Wednesday, December 26

Freddie Mercury: The Great Pretender – Director’s Cut

Film-maker Rhys Thomas's full-length director's cut of his film exploring the solo career and private life of  Freddie Mercury  can be seen on BBC4 on Saturday 29th December at 21:00. Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes 

Renowned as the bravura front man of one of Britain's greatest rock bands, Freddie Mercury's life outside Queen is rarely celebrated or explored. This film explores Mercury's solo projects and interests, including a previously unheard collaboration with Michael Jackson and the triumphant Barcelona project with Dame Montserrat Caballe as well as the life of a gay man who was not yet publicly out.

Rare interviews reveal a shy man in search of love, and a driven artist living behind the protection of his stage persona.


Hugh Jackman to play The Engineer in Miss Saigon Movie?

Hugh Jackman is currently starring as Jean Valjean in the movie of Les Miserables which opened in New York on Christmas Day and is due to open in the UK on 11th January.

Producer Cameron Mackintosh has said that if the LesMis film adaptation reaches $500 million in box office receipts, he will invest in a Miss Saigon adaptation for the silver screen.

LesMis looks set to break box office records and in an interview with the New York Post Jackman has confirmed that Cameron Mackintosh has now approached him to star as the Engineer in a potential movie adaptation of Miss Saigon. Jackman said he has never seen the musical but is "all for it."

I saw the show when it opened at Drury Lane in 1989 with Jonathan Pryce (pictured) in the starring role, and it is certainly a part that Jackman could have some fun with as the Engineer is a bit of a panto villian with the show stopping number The American Dream.

A London revival of Miss Saigon is currently underway  with auditions held in Manila a month ago and a West End Theatre being sought for the end of 2013/start of 2014.

The musical has a powerful score by Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil, with lyrics by Boublil and Richard Maltby Jr. It is based on Puccini's opera Madame Butterfly and tells the tale of a doomed romance between a Vietnamese bar girl abandoned by her American GI in 1970s Saigon during the Vietnam War.  As of December 2012 Miss Saigon is still the eleventh longest-running Broadway musical in musical theatre history

Kimberley Walsh Centre Stage Album

Girls Aloud member Kimberley Walsh has just been one of the finalists in Strictly Come Dancing and earlier this year played Princess Fiona in Shrek the Musical at Drury Lane.

She has recorded an album of musical theatre numbers on which she duets with Louise Dearman (Elphaba in Wicked!) and Ronan Keating.

Centre Stage is due for release on 4th February 2013 and can be pre-ordered from Amazon for £9.00

The track listing is:

1. One Day I'll Fly Away
2. On My Own
3. Somewhere
4. Falling Slowly with Ronan Keating
5. Memory
6. Defying Gravity
7. I Still Believe with Louise Dearman
8. Dreams Can Learn To Fly
9. Another Suitcase In Another Hall
10. Hushabye Mountain
11. As Long As He Needs Me
12. You First Loved Me

Friday, December 21

Ramin Karimloo & Hadley Fraser Sheytoons Concert

The Sheytoons are a band formed by West End leading men  Ramin Karimloo and Hadley Fraser and you can see the in concert at the St James Theatre on Sunday 10th February at 14:00 and 18:00.

Influences take Sheytoons through The Avett Brothers, Crosby, Stills & Nash, The Tragically Hip, Crooked Still, Fleet Foxes, Jonny Cash and all the way back round again to a folk-rock sound all of their own. .

Book tickets from noon today for Sheytoons

Wednesday, December 19

Miss Saigon The Movie?

According to the New York Post, if the movie of Les Miserables is a box office hit (pulling in $500 million plus) the next project for Cameron Mackintosh and Universal Pictures will be "Miss Saigon the movie".

The LesMis movie is due to open on 25th December in New York and some parts of Europe and on 11th January 2013 in the UK.

Mackintosh has already said in an interview with the Telegraph "If Les Mis is a success then Miss Saigon will be made into a film. It isn't confirmed at this point but there are many people sniffing around and offers coming in."

Auditions for the stage show of Miss Saigon were held earlier this month in Manila with the show rumoured to be up for revival in London's West End at the end of 2013/start of 2014 as long as a suitable theatre can be found.

Tuesday, December 18

Maria Friedman becomes Patron of Stephen Sondheim Society

The very talented  Maria Friedman has been directing the critically acclaimed Merrily We Roll Along at London’s Menier Chocolate Factory where its run has just been extended until 9th March 2013.   

She has now agreed to become a Patron of The Stephen Sondheim Society, joining an illustrious line up of other Patrons including Stephen Sondheim, Sir Cameron Mackintosh, Bernadette Peters, Julia Mackenzie, Millicent Martin, Stuart Pedlar and Barbara Cook. 

The Stephen Sondheim Society is a Charitable Trust with a principal aim is to promote the works of Stephen Sondheim in the UK and elsewhere.

The Best of the Royal Variety: The Comedians on ITV Tonight

The Best of the Royal Variety The Comedians is on tonight  at 21:00 on ITV3.

It shows highlights from 46 years of the Royal Variety Performance. A spotlight on the very best comedy from around the world, looking at which household names had their lucky breaks direct from the stage of the Royal Variety show.

Catherine Tate talks about pushing the limits in front of the monarch, Jackie Mason reveals why he loves performing by Royal Command and Ronnie Corbett discloses how performing at the show terrified him and Ronnie Barker.

Top Hat's Tom Chambers in Strictly Christmas Special

Actor Tom Chambers won Strictly Come Dancing in 2008 and is currently appearing in the musical Top Hat at the Aldwych Theatre in London's West End.

He is returning to the show in this year's Christmas Special which is to be broadcast on BBC1 at 6:15 pm on Christmas Day.

He will be partnered by Kristina Rihanoff and joined by previous contestants Rachel Stevens (who he beat in the final), Chelsee Healey, Natasha Kaplinsky, Kelly Brook, Colin Jackson and Chris Hollins to take on newbies including JLS' JB Gill, Sheila Hancock, Katy Brand, Bobby Ball, Helen Skelton and footballer Fabrice Muamba

They will perform routines with professional dancers in the hope of being crowned Christmas champion.

Past favourites including Ann Widdecombe and Russell Grant will also make an appearance on the dance floor and Rod Stewart will be providing the festive cheer as he performs Let it Snow!

Shayne Ward and Line Up for 2013 Dancing on Ice

As revealed in November  Shayne Ward is taking part in the next series of Dancing on ice which airs at 6:15 pm on ITV1 on 6th January 2013.

He will be partnered by Maria Filippov and joined by Baywatch’s Pamela Anderson, boxer Luke Campbell, presenter Keith Chegwin, Corrie’s Maria Samia Ghadie, TOWIE Lauren Goodger, politician Oona King, ex eastEnder Matt Lapinskas, funny man Joe Pasquale, rugby legend Gareth Thomas, presenter Anthea Turner and  Olympian Beth Tweddle.

The judges will be changed this year with Robin Cousins remaining but Katarina Witt (who had replaced Emma Bunton) will be replaced by former Emmerdale actress Hayley Tamaddon who won in 2010 and Louie Spence has gone and the controversial  Jason Gardiner is back.

Monday, December 17

Brian May & Kerry Ellis in Concert Christmas at the Union Chapel

Weekend Wogan on BBC Radio2 at 11:00 am on Sunday 23rd December presents Christmas at the Union Chapel with artists including Brian May & Kerry Ellis, The Gypsy Queens, Joe McElderry, Lemar, James Torme, Steps, Mika, Shingai Shoniwa and Friar Alessandro Brustenghi will perform alongside the London Community Gospel Choir.

Lionel Bart's Quasimodo to Premiere at King's Head

A Lionel Bart musical about the hunchback of Notre Dame which he wrote 50 years ago is to be staged for the first time:  Quasimodo will have its world premiere at the King's Head Theatre from 20th March - 13th April 2013.

Bart  wrote Quasimodo around 1963. It is based on Victor Hugo's 1831 novel Notre Dame de Paris, set in 15th Century Paris and telling the story of the love between the deformed bell ringer and the beautiful gypsy girl Esmeralda.

There was a West End was a workshop for industry insiders in 1995 featuring Frances Ruffelle as Esmeralda and Ray Shell  as Quasimodo.

A recording exists with Bart playing the piano as part of the band, but the project never progressed and Bart died four years later.

Book tickets for Quasimodo

Caissie Levy with Hadley Fraser, Gavin Creel, Sharon D Clarke & Oliver Tompsett in Cabaret at Hippodrome

Caissie Levy is the latest artiste to announce cabaret dates at London's Hippodrome Casino on  Saturday 26th January at 11:00 pm and Sunday 27th January at 8:00 pm.

The star of Ghost & Hair! returns to London from Broadway with composer David Are to celebrate the release of her album "With You" and David's double-disc concept albums "A Few For Friends" / "Friends For A Few.

She will be joined by an aazing line up of guests: Hadley Fraser, Gavin Creel (soon to star in the West End in The Book of Mormon) , Sharon D Clarke & Oliver Tompsett (WWRY). Each night will feature different guests and a different set list.

Levy’s debut solo EP "With You" features acoustic arrangements of songs from her Broadway shows. It also includes a remix of “With You” from Ghost,produced by Glen Ballard and Dave Stewart, and a brand-new song written by Eric Hutchinson.

Buy tickets for Caissie Levy Live at the Hippodrome

Saturday, December 15

Sheridan Smith Starring in The Powder Room

Sheridan Smith never stops working: she has just finished filming David Walliams' Mr Stink and John Bishop's comedy drama Panto! and is on the Jonathan Ross Christmas Special which are all to be shown on the television over the Festive season. She is also recording an East special of Jonathan Creek next year.

But at the moment she is filming and starring in The Powder Room which is director's MJ Delaney’s feature debut (under the previously title When Women Wee) based on the hit Edinburgh play. Scripted by Rachel Hirons it is a comedy about a young woman - played by Sheridan Smith - whose life is turned upside down on a big night out and  “all the rubbish talking” that goes on one night in a women’s bathroom in a British nightclub.

Powder Room is shooting now at 3 Mills Studios and on location around the East End of London  and also stars Jaime Winstone, singer Kate Nash, Oona Chaplin with Riann Steele, Sarah Hoare, Lashana Lynch and Antonia Bernath.
Commercials director Delaney is best known for her YouTube Jay-Z sensation spoof Newport State of Mind and Channel 4’s Ben and Lump.




Thursday, December 13

An Intimate Evening With Ruthie Henshall Tour Dates

West End star Ruthie Henshall has today announced a brand new national tour for 2013.

An Intimate Evening with Ruthie Henshall offers a unique opportunity to spend an evening with one of the West End's  best-loved leading ladies.

Starting on 19th January in Salisbury the tour will take in Norwich, Hereford, Wellingborough, Chelmsford, Durham, Basingstoke, High Wycombe, Warwick, Caernarfon, Barry and Newport before finishing at the Daphne Du Maurier Festival in Cornwall in May.

This is Ruthie Henshall's first-ever regional tour, when with her band she will take you on a musical journey charting her extraordinary career from working with Lionel Bart to playing in Chicago on Broadway andfrom starring in Les Misérables to receiving her Olivier award. The new arrangements and hand-picked musicians  promise an unforgettable evening.

This is a chance to hear Ruthie’s story in her own words as well as some of the defining songs of her life, onstage and off. The evening draws from a broad range of genres, from the great American songbook through to contemporary tunes significant to Ruthie to the present day.

Joining Ruthie will be her band led by Musical Director Paul Schofield on Piano, Lewis Andrews on Guitar/Bass and Stephen Maclachlan on Drums.

Ruthie has also just released a new album I've Loved These Days

Wednesday, December 12

Review of LesMis Movie Media Night

I did  a brief review of the Les Miserables movie when I went on the opening night, but last night I was lucky enough to see it again at the media showing. I found this "tongue in cheek" review that my companion wrote very amusing and thought I would share it with you. By the way he's not "in the business" but is very up on his musical theatre and films:

Oh Dear, Oh Dear, Oh Dear...or as Gilbert and Sullivan would say... “a policeman’s lot is not a happy one.” And having watched a press preview of Les Misérables last night it would be difficult to find an unhappier man then Javert played by Russell Crowe.

But he should not be criticised for that because although it’s fifty years since I last read Monsieur Hugo’s book the admirable press notes explained all about Javert’s progress from the slums to his pursuance of law and order with an enthusiasm which bordered on obsessiveness.

We will return to Javert later.

This was a stunning film; it lasts for 2 hours and forty minutes but felt to me like one-and-a-half hours. The downside of a long film though is that the modern audience and bladder seems incapable of remaining seated for that length of time so that there were many unfortunate interruptions.

Again though, it wasn’t until the end that you realised that you’d just sat through nearly three hours of singing with barely any spoken words - it was nearly all “through-sung” rather than spoken dialogue.

Those marvellous press notes had added to the enjoyment as I realised that the opening scene of Jean Valjean was shot in our very own shipyards at Portsmouth. Then suddenly Monsieur Valjean is doing his own version of Julie Andrews popular sing-a-long as he runs over the hills of the south of France to celebrate his new-found freedom before he once again becomes an enfant terrible and gives Javert his raison d’être.

All the performances were worthy of note but stand out ones were from Eddie Redmayne as one of the young lovers plus two great cameo parts; one from one of our younger national treasures - Helena Bonham Carter ably assisted in acting, pick-pocketing and all-round bad behaviour (hooray) by Sacha Baron Cohen.

To return to Russell Crowe - do we expect too much from him?

After all this is a British film and with the exception of a few bent coppers our police heroes tend to be Morse, The Sweeney, Dixon of Dock Green, Wyecliffe, Bergerac, Prime Suspect, etc - all very worthy but not enough to set the world alight. The plots are good, the acting is good but happy charisma....

And just because Javert is French do we really want a modern day Inspector Clouseau?

Do not forget that in simple terms, Javert is the baddie in this tragedy so I suspect Russell Crowe did exactly what Monsieur Hugo would have wanted; he plodded (ooops) around with all the cares of the world on his back and because of his upbringing he found it impossible to believe that Jean Valjean had turned over a new leaf and so he jumped off a high building.

There was much mention in the notes of getting into the right mindset; of Russell Crowe’s 28 block walk in the pouring rain to his audition, of Anne Hathaway’s decision to have her own hair chopped off and to lose 25 pounds in weight over five weeks, of Samantha Barks’ almost rags-to-riches part having come third in the “I’d do anything” show to get a part in Oliver!...and what an excellent performance she gave as well. All of this I went towards ensuring the success and enjoyment of this spectacle.

When it’s released you really should go and see it but remember, Cameron Mackintosh and Tom Hooper didn’t just film the theatre musical - this is Victor Hugo’s classic work reinterpreted as a real cinematographic production.

Looking Up Debut Album by Simon Bailey from Phantom

Simon Bailey is currently starring as Raoul in the tour of The Phantom Of The Opera and he is about to release his debut solo album Looking Up on Monday 17th December.

Simon was a member of the group Teatro and his West End musical theatre credits include Romeo and Juliet, Joseph, Les Miserables, Passion and We Will Rock You. He also appeared in Parade at the Southwark Playhouse for which he was nominated in the 2011 Broadway World Awards in the Best Featured Actor in a Musical category.

His 12 track album is a personal selection of songs including material by Luther Vandross, Dolly Parton, Eric Clapton:  musical theatre including Jason Robert Brown, Scott Alan and four original self-penned songs with new arrangements by Tom Deering.  It also features duets with West End stars Sabrina Aloueche (We Will Rock You), Katie Hall (Phantom Of The Opera) and Ramin Karimloo (Love Never Dies and Les Miserables).

Looking Up is Produced by Simon Greiff for SimG Records, and is available direct from www.SimGProductions.com and www.SimonBaileyOnline.com All pre-orders will be signed by Simon and posted out ahead of the official release date.

Track Listing:

1. Sing For The Angels by Simon Bailey
2. Dance With My Father by Vandross & Marx
3. I'd Give It All For You by Jason Robert Brown (duet with Katie Hall)
4. The Distance You Have Come by Scott Alan
5. The Everchanging by Simon Bailey
6. My Immortal by Moody, Lee & Hodges
7. Murder In The City by The Avett Brothers (duet with Ramin Karimloo)
8. I Can't Stop The Rain by Simon Bailey
9. Tears In Heaven by Clapton & Jennings
10. Falling Slowly by Hansard & Irglova (duet with Sabrina Aloueche)
11. Travellin' Thru by Dolly Parton
12. Goodbye by Simon Bailey

Buddy Holly Story 25th Anniversary Tour

Buddy - the Buddy Holly Story is going on a 25th anniversary tour opening at Cheltenham's Everyman Theatre on 4th September 2013 and then visiting  Buxton Opera House (9th-14th September): HalifaxVictoria (16th-21st September):  Inverness Eden Court (23rd-29th September): Aberdeen His Majesty's (20th September-5th October): King's Lynn Corn Exchange (8th-12th October): Swansea Grand (14th-19th October):  Portsmouth King's (21st-26th October): Lowestoft Marina (28th October- 2nd November): Rhyl Pavilion (6th-9th November): Northampton Royal & Derngate (11th-16th November): Poole Lighthouse (18th-24th November): Watford Colossseum (25th -27th November) and Guildford G Live (28th-30th November) .

Buddy is about his  rise to fame and his final performance at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake in Iowa before his tragic death in a plane crash at the age of 22. The show features Buddy Holly's greatest hits, including "That’ll Be The Day", "Peggy Sue", "Oh Boy" and "Rave On". Other songs include "Chantilly Lace" and "La Bamba".

Maria Elena Holly who is Buddy's widow says of the new tour:  “When we opened the show we never imagined Buddy’s music and story would still be rocking stages and entertaining audiences around the world week-in week-out 25 years later. I believe this is testament to a great show – the first of its kind – and to the enduring appeal of Buddy Holly and what he represents; a youthful energy, huge talent and creativity, combined with a determination to make a lasting impression in this world."


Denny de Vito Entertains The Bodyguard Audience

There were some technical problems during The Bodyguard musical last night at the Adelphi which caused an unscheduled 35 minute stop.

But the audience were not bored as Danny de Vito and Richard Griffiths were in the audience (they appeared together in the Sunshine Boys earlier this year) and deVito went on stage to keep them entertained.

Review of Spice Girls Musical Viva Forever

Having already been to a very disappointing preview of Viva Forever I was really hoping that by the opening last night a miracle had been performed and the show had become what it should be.

All of the Spice Girls attended, did the red carpet biz and came on stage after the curtain call to make encouraging comments. But they only served as a reminder of how the group used to be with all their enthusiasm, talent and energy - three things sadly lacking in Viva Forever.

I loved the Spice Girls and in their heyday with all that "girl power" they were so great to watch, but the young cast and Jennifer Saunder's cynical book with its ironic view lacks the sense of fun needed and is very derivative of Mamma Mia! The highlight for me was the finale’s medley of Spice Girl hits when the show started to take off ... but much too late.

Last night's show was described as "a Christmas Turkey" by the Daily Mail critic and "Viva Forever! forever? I rather think not." by the Independent: views which I'm afraid I agree with. But with sold out previews and a £4M advance fans of the girls will keep it going for a while ...

Tuesday, December 11

Les Misérables: From Stage to Screen Book 2013 Release

Les Misérables: From Stage to Screen is a new book by Benedict Nightingale and Martyn Palmer which documents the journey of the hit musical from concept to the hit movie which is released in the UK in January.

Producer Cameron Mackintosh wrote the foreword to the 96-page book that features documents detailing key moments in the creation of the musical, original costume sketches, annotated scripts, highlights of original musical scores and extracts of the libretto and screenplay.

According to the authors "The reader can find out how the musical came to life, the trials and tribulations of turning it from the initial concept into a thrilling musical extravaganza and how the new film version starring Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe, and directed by the Oscar-winning Tom Hooper, has emerged from the show that has been seen by over 55 million people worldwide."

The hardcover book will be released in the UK on 14th March 2013 and can be pre-ordered from Amazon at the reduced price of £19.20 (saving of £10.80)

Sheridan Smith on Jonathan Ross Christmas Special

This Christmas on The Jonathan Ross Show he welcomes king of comedy, Michael McIntyre: star of stage and screen, Sheridan Smith: Paralympic gold medallists Ellie Simmonds and Jonnie Peacock and actress Sienna Miller (who Sheridan appeared with in the award winning Flare Path).

Jamie Oliver will be preparing a festive feast live in the studio and Charlotte Church will be performing.

The show will be aired on ITV1 on Saturday 22nd December at 9:00 pm.

And you can also see Sheridan in David Walliams’ Mr Stink  with Downton's Abbey Hugh Bonneville on BBC1 at 6:30 pm on 23rd December and with John Bishop in the comedy Panto! on ITV! on Boxing Day 26th December at 9:00 pm.

Monday, December 10

MiG Ayesa Heads Tour of We Will Rock You

The We Will Rock You 10th Anniversary World Arena Tour  kicks off in March 2013 at Nottingham Trent Arena.

It has just been confirmed with Australian rock singer and actor MiG Ayesa playing Galileo. He moved to London from Sydney in 2001 when Brian May from Queen worked on a collaboration with his band Mignition. Ayesa has already played Galileo in the West End (in 2003) and on an international. tour. Other musical theatre credits include Angel in Rent, Danny Zuko in Grease, Burn The Floor and Stacee Jaxx in the Rock of Ages US Tour and on Broadway.

In December 2011 he returned to London to reprise his role in Thriller Live and in May 2012 he returned to the Philippines to reprise his role as Stacee Jaxx in a completely sold out new production of Rock of Ages.

Other casting includes Kevin Kennedy and Brenda Edwards reprising their roles of Pop and Killer Queen from the West End production for the UK leg of the tour.  X Factor finalist Lucie Jones is Meat and Lauren Samuels will return to the role of Scaramouche. Khashoggi will be played by Sean Kingsley.

For the remainder of the World Arena tour, which goes to the 02 Arena in Dublin when it leaves the UK, Pop will be performed by Rob Castell with Jenna Lee James as Killer Queen.

The world tour will visit arenas in Finland, Denmark, Holland, Luxembourg, Czech Republic, Turkey, Bulgaria and the UK and Ireland in 2013. Further dates in Japan, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia will be announced shortly.

Thursday, December 6

Sheridan Smith back in Jonathan Creek

The quirky detective drama Jonathan Creek is to return to BBC for a 90 minute Easter special next year with Alan Davies again playing the title role and Sheridan Smith back as his sidekick Joey Ross

The Clue of the Servant’s Thumb is written by series creator David Renwick and will see Creek and Joey  drawn into a complex case involving a secret society, supernatural events at a girls’ boarding school and the disappearance of a body in front of three witnesses.

Alan Davies says: “The new story has more than the usual amount of twists and surprises, and I'm very much looking forward to sleuthing again. I can't wait to join Sheridan Smith on set again; we're very lucky to have her. It's nearly 17 years since I first auditioned for the part; the duffle coat is always on standby, even if the periods of duffle-hibernation are quite long these days”.

The most recent episode of Jonathan Creek aired on BBC1 in April 2010 and was seen by 6.62 million viewers.

Review of Les Miserables Movie

Having worked on Les Miserables in various capacities and seen the show from "out front" more times than I can remember I,  was unprepared for how moved I was when watching its world premiere in London last night.

All the leads: Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Eddie Redmayne, Amanda Seyfried, Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen turned up on a freezing cold night suitably attired in red carpet gear and Michael Ball and Emma Wiilis we're doing interviews which were streamed live on the Internet.

It's all too easy to jump on everyone else's bandwagon and say "It's wonderful and I loved it" but I really did! All 2 hours 40 minutes.  Tom Hooper's direction pulled together an epic movie with the imposing Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean possessing all the power and charisma (and more) needed for the part.  I have seen him on stage in London and on Broadway and have to say he's never disappointed. He's  described Jean Valjean as "the Hamlet of musical theatre" and said it's the best role he has ever played.

But the real stand-outs for me was Anne Hathaway's plaintive rendition of I Dreamed A Dream which brought new depth to the song:  Samantha Barks singing On My Own brought tears to my eyes (and she looked amazing last night in Stella McCartney) and how good was Eddie Redmayne's voice!  Apparently he went on a crash course of singing lessons which involved no alcohol, lots of honey and lemon drinks and vapour steams and it certainly worked.

Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen as the Thenardiers brought some eccentric and clever comedy to the sad tale and as you would expect and the children playing young Cosette (Isabelle Allen) and Gavroche (Daniel Huttlestone) were divine. Both have performed the roles on the West End stage: Isabelle  is the face on the poster,  and having heard him interviewed Daniel really does talk like Gavroche!

Eddie Redmayne said that Tom Hooper actually got the cast to build the barricade at Pinewood so that they could film it (with cameraman disguised as peasants) bringing total reality to the scene.

It was wonderful to see Victor Hugo's novel put to music in such a wonderful way with something for people of all  ages to enjoy with children, romance, death and good triumphing over evil. I counted at least ten rounds of applause during the action: surely it must get an Oscar nomination.

I'm lucky enough to have tickets to see it again at the media night on the 11th and have to say I can't wait!

Wednesday, December 5

Michael Ball Les Misèrables Movie Special

Anyone with any interest at all in musical theatre will be only too aware that it is the world premiere of the Les Miserables movie in London tonight.

Michael Ball and Emma Willis are in Leicester Square today recording footage for the Les Misèrables Movie Special which will show how the classic novel has gone on to be the most successful musical in the world and has now become one of the most eagerly anticipated films of the year.

The one-hour programme will be broadcast on Tuesday 1st January on ITV1  at 16:50 and includes exclusive interviews with the cast including Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried and Eddie Redmayne. It shows footage from some of the 42 countries where the show has enjoyed success as well as clips from star studded birthday and anniversary performances.

Producers Cameron Mackintosh, Eric Fellner and director Tom Hooper give an insight into how the movie was put together, from casting choices to the locations and the many challenges they faced.  

Les Misèrables Movie Special shows how this movie broke new ground with the actors singing live, by exclusively showing the orchestra recording sessions at Abbey Road and insightful behind-the-scenes footage.  

Tuesday, December 4

New Jesus Christ Superstar Arena Tour in 2013

Following this year's successful but limited arena tour of Jesus Christ Superstar,  it will return to UK arenas in Nottingham, London, Liverpool, Cardiff, Manchester, Newcastle and Birmingham in March 2013.

The principals remain the same with Ben Forster as Jesus,Tim Minchin as Judas Iscariot, Melanie C as Mary Magdalene, Chris Moyles as King Herod and Alex Hanson at Pontius Pilate. This now makes sense of why Ben is only staying in the new Rocky Horror Tour playing Brad until 2nd March.

Andrew Lloyd Webber says: “Last year’s tour was the first-ever UK arena tour of Jesus Christ Superstar and it surpassed our expectations. The response from audiences across the UK and Ireland was overwhelming and the show was everything I had hoped for. It’s great news that fans will have a final chance to see the show with the original arena tour cast of Tim Minchin, Mel C, Chris Moyles, Ben Forster and Alex Hanson.”

2013 Jesus Christ Superstar Tour Dates are as follows:

March 10th &11th - Nottingham Capital FM Arena
March 13th - London O2 Arena
March 15th - Liverpool Echo Arena
March 17th - Cardiff Motorpoint Arena
March 24th - Manchester Arena
March 26th - Newcastle Metro Radio Arena
March 28th - Birmingham NIA

Tickets are on sale from 09:00 am on Friday 7th December.

Full Cast List for LesMis Movie

With the world premiere of the LesMis movie directed by Tom Hooper taking place in London tomorrow night, thought now was a good time to publish the full cast list.  Amazing how many West End leading performers are in uncredited roles with an incredible line up of whores!

The film goes on UK release on 11th January 2013 and on Christmas Day in America.

The cast is: Hugh Jackman/Jean Valjean: Russell Crowe/Inspector Javert: Anne Hathaway/Fantine: Amanda Seyfried/Cosette: Sacha Baron Cohen/Thenardier: Helena Bonham Carter/Madame Thenardier: Eddie Redmayne/Marius: Samantha Barks/Eponine: Aaron Tveit/Enjolras: Colm Wilkinson/Bishop of Digne: Isabelle Allen/Young Cosette: Natalya Angel Wallace/Young Eponine and Daniel Huttlestone/Gavroche: .

With Marc Pickering/Montparnasse: George Blagden/Grantaire: Alastair Brammer/Jean Prouvaire: Fra Free/Courfeyrac: Bertie Carvel/Bamatbois: Killian Donnelly/Combeferre: Patrick Godfrey/Gillnormande: Gabriel Vick/Feuilly: Iwan Lewis/Bahorel: Hugh Skinner/Joly: Alexander Brooks/Francois: Tim Downie/Brevet: Ian Pirie/Babet: Adam Pearce/Brujon: Jon Haydn/Jason Kashoumeri: Richard Cordery/Duc de Raguse:

Whores: Sara Pelosi: Rosa O’Reilly: Julia Worsley: Kerry Ellis: Linzi Hateley: Frances Ruffelle: Robyn North: Nancy Sullivan and Jackie Marks

Students: Andy Zelary: Andy Coxon: Daniel Mack Shand

Factory Workers: Meaghan O’Neill: Mary Roscoe: Alice Fearn: Alison Tennant: Caroline Sheen

Soldiers & Sailors: Sammy Harris: Shonn Gregory: David Morris: Romeo Julio:  Johnny Saunders: Aurel Lazar: Russell Churcher:  Robert Clayton: Adebayo Bolaji: Ian Floodgate: Jaygann Ayeh: Ignacio Guirado: Richard Herdman: Ross McCormack: Henry Monk

With Sophie Ellis/Barricade Protestor: Edward Lewis French/Dancer: Lily Laight/Turning Girl: Nikica Markot/Lovely Lady: Kate Sweeney/Singer: Rachael Stevens /Wedding Guest: Richard Dixon/Mairie Officer: Ivan Dani/Parisian/Student of the Barricade: Jean-Marc Chautems/Beggar: Karol Steele/Disaproving Factory Woman: Dick Ward/Bamatbois Valet: Alfie Davis/Urchin 3: Gary Bland/Citizen/Cobbler: Martin Poole/Policeman: Harry Wood/Gavroche Urchin 5: Paul Leonard/Citizen of the Barricade: Nicola Sloane/Hair Crone: Les Kenny-Green/Drum Major: Sam Parks/Tall Customer: Martyn Moore/ Wealthy Gentleman Court Room: Julie Vollono/Parisian: Jayne Read/Hospital Nun: Matthew David Hearn/Policeman: Matt Harrop/Townsman: Anna Mawn/Parisian: Anthony Webster/Beggar: Justin Flanagan/Clerk of the Court: 

Uncredited: Jonny Purchase: Mary Cormack: Kelly-Anne Gower: Stevee Davies: Jos Slovick: Jordan Stevenson/Servant: Dee Beadley Baker: Andy Beckwith: Pablo Bubar: Nathanjohn Carter: James Charlton: Gioacchino Jim Cuffaro: Richard Dalton: Hadley Fraser: Harry Goff: Kenton Hall: Matt Hookings: Aisling Hughes: Ella Hunt: Kerry Ingram: Oliver Jackson:  Konstantine Kurelias: Victoria Ley: Martyn Mayger: Adam Nowell: Vanessa Page: Freya Parks: Gino Picciano: Alex Sander: Andy Sanderson: Michael Sarne: Amelia Scaramucci: Julian Seager: Nick Shaw: Ben Steele: Scott Stevenson: Josh Wichard and Evie Wray