schonberg and Tom Fletcher from McFly.

Wednesday, November 23

A Fish Called Wanda – The Musical?

John Cleese and his daughter Camilla have written a book for a musical version of the hit movie A Fish Called Wanda and after years of wrangling have just done a deal for the rights with MGM.  Work on the long-planned project stopped when the studio went bankrupt last year, but its new owners are much keener on the idea.

The Fawlty Towers/Monty Python star will also be meeting the producer financing the musical in New York next month saying that musicals take an enormously long time to put together: “It’s like the gestation period of an elephant. Someone told me the average is about seven years, so I’m being patient”.  Meanwhile he is looking for a director.

Su Pollard to star in Strictly Come Dancing Christmas show

Zany actress Su Pollard is best known for her role in 1980s sitcom Hi-De-Hi! And she has been playing the awful gin-soaked orphanage director Miss Hannigan on a tour of Annie which ends at Cambridge Corn Exchange on 31st December.

She will make her Strictly Come Dancing debut in the Christmas special dancing with Anton Du Beke, who partnered Nancy Dell'Olio in this year's series. Du Beke is also due to tour the UK in the New Year with his partner Erin Boag in Anton & Erin’s Let’s Do It.

Other stars dancing on the Christmas Day show include Simon Webbe from Blue who will be dancing with Katya Virshilas, ex-boxer Barry McGuigan with Erin Boag, ,comic Debra Stephenson with Ian Waite and EastEnders evil Janine Butcher actress Charlie Brooks will take to the floor with Vincent Simone.

Latest line up for Royal Variety Show

Latest confirmed line up (in alphabetical order) for 2011 Royal Variety Performance which Peter Kay is compering at the Lowry Salford Keys on Monday 5th December:

Tony Bennett, Greg Davies, Il Divo, Ce Lo Green, Peter Kay, Pixie Lott, Jason Manford, Barry Manilow, Jai McDowall, Tim Minchin (whose Matilda the musical is currently in the West End), Penn & Teller, Nicole Scherzinger and Adam Cooper and the cast of Singing In The Rain in an exclusive performance ahead of its opening in the West End next year,

The show will be screened by ITV later in December.

Tuesday, November 22

Matthew Cammelle taking over lead in South Pacific Tour

West End leading man Matthew Cammelle is to play Emile De Becque in the tour of South Pacific next year.He has a long list of credits to his name and had played both the Phantom and  Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty’s Theatre in  London's West End and on the UK Tour.

He was also  invited to perform in The Phantom of the Opera 25th Anniversary at the Royal Albert Hall and is part of a The Three Phantoms  with John Owen Jones and Earl Carpenter

Matthew will join the cast as French plantation owner Emile De Becque when it opens at the Southampton Mayflower on 17th January after Paulo Szot (who opened the show with at the Barbican) has reprised the role at Oxford from 21st-31st December. He will be joined by Samantha Womack as Nellie Forbush, Daniel Koek as Lt Cable, Loretta Ables Sayre as Bloody Mary and Alex Ferns as Luther Billis.

Oliver Thornton, Kerry Ellis, Gareth Gates & Hannah Waddingham in Children of Eden Charity Concert

LATEST NEWS 3rd January 2012:  Russell Grant to play Snake.

On 29th January next year Kerry Ellis, Gareth Gates , Hannah Waddingham  and Oliver Thornton will perform at a charity concert of Children of Eden at the Prince of Wales Theatre in London. The concert will be hosted by Stephen Schwartz.

The cast list is as follows:  Oliver Thornton (Adam), Anton Stephans (Father), Emma Barton (Eve), Gareth Gates (Cain), Brenda Edwards (Mamma Noah), Lauren Samuels (Yonah), Waylon Jacobs (Japheth) and John Wilding (Ham). Matt Brinkler,  Chloe Hart, Joanna Kirkland, Craig Rhys-Barlow and Gemma –Sandzer are Storytellers.The parts of Abe and Noah are still to be announced. The concert will be closed by special guest Kerry Ellis.

I saw Children of Eden during its short run at the Prince Edward Theatre in 1991 when it starred Ruthie Henshall and can't remember much about its score at all.

The music and lyrics are by Stephen Schwartz and the book is by John Caird.  It is  based on the Book of Genesis with Act I telling the story of Adam and Eve, Cain, and Abel and Act II dealing with Noah and the Flood.

The Children of Eden Concert is in aid of in aid of Crohn's and Colitis UK. Buy tickets at: https://tickets.delfont-mackintosh.com/

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Rocky the Musical to open in Hamburg next year

At a press conference in Germany launching Rocky the Musical Sylvester Stallone said he had always dreamed of turning his Oscar-winning film into a stage show: “I've always thought Rocky had the right stuff for a musical and have wanted to do it for a long time.”

It has been one of the highest grossing film series in history taking more than $1.25 billion worldwide with Stallone creating the story and directing four of its six episodes.

He said he wants the stage show to focus on the love story between Rocky Balboa and his future wife Adrian following the lead of Broadway production Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark.

Tony Award-winning songwriter Lynn Ahrens and composer Stephen Flaherty will write the musical score which will feature Gonna Fly Now and Survivor’s  Eye of the Tiger. It is planned to premiere the show next November in Hamburg.

Sly posed for pictures alongside the German-based giant Klitschko brothers who are producing the show. Elder brother Vitali is 6' 7", while his younger brother Wladimir is 6' 6". Between them they hold all of the belts in the heavyweight category.

As well as producing the show the duo are going to train the show's lead actor in an attempt to make him more believable on stage. Sylvester said he will also be taking an active role in preparing the musical's star: "I imagine I will be able to help the future star of the show to learn the body language of Rocky and to develop a feeling for the character. Boxers are always tense, always moving around, and each one has his own characteristics”.

Sheridan Smith starts work on Bridget Jones Musical in January

As previously mentioned, West End star and award winning actress  Sheridan Smith has just been voted as Best Actress at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards.

At the ceremony in London on Sunday night she was talking about the new Bridget Jones Musical and said: “Lily Allen’s written some of the songs already which I am really excited about. It’s progressing nicely and we’ve got a cast meeting in January when more will be done, and Lily will be teaching me how to sing the songs.”

She added: “Although Lily’s lovely, I am nervous that I won’t be able to do justice to her song-writing.” I'm sure she need not worry on that score as everything she touches seems to turn to gold at the moment!

Monday, November 21

Liza Minnelli Breaks her Leg in Three Places

Broadway star Liza Minnelli has broken her leg in three places after tripping over one of her pet dogs

She was seen being wheeled around New York City in a wheelchair with her leg in a cast over the weekend. But proving it takes more than a broken leg to keep her down she was carried on by two muscly men and placed in a deckchair as she took to the stage for the Schmoolie & Minnooli concert she was performing on Saturday with Sam Harris as part of the Broadway at Birdland concert series

Liza has already undergone three major surgeries for other injuries endured in the past with  two hip replacements and last year received a new knee. She once described herself as the Tin Man from The Wizard Of Oz on account of all of her injuries.

Sheridan Smith and Matilda Musical Win Evening Standard Theatre Awards

The London Evening Standard Theatre Awards winners were announced last night with the ceremony hosted by Dame Edna Everage.

West End star Sheridan Smith whose acting career is going from strength to strength picked up Best Actress for her role in Flare Path beating Samantha Spiro and Kristin Scott Thomas. The musical Wicked! was named "Best Night Out" by Evening Standard readers.

Roald Dahl’s Matilda which opened at the Royal Shakespeare Company last year and opens later this week in London's West End  took the Ned Sherrin Award for Best Musical (beating London Road and Betty Blue Eyes)

Special awards also went to Tom Stoppard, Kristin Scott Thomas and the Pet Shop Boys.

Friday, November 18

Only Men Aloud Christmas Concert Tour

Only Men Aloud are the male voice choir that won the BBC's Last Choir Standing competition in 2008.  They have announced details of a new UK Christmas tour which features a selection of festive songs, some new twists to familiar songs plus a mixture from both of their albums.

The tour dates are: Brangwyn Hall Swansea (29th November): Glasgow's Royal Concert Hall (2nd December): Norwich Theatre Royal (4th December): Nottingham Royal Centre (5th December): Gateshead Sage (6th December): Sheffield City Hall (9th December): Llandudno Venue Cymru (10th December): Preston Guild Hall (11th December): Manchester Bridgewater Hall (12th December): Liverpool Philharmonic Hall (13th December): Birmingham Symphony Hall (15th December): Bristol Colston Hall (16th December) and Cardiff Motorpoint Arena (17th December).

Buy tickets for Only Men Aloud Christmas Concert Tour

Liam Neeson in Jeff Wayne’s The War of the Worlds The New Generation

A new arena tour is kicking off at the end of 2012 of Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of The War of the Worlds The New Generation.  There will also be a new updated recording of the show which will be released by Sony in June 2012.

Tickets go on sale at 09:00 on 23rd November for Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of The War of the Worlds the New Generation.

The tour dates/venues I have so far are:  Liverpool Echo Arena/1st December, Wembley Arena/6th December, MEN Arena Manchester/8th December, O2 Arena London/15th December and the Brighton Centre 16th December 2012 plus Cardiff, Nottingham, Birmingham, Sheffield, Newcastle, Glasgow, Bournemouth - dates to follow.

In the last tour George Herbert the journalist was represented by Richard Burton in the form of an  11’ high holographic head hovering over the stage.

Liam Neeson will also appear on a hologram which he has already taken four days to shoot, but this time his whole body will also appear at stage level with the other actors.  The role has also been extended as Burton had 74 sequences  and Neeson has 90.

Some of other the artistes on the album and in the tour are cast but Wayne is waiting until all confirmed and will make a further announcement in the New Year.

Sheridan Smith in new series of Jimmy McGovern's Accused

Update 15th August:  The new series 2 of Accused started last night.  Sheridan is in episode 3  which will be on BBC1 on Tuesday 28th August at 9.00 pm.

Actress and West End star Sheridan Smith is to appear alongside comedian John Bishop in BBC1’s hard-hitting drama Accused which is a new four-part series written by Jimmy McGovern (Cracker, The Street).

This is the second series of Accused written by Danny Brocklehurst (Exile, The Street) and Jimmy McGovern. Sheridan plays palliative care nurse Charlotte and begins filming this weekend with  Bishop playing a troubled father called Peter with Misfits star Robert Sheehan playing his teenage son Stephen.

The gritty drama revolves around Stephen who is convinced that the palliative care nurse who is assigned to look after his mother has a very different agenda. He becomes increasingly paranoid about the welfare of his younger brother Dom and is at odds with his father Peter. But is Stephen stricken by grief or by something else?

The series is due to be shown on BBC1 early next year.

New Musical Finding Neverland Heading for the West End

A musical version of the film Finding Neverland, which starred Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet is heading for London’s West End.

Two workshops with a full cast will be held in London on December 12th with experienced performers Julian Ovenden playing J M Barrie and Jenna Russell as Sylvia Llewelyn Davies (whose sons inspired Barrie to write Peter Pan).

Rob Ashford will direct and choreograph the show. The composer is Scott Frankel who wrote Grey Gardens. Lyrics are by Michael Korie and the book is by Allan Knee whose novel was adapted into the film.

The current plan is to open Neverland at a regional theatre and then bring it to the West End next autumn or early in 2013.

Thursday, November 17

Michael Xavier to join Connie Fisher in Wonderful Town

The Royal Exchange Theatre, Hallé Orchestra and The Salford Lowry are combining their artistic forces to present a short tour of Leonard Bernstein’s musical comedy  Wonderful Town which opens at the Lowry next March.

As already announced Connie Fisher (star of The Sound of Music and winner of the BBC’s How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?) plays aspiring writer Ruth Sherwood who arrives in New York with her beautiful younger sister Eileen. And now she will be joined by Michael Xavier (Love Story and Into the Woods) playing Bob Baker with more casting to follow.

Cast for tour of Chicago

The tour of Chicago kicks off at the Bradford Alhambra next February and will star Ali Bastian (Hollyoaks, The Bill, Strictly Come Dancing, Burn the Floor) as Roxie Hart, Stefan Booth (EastEnders) as Billy Flynn, Tupele Dorgu (Coronation Street) as Velma Kelly and Bernie Nolan as Matron ‘Mama’ Morton.

More tour dates and casting to follow.

Wednesday, November 16

Matthew Kelly & LizMcClarnon Join Legally Blonde Tour Over Christmas

Leading television personality and award-winning actor Matthew Kelly and ex-Atomic Kitten singer and MasterChef Liz McClarnon join Faye Brookes, Iwan Lewis and Neil Toon in the  tour of Legally Blonde the Musical at the Sunderland Empire over the Festive season  from 6th – 31st December 2011.

Kelly will take over from Dave Willetts as Professor Callaghan and McClarnon will replace Claire Sweeney as Paulette.

Over the last year Mathew Kelly has been in London’s West End in Lend Me A Tenor and on the Tour of Spamalot playing King Arthur.  Liz McClarnon most recently played opposite Jason Donovan and Rhydian Roberts in a tour of Jeff Wayne’s War of the Worlds.

Details of 2011 Royal Variety Show

This year’s Royal Variety Performance will again be hosted by comedai Peter Kay and held at the Lowry’s Lyric Theatre in  Salford Quays Manchester on Monday, 5th December 2011 in the presence of Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal and her husband Vice-Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence. 

The show will be broadcast on ITV which earlier this year secured the rights to broadcast the event for the next ten years. It is usually on television on the following Saturday which is the 10th December but no details have yet been released.

 Performers lined up to take part include the legendary Tony Bennett, Barry Manilow (who is doing a short UK concert tour next year), Nicole Scherzinger, Pixie Lott , Cee Lo Green, Il Divo, magicians Penn and Teller, comedians Jason Manford, Greg Davies and Tim Minchin, singer Jai McDowall (the winning act from Britain’s Got Talent) and the cast of the West End show Singin’ In The Rain which played to sell out houses in Chichester earlier this year and is due to open at the Palace Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue next February.

The money raised will help maintain Brinsworth House in Twickenham which is the entertainers’ retirement and nursing home which is run by the Entertainment Artistes' Benevolent Fund.

Zoe Birkett & Amy Diamond join Gareth Gates in Tour of Hair

Starring alongside Gareth Gates in the tour of the musical Hair which starts next April will be fellow Pop Idol finalist Zoe Birkett playing the part of Dionne.

Zoe was recently seen in the West End in Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Thriller Live and Respect La Diva which she is due to tour with in January,
 
 BBC1’S Over the Rainbow finalist Amy Diamond will play the role of Sheila.

Ray Quinn, Les Dennis & Claire Sweeney to appear in Legally Blonde Tour at Liverpool

UPDATE 21st November: The tour of Legally Blonde is to return to Liverpool Empire from 7th -11th February next year when Claire Sweeney is due to reprise her role as the hairdresser Paulette and she will be joined by Ray Quinn playing Warner and Les Dennis as Professor Callaghan.  Les Dennis and Ray Quinn will then stay with the tour.

Claire is about to take a break from the tour to appear in panto at Stockport: Ray is about to  go into panto as Prince Charming in Cinderella at Darlington Civic Centre. Les Dennis can be seen as Smee in Peter Pan at Southampton Mayflower.

Rosemary Squire, Ambassador Theatre Group’s joint chief executive said: “It is a great honour to be bringing Legally Blonde back to Liverpool because it is where we launched the UK tour. Feedback from Empire audiences since then was overwhelming. The show really stuck a chord with the people of Liverpool.

Carousel 2012 Tour

Opera North is performing a major new production of the American musical Carousel next year. It opens at Leeds Grand from 2nd-19th May (booking opens 28th November) before visiting the Salford Lowry 23rd-26th May and London Barbican 15th August-2nd September. Booking is already open for the Lowry and Barbican.

Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel is a touching story of true love and the tragedy of feelings left unspoken  which features some of the most powerful music ever written for the stage including “You'll Never Walk Alone”, “If I Loved You” and joyful “June is Bustin' Out All Over”. 

The cast, chorus and orchestra of Opera North will be under the expert baton of James Holmes. Directed by Jo Davies, with designs by Anthony Ward and choreography by  Kim Brandstrup. Casting is still to be announced.

Starlight Express 2012 Tour

Starlight Express is touring again next year produced by Bill Kenwright Limited.

It is a rock musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber with lyrics by Richard Stilgoe and choreography by Arlene Phillips, with later revisions by Don Black and David Yazbek. It is one of the longest running musicals in West End history with 7,461 performances but the Broadway production only ran for 761 performances. The musical originally opened at the West End’s Apollo Victoria in 1984 and ran for 18 years January 2002.

The story is about a child's dream when his toy train set comes to life and the actors perform on roller skates. Andrew Lloyd Webber wrote it for two of his children.

Listings for the show which last toured in 2004 have recently appeared on a number of regional theatre websites including  Wimbledon Theatre from 10th-19th May  and Liverpool Empire from 17th-24th July

Monday, November 14

A West End Christmas Concert

Will be held at St Paul’s Actors’ Church in Bedford Street Covent Garden on Sunday 4th December at 7:30 pm (doors open at 7:00 pm).

The event will be hosted by Gaby Roslin together with Peter Bowles, Maureen Lipman, Nigel Harman, Hannah Waddingham, Alison Jiear, Scott Garnham, Will Barratt & Keiran Brown alongside West End Casts including: Disney's The Lion King, The Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Shrek, 39 Steps and Legally Blonde.

The Royal Academy of Music will once again join A West End Christmas Concert and there will also be an original piece by Anderson and Petty performed by the Musical Theatre Academy.

All proceeds from A West End Christmas go to MAD: The Make A Difference Trust which brings together the British Entertainment community and its audiences to raise funds to support people living with HIV and AIDS, and those in the entertainment industry facing hardship as a result of a long-term medical condition.

Book tickets for A West End Christmas Concert

The Phantom Phenomenon on BBC Radio 2 Tomorrow

With the release today of the Phantom of the Opera 25th Anniversary Concert at the Royal Albert Hall DVD the celebrations continue tomorrow on BBC Radio 2 at 22:00 in The Phantom Phenomenon when Don Black talks to composer Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyricist Charles Hart, producer Sir Cameron Mackintosh and the choreographer Gillian Lynne. 

He asks why this long-established musical continues to break records: to date it has been seen by 130 million people in 145 cities in 27 countries around the world. And it has taken an estimated $5.6 billion worldwide.  This is more than any film or stage play in history, including Avatar, Titanic, ET and Star Wars.

To mark the anniversary there was a special performance at London's Royal Albert Hall which was streamed live via satellite to cinemas across the globe. A few highlights from this performance will feature.


Sunday, November 13

Ramin Karimloo new album track listing and release date

West End star Ramin Karimloo has just completed a very successful concert tour entitled "A Night With the Phantom" and takes over the role of Jean Valjean from Alfie Boe in Les Miserables at the Queens Theatre on 29th November for a limited run.

His debut solo album, the self-titled Ramin, will be released by Sony next year and you can pre-order a copy from Amazon for £8.99 for dispatch on 6th February.

Tom Nichols has produced the 12-track disc which features a lot of original material by the singer as well songs he has performed in the West End including "Till I Hear You Sing" (from Love Never Dies) and "Music of the Night" (from The Phantom of the Opera).  There are also covers of songs such as Bryan Adams' "Everything I Do" and Muse's "Guiding Light"  plus numbers from the rock bands Ramin sung with as a teenager

The full track listing is. Show Me light - Coming Home - Music of the Night -  Broken Home - Guiding Light -  Human Heart - Constant Angel - Till  I Hear You Sing - Eyes of a Child -  Inside My World - Everything I Do and  Cathedrals

Thursday, November 10

Irving Berlin's Top Hat the Musical opening at Aldwych

The tour of Top Hat the Musical starring Summer Strallen and Tom Chambers is transferring into London’s West End opening at the Aldwych Theatre on 19th April next year and currently booking until 26th January 2014.

Top Hat  is a new musical version of the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers movie Top Hat, with music by Irving Berlin.The 1935 film of Top Hat is about American dancer Jerry Travers (played by Astaire) who is working in London for producer Horace Hardwick .

When practicing his new dance routine late one night in Horace's hotel he wakes the sleeping Dale Tremont (Ginger Rogers) in the room below. She knocks on his door to complain and the pair are immediately attracted to each other, but there are complications when Dale mistakes Jerry for Horace who is married to her friend.

Top Hat the movie had five songs: Isn’t This A Lovely Day (To Be Caught In The Rain), Cheek To Cheek, No Strings, Piccolino and the title song Top Hat (White Tie And Tails).  The production team (director Matthew White, choreographer Bill Deamer and producer Kenny Wax) have also included Let’s Face The Music And Dance and I’m Putting All My Eggs In One Basket.

Booking is already open and although it is expected that most of the cast will transfer into London the final list is still to be confirmed.

Book tickets for Top Hat at the Aldwych

Spamalot stars Jodie Prenger & Todd Carty to switch on Brighton Lights

Stars of the musical Spamalot including Jodie Prenger and Todd Carty are to switch on Brighton’s Christmas Lights on Wednesday November 16th at 5:30pm in East Street. 

The Monty Python musical is playing at Brighton’s Theatre Royal over the festive season with Marcus Brigstocke playing King Arthur, Jodie Prenger as the Lady of the Lake and Todd Carty playing Patsy.

A brand new Christmas lights scheme for the newly extended city centre Business Improvement District will be unveiled by Spamalot with the help of Juice FM, the cast the Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus and some very special guests.

Tour Dates for Hair Starring Gareth Gates

The list of dates for the tour of Hair starring Gareth Gates has just been released.

They are: Liverpool Empire 9th-14th April, Bromley Churchill Theatre 16th-21st April, Manchester Opera House 23rd-28th April, Birmingham Alexandra Theatre 30th April-5th May, Glasgow King’s Theatre 21st-26th May, Oxford New Theatre 28th May-2nd June, St Albans Arena 11th-16th June, Lowestoft Marina Theatre 25th-30th June, Blackpool Grand 2nd-7th July and Southampton Mayflower 16th-21st July.

Box offices are to open shortly and booking links to follow.

Michael Xavier in A West End Christmas

A West End Christmas is on at the Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham on Thursday 15th December at 7:30 pm.

West End soloists Leila Benn Harris, Jenna Lee James, Michael Xavier and Scott Davies will be accompanied by live band performing show-stopping numbers from the greatest London and Broadway musicals including Love Never Dies, The Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables, Chicago, My Fair Lady, Cats, Wicked and many more.

Box Office: 0119 989 5555 or www.trch.co.uk

Simon Bowman & Hannah Waddingham in Peter Polycarpou Concert

The Songs of My Life is a concert in celebration of the life and career of Peter Polycarpou.  It will take place on Sunday December 11th at 7:30 pm at the Garrick Theatre.

Peter will be performing numbers from shows he has appeared in and which have inspired him including Miss Saigon. Sweeney Todd Oklahoma! Imagine This, Les Miserables and many more. He will be accompanied by a choir and a principal ensemble.

The Songs of My Life features some very special guests including Hannah Waddingham, Pauline Quirke (who he starred with in Birds of a Feather), Emma Williams (from Love Story), Simon Bowman and Claire Moore (from Miss Saigon) and Michelle Collins, plus more to come.

Peter was a member of the original company in Les Miserables: he created the role of John in Miss Saigon: played Ali Hakim in Oklahoma! with Hugh Jackman: Daniel in Imagine This: Phil in Love Story and the Phantom in Phantom of the Opera, plus he was Chris Theodopolopodous in TV's Birds of a Feather. Most recently he has been appearing as the Beadle in the Chichester Festival Theatre Production of Sweeney Todd alongside Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton which is due to open at the Adelphi Theatre  next March.

Book Tickets at: https://tickets.nimaxtheatres.com

Wednesday, November 9

David Shannon, Jacqui Scott & Andrew Halliday in Broadway The Concert

At Birmingham Symphony Hall on Friday 10th February 2012. West End stars Jacqui Scott, Andrew Halliday and David Shannon will be accompanied by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra conducted by Martin Yates.
 
You can hear classic numbers including Gypsy - Overture • Broadway Medley • Oklahoma! - Overture • Guys & Dolls - Luck be a Lady Tonight • A Chorus Line - Nothing • Funny Girl - Don’t Rain on My Parade • Anything Goes - Friendship • Company - The Little Things You Do Together • All American - Once Upon a Time • Chicago - Mister Cellophane • Hair - Hair Medley • The Lion King - Can You Feel The Love Tonight? • Applause - Applause • Annie Get Your Gun - Anything You Can Do • Barnum - Come Follow the Band • West Side Story - Somewhere • South Pacific - Some Enchanted Evening • City of Angels - You’re Nothing Without Me • The Producers - Springtime for Hitler • La Cage Aux Folles - I Am What I Am • Wicked - Defying Gravity • The Man of La Mancha - The Impossible Dream

Produced in association with West End International Ltd. Book tickets at  0121 780 3333 or at www.cbso.co.uk

Michael Xavier Christmas at the Musicals Concert

Christmas at the Musicals - The Best of the West End is on at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on Sunday 11th December 2011 with two shows at 3:00 pm & 7:30 pm

Soloists: Leila Benn Harris, Helen Hobson, Michael Xavier and Scott Davies will be accompanied by Scottish Festival Orchestra and the City of Glasgow Chorus.  Conductor: John Owen Edwards.

Show-stopping numbers from the greatest West End and Broadway musicals including Love Never Dies, The Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables, Chicago, My Fair Lady, Wicked! and many, many more.

Box Office: 0141 353 8000 www.glasgowconcerthalls.com

Kerry Ellis, Peter Polycarpou, Daniel Boys and Bonnie Langford in Night Of 1000 Voices

UPDATED 5th February 2012:  The performers at The Night of 1000 Voices currently include Daniel Boys, Ricardo Afonso, Clive Rowe, Tiffany Graves, Kerry Ellis, Joanna Ampil, Edward Baruwa, David Durham, Yngve Gasoy-Romdal, Lydia Griffiths, Sophia Ragavelas, David Michael Johnson, Katie Rowley Jones, Caroline Sheen, Sally Ann Triplett, Tabitha Webb, Peter Polycarpou and Bonnie Langford (in a special number choreographed by Andrew Wright).   

Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway have intimated  that they will participate if they can, but they are at the mercy of the shooting schedules for the LesMis movie. The evening will be hosted by Christopher Biggins.

The annual fundraising concert for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research will be held at the Royal Albert Hall on May 6th. The concert will be celebrating the Best of British and will again be for the benefit of Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research which is dedicated to saving lives through leading UK research into better treatments and cures for leukaemia, lymphoma and mycelia. The charity receives no government funding and relies entirely on people coming together to fundraise.

Director Hugh Wooldridge revealed that the concert will feature numbers from musical theatre favourites including Evita, The Lion King, Jesus Christ Superstar, Les Miserables and We Will Rock You. 

Stuart Morley and David Farman will once again supervise the massed musical forces and director Hugh Wooldridge says “This evening is a must for all who love musicals. Come along and hear the best performers in the world performing some of the greatest songs. Come and join in the fun; come and raise funds for a most splendid charity whilst raising the roof of the Royal Albert Hall.

Tickets for The Night Of 1000 Voices start at £17.50 and can be purchased from the Royal Albert Hall box office on 020 7589 8212 or online at www.lastminute.com

Shona Lindsay performing at Halle’s Christmas Cracker

On Friday 23rd December at 7:30 pm Stephen Bell will be conducting the Halle Orchestra at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester with West End star Shona Lindsay singing classic Christmas songs including Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!, Winter Wonderland, Jingle Bells, It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, Silver Bells, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, A Wonderful Christmastime, White Christmas, The Holly and the Ivy, Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Sleigh Ride.

Shona Lindsay is currently appearing as Marjorie Houseman in the tour of Dirty Dancing.

Tickets at: www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk

Tuesday, November 8

Sheridan Smith in Daphne du Maurier’s The Scapegoat

West End star Sheridan Smith is riding high at the moment.  She has been nominated for best actress for her performance in Flare Path in this year’s Evening Standard Awards and is currently filming Quartet  which is being directed by Dustin Hoffman and also stars Dame Maggie Smith, Tom Courtenay, Pauline Collins and Billy Connolly. 

Her next appearance on the stage is next year playing the title role in the new Bridget Jones Musical which has music by Lily Allen.

And now ITV has just announced that she is in the cast for its forthcoming adaptation of Daphne du Maurier’s novel The Scapegoat. The drama is set in 1952 and follows two very different identical twins who swap identities.

Matthew Rhys will play the two lead roles, Dame Eileen Atkins will portray Lady Spence and Sheridan Smith, Jodhi May, Andrew Scott, Anton Lesser and Alice Orr Ewing also feature in the cast.

Charles Sturridge will write and direct and The Scapegoat will head to cinemas following its screening on ITV1.

Another bad boy from EastEnders to join Shrek cast

Nigel Lindsay, Nigel Harman and Kimberley Walsh will all be leaving Shrek the Musical on 27th February 2012.

From 29th February the part of Shrek will be played by Dean Chisnall who is currently understudying Nigel Lindsay in the title role and Neil McDermott (pictured) will play Lord Farquaad. He is another EastEnder who played bad boy Ryan Malloy in the soap. His stage credits include La Cage aux Folles at the Menier Chocolate Factory, Follies at London Palladium and The Sound of Music at the London Palladium.

The new Princess Fiona who is currently being played by Girls Aloud star Kimberley Walsh, is still to be confirmed.

Friday, November 4

New Monkee Business Musical

Monkee Business is a new musical featuring the songs of The Monkees which is due to run at the Manchester Opera House from March 29th to April 14th, before touring to Glasgow Kings Theatre and the Sunderland Empire. There are also plans to bring the show into the West End.

The Monkees were made instant world-wide stars by the famous TV series which aired from 1966 to 1968.  They were made up of Manchester’s Davy Jones and Americans Micky Dolenz, Peter Tork and Michael Nesmith.  They became one of most successful bands of their generation - at one time even outselling the Beatles and the Rolling Stones - releasing 121 songs on nine albums.

The show will feature many of the group’s hits including I’m A Believer, Last Train to Clarksville, My Boy Lollipop, You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me, Hey, Hey We’re The Monkees and Daydream Believer.

 The show is produced by Michael Rose and the Ambassador Theatre Group. Rose said: “Monkee Business the Musical is a real feel-good night out for all the family and I am so pleased we are getting to share it with Manchester first, having seen what great audiences the city has when we brought Chitty Chitty Bang Bang there in 2006 and 2010. It is a real privilege that EMI have given the production musical access to some of the greatest songs of the 20th century. I can’t wait to hear the Manchester response.

Casts of The Wizard of Oz and Rock of Ages on BBC Children in Need

Sir Terry Wogan, Fearne Cotton, Tess Daly and Alesha Dixon are presenting this year’s BBC Children in Need Appeal live from Television Centre on Friday 18th November.

One Direction open the proceedings as the traditional BBC Children in Need Appeal telethon starting at 7:30pm. Some of the music guests who follow include JLS, Westlife, Susan Boyle and The Collective (Gary Barlow, Ed Sheeran, Tinchy Stryder, Chipmunk, Ms Dynamite, Tulisa, Wretch 32, Rizzle Kicks, MzBratt, Dot Rotten and Labrinth) who will sing the BBC Children in Need single ‘Teardrop’.

Kylie Minogue, Daniel Craig, Jessie J and Cheryl Cole all make film contributions and the late night cabaret features the cast of Rock of Ages and The Wizard of Oz performing live in the studio.

Tyne Daly's Master Class heading for West End minus Sierra Boggess

Tyne Daly will make her West End debut in Terrence McNally’s 1995 drama Master Class.  The show is an extraordinary insight into the life and loves of Maria Callas, the iconic opera singer whose turbulent private life and fiery temperament were as astonishing as her formidable talents.

Inspired by her operatic master classes of the early 70s, this is a riveting, hilarious and intensely moving portrayal of the sacrifice and heartache behind the artist, the diva and the legend..  It will open at the Vaudeville Theatre for a 14 week run from January 21st to 28th April, with press night on 7th February 2012

Daly is best known in the UK for the TV police drama Cagney and Lacey, and is highly regarded in the States for her powerful theatre performances.

You can see a trailer for Master Class here.

She has already played the role at the Manhattan Theatre Club with Sierra Boggess. The show was originally scheduled to play a limited engagement but was extended twice playing through to 4th September. Sadly Boggess will not be able to reprise the role in London as she is due to play the leading role of “I” in the new musical adaptation of Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca which previews at the Broadhurst Theatre in New York from March 27th.


Sweeney Todd West End Transfer confirmed

The fabulous Chichester Festival Theatre production of Sweeney Todd starring Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton has now had a West End transfer confirmed.

The show will open at the Adelphi Theatre on 10th March 2012 following the National Theatre’s One Man, Two Guvnors starring James Corden.  Booking details will follow.

Stephen Sondheim has seen the show and even delayed a return trip home to see the production a second time. According to Baz Bamigboye in today's Daily  he considers the Chichester Sweeney to be a landmark production and would like it, and its two stars, to go to New York.