Friday, September 28

Full Cast for Spice Girls Viva Forever Musical

Full casting has just been announced for the Spice Girls' musical Viva Forever! which starts previews on 27th November and opens on 11th December at the Piccadilly Theatre in London's West End.

As previously announced the cast is led by Sally Ann Triplett and Hannah John-Kamen, who will play the momther and daughter Lauren and Viva.

Viva's three best friends will be played by Siobhan Athwal (Luce), Lucy Phelps (Diamond) and Dominique Provost-Chalkey (Holly). They are joined by Lucy Montgomery (Absolutely Fabulous, The IT Crowd) who plays Lauren’s best friend Suzi and Mitch is played by  Simon Slater.

The TV talent show judges are played by Bill Ward (Million Dollar Quartet and Coronation Street's Charlie Stubbs), Sally Dexter (The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe) and Tamara Wall (We Will Rock You, Never Forgt and Legally Blonde).

Ben Cura is Angel, the musical director of the TV talent show, while Hatty Preston plays production assistant Minty. Simon Adkins is Leon the Stylist and Anthony Topham is Lance the presenter.

The ensemble includes: Tom Kanavan, Zak Nemorin, Curtis Angus, Luke Jackson, Oliver Roll, David Rudin, Darren Carnall, Myles Brown, Charlotte Gorton, Rebecca McKinnis, Lucy Thatcher, Roxanne Palmer, Charlotte Walcott, Sophie Carmen-Jones, Carla Nella, Kirstie Skivington and Helen Ternent.

Brian May and Kerry Ellis New Born Free Tour

UPDATED 5th February: On 30th June Kerry Ellis and Brian May will take their Born Free tour to the Olympia Theatre in in Dublin with more  dates to be announced.

Rock legend Brian May will be touring with West End star Kerry Ellis Acoustic and by Candlelight during November in support of the world famous Born Free Foundation.

Queen guitarist Brian May will be performing new arrangements of songs he has specially chosen to be sung by Kerry, accompanying her on both guitar and vocals.

The tour will visit the following venues in December:  Bury St Edmunds Apex 5th: Leamington Assembly 6th: Corby Cube 7th: Tunbridge Wells Assembly Hall 9th: Brighton St George’s 10th : London Union Chapel 11th: St Albans Civic 12th : Crawley Hawth 15th : Portsmouth New Theatre Royal 16th : Salisbury City Hall 17th  and Wycombe Swan 19th November.


Thursday, September 27

Clive Rowe in Cabaret

Award-winning musical star Clive Rowe brings his one-man cabaret show to new cabaret /jazz room The Crazy Coqs at Brasserie Zedel in Sherwood Street, Piccadilly from October 15th-20th.

Clive's show Rose’s Front Stalls Bar is about his career from his first job working front of house at the Adelphi Theatre in London to his rise in fame and leading theatre roles. His shows are dedicated to a cockney theatre barmaid called Rose who loved to hear Clive sing.

Clive tells his story through familiar classic songs by Gershwin, Cole Porter, Steven Sondheim, Jason Robert Brown and many more. 

Since his first role whilst at drama school when he won the part of Dink in the Sheffield Crucible production of Carmen Jones, Clive has gone on to feature in acclaimed productions of Company, Carousel, Lady Be Good, Candide, Chicago and many others.

He is best known for his role as Nicely Nicely Johnson in the National's revival of Guys and Dolls, for which he won the 1997 Olivier for Best Supporting Performance in a Musical. Clive has also appeared in plays such as Money, Measure for Measure, Twelfth Night, The Mystery Plays, School for Scandal, Trackers and The Lady Killers.

He recently performed in  Kiss Me Kate at the Chichester Festival Theatre and after his week at Crazy Coqs will be rejoining the show when it opens at the Old Vic in London.

The Crazy Coqs is a unique and intimate cabaret venue in an exquisite Art Deco setting, which was formally part of the Regent Palace Hotel.  It has now been immaculately recreated from the original architectural drawings by restaurateurs Jeremy King and Chris Corbin.

Tickets: £20 Reservations: Telephone:  020 7 734 4888 Website: www.brasseriezedel.com


Sophie Evans - Late Night Jazz

Over the Rainbow runner up Sophie Evans has just finished playing Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium and is now about to perform her first headline London show.

Sophie Evans - Late Night Jazz is in the Elgar Room at the Royal Albert Hall at 9:45 pm on Thursday 4th October.  Her programme includes songs from the shows mixed with jazz standards and hit pop songs.

Cocktails and  food will be available.

Wednesday, September 26

Marianne Benedict, Scarlett Strallen and Liz Robertson West End Brides Charity Gala

At St Paul’s Actors Church in Covent Garden on 30th September at 7:30 pm Marianne Benedict (The Wizard of Oz), Scarlett Strallen (Singin' in the Rain) and Liz Robertson (My Fair Lady and Love Never Dies) will be performing a charity concert West End Brides in aid of the Jubilee Garden Appeal launched by Barbara Windsor in May.  The garden is now in danger because of subsidence, and the church urgently needs to raise £100,000.

All three performers were married in the church and will be performing a selection of classics from shows including My Fair Lady and Love Never Dies, Singin' in the Rain and The Wizard of Oz joined on stage by members of Sylvia Young Theatre School and Laine Theatre Arts.  There will be an opportunity to meet the stars after the show and the bar will be open throughout the evening

You can buy tickets from Tickets from https://shop.ticketscript.com

Les Miserables Film UK Release Date

As already blogged, the US release date for the film of Les Miserables starring Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe is now Christmas Day,  25th December.

The UK date is now later than originally planned (it was due to be early December) and will now be released on 11th January 2013.


Monday, September 24

Cast Change for Rock of Ages

The new cast for Rock of Ages which take over at the Shaftesbury Theatre tomorrow night are Daniel Fletcher/Dennis Dupree: Tim Howar/ Stacee Jaxx/Father: Ross Hunter/Drew: Natalie Andreou/Sherrie: Simon Lipkin/Lonny: Rohan Tickell/Hertz: Rachel McFarlane/Justice/Mother: Jodie Jacobs/Regina Candi: Sandy Moffat/Franz and Nathan Amzi/Mayor/Paul Gill.

They will be joined by Tim Driesen, Leanne Garretty, Selina Hamilton, Carly Mercedes Dyer, Grant Anthony, Scarlette Douglas, Cordelia Farnworth, Ian McIntosh and Andrew Spillett. 

Latest Poster for LesMis Film

Fabulous new poster for the film of Les Miserables which is now due to be released in the States on Christmas Day.

Isabelle Allen is the girl featured on the poster in the show's iconic pose.

Saturday, September 22

Sheridan Smith, Hugh Bonneville, Pudsey and Johnny Vegas to star in David Walliams Mr Stink

Updated 5th December: Mr Stink will be shown on BBC1 at 6:30 pm on 23rd December.

Updated 8th October:  Britain's Got Talent Winner Pudsey playing the dog in Mr Stink.

Updated 4th October:  Sheridan Smith and Johnny Vegas are now joining the cast of Mr Stink. They will play the parents of lonely 12-year-old Chloe.

David Walliams is a many of many talents and his latest foray in to writing children’s is a great success. With a very successful theatre tour of his Mr Stink books (when the audience were handed a scratch-and-sniff booklet to accompany the action), it is now being adapted for television starring the fabulous Hugh Bonneville who plays Lord Grantham in ITV’s blockbuster series Downton Abbey taking on a very different role and playing the lead..

Mr Stink tells the story of a lonely 12-year-old girl who befriends the homeless man and invites him to live at the end of her family's garden. The book has sold more than 250,000 copies and was short-listed for the Blue Peter best book of the decade award.

David Walliams will also appear in show playing the Prime Minister with Keith Lemon and Harish Patel. Filming for the BBC One comedy will begin next month and is expected to air around Christmas. It is the BBC's first fictional programme to be shot in 3D as part of a two-year experimentation with 3D production and distribution.

Cast for Madness Our House Charity Gala

Updated 19th October:  The cast for Our House is Suggs (Mr Casey) Alistair McGowan (Mr Pressman), Wendi Peters (Kath Casey), Tameka Empson (Billie), Chris Carswell (Joe Casey), Miria Parvin (Sarah), Jack Shalloo (Lewis), Jenny Fitzpatrick (Angie), Matt Cross (Reecey) who will be joined by Greg Airey, Georgie Ashford, Lauren Appleby, Kara Bayer, Gabrielle Brooks, Dougie Carter, Debbie Jenkins, Paul Kemble, Lewis Krik, Kayleigh Louise-Smith, Michael Melmoe, Jenny O'Leary, Carryl Thomas and Gavin Wilkinson.


The Madness Musical Our House will mark its 10th anniversary with a West End Gala Concert for Help for Heroes at the Savoy Theatre on Sunday November 11th at 7:00 pm

Winner of an  Olivier Award for Best New Musical Our house was first presented at the Cambridge Theatre in October 2002. It is written by Tim Firth (Calendar Girls, Kinky Boots, The Wedding Video) and tells the story of Joe Casey, his mates, his girlfriend Sarah and the night he commits a petty crime to impress her. Set in Camden, Our House, with the help of Madness music, follows the two paths his life would take if he either stays to face the music or makes a run for it.

Suggs from Madness will play Joe's dad and will be joined by many of the original West End cast members to perform Madness hits including Our House, Baggy Trousers, My Girl, Embarrassment, The Sun and The Rain, Driving In My Car, The Wings of a Dove, Night Boat to Cairo and It Must Be Love.

The original director Matthew Warchus (Matilda, Ghost The Musical, Lord of the Rings) is working with the show's designer Rob Howell (Matilda, Ghost The Musical, Private Lives) for this one night only gala concert.

Tickets from the Box Office on 0844 871 7687 or online www.atgtickets.com

Alfie Boe New Storyteller Album

Alfie Boe’s new album Storyteller is due for release on 12th November and can be pre-ordered from Amazon for £8.99

The tracklisting is:
  1. Bridge Over Troubled Water
  2. The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore
  3.  I Can't Help Falling In Love With You
  4. It's Over
  5. If I Can Dream
  6. Angie
  7. Shine A Light
  8. Everybody's Talking
  9. It's Now Or Never
  10. Please Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood
  11. Angel From Montgomery
  12. Wayfaring Stranger
  13. Rank Strangers To Me





Tim Minchin is Amazing as Judas

I went to the opening night of Jesus Christ Superstar last night with mixed feelings about whether I was going to like it this revival (having adored it the first time round).

Last night I loved parts of JCS and some scenes I did not care for much, but in the whole found he show very entertaining and worth seeing.

But this blog is not meant to be a review of the show (there will be enough of them around today) but is about Tim Minchin. I love the talented man and his work but I have always had extreme doubts about his vocal ability to perform Judas. I was proved right on this last night as he doesn't have the vocal depth and power to really put the numbers across as some of the Judas's I have heard, but that really is inconsequential as his overall performance is a tour de force and for me he is easily the star of the show!

He was the best Judas I have seen (and there have been many) with a performance which is all about powerful emotion and expression. Every time he came on stage I only looked at him and found him mesmerising.

All I am going to say about the other principals is that they put in good performances which will improve as they settle in the show but it's worth going just to see Mr Minchin alone!

Wednesday, September 19

West End Performers Concert for Great Ormond Street

Giggin4Good will return to St Paul's (The Actors’) Church, Covent Garden Piazza on Sunday October 7th at 7:00pm for another evening of West End musical theatre  in aid of Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital (with the funds being donated to the Neurology department which treats children with complex brain conditions).

This follows two highly successful concerts in July 2011 and February 2012 and will feature a number of West End and Broadway star performers including Sabrina Aloueche,  Matthew Barrow, Emily Booth, David Brewis, Rosie Clarkson, Lucyelle Cliffe, Joseph Connor, Matthew Croke, Jonathan Eio, Sarah Galbraith, Victoria Hamilton-Barritt, Alexia Khadime, Carolyn Maitland, Laura Mansell, Shaun McCourt, Twinnie Lee Moore, Kira Morsley, Rosa O’Reilly, Kit Orton, Chris Passey, Jean-Claude Pelletier, Dianne Pilkington, Joe Sterling, George Ure, Benjamin Vivian-Jones and  Ziggie Sky Ward.

The concert will showcase songs from a new Orton & Gould musical, Based On A True Story as well as a new song from My Land's Shore.  There will also be new music from  talented young songwriters  Joe Sterling and Chris Passey who were both featured in SimG Productions’ showcase of songs by new musical theatre composers on The Battersea Barge in March 2012.

Tickets :www.etickets.to/buy/?e=8623

Tuesday, September 18

Gary Barlow and Joss Stone on new War of the Worlds Recording

Based on HG Wells’ classic science fiction story and one of the most successful stage shows of recent times, Jeff Wayne's The War of The Worlds: The New Generation - Alive on Stage is going on a UK arena tour again starting on 29th November and a new double album is due to be released at the beginning of November.

Originally released in 1978, Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of the War of the Worlds spent over 330 weeks on the UK chart reaching No 1 in 11 countries and selling over 15 million copies. Jeff has once again brought HG Wells’ classic novel to life on a new double album both digitally and on vinyl, its original format.

Oscar-nominated actor Liam Neeson is playing the 3D holographic role of The Journalist for The New Generation Arena Tour and celebrated singer/songwriter/producer and Take That’s main man Gary Barlow will play the two key roles of The Journalist and The Sung Thoughts of The Journalist.

Gary will be the new voice of the two international hit singles The Eve of The War and Forever Autumn saying: “I’ve been a huge fan of The War of The Worlds score since I was a kid, so to be asked to work with the legend that is Jeff Wayne was a real privilege."

Ricky Wilson (lead singer from the Kaiser Chiefs) is playing the Artilleryman on the arena tour and will also appear on the new album.  Maverick Sabre is Parson Nathanial and Joss Stone is his wife giving a stunning rendition on The Spirit Of Man on the album. Alex Clare (following his breakout hit Too Close) takes over as The Voice of Humanity.

You can pre-order Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of The Worlds, The New Generation from Amazon

Monday, September 17

Loserville the Musical Biggest Geek Competition

The new musical Loserville is playing at the Garrick Theatre from Wednesday 17th October, following previews starting Monday 1st October.

Loserville is running a Twitter competition to find 100 geeks to each win 1 of 100 pairs of tickets to a preview performance of the show.  To win you  must:

1) Take a photo of yourself as a geek
2) Upload to @lsrvillemusical using the hashtag #thebiggestgeek
3) Cross your fingers, sit back and wait!

There will be 20 pairs of tickets available each day between Monday 17th September and Friday 21st September. The competition will close daily at 11:59pm when 20 winners will be selected at random, and then reopen at 12:00 pm the following day for the next opportunity to win! Winners will be announced daily before 12:00 pm!

Loserville is a new British musical written by two of the country’s up-and-coming young musical theatre writers, Elliot Davis and James Bourne, and will receive it’s London premiere at the Garrick Theatre.

It is 1971. Computer geek Michael Dork and his misfit friends Lucas, Marvin and Francis, are about to change the world. It's just that no-one knows it yet. But, when new girl Holly arrives in town, all of Michael’s dreams seem to be coming true – at last a girl with looks and brains that actually notices him. But when rich kid Eddie discovers Holly’s dark secret, he turns his back on girlfriend Leia, and sets out to ruin Michael’s future dreams.

Thursday, September 13

Update on Andrew Lloyd Webber New Stephen Ward/Profumo Affair Musical

Updated 19th December: Lord Lloyd Webber has told  The Globe and Mail today that his new musical on the Proumo Affair will reunite him with lyricist Don Black and playwright Christopher Hampton who were the team behind Sunset Boulevard.

On the Jonathon Ross Show last Saturday Andrew Lloyd Webber said he had just been at his home in Majorca working on a couple of songs for his new musical about the Profumo affair.

He also said that the difficult part was getting the structure together saying “It’s a matter of getting the shape, making it dramatically secure. One problem is how to handle the suicide.” and he has now told The Times that the show could explore a “terrible miscarriage of justice” involved in the case.

He expressed sympathy for Stephen Ward (pictured) who introduced Christine Keeler to John Profumo which led to a sensational political sex scandal. Ward was accused of living off immoral earnings and killed himself by taking an overdose of sleeping tablets.

Lloyd Webber said “He was a scapegoat. They had to find a crime to fit him. And since MI6 said there was no security risk, why is it a closed file till 2046?”

Kerry Ellis, John Owen-Jones, Connie Fisher and Mark Evans in A Night at the Musicals

The 2012 Cardiff Music Festival comes to a spectacular climax on Sunday 7th October with a celebration of musical theatre at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff

Following last year’s success, A Night at the Musicals returns with a live orchestra and stars of the West End and Broadway with Connie Fisher presenting and singers including Kerry Ellis, John Owen-Jones, Mark Evans, Sophie Evans, Lucie Jones, Lauren Samuels and soloists from Classical Brit Award winning choir Only Men Aloud.

They will present an evening of musical theatre favourites with songs from shows including The Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Chess, The Wizard of Oz, Chicago, South Pacific and Sweet Charity.

Buy tickets for A Night At The Musicals

The Last Session Starring Darren Day at Tristan Bates Theatre

Darren Day heads the cast of the European premiere of The Last Session, featuring music and lyrics by Steve Schalchlin and book by Jim Brochu with additional lyrics by John Bettis and Marie Cain. Guy Retallack will direct the production which plays at the Tristan Bates Theatre from September 25th-October 27th.

Set in 1966 and living in an era when treatment for AIDS was still largely experimental, Gideon is sick of and sickened by the treatments and by the disease.

To show his undying love to his partner, he plans to record a musical love letter. For this last session, he links up with some old friends and musicians and one unexpected visitor, for whom Gideon's sexuality changes everything. Will Gideon's wish ever be fulfilled?

The cast includes DARREN DAY/Gideon (Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Summer Holiday; Grease and Copacabana, Alfie, Carousel, Great Expectations, Godspell, The Rocky Horror Show, Hello Dolly, We Will Rock You and Brother Love’s Travelling Salvation Show: A J DEAN/Buddy (Dreamboats and Petticoats, Rock ‘n’ Roll Heaven and Save the Last Dance for Me): SIMONE CRADDOCK /Vicki: RON EMSLIE /Jim and LUCY VANDI/Tryshia.

Tom Turner is musical director with design by Ruth Hall and lighting by Richard Williamson

Tickets for The Last Session

Wednesday, September 12

Oliver Tompsett and Rachael Wooding Joining We Will Rock You

We Will Rock You has announced new cast members in the lead roles of Galileo and Scaramouche with Oliver Tompsett and Rachael Wooding taking over from Noel Sullivan and Lauren Samuels at the Dominion Theatre from October 8th.

Oliver Tompsett created the role of rock god Drew in Rock of Ages and has also appeared in the Olivier award-winning Madness musical Our House, Mamma Mia! and as Fiyero in Wicked!

Rachael Wooding has been in Hairspray, Jersey Boys and on tour in the title role of Evita. She is returning to We Will Rock You having played the role of Meat between 2006-2007.

Tompsett and Wooding are the only recasting of principals with  Kevin Kennedy (Pop), Brenda Edwards (Killer Queen), Rachel John (Meat), Wayne Robinson (Britney) and Alisdair Harvey (Khashoggi) all continuing in their roles. The current changeover will see in 15 new ensemble members.

The show has recently celebrated its 10th birthday, and about to hit its 4,000th performance on September 20th. There is also a 10th Anniversary World Arena Tour which kicks off in March 2013 at Nottingham Trent Arena. A special anniversary cast soundtrack is also to be released as a special 2 CD and DD set offering 11 additional and previously unavailable recordings.  This will be released on 15th October 2012.

Queen’s Brian May said:  “We're very excited to welcome our two new leading stars to ‘We Will Rock You’ London. We have had our eye on Olly Tompsett for a while, always thinking he would make a great Galileo.  It turns out he had had his eye on us too!  So that will be something momentous.  He will bring something special to the part, and I know his many fans will love seeing him interpret this role.  Rachael Wooding is, of course, an old and respected friend and was great in the role of Meat.  We had always hoped that she would return one day and take on Scara.  When we saw her this time we immediately realised this was the moment. Oliver and Rachel will be an explosive combination - can't wait!”

Claire Moore & Lance Ellington in Bond & Beyond

The BBC Philharmonic performs music from the world's best loved spy films, live from MediaCityUK in Salford on Friday 14th September at 20:00 on BBC Radio 2

Simon Mayo and Mark Kermode introduce songs from the James Bond films Goldfinger, Diamonds Are Forever and For Your Eyes Only; as well as music from Mission Impossible, Where Eagles Dare and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.

The BBC Philharmonic is conducted by Robert Ziegler with singers Ren Harvieu, Lance Ellington and Claire Moore.

The interval features a previously-unheard interview with composer John Barry  which was recorded in 2001. The English composer, who died last year, talks about his 007 years and a distinguished life in music.

Cast Announced and Booking Open for Merrily We Roll Along at Menier

As already mentioned, Sondheim's Merrily We Roll Along is playing at the Menier Chocolate Factory from 16th November-23rd February.

Maria Friedman is making her professional directorial debut at the Chocolate Factory and the cast has just been announced with leads Damian Humbley (The Last 5 Years; Little Shop of Horrors) as Charley Kringas: Olivier award winner and Tony nominee Jenna Russell (Sunday in the Park with George) as Mary Flynn with Mark Umbers (Sweet Charity) as Franklin Shepard. Olivier nominee Josefina Gabrielle (Sweet Charity) returns to the Menier to play the role of Gussie Carnegie with Glyn Kerslake (Road Show) who plays Joe Josephson. Clare Foster (Crazy For You) is playing Beth Spencer and Zizi Strallen (Rock of Ages) will play Meg Kincaid.

Full casting will be confirmed shortly.

Based on the play by Kaufman and Hart, Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s musical charts the turbulent relationship between three friends, Franklin, Charley and Mary, over three decades. Starting in 1980 and travelling backwards in time, this powerful and moving story features some of Sondheim’s most beautiful songs including ‘Good Thing Going’, ‘Not a Day Goes By’ and ‘Old Friends’.

Buy tickets for Merrily We Roll Along

Tuesday, September 11

Open Auditions for A Chorus Line

Open auditions for the London revival of A Chorus Line will commence on Monday 1st October at the London Palladium.

The production rehearses from 2nd January 2013 with first preview on 2nd February and press night on 19th  February at the London Palladium.

The producers are looking for superb male and female dancers/singers aged 18 to 35
  • Auditions at London Palladium on Monday 1st October (main entrance Argyll Street)
  •  Registration: 9.00am to 12.00pm
  • Auditions: 10.00am to 6.00pm. (if you get through the dance call you will be required to sing so be prepared to stay all day)
  •  Callbacks: 3rd - 5th October
  • Final Recalls: 8th-17th November
All candidates are required to bring a headshot stapled to current resume showing name, home address, mobile number and email address.They must  be dressed to dance. Ladies need to bring heels.

All candidates should bring a song that shows off their range (up to 32 bars, sheet music only, no backing tracks). The auditions may be filmed/photographed   


Monday, September 10

Ruthie Henshall So you Want To Be In Musicals

West End diva Ruthie Henshall has written So You Want To Be In Musicals? with Daniel Bowling .  It covers all areas of working in musical theatre: training, the audition process, warm up exercises, rehearsals and performing including how to deal with nerves, what to do as an understudy and how to sustain eight-shows-a-week. It also covers how to get an agent.

Ruthie brings a wealth of experience to the book with a 25 year career in musical theatre in London and New York playing leading roles in Chicago, Cats, Les Misérables, The Woman in White, Marguerite, Oliver! and Miss Saigon. 

Daniel Bowling is music supervisor and music director for Cameron Mackintosh and has worked on some of the West End's biggest shows including The Phantom of the Opera, Joseph, Mary Poppins and Avenue Q. 

So you Want to be in Musicals is due for release on  27th September and can be pre-ordered from Amazon for £7.59.

First day of Rehearsals for The Bodyguard

Rehearsals started today for the new musical The Bodyguard which is due to start previews at the Adelphi Theatre on 6th November.

The photo was taken by Heather Headley who has flown in from the States to make her home in the UK while she plays Rachel Marron.

You can see hear the incredible Miss Headley singing the classic  I Will Always Love You by clicking on the link.

More Delays for Rebecca Opening

The ill fated musical Rebecca based on the classic novel by Daphne du Maurier, has sufferd yet another setback and delayed the start of its rehearsals by two weeks after to the death of an investor responsible for a $4.5 million investment pool.

The new musical was originally meant to open in the UK but no suitable theatre could be found. It was then scheduled for the 2011/12 Broadway season with Sierra Boggess and Tam Mutu as its stars, but was postponed in January 2012 due to incomplete capitalization.  Boggess and Mutu had to pull out due to other commitments and are both now starring in Les Miserables in London's West End.

Producers Ben Sprecher and Louise Forlenza in a statement: "Since the tragic and sudden death of a major investor in early August, we have been working with the representatives of the estate to complete the committed investment. We had been reassured that the commitment would be honored, and have tried day and night to finalize this matter, but as of yet have been unable to do so, which has left us no choice but to delay the start of rehearsals for Rebecca by two weeks. We are fiercely committed to resolving this issue as soon as possible and getting the production back on track in two weeks."

Rebecca  was scheduled to begin rehearsals Monday, Septemberth 10 prior to an October 30th  first preview and November 18th premiere at the Broadhurst Theatre. It is now scheduled to begin rehearsals Monday, September 24th September with preview and opening dates to be confirmed when the financial issue is resolved.


Saturday, September 8

Ghost the Musical Australian Opening Postponed

The Australian production of Ghost the musical which was scheduled to open in Melbourne next year has has been postponed with no new dates yet announced.

Australian producer Louise Withers said "Initially we thought we would be able to use the U.K. set but it will take too long to transport it in Australia where the market has to be reduced, based on the shorter seasons the show has had in the UK and the US"

The show was not well received on Broadway shuttering early and the London production of Ghost will close on 6th October at the Piccadilly Theatre.

A national US tour is planned for autumn 2013, with productions also in the pipeline for Korea, Germany, Sweden, Hungary, Japan and China.
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Friday, September 7

Douglas Hodge playing Willy Wonka in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Award-winning actor Douglas Hodge is following in the footsteps of Gene Wilder and Johnny Depp (who played the sweet-maker in the two movies) by playing Willy Wonka in Sam Mendes’ £10 million musical adaptation of Roald Dahl’s Charlie And The Chocolate Factory  which previews at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane on 18th May next year  with an Opening Night around Tuesday 25th June. Tickets go on sale next month.

Mendes wanted a ‘proper actor’ for Wonka and according to Baz Bamigboye in today's Mail Hodge was made an offer he couldn’t refuse.  Apparently he had been considering  playing Barnum in a revival of the musical of the same name, but decided to work with Mendes to recreate Wonka for the stage.

I am a great fan of Douglas Hodge who has a very distinguished career. He  is a classically-trained actor and musician who can sing, dance and act. He won Olivier and Tony awards for La Cage Aux Folles in the West End and on Broadway.




A Chorus Line to Open at Palladium Next year

With Shrek the Musical now due to close next February at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane it has paved the way for the new musical Charlie and the Chocolate Factory starring Douglas Hodge as Willy Wonka to open there instead of The London Palladium as first announced.

The Wizard of Oz closed its doors at the Palladium on Sunday which means that the theatre is now dark. Scrooge starring Tommy Steele is due to play there for a strictly limited season from October 24th – January 5th 2013 and it has just been announced that A Chorus Line will now open there next year for a limited run from February to June.

It will be directed by Bob Avian who was Michael Bennett’s co-director and co-choreographer when A Chorus Line was first staged in New York and then London in the Seventies.  A Chorus Line was a box office and critical hit on Broadway with12 Tony Award nominations (winning 9) in addition to the 1976 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. It ran for 6,137 performances, becoming the longest-running production in Broadway history until surpassed by Cats in 1997.

The late and great Marvin Hamlisch wrote the score with numbers including I Hope I Get It, At The Ballet, Dance: Ten; Looks: Three, One (Singular Sensation), and What I Did For Love.

Andrew Lloyd Webber (owner of the Palladium) said: "I am delighted to welcome A Chorus Line. This classic Broadway production has not been seen in the West End for almost 35 years, Marvin Hamlisch was a great friend and supporter in my early career and I can think of no more fitting tribute to him than this major revival."

It will preview at the London Palladium on February 2nd next year (opening night on 19th February) and run until 29th June.

Thursday, September 6

Preview of Jesus Christ Superstar on Jonathan Ross Show Tonight

Updated Saturday 8th September:

Guests on this tonight's Jonathan Ross Show include Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber with Jesus Christ Superstar cast members Tim Minchin (Judas), Mel C (pictured here as a very modern Mary Magdalene with dreadlocks, a leather jacket and boots) and Ben Forster (Jesus) performing an edited version of Everything’s Alright along with backing singing from the show’s Soul Girls.

The show airs on Saturday 8th September on ITV1 at 9:55pm.

Wednesday, September 5

David Shannon Music from James Bond

David Shannon is singing and narrating the concert Shaken, Not Stirred: The Music from Bond...James Bond at the National Concert Hall in Dublin on Thursday 20th September at 8:00 pm

The RTÉ Concert Orchestra conducted by David Brophy present the ultimate musical tribute to the world's favourite secret agent with orchestral and vocal themes from Goldfinger, Live and Let Die, Licence to Kill including numbers The Look of Love, Casino Royale, The World is Not Enough, Thunderball, A View to a Kill Suite, The Man with the Golden Gun, GoldenEye, For Your Eyes Only, Diamonds are Forever.

Tickets from www.rte.ie/

Alfie Boe Tour Dates Added

Alfie Boe’s new biography “My Story” was released on August 31st, he has a new studio album Storyteller which is expected to be released on 12th November 2012 and a new UK tour which starts in March 2013. 

Four new dates have just been added

•    2nd April  Nottingham Royal Concert Hall
•    5th April Sheffield Motorpoint Arena
•    6th April  Cardiff Motorpoint Arena
•    11th April Blackpool Opera House

Tickets from www.gigsandtours.com

Michael Ball, Michael Xavier, Maria Friedman and Sally Anne Triplett at MMD Anniversary Gala

Updated 22nd September: The full line up of artists for Mercury Musical Developments 20th Anniversary Gala at 8:00 pm  Sunday 14th October at the Novello Theatre are Michael Xavier, Janie Dee, Claire Moore, Hayley Gallivan, Maria Friedman, Danielle Hope, Alison Jiear, Haydn Gwynne, Sally Anne Triplett, David Bedella, Tam Mutu, Paul Kaye, Stuart Matthew Price, Lucy May Barker, Madalena Alberto and Jenna Russell with ex Busted member James Bourne performing an unplugged set from his new show Loserville

Willy Russell, Charles Hart and Stiles & Drewe will be introducing new songs at the event performed by the artists above.

Michael Ball will present the Sidney Brown Memorial Award for new musical theatre writing with an excerpt from the winning show being performed at the gala.

An auction of musical theatre memorabilia will also take place around the time of the event with current lots including an item from the film Les Miserables signed by Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe, hand written lyrics to James Bond’s Diamonds are Forever by Don Black and a specially written song from Stiles & Drewe.

Mercury musical Developments (MMD) is a registered charity for writing book, music and lyrics for musical theatre. The charity joined the Arts Council Portfolio this year in partnership with Musical Theatre Network.
It started in 1992 when founding members studied with Stephen Sondheim at Oxford when he was The Cameron Mackintosh Professor of Contemporary Theatre. Early members of the organisation include Howard Goodall, Charles Hart, George Stiles, Anthony Drewe and Kit Hesketh Harvey.

You can buy tickets at  www.delfontmackintosh.co.uk

Robert Powell Joins Singin' in the Rain



Singin’ in the Rain has just announced an extension at the Palace Theatre to from next February to September 1st 2013.

Robert Powell joins the cast next month from 1st October as studio boss RF Simpson taking over the role from Michael Brandon.

Powell said: “I’m delighted to be back in the West End and joining this classic musical. On the night I went to see it, from the minute the curtain went up I knew it was a show for me and I’m thrilled to be working with such a talented company. I’ve also dealt with a few studio bosses in my time so inspiration for the part of RF Simpson should come pretty easily! I can’t wait to get started.

Daddy Cool UK Tour starring Sheila Ferguson and Jane McDonald cancelled

A UK tour of the Boney M musical Daddy Cool starring Jane McDonald  and Sheila Ferguson has been cancelled.  It was due to start in Northampton in October and tour until 8th December when it closed at Sunderland Empire.

This is second time a planned touring production of the show has been axed (the first in 2007) and also the production which opened in Mallorca in June which was set to run until later this month closed after just a few performances.

The production was being produced by Robert Mackintosh for Robert Mackintosh International and MEG, as well as Albert Verlinde Entertainment, in association with the Booking Office.The producers are currently unavailable for comment.

The show’s official website states: “the first two weeks of the planned season showed clearly that we will not achieve the amount of visitors needed to cover the running costs for the show and its top cast”.

Sierra Boggess, Julian Ovenden & Anna Jane-Casey: Rodgers & Hammerstein at the Movies

A new album of The John Wilson Orchestra Rodgers & Hammerstein at the Movies with artists including Sierra Boggess, Julian Ovenden and Anna-Jane Casey is due for release on 1st October.  It can be pre-ordered from Amazon for £10.00

You can see an excerpt at www.youtube.com

Track Listings:

1. Oklahoma! Main Title / Oh! What a Beautiful Morning (Oklahoma)
2. People Will Say We're In Love (Oklahoma)
3. Carousel Waltz (Carousel)
4. If I Loved You (Carousel)
5. June is Busting' Out All Over (Carousel)
6. You'll Never Walk Alone (Carousel)
7. Soliloquy (Carousel)
8. I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Out Of My Hair (South Pacific)
9. Bali Ha'i (South Pacific)
10. Twin Soliloquies / Some Enchanted Evening (South Pacific)
11. The King and I  Overture (The King and I)
12. The Sound Of Music - Main Title / Rex Admirabilis (TheSound of Music)
13. I Have Confidence (The Sound of Music)
14. Climb Ev'ry Mountain (The Sound of Music)

24 Hour Musicals Celebrity Gala


The Old Vic 24 Hour Plays Celebrity Gala is to become The 24 Hour Musicals Celebrity Gala on Sunday 9th December at 8:00 pm.

The aim is to conceive, write, compose and stage four new musicals in just 24 hours. So you can enjoy four musical premieres and attend a glittering post show party.

Past participants and hosts include Gael García Bernal, Jim Broadbent, Rob Brydon, Saffron Burrows, John Cleese, Lily Cole, Richard Curtis, Joseph Fiennes, Stephen Fry, Josh Hartnett, Tom Hollander, Lesley Manville, Abi Morgan, Graham Norton, Rosamund Pike, Rufus Sewell, Michael Sheen, Brooke Shields, Kevin Spacey, Catherine Tate, Vince Vaughn and Dominic West. This year’s casting announcements to follow shortly.

A Silent Auction of exclusive theatre experiences will also be coming soon.

Tickets from the Box Office:  0844 871 7628 or http://bookings.oldvictheatre.com/