Adam Garcia back in Got to Dance on Sunday

West End star and actor Adam Garcia, singer and dancer Kimberly Wyatt and Ashley Banjo who is the  leader/choreographer of dance troupe Diversity have been searching for talented divas, crews, troupes and solo performers of every style and age to compete on Sky 1’s Got to Dance and win a cheque for £250,000.

The show starts on New Year's Day 1st January at 6:00 pm.  It is hosted by Davina McCall and will see up to 3,000 dance acts try their luck in trials for the new series in Dublin, Glasgow and London.  More than 71 dance variations will be on display, including African, Chinese ribbon, Cotswold Morris, electric boogie and hoofing which is a form of step dancing. 

214 acts are set to be asked back for another trial and 30 will eventually be chosen to perform in live semi-final shows ahead of a final showdown at Kensington Olympia in West London.

A second audition show can be seen on Sky 1 on Monday January 2nd at 6:00 pm.

Garcia last appeared in London's West in Stomp and is long overdue a return please ...

Helen Bonham Carter awarded CBE

Actress Helena Bonham Carter has been  recognised in the 2012 New Year Honours list and been awarded a CBE for services to drama.

She.is rumoured to be playing Madame Thenardier with Sacha Baron Cohen playing her innkeeper husband in the movie of Les Miserables which is due to begin rehearsals at the end of this month and filming in March.  Hugh Jackman is starring as Jean Valjean and Russell Crowe is playing Inspector Javert.

Bonham Carter is married to director Tim Burton and was last seen performing musically as Mrs Lovett in Sondheim's Sweeney Todd with Johnny Depp playing the demon barber.

Hear Alfie Boe's 100 Best Tunes Tonight

Alfie Boe is currently in the middle of his Bring Him Home Concert Tour and tonight you can hear him on BBC Radio2 at 8.00 pm presenting a selection of Your Hundred Best Tunes plus a few of his personal favourites from the worlds of opera, operetta and film.

Alfie Boe's selection includes recordings by Richard Tauber; Maria Callas; Richard Crooks and Caruso's 1902 recording of "Vesti La Guibba which became the first record to sell one million copies. His orchestral choices are taken from the last listeners' poll carried out in 2003 and include excerpts from Ralph Vaughan Williams' "The Lark Ascending", Bedrich Smetana's "Ma Vlast" and Rachmaninov's "Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini".

Andrew Lloyd Webber describes 2012 Olympics as West End Bloodbath

In an interview with the BBC Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber described the period of the 2012 Olympics as causing a "blood bath in London's West End".

"Nobody's going to go to the theatre at all" the composer told Radio 4's Today programme, predicting that "most of the theatres in London will shut. It's going to be very tough" he said, revealing advance bookings were "about 10%" of their normal level."

With moving around the capital being very difficult and tourists not buying theatre tickets over that period,  he said he knows of three large musical which will close during the Games and only the established "must sees" and "oldies" like Les Miserables, War Horse and Phantom of the Opera should attract enough business be able remain open.

On a more positive note  Lloyd Webber said a host of new musicals would arrive in the West End after the 2012 games including Viva Forever about the Spice Girls which has been written by Jennifer Saunders, Bridget Jones the Musical which stars Sheridan Smith with music by Lily Allen and the Tony award-winning The Book of Mormon.

Latest on Sir Tim Rice’s From here To Eternity Musical

As previously blogged, Sir Tim Rice plans to bring the 1951 James Jones novel “From Here to Eternity” to the London stage. He has acquired full rights to produce the story and already has a score based on the film and book written by Stuart Brazen.

Rice said “I've got a director; I've got a book writer; and, I found myself becoming the producer - it took me quite a while to get the rights. We still need some new songs, and Stuart wants me to do the lyrics, so I've already done one new song with him and we've got a few more in the works. I hope to get From Here To Eternity off the ground next year."

It has now been reported that Sir Tim Rice hopes to raise the necessary cash from small investors saying “There are lots of people who are willing to put up £10,000 to get the ball rolling. We’ll need about £5million and if it is any good, by opening night it should be paying for itself. I wouldn’t put my own money in as that would make it harder to tell if the show is any good or not. It clouds the judgment.”

Live Singing and Strict Diets for cast of Les Miserables Movie

Tony-award winner Hugh Jackman is still performing his one man show Hugh Jackman Back on Broadway at the Broadhurst Theatre until January 1st 2012, but has now confirmed that he will be heading for London at the end of January to begin rehearsals to play Jean Valjean in the movie version of Les Miserables.

Jackman said: "We start filming in March, and rehearsals at the end of January. It's an eighteen-year-period where I take the character”. At the start he's in a prison camp and Tom Hooper wants him to look the part in the early episodes of Valjean (starving-look, no pecs, etc) as Valjean is initially shown in a prison camp . . . moving to a bulk that is "massive like an ox".

Sacha Baron Cohen who is playing innkeeper Thenardier has reportedly been told he must sing live in the new film version. Unlike most film musicals, the cast will record their vocals live on camera rather than go into a studio first then mime on film to the pre-recorded vocal.

It's going to be hard work for the cast as they have to learn the complex songs, then they'll have to get it right on set in front of the other stars and crew.

After the Turn with music by Tim Prottey-Jones

After the Turn is a new British Pop/Rock Musical featuring the songs of up and coming composer Tim Prottey-Jones. It is playing at the Courtyard Theatre in Hackney from 31st January-25th February 2012.

Starring Ashleigh Gray, Liam Doyle, Tori Allen-Martin, Stephen Rolley, Greg Oliver and Steven Webb,  After The Turn is a story about grief, guilt, self-discovery, forgiveness and that thing we just can’t do without … love.

Tickets at: www.ticketmaster.co.uk

Tommy Steele: Bermondsey Boy on Radio 2 tonight

Veteran entertainer Tommy Steele has just celebrated his 75th birthday and is currently on a tour of Scrooge the Musical which is playing at the Salford Lowry over the festive season. 

On Radio2 tonight at 22:00  Don Black presents Tommy Steele: Bermondsey Boy. He was Britain's first Rock 'n' Roll star who has enjoyed a highly successful career in recordings on stage and screen.

Larry Parnes once said "Tommy Steele was the greatest entertainer that I ever had on my books" and he slowly moved away from rock 'n' roll into more mainstream entertainment, including pantomime, stage and screen.

Notable projects include The Tommy Steele Story, Hans Christian Andersen, Half A Sixpence, Singin' In The Rain, Some Like It Hot, and Doctor Doolittle. He is also a noted sculptor and painter who has exhibited at the Royal Academy.

Contributors to the programme include Julia Foster, Gillian Lynne, Laurie Mansfield, Michael Reed and Marty Wilde.

Graham Bickley & Mary Carewe sing The Music of Burt Bacharach

The Cadogan Hall are presenting a special Valentine’s Day Concert of The Music of Burt Bacharach: What the World Needs Now... with Mary Carewe, Graham Bickley, Cat Simmons and Sarah Lark as special guest vocalists accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with Richard Balcombe conducting,

The concert will take place on Tuesday 14th February at 7:30 pm and features some great numbers including Anyone Who Had A Heart; Close to You, Alfie, Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head, This Guy’s in Love With You and many more well-known classics written for great artists like Dusty Springfield, The Carpenters, Tom Jones, Dionne Warwick and Herb Alpert.

Tickets at https://esro.cadoganhall.com

Dianne Pilkington & Gerard Carey join Tyne Daly in Masterclass

Tyne Daly will make her West End debut in Terrence McNally’s 1995 drama Master Class 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.

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..

Other cast members joining Daly include Gerard Carey, Jeremy Cohen, Naomi O’Connell, Dianne Pilkington and Garrett Sorenson  

You can see a trailer for Master Class here.

Ruthie Henshall, Graham Bickley, Lance Ellington & Anna-Jane Casey in Guys & Dolls in Concert

Guys and Dolls in Concert with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra and Chorus is on a the Cadogan Hall from Wednesday 22nd- Saturday 25th August, (including a Saturday matinee).

The company includes actor Dennis Waterman (The Sweeney, Minder, New Tricks) as the Narrator: Ruthie Henshall as Miss Adelaide: Anna-Jane Casey (Cats, Starlight Express, West Side Story, Chicago) as Sarah Brown: Graham Bickley (Les Misérables, Miss Saigon, Jukebox, Sunset Boulevard) plays Nathan Detroit: Lance Ellington  (Strictly Come Dancing) is Sky Masterson. Richard Balcombe is the Musical director

Guys and Dolls tells  the story of a group of small  time gamblers and the ladies in their lives with classic songs including  Luck Be A Lady, Sit Down You're Rocking The Boat, If I Were A Bell, Sue Me, My Time of Day/I've Never Been in Love Before, Take Back Your Mink and the title song Guys and Dolls.

Tickets at https://esro.cadoganhall.com

John Owen-Jones, Hannah Waddingham and Mike Jibson in Leslie Bricusse Concert

West End stars John Owen-Jones, Hannah Waddingham and Mike Jibson join Sir Michael Parkinson who is presenting a special Friday Night is Music Night celebrating the 80th year of Leslie Bricusse on BBC Radio 2 on December 23rd at 8:00 pm.

Although best known for his partnership with Anthony Newley, Bricusse has worked with many other composers. Sammy Davis Jr. had hits with  What Kind of Fool Am I? (Stop the World - I Want to Get Off) and Candy Man (Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory). Other recording artists who have recorded his songs songs include Matt Monro and Frank Sinatra (My Kind of Girl), Shirley Bassey (Goldfinger), Harry Secombe (If I Ruled the World), Nancy Sinatra (You Only Live Twice), Maureen McGovern (Can You Read My Mind) and Diana Krall ("When I Look in Your Eyes).

Mike Dixon conducts the BBC Concert Orchestra with singers from the West End including John Owen-Jones, Hannah Waddingham and Michael Jibson plus the Finchley Children's Music Group and Annie Skates' Capital Voices.

The concert was recorded at London's Mermaid Theatre on Friday 16th December and in an interview with the Radio Times John Owen-Jones named Waddingham’s Can You Read My Mind and Jibson’s My Kind of Girl as standouts from his fellow performers - “really lovely songs I wasn’t familiar with.” Of his own selection he says: “I thoroughly enjoyed singing Feeling Good and If I Ruled the World – they just seem to ‘fit’ me, if you know what I mean.”.

Ramin Karimloo 2012 Concert Dates

Leading West End star Ramin Karimloo is currently appearing as Jean Valjean in Les Miserables at the Queens’ Theatre in London’s West End. 

He leaves the show next March and then goes on to do Ramin in Concert performing songs from his debut album along side some much loved West End favourites including Les Miserables, The Phantom of the Opera, Love Never Dies and South Pacific.
 
Ramin  In Concert will open at the Royal Festival Hall in  London on 1st May and then tour to the Cliffs Pavilion Southend. Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, Philharmonic Hall Liverpool, The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester and the Royal Concert Hall Glasgow where it ends on 20th May. 

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 2012.

Strictly Come Dancing Tours

BBC’s hugely popular Strictly Come Dancing comes to an end this weekend with the final being held in Blackpool between Harry Judd, Chelsee Healey and Jason Donovan.

Professional dancers from the show Flavia Cacace and Vincent Simone then open in London with their Midnight Tango show at the Aldwych Theatre in the West End which runs from 20th January until 31st March 2012.

If you can’t get into London to see the show then check out the dates for the Midnight Tango tour which opens in Manchester in April and visits a number of UK theatres until July.

Anton du Beke and Erin Boag are also touring the UK with a new show Anton & Erin's Let's Do It dancing to music from George Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Kander & Ebb and Cole Porter.  It opens in Northampton on 19th January and tours until 18th March.

Tom Chambers back in Top Hat Musical in March

The tour of Irving Berlin’s Top Hat starring Tom Chambers and Summer Strallen ended at the Leeds Grand Theatre on 10th December.

After taking a break over Christmas it starts again next March for a limited run at Woking and Bristol Theatres to try out some new songs plus do any tweaking that needs to be done before it starts previews at the Aldwych Theatre in London’s West End on April 19th.

David Tennant Presenting Shrek TV Christmas Special

Dr Who star David Tennant is going behind the screens to narrate an hour-long special Shrek: Once Upon A Time this Christmas on BBC3 at 9:00 pm on Friday 23rd December.

 "David Tennant narrates a celebratory look at how an ogre with a Scottish accent single-handedly changed the face of animation. It features exclusive interviews with the creative geniuses behind the award-winning animation and the voices that brought the story to life, including Cameron Diaz, Antonio Banderas, Jennifer Saunders and Shrek himself, Mike Myers."

You can see Shrek the Musical at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane where it is booking until October 21st 2012.

Listen to Nicole Scherzinger wth the Four Phantoms

Nicole Scherzinger performed with four past and present Phantoms of the Opera at last night's Royal Variety Show.

They were introduced by Lord Lloyd Webber  who described Ms Scherzinger as "performing out of her comfort zone".  Well she seemed pretty comfortable to me giving a flawless (and completely live) rendition of the song accompanied by notable Phantoms Simon Bowman, Ramin Karimloo, John Owen-Jones and Earl Carpenter.

You can hear Nicole Scherzinger singing Phantom of the Opera here

Jersey Boys Frankie Valli and Four Seasons at Royal Albert Hall

Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons will play their first show in the UK for 18 years when they appear at the Royal Albert Hall on 26th June next year.

They will be performing hits going back to the 1960’s including Big Girls Don’t Cry, Walk Like A Man, Rag Doll, Who Loves You, Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, Working My Way Back To You, Let’s Hang On, My Eyes Adored You, Bye, Bye, Baby (Baby Goodbye), December 1963 (Oh What A Night) and Grease.

The story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons is told in the very successful long-running musical Jersey Boys at the Prince Edward Theatre in London’s West End.

Shayne Ward & Oliver Tompsett staying with Rock of Ages

The Musical Rock of Ages is currently booking at the Shaftesbury Theatre until 20th October 2012.

It has recently been announced that the full original London cast line up including Justin Lee Collins, Shayne Ward, Oliver Tompsett, Amy Pemberton and Simon Lipkin are to continue in the show for at least another six months taking them through to the end of September 2012.

Barry Manilow has hip repair surgery

You can see Barry Manilow on the Royal Variety Show which is being broadcast from 7:30 pm on ITV1 tonight.  The show was recorded at the Salford Lowry earlier this month which allowed Mr Manilow to return to the States to undergo hip repair surgery on Monday - the day after completing a seven-year run of shows in Las Vegas.

68-year-old Manilow had the surgery at a Los Angeles hospital saying "That's what you get when you jump around to Copacabana for 30 years! It’s not hip replacement – never has been. I seem to have ripped the abductor muscles on both hips and messed up my bursas.After the surgery, the Doctors told me it will take three weeks before I can walk and then another three weeks to recover. And then it’s Chicago and Radio City!"

He is due back in the UK next year performing five arena concerts in May.

New Wind in the Willows Musical from Downton Abbey's Julian Fellowes

Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes is to write a new musical adaptation of Kenneth Grahame's novel The Wind in the Willows for London’s West End. Fellowes also won an Oscar for Gosford Park.

He will reunite with composer and lyricist duo George Stiles and Anthony Drewe for the project. Stiles and Drewe’s many collaborations include Betty Blue Eyes which ran in the West End earlier this year, and the Olivier Award-winning Honk! The trio previously worked together on Cameron Mackintosh's West End and Broadway production of Mary Poppins.

Fellowes said: "The Wind in the Willows is one of our greatest classics and as true and entertaining now as it has ever been. I am delighted and tremendously flattered to have been asked to write the book for the new musical. In fact, I suspect this is something I've been wanting to do subconsciously for many years."

Stiles added: "We all celebrate our English roots as writers and the musical possibilities of Kenneth Grahame's classic chime very strongly with me. The book itself is packed with music and songs so I can't wait to find the sounds to score Ratty, Mole, Badger, Toad and their adventures".

It is hoped that the musical will open in 2013. It will be produced by Jamie Hendry Productions whose recent shows include Legally Blonde the Musical, Birdsong, Spring Awakening and La Cage Aux Folles.

Charlie & The Chocolate Factory Musical to open at Palladium in 2013?

As already reported,  Roald Dahl’s novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory  is to be turned into a stage musical under the direction of Sam Mendes with the aim to start rehearsals early in 2013 and then begin previews in May of that year. Warner Bros studio, which controls the book’s rights, is in early negotiations for the show to open at the London Palladium.

The songs will be penned by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman who are the team behind Hairspray  using a libretto by David Greig (the man behind the National Theatre of Scotland's fantastical new version of Peter Pan).  Designer Mark Thompson has already begun preliminary work on how The Chocolate Factory will look and Peter Darling will choreograph.

The two film versions of  "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" starring Gene Wilder in 1971 and Johnny Depp in 2005 (directed by Tim Burton of Sweeney Todd and Alice in Wonderland fame) were both huge hits.

Aaron Tveit cast as Enjolras in LesMis Movie

The latest bit of casting news on the Les Miserables movies is that Broadway actor Aaron Tveit (pictured) is playing as Enjolras, the heroic student leader who heads the march to the Paris barricades. He is best known for originating the roles of Gabe in Next to Normal and Frank Abagnale Jr in Catch Me If You Can.

Tveit's other musical theatre credtis include Hairsperay (Link Larkin), Wicked! (Fiyero), Three Musketeers (D'Artagnan) and Rent (Roger Davis). He has also appeared on television in Gossip Girl and Ugly Betty.

He joins Hugh Jackman (Jean Valjean), Russell Crowe (Javert), Sacha Baron Cohen (Thenardier), Eddie Redmayne (Marius) and Anne Hathaway as Fantine.  Helena Bonham Carter is still in negotiations to play Madame Thenardier.

Latest on Finding Neverland Musical

As already reported, 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 are currently being held in London with Julian Ovenden playing J M Barrie and Jenna Russell as Sylvia Llewelyn Davies (whose sons inspired Barrie to write Peter Pan).

Songs include He Makes Me Smile which has Sylvia reflecting on what a difference Barrie has made to her family’s life and Ovenden’s duet You Don’t Know Me with Theo Stevenson who is playing Peter.

The workshop has a very distinguished cast  including Linda Thorson (of The Avengers fame), Allan Corduner, Scarlett Strallen, Beverley Klein and Alexander Hanson. The other Llewelyn Davies boys are played by Elliot Alinson, Connor Fitzgerald and Ilan Galkhoff.

Rob Ashford is directing and choreographing 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.

More Alfie Boe Bring Him Home Tour Dates

Alfie Boe has announced he will be performing two Scottish concerts next Summer. His sell-out Bring Him Home Tour started earlier this week and his new album Alfie was released at the end of October.

Alfie has now confirmed two additional concerts in Scotland in July,  He will be at Aberdeen Music Hall on 10th July and Dundee Caird Hall on the 11th.

Sacha Baron Cohen to play Thenardier in Les Miserables Movie

Sacha  Baron Cohen (aka Borat)  has landed a new film role playing innkeeper Monsieur Thenardier in the film version of Les Miserables starring Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe and Anne Hathaway.

I think it's great casting as the part of Thenardier involves a lot of comedy illustrated by the fact that it was recently played on stage in the West End by Matt Lucas. The last time I saw Baron Cohen in a musical was when he playing the over the top barber Signor Adolfo Pirelli in Tim Burton's version of Sweeney Todd starring Johnny Depp.

Casting is yet to be announced for Madame Thenardier but Helena Bonham Carter has been a trong rumour for some time.  Interestingly enough she played Mrs Lovett in Sweeney.

The director Tom Hooper is certainly getting together a stellar cast for Les Miserables the movie which begins shooting in the UK next March and is currently schedule for a December 2012 release date.

Hugh Jackman Back on Broadway raises record amount for charity

Hugh Jackman has been presenting his one man show Hugh Jackman, Back on Broadway and during just  three weeks of performances his post-show appeals to the audience for donations to the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS fund drive raised a whopping $857,740. That total was boosted auctions of undershirts worn by Jackman in the show which went for more than $10,000 each.

I was at a performance of Jackman’s the Boy from Oz on Broadway a few years ago when he held one of these fundraising auctions after the show and believe me the audience go mad for the lots and pay incredible amounts of money for anything which he has been wearing.  

Jackman was easily the highest fundraiser but other shows included How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying with $325,935 and The Book of Mormon came in third with $315, 968.

This man is charismatic on stage and really exciting to watch so I am really hoping that he manages to get this show on in London's West End while hs is here next year shooting the film of Les Miserables.

Paul O’Grady narrating Coronation Street the Musical

Paul O'Grady will join past and present cast members of Coronation Street on stage to narrate the Corrie musical called Street Of Dreams at Manchester's MEN Arena on 21st and 22nd March 2012.

ITV’s Coronation Street will be turned into an all-singing, all-dancing stage musical featuring some of the show's best-loved stars with Julie Goodyear reprising her role as Bet Lynch; Kevin Kennedy (who is currently appearing in We Will Rock You) is back as Curly Watts plus Brian Capron who played serial killer Richard Hillman. Current cast members include Katy Cavanagh who plays Julie Carp and William Roache who plays Ken Barlow.

There will be a 25 piece orchestra and the cast will perform songs based on famous scenes from the soap's 51-year history taking part in song and dance routines. The tunes include Woman Stanley Woman/ based on Hilda and Stan Ogden's second honeymoon: He's My Man/about a catfight between Elsie Tanner and Bet Lynch and Norman Bates With A Briefcase which is about murderer Richard Hillman. Former favourite characters such as Ena Sharples, Elsie Tanner and Hilda Ogden will also be featured.

The show is choreographed by Stephen Mear who has won Olivier Awards for his work on the stage versions of Mary Poppins and Hello Dolly.

Paul O'Grady is a massive fan of the soap and said he had "chunks of script from 30 years ago engraved in my memory. To relive it all alongside unforgettable characters and talent on the stage, revisiting such iconic scenes from across the years, is just brilliant. I can't wait to watch it all come together and the reaction it receives."

Latest on Les Miserables Movie

Oscar-winning director of the King's Speech Tom Hooper (pictured) is also directing the film of Les Miserables starring Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway and Eddie Redmayne which begins shooting in London next March with an initial release date set for December 2012.

King's Speech stars Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter are also said to be attached to the project.

Hooper said "I did test 3D and I was very tempted - I think it is a very interesting new form. But I slightly worry with 3D that some people will physically struggle with it. If you have a certain type of eyesight it can be more demanding than watching a normal movie. With a two-and-a-half hour film I didn't want to make something that anyone might think ‘That's not for me, because I don't like the medium’. I wanted to make a film that would touch everyone. I believe the story is so strong that 3D is not essential. So I can definitely announce it's good old-fashioned 2D.”

Hooper added that the casting of Eponine and Cosette would be announced soon adding "I've never done a film where big star actors are as obsessed with being in it as this!"

New Sting Musical The Last Ship

UPDATED 6TH FEBRUARY 2012: The Last Ship was tried out over the weekend at Newcastle’s Live Theatre with Sting attending two script-in-hand performances to gauge audience reaction.

Performers included Jimmy Nail and his sister Val McLane, while American producer Jeffrey Seller (Rent, Avenue Q), director Joe Mantallo and writer Brian Yorkey were also in attendance. The run-through was directed by Rob Mathes.

Sting said: “It’s kind of nerve-wracking and a huge risk to come to Newcastle and present something very unfinished and raw, and hope people will understand the process and feel they can invest in it emotionally. I was trying to honour that period of history here and these men. Although the conditions they worked in were appalling, with an inhospitable, toxic environment of asbestos, red lead and welding fumes, they were ferociously proud of the ships they built”

The story is drawn from his own childhood memories of growing up in the north east before he found fame as the lead singer of pop group The Police and centres on a group of shipyard workers who build their own ship after their yard is closed. Inspired by a local Priest  they decide to set sail.

The Last Ship is a stage musical adaptation of Sting's 1991 album "The Soul Cages" which includes his classic numbers Roxanne, Walking On The Moon and Message In A Bottle. Sting has already composed over 20 new songs plus the musical will include a handful of pre-existing Sting songs framed within a new context.

The musical  has also had a try-out in New York, had partly been influenced by his solo album The Soul Cages, released in 1990 shortly after the death of his father. Sting said that the musical would likely premiere in New York before transferring to the UK.

Alfie Boe & John Owen-Jones performing at Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod

John Owen-Jones is due to leave The Phantom of the Opera on Saturday to take a short break before he reprises the role on the Phantom Tour which starts at Plymouth in February and tenor Alfie Boe has just started his Bring Him Home Concert Tour. 

Both of them are appearing in the 2012 Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod which runs from Tuesday 3rd-Sunday 8th July. Owen-Jones performing in the Grand finale musical extravaganza on Sunday 8th July with Go Compare advert star Wynne Evans, Evans’ brother Mark Llywelyn Evans, soprano Fflur Wyn and Côr CF1 on the iconic Llangollen Pavilion stage.

Alfie Boe is appearing on Thursday 5th July with an All Singing, All Dancing Show Choirs competition

The box office opened on 5th December and you can get tickets Online booking at www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk   Box Office: 01978 862001 9.30am to 4.30pm weekdays. Email tickets@international-eisteddfod.co.uk

Gavin and Stacey the Musical?

Ruth Jones co-wrote the hit BBC series Gavin & Stacy with actor James Corden (currently starring in West End play One Man Two Guvnors) has announced plans for it to be turned into a stage production saying: "We'd love to do Gavin and Stacey: The Musical. I know it is something James wants to do too."

Ramin Karimloo, John Owen-Jones, Simon Bowman & Earl Carpenter on 2011 Royal Variety Show

The 2011 Royal Variety Show took places at the Lowry Theatre Salford Keys last night in the presence of HRH Princess Anne.

West End Stars performing included Adam Cooper and the cast of Singin' in the Rain which had rave reviews at the Chichester Festival Thetre earlier this year and is due to open in London's West End at the Palace Theatre in February.

Four West End leading men who did not appear in the ITV1 billing also made an appearance:  Ramin Karimloo who has just taken over the role of Jean Valjean from Alfie Boe in Les Miserables: John Owen-Jones who is currently the Phantom of the Opera and is shortly leaving the show to play the role on a national tour which starts next year: Simon Bowman who has played Jean Valjean and the Phantom and Earl Carpenter who has been playing the role of Khasoggi in We Will Rock You and is currently in  rehearsals to take over the role of Phantom from Owen-Jones and also play it in the latter half of the tour.

They were joined by Nicole Scherzinger who was spotted having dinner with Lord Lloyd Webber (who was in the audience last night) before the show.  She was introduced by the Lord as "performing alongside the cast of Phantom of the Opera".  She is known to be a Phantom fan and has made a recording of "Love Never Dies".  She said: “It was an honour to be in his company. To be asked to sing Phantom Of The Opera is amazing. I’m so excited to be performing again.”

The date on which the show is to be broadcast on ITV1 is December 14th at 7:30 pm

Adam Garcia back with Got To Dance 2012

Got to Dance is back for a third series on 1st January at 6:00 pm on Sky 1 HD and Sky 1. The second audition show will air on Monday 2nd January at 6:00 pm.

The reality TV series sets out to discover the country’s most talented dance floor divas by scouring the nation for Britain’s best crews, troupes and solo dancers of all styles and ages. The prize is a cash prize of £250k.
The series is hosted by Dania McCall and the auditions are judged by panel comprising West End star and actor Adam Garcia:  singer and trained dancer Kimberly Wyatt and Ashley Banjo, lead dancer and choreographer of Diversity.

Eight audition shows have been filmed in Dublin, Glasgow and London. The judges whittle down the shortlist down to a final 30, who then compete across five live semi-final shows. A public vote decides the eight finalists who will perform in front of a 6,000-strong audience at Kensington Olympia.

Hugh Jackman presenting one man show in West End next year

Hugh Jackman is  breaking box office records in his one man show at the Broadhurst Theatre on Broadway where he interacts with the audience and performs some great song-and-dance numbers.

He is currently talking to producer Robert Fox and Cameron Mackintosh about using one of his theatres for a series of Sunday night concerts while he’s in London next Spring filming his role of Jean Valjean in the musical Les Miserables for Oscar-winning director Tom Hooper.

As soon as the Les Miserables shooting schedule is fixed dates and a theatre will be announced.

Having seen him perform live on stage several times really hope this comes off!

Rebecca the Musical starring Sierra Boggess postponed

LATEST NEWS: Rebecca is being postponed until the end of 
2012/beginning of 2013 due to lack of funds.

Lead producer Ben Sprecher said: "It is with great disappointment that we have made the decision to postpone the Broadway debut of this phenomenal musical until next season. Rebecca is a grand and spectacular musical requiring substantial capitalization, and it's no secret that in this very negative economic climate, raising money for Broadway has become even more difficult and laborious than it has historically always been. We are very close to meeting our financial goal, but we just ran short of time to complete capitalization with rehearsals slated to begin in two weeks. We feel that Rebecca is too special of a musical to short change in any way. It is our responsibility to the creators of this show, to our cast, our partners, our investors and our vendors that the complete financing is in place before rehearsals begin. Rebecca on Broadway must have the proper chance to continue the successful track record it currently enjoys worldwide. My co-producers and I remain very committed to bringing this wonderful show to New York next season."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------More Casting has just been announced for the musical Rebecca which is based on the classic novel by Daphne Du Maurier.  It opens at the Broadhurst Theatre on Broadway on April 22nd (previews from 27th March).

As previously announced Sierra Boggess is playing the leading role of “I” and she will be joined by her real life partner Tam Mutu (Love Never Dies) as Maxim de Winter, Karen Mason (Sunset Boulevard, Mamma Mia!) as Mrs Danvers, James Barbour (Beauty and the Beast, A Tale of Two Cities) as Jack Favell, John Dossett (Gypsy) as Frank Crawley, Donna English (Lend Me A Tenor) as Beatrice de Winter and Nick Wyman (Les Miserables) as Giles.

Alfie Boe on Friday Night is Music Night Tomorrow

On Friday 2nd December at 20:00 on BBC Radio 2 you can hear Ken Bruce introduce Alfie Boe and soprano Rebecca Bottone performing with the BBC Concert Orchestra at the Chichester Festival Theatre in a concert recorded in February 2011

Alfie starts his Bring Him Home Concert Tour next week at Bristol Colston Hall and goes on an extensive UK tour until th February

Green Day American Idiot Musical Tour Dates

The Tony Award winning musical American Idiot will have its UK premiere at the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton next October before embarking on a short tour with the US cast which finishes at the Hammersmith Apollo in December. It is hoped a West End transfer may then be on the cards.

American Idiot features the songs of one of the influential rock band Green Day with hit songs include Boulevard of Broken Dreams, 21 Guns, Wake Me Up When September Ends, Holiday and American Idiot from Green Day’s 2004 Grammy award-winning album of the same name.

It is about three disaffected young men, Johnny, Will, and Tunny. Johnny and Tunny flee stifling suburbia and their parents’ restrictions to look for the freedom and excitement of the city while Will stays home to work out his relationship with his pregnant girlfriend. Tunny gives up on life in the city and joins the military while Johnny finds a part of himself that he grows to dislike, has a relationship and experiences lost love.

With a book by lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong and Tony award-winning director Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening), who also co-directs with British Olivier winner and choreographer Steven Hoggett.
Booking opens on Friday 9th December at 10:00 am

The tour dates are: October 9th-13th Southampton Mayflower Theatre: October 15th-20th Cardiff Wales Millennium Centre: October 22nd-27th  Edinburgh Playhouse: October 29th-November 3rd : Glasgow Clyde Auditorium: November 5th-10th Dublin Grand Canal Theatre: November 12th-24th Manchester Palace Theatre: November 26th-December 1st Birmingham Alexandra Theatre:  December 4th- 9th London  HMV Hammersmith Apollo