Finding Neverland Resurrected?

Finding Neverland starring Julian Ovenden as J M Barrie as Rosalie Craig was tried out at the Leicester Curve a year ago with the hope that it would transfer into the West End but it needed to much tweaking to make this feasible.

But it seems to be rising from the ashes as 12 months later songwriter Gary Barlow, writer James Graham and director Diane Paulus have re-written the show.

It is a musical version of  the film Finding Neverland, which starred Kate Winslet, Johnny Depp and Dustin Hoffman, telling the story of  how J M  Barrie was inspired to write Peter Pan after meeting the widowed Sylvia Llewelyn Davies and her sons.

Gary Barlow told Baz Bamigboye during the interval of a staged workshop in New York (when Laura Michelle Kelly, Jason Alexander and Brian d’Arcy James played the leading roles): They said write a couple of new songs, but I've written nearly 20. Three of the songs by Scott Frankel and Michael Korie remain including  He Makes Me Smile and Neverland.

The creative team are continuing to work on the book and songs, with producer Harvey Weinstein  hoping for a try out next Spring at Boston’s American Repertory Theatre, followed by London's West End and Broadway if all goes well.

Nigel Harman and Cynthia Erivo Cast in I Can't Sing - The X Factor Musical

Nigel Harman is to portray Simon Cowell in the new I Can't Sing - The X Factor Musical which starts previews at the London Palladium on February 27th. (Tickets go on sale on Monday).

The young girl Chenice which the story revolves is being played by the fabulous Cynthia Erivo who is turning out some show stopping performances (literally) in the sold out The Color Purple at the Menier Chocolate Factory. Prior to this she played the Whoopi Goldberg part in the tour of Sister Act the Musical.

Nigel Harman is probably best known as playing Dennis Rickman (deceased) in EastEnders but he has a good theatre pedigree with credits including Mamma Mia! , Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls The Exonerated at Riverside Studio Theatre in Hammersmith, Harold Pinter’s The Caretaker at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield and on tour, The Common Pursuit at the Menier Chocolate Factory for a limited run, Three Days of Rain at the Apollo Theatre, Public Property at the Trafalgar Studios and True West at The Crucible Theatre, Sheffield. He originated the role of the dim-witted and vertically challenged (he was on his knees the entire time)  Lord Farquaad in Shrek the Musical at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.

Simon Cowell told The Mail's Baz Bamigboye; The hardest thing was: how do you find someone who’s good-looking, talented and can look like me? And then we found Nigel! He went on to say: First of all, I’m not mental about musicals. I normally get bored.  (The only one he truly liked was Jersey Boys, which he has seen twice).

But when he went to a workshop for I Can’t Sing which has been created by comedian Harry Hill and Steve Brown he was in hysterics within five minutes despite his character being vain and overbearing. They completely ripped into me — and they make fun of X Factor in a very positive way. It’s not a puff piece.  He is not allowed to interfere with the content of the show and is more concerned about how the original songs will sound saying there’s one called Fabulous, which is about me. No surprises there then ...!

Tickets go on sale on 2nd September for I Can't Sing - The X Factor Musical

From Here to Eternity Marquee

From Here to Eternity marquee at the Shaftesbury

Julie Atherton, James Bourne, Robbie Boyle, Cassie Compton, Danielle Hope, Jenna Russell, Caroline Sheen and Michael Xavier in Collaborations

Paulden Hall Productions and SimG Prductions are presenting Collaborations at as part of the  St. James Theatre Studio Cabaret Weekends on Sunday 22nd September (4:00pm and 7:30pm shows) in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust.

The theme of Collaborations is the songs of musical theatre composer Elliot Davis written with  Anthony Drewe, George Stiles, Graham Gouldman (10cc), Stephen Clark and James Bourne (Busted).

Elliott Davis was nominated for an Olivier Award  for best musical for Loserville with his other musicals including Soho Cinders, Out There, Best Friends and Butterflies.

His collaborators performing the songs are West End stars including Julie Atherton, Paul Baker, James Bourne,Robbie Boyle, Cassie Compton, Danielle Hope, Gary Kemp, James Rhodes, Jenna Russell, Caroline Sheen, Joss Slovick, Kara Tointon and Michael Xavier.

Songwriters including James Bourne, Anthony Drewe and Graham Gouldman  will also be there to introduce their songs.

Tickets for Collaborations 
(all proceeds go to The Teenage Cancer Trust)

Part of St. James Studio Cabaret Weekends

John Lloyd Young to Play Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys Film

Clint Eastwood has finally chosen his Frankie Valli for the film of The Jersey boys which he is directing with Broadway's John Lloyd Young confirmed today.

Joining Young in the cast are Erich Bergen as Bob Gaudio, Christopher Walken as Gyp DeCarlo, Mike Doyle as Bob Crew, Joey Russo Joe Pesci, Erica Piccininni as Lorraine, Donnie Kehr as Norm Waxman, Jeremy Luke as Donnie, Johnny Cannizzaro as Nick DeVito and Kathrine Narducci as Mary Rinaldi.

Eastwood has kept true to his word of casting the main roles with stage actors from the show's Broadway, touring and international productions.

John Lloyd Young originated the role of Frankie Valli in Broadway's Jersey Boys which won a Tony Award for Best Musica. He recently returned to the role for several months until July 2013.

Keith Jack in Sincerely Mr Toad at Greenwich Theatre

Following 5* reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, multi award winning Sell a Door Theatre Company have announced a transfer of their new musical 'Sincerely, Mr Toad' to London's Greenwich Theatre from 10th September to 14th September.

The musical charts the turbulent relationship of Wind in the Willows author Kenneth Grahame with his son Alastair Grahame, who is widely reputed to have inspired the his central character Mr Toad. With an original score, book and lyrics by writing team David Andrew Wilson, David Hutchinson and Katie McIvor - the story maps out the inspiration and sudden tragedies that inspired Grahame's infamous tale of animals down in the Wild Woods.

Starring BBC Any Dream Will Do runner up Keith Jack, Sincerely, Mr Toad plays for six performances at Sell a Door's London home the Greenwich Theatre. Tickets are available at www.greenwichtheatre.org.uk

David Bedella, Daniel Crossley, Janie Dee, Damian Humbley and Caroline Sheen in Sondheim's Putting It Together

The Stephen Sondheim revue Putting in Together can be seen at the GLive Studio in Guildford for four performances only from September 27th-29th. 

It will feature an all  star cast including David Bedella, Daniel Crossley, Janie Dee, Damian Humbley and Caroline Sheen accompanied by a seven piece band under the musical direction of Alex Parker.

Set at a cocktail party in New York City, two couples (one married and middle-aged, the other young lovers just starting out) reflect on the complexities that make up modern relationships using the songs of Stephen Sondheim including favourites from  "Sunday In The Park With George","A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum", "Into The Woods","A Little Night Music", "Assassins", "Follies", "Dick Tracy" and "Sweeney Todd."

The production will be directed by Alastair Knights, with musical direction by Alex Parker and choreography by Matt Rowland.

Tickets are on sale from August 27th  at the Box Office (0844 7701 797) or online Tickets for Putting it Together

Stage Door Radio to go ahead despite funding shortfall

The organisers of Stage Door Radio have sadly only managed to raise £3,706 towards the £145,000 target to support its launch.

Stage Door is a partnership between production company Wise Buddah and management company Mothership Management  and they estimate it will cost £145,000 to run the station for its first year and launched an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign in June to try and raise the money.

They are still planning to start broadcasting later this year with presenters including Kerry Ellis, Ramin Karimloo, Mark Evans and Alex Gaumond.

Wise Buddah head of content Simon Willis said: “We’ve not hit the target for our Indiegogo campaign but that doesn’t make us feel the idea is any less credible and we remain committed to launching Stage Door. Throughout the process we’ve managed to connect with thousands of people who, like us, believe Stage Door is an amazing idea that needs to be on the air. Crowdfunding an idea like this was always going to be bold and ambitious, but we want to make a musical theatre radio station for fans of the genre, not for shareholders just wanting to make loads of money. 

There is a “plan B” that should enable the station’s launch, with details to be announced shortly.We say thanks to the 20,000-plus people who have contacted us during our crowd-funding initiative – we’ve appreciated all the support and stay tuned for more information."

The Color Purple Heading for Broadway?

Tickets are like gold dust for  The Color Purple at the Menier Chocolate Factory,  so it comes as no surprise that The New York Times is reporting it could be heading to Broadway.

Director John Doyle has streamlined the musical cutting 30 minuites off the show by stripping away scenes he believes distracts from the story of the central character Celie played in London by Cynthia Erivo to great acclaim.

The Broadway premiere played at the Broadway Theatre from  November 2005 to February 2008 starring  LaChanze as Celie,  winning the 2006 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance. The production was nominated for a further 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Score.

Cast Change and Booking Period Extended for We Will Rock You

The Ben Elton/Queen musical We Will Rock You has just announced an extension of its booking period at the Dominion for another 6 months to April 5th 2014.

There will be a cast change on 7th October with current cast members Oliver Tompsett (Galileo), Rachel Wooding (Scaramouche), Brenda Edwards (Killer Queen), Kevin Kennedy (Pop) and Alasdair Harvey (Khashoggi)  remaining with the show.  

There will be a new 'Meat' and 'Britney' with Amanda Coutts returning to the show aand  Rolan Bell who played the role in  international Arena tour production of the show. They will be replacing Rachel John and Wayne Robinson.

Tickets for We Will Rock You

Boublil and Schonberg working on revival of Martin Guerre

Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg are reworking their musical Martin Guerre in the hope that it can return to the West End next Autumn.

I saw Martin Guerre when it first opened in London in 1996 where it  ran for two years and have to say I really enjoyed it. The writers say it is currently undergoing a very “deep rewrite” and it will be a completely new version.  They also said are revisiting the musical because they “still think it’s not finished" and  have just started to “undo act two”.

Russell Watson New Album Collaboration with Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg

Classical singer Russell Watson is working with Les Miserables writers Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg on a new album Only One Man featuring songs from their musicals.

The album is due to be released on 11th November and will include a song written for Miss Saigon that was never used in the production, as well as new music written especially for Watson.

Watson said that he wanted to work with Boublil and Schonberg because he felt that his career had begun to “stagnate” and that he had been “performing the same stuff and doing the same shows with the same types of songs for a very long time”.

His new manager came up with the idea of creating a Boublil and Schonberg album, and the songwriters agreed after meeting him.

“There are two, maybe three, brand new compositions on the record, one called Tell Me and another called I Am Only One Man. Claude-Michel has also taken a section from one of his ballets – Wuthering Heights – and [English] lyrics have been put to it by Charles Hart, who was the lyricist on The Phantom of the Opera. So the pedigree of this record is immense. There will be probably 95% of this album that people have not heard in the UK, and certainly not in the way this has been done” he said.

The album will also feature songs from Schonberg’s time as a recording artist in France 30 years ago.

It is being produced by Schonberg and will be accompanied by a stage show which will tour the UK.

John Owen-Jones, Simon Bailey and Scott Garnham in Singers Soiree

The Singers Soiree are a series of concerts performed by West End stars in aid of Shooting Star Chase which is a local children's hospice charity caring for over 600 families living in western London, Surrey and West Sussex.

The next soirée will be held on 12th September at 7:30pm at St Giles-in-the-Fields London WC2 and will feature a host of performers including John Owen-Jones, Simon Bailey, John Barr, Jordan Lee Davies, Daniel Fletcher, Scott Garnham, Sasi  Summer & Zizi Strallen and Ian Stroughair


Book tickets for The Singers Soiree

Full Cast for The Commitments

Roddy Doyle's musical The Commitments starts previews at the Palace Theatre on 21st September with the cast pictured here already into their second week of rehearsals.

Casting news is that Killian Donnelly is Declan "Deco" Cuffe lead singer of the band: Irishman Denis Grindel will make his West End debut playing the lead role of band manager Jimmy Rabbitte:  Mark Dugdale/Derek: Ben Fox/Joey: Brian Gilligan/Billy: Andrew Linnie/Dean: Barnaby Southgate/James: Joe Woolmer/Mickah: Matthew Wycliffe/Outspan: Jessica Cervi/Bernie: Stephanie McKeon/Natalie: Sarah O’Connor/Imelda: Sean Kearns/ Jimmy's Da: Clodagh Long/Sharon: Ian McIntosh/Ray: Riona O Connor/Alice: Thomas Snowdon/Hot Press: Julia Worsley/ Jimmy's Ma/ Outspan's Ma who will be joined by ensemble members Padraig Dooney, Christopher Fry, Ryan Gibb, Natalie Hope, John McLarnon, Sharon Sexton, Glenn Speers and Alex Tommkins.
  

Photo of The Commitments Cast

The Commitments full cast details are to be announced shortly, but here is a picture of them  led by Killian Donnelly playing Declan "Deco" Cuffe lead singer of the band.

Sheridan Smith in This Sporting Life

Sheridan Smith is currently rehearsing for A Midsummer Night's Dream  playing Titania Queen of the Fairies to David Walliams' Bottom which is due to open at the Noel Coward Theatre on 9th September.

She is also due to appear in a major season of BBC dramas called The British New Wave Season on BBC Radio 4  celebrating novels that became iconic films in the 1960s.

It includes plays by writers  Nell Dunn, David Storey and John Osborne, who are described by the BBC as “angry young men and modern women who were giving a voice to the working classes and rebelling against the established order”.

Sheridan Smith,  James Purefoy and Emily Watson will star in This Sporting Life, an adaptation of  David Storey’s book by Andrew Lynch which is being directed by Johnny Vegas. It will also feature John Thomson and Julia Davis and is to be broadcast on Saturday August 31st at 2:30 pm.

This Sporting Life is a beautiful, yet repressed, Northern drama which contrasts the deep wants and needs of protagonist Arthur Machin with the stark aggression of the rugby pitch, the atmosphere of the match, changing rooms,  dance hall, struggles in the bedroom and arguments by the kitchen hearth.

James Purefoy plays Arthur Machin and Emily Watson is Mrs Hammond, accompanied on the touchline by an ensemble cast including John Thomson, Julia Davis, Sheridan Smith and Philip Jackson.

Kieran Brown's Music That Matters with Scott Garnham and Sophia Ragavelas

If you want to treat yourself this Bank Holiday Monday (26th August) then take yourself along to the Union Theatre in South East London where  Kieran Brown (Pipe Dream, Phantom, Wicked, Love Never Dies, Les Miserables) is presenting his own Music That Matters Cabaret which is described as "An intimate evening of pure musical (and non musical) bliss ... with a twist!"

His line-up of guest performers include : Scott Garnham (Title Of Show, Les Miserables, Never Forget), Sophia Ragavelas (Title Of Show, Les Mis, Mamma Mia), Charlotte Scott (Pipe Dream, Wicked), Kira Morsley (Phantom), Erin Cornell (Bohemian Rhapsody, Wicked), Michelle LaFortune (Jesus Christ Superstar, La Boheme), Georgie Burdett (Pipe Dream, Crazy For You) and young Dutch vocalist Jeroen Robben

Tickets are £15 (£12 concessions) for Music That Matters

Great tickets deals on The Bodyguard, Mamma Mia!, We Will Rock You, Top Hat & Rock of Ages

London Theatre Fortnight started this morning and runs until 10:00 am 2nd September!

Amazing shows from as little as £15, £25 or £35, with savings of up to 50% on selected shows! Plus £1 of every ticket sale donated to charity!

Some participating shows include:

- The Bodyguard tickets from £25
- Mamma Mia! Tickets from £25
- We Will Rock You tickets for £35
- Top Hat tickets from £15
- Rock of Ages from £25

View all the deals here

Frances Ruffelle Paris Original at the Crazy Coqs

Updated 10th November: Frances Ruffelle will be returning to the Crazy Coqs on the 4th February 2014 for 5 more performances Paris Original.  Tickets now on sale.

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Updated 3rd October: PARIS ORIGINAL is sold out but EXTRA WEEK to be added - dates to follow shortly
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 Frances Ruffelle is premiering her new show Paris Original at The Crazy Coqs in Sherwood Street, London W1 from 8th-12th October.

She has just been to Paris and her new show explores the glamour and romance of the City of Light, celebrating all things ooh la la with the music of France’s most celebrated chanteuses from Françoise Hardy to Edith Piaf.

Band leader and musical arrangements: Ben Atkinson

Simon Bowman Starring in The Prodigals

As you can see from the picture,  West End star Simon Bowman is currently in rehearsal to play the lead of Colonel Luke Gibson  in The Prodigals musical which opens at Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre on 30th August and runs until 14th September. (Photo credit Keith Pattinson)

You can read a syndicated interview with Simon below where he is talking about his career, creating this new role and his future projects. There are also some original recording of the songs to give you a feel for the show.

With its roots in the biblical tale of the Prodigal Son, The Prodigals follows the story of Colonel Luke Gibson, as he battles to balance his love for his two very different sons. One, Captain Mike Gibson, has been fighting for Queen and country in Afghanistan, whilst the other, Kyle has hit rock bottom after touring the country with his drug fuelled band.

From its explosive choreographic opening on patrol in Helmand Province, through the comic absurdities of Kyle’s drug-induced hallucinations, The Prodigals drives this extraordinary tale on with original music and dance and a script that challenges us to explore the toughest of emotional battlegrounds. The Prodigals has been written by Ray Goudie and Joe Harmston, who is also directing.

Tickets are available now from the Belgrade Theatre Box Office on 024 7655 3055 priced from £18.25 to £31.25 or via www.belgrade.co.uk where cheaper tickets are available.

Simon Bowman Syndicated Interview

• You’ve enjoyed a hugely successful career on the West End playing the lead in iconic shows such as Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables and Miss Saigon, what have been your particular career highlights?

Well there have been so many highlights so far in my career. The first came immediately after leaving drama college when I landed the lead role as Elvis Presley in Alan Bleasdale’s play Are you lonesome Tonight? with Martin Shaw at the London Phoenix Theatre. The play won the Evening Standard Award for Best New Musical and it was my big break. I then went on to play Marius across the road in Les Misérables with the original cast at the Palace Theatre which was an exciting time. Then I landed the role of Chris in Miss Saigon which was a world-wide hit and ultimately launched me into international recognition. I also played Raoul and then The Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera, which was another career highlight. When asked what has been my favourite production to work on I don't really have one as they were all wonderful, but I suppose when you create a role from scratch, as I did in Miss Saigon, and make it your own original character then that is always something very special and will be there to stay long after I'm gone.

• You’re about to take to the stage at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry as Colonel Luke Gibson in new musical The Prodigals. What made you want to get involved in the show?

With The Prodigals I had the same gut feeling as I've had accepting other roles in the past after reading the script and listening to the music. It excited me to want to be involved in an innovative new show.

• You played military sergeant Chris Scott in Miss Saigon, and your latest role in The Prodigals sees you play another military character, Colonel Luke Gibson. Do you need to undergo any particular training/preparation to play military characters? If so what have you had to do for The Prodigals?

I do think as much research as possible is always a huge bonus to playing any role in order to bring the character to life and create an honest interpretation of the character you are portraying. Before rehearsal for The Prodigals commenced I met a Colonel who had been through unimaginable, brave and heroic situations on the front line and I found it a great insight to help my character development. Body conditioning for stature and body language is important so visits to the gym came into the mix too.

• Playing the lead in a musical, with sometimes two shows a day, can be very demanding. How do you look after yourself and preserve your voice when performing?

The key to looking after your voice and maintaining your energy levels so you can get yourself through matinees and that eighth show at the end of the week is, in a word, discipline! This means not having too many late nights and no drinking and talking in bars. Drinking plenty of water, as well as steam inhalation is a must and restful Sundays if possible.

• Aside from your West End work and your upcoming role in The Prodigals at the Belgrade Theatre, what other projects have you been working on?

I have my own self penned acoustic evenings and concert tours planned, as well as a musical I have written. I also provide master classes as I enjoy working with the younger generation of actors and there are some other un-finalised shows on the horizon so I have lots of interesting work ahead to keep me busy!

• How did you get involved in the theatre industry?

It all started when I helped out on a school production as I wanted to be picked to play in the first eleven cricket team and the music teacher was also in charge of the cricket team! I was taking my A levels at the time so I helped out in the chorus to make up the numbers with my cricket mates. During the rehearsal period the lead boy was sick so they asked me to just stand where he would be and I started to fool around singing and being silly. I then saw the teachers gather together talking and looking at me. I automatically thought I would get a detention for fooling around but they asked me if had I auditioned for any parts and I laughed and said no. They asked me if I would help out next year during my finals so I said of course, then I found that they cast me as the lead the following year and encouraged me to go to drama school in London. The rest is history!

• In your opinion, how has the theatre industry changed since you started?

Things have changed a lot since I left drama college. We had to work 42 weeks to get a full equity card, but the catch was you had to have an equity card to work, it was crazy! You don't need an equity card to work in West End theatre anymore and I do think things are more open and easier today to be granted to work in shows.

These days there are also the TV shows that launch people into the theatre limelight. I’m not against these entirely, but I do feel like it could be damaging to the self esteem of those who aren’t successful, and also if the winners are not trained to deal with everything that is thrown at them they could damage their ability to survive long term in this profession. One thing I do know that hasn't changed is the amazing talent out there today!

Cast for Tour of Fiddler on the Roof Announced starring Paul Michael Glaser

Music and Lyrics next production will be a new tour of Fiddler on the Roof which will star Paul Michael Glaser (of Starsky and Hutch fame) which will be directed by Strictly Come Dancing’s Craig Revel Horwood.

The cast has just been announced and joining Paul Michael Glaser will be  Daniel Bolton (Fyedka), Steven Bor (Perchik), Jennifer Douglas (The Fiddler), Paul Kissuan (Lazar), Liz Kitchen (Yente/Grandma Tzeitel), Karen Mann (Golde), Tarek Merchant (Avram), Eamonn O’ Dwyer (Mordcha/Constable), Emily O’ Keefe (Tzeitel), Michael Paver (Mendal), Claire Petzal (Chava), Neil Salvage (Rabbi), Liz Singelton (Hodel), Jon Trenchard (Motel) and Susannah van den Berg (Fruma-Sarah). Other roles played by Matthew Hinchcliffe, Lilly Howard and  Jeff Smyth.

The tour starts at the Southampton Mayflower on 5th September and  you can find a full list of the Tour Dates for Fiddler on the Roof here

Jessie Mueller Cast in Carole King Musical

The Carole King Musical Beautiful, which tells the story of the legendary singer and songwriter's rise to fame, has Broadway performer Jessie Mueller in the title role.

She made her Broadway debut in On a Clear Day You Can See Forever opposite Harry Connick Jr when she was nominated for a Tony Award. She was last on Broadway opposite Matthew Broderick in Nice Work If You Can Get It. In her native Chicago she has won acclaim for starring roles in She Loves Me, Guys and Dolls, Fiddler on the Roof, Curtains and Carousel. She is currently taking piano lessons as King wrote numerous piano-driven hits including "I Feel the Earth Move," "Natural Woman," "Up on the Roof," "You've Got a Friend".

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical has been written by Oscar-nominated writer Douglas McGrath with a score comprising songs King wrote with Gerry Goffin, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weiland. It starts previews on 21st November at the Steven Sondheim Theatre with an opening night around 12th January next year.

NewYorker King is now 71 and was the first female solo artist to sell more than 10 million copies of a single album with her 1971 release Tapestry which went on to sell 25 million copies. Earlier this year she was the first woman to be awarded the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. She was given the award by President Barack Obama who called her a "living legend".

It will be  followed by a London opening at the Aldwych Theatre on February 10th.

Scott Garnham, Tiffany Graves, Danielle Hope & Stuart Matthew Price in Jonathan Reid Gealt Concert

As part of the St James' Studio Cabaret Weekends, Jonathan Reid Gealt will be in concert showcasing his new album "Here For You - Ballads for Broadway Impact" on Sunday 15th September.

The concert will include songs from his new album as well as "Thirteen Stories Down" and exclusives from his new musical "Dust and Shadow" performed by Matthew Barrow, Craig Colton, Scott Garnham, Kelly Anne Gower, Tiffany Graves, Danielle Hope, Stuart Matthew Price, Ceili O'Connor, Gloria Onitiri, Jennifer Tierney and Rebecca Trehearn with more to be announced.

The concert starts at 6:00 pm and tickets (£10.00/£18.00/£25.00) are available at www.stjamestheatre.co.uk or call the Box Office on 0844 264 2140.

Michael Ball & Marti Webb Performing at Don Black Tribute

Updated 3rd January:  Don Black tribute being shown on on BBC 4 tonight at 7:30 pm
 ........
Updated 1st October:  Kerry Ellis and Brian May joining line up for Don Black Concert performing Born Free
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 A Life in Song: Lyrics by Don Black is a celebration of the versatile lyricist at the Royal Festival Hall on October 3rd at 7:30 pm.

This show is hosted by Michael Grade and features performances of his most famous songs by  Michael Ball, Only Men Aloud, Marti Webb, Mary-Jess Leaverland and Sir Richard Stilgoe accompanied by the BBC Concert Orchestra. I

Don Black is currently working on the new Andrew Lloyd Webber musical  Stephen Ward which centres around the 1960s Profumo Affair and opens at the Aldwych Theatre in December. He will talk to Michael Grade about his life, inspiration for his songs, composers he has worked with complete with anecdotes about how some of the songs came about.

The show is also being filmed by the BBC for broadcast at a later date

Tickets from www.southbankcentre.co.uk

Michael Ball, Lee Mead & David Essex Performing on P & O Luxury Cruises

P & O is launching its "biggest ever line-up of star studded cruises" with Michael Ball and David Essex and Lee Mead featuring in  a series of celebrity cruises.

Lee Mead will perform on a 12-night Canary Island sailing on Ventura departing on September 29th.

David Essex will perform on a Caribbean Transatlantic cruise on Azura setting sail on November 1st

Michael Ball will take to the stage on a 10-night Baltic cruise on Aurora from December 9th.

Oceana's 12-night western Mediterranean sailing on October 22nd will include performances from 80s stars Paul Young, Toyah, Heaven 17, Howard Jones, Carol Decker from T'Pau and Clare Grogan from Altered Images.

Find out more about P&O Celebrity Cruises here

Ben Richards in Oliver! at the Crucible

The lovely Ben Richards who is currently appearing in the tour of Dolly Parton's 9 to 5 playing the  boss Franklyn J Hart is due to play Bill Sikes in in Lionel Bart’s musical Oliver! at the Sheffield Crucible from November 29th to 25th January next year.

Ben also recently appeared as Tick/Mitzi in the West End production of  Priscilla Queen of the Desert. His TV credits include Footballers’ Wives and The Bill.

Oliver! will be directed by Daniel Evans.

Competition for Tickets to Gershwin Concert with Michael Ball, Gina Beck, Kerry Ellis and David Shannon

You can take part in a competition to win two tickets for Summertime - An Evening of Gershwin at Kenwood House in Hampstead which is  part of their Live By the Lake Season on Sunday 1st September.

Performers include Michael Ball, Kerry Ellis, Gina Beck and David Shannon who will be performing the very best of Gershwin including Rhapsody in Blue, Summertime, An American in Paris, Cuban Over and music from Porgy & Bess. 

To win two tickets for what promises to be a great evening you need to compose three lines of verse including Michael's name linking to titles of Gershwin musicals or songs.

Closing date for entries is 09:00 am 14th August with the winner announced at 12 noon.

Please send your entries to linda.sandeman@gmail.com

Cast List for Into the Woods Movie

The credited cast list for the new Disney movie on the Sondheim/Lapine musical Into the Woods has now been released as follows:

Anna Kendrick/Cinderella: Johnny Depp/The Wolf:  Emily Blunt/The Baker's Wife: Chris Pine/Cinderella's Prince: Meryl Streep/The Witch: Lucy Punch/Lucinda: Christine Baranski/Cinderella's Stepmother: James Corden/The Baker: Mackenzie Mauzy/Rapunzel: Daniel Huttlestone/Jack: Tammy Blanchard/Florinda: Tracey Ullman/Jack's Mother, Sophie Grace Brownlee/Little Red Riding Hood and Billy Magnussen Rapunzel's Prince

Rehearsals started today with a release date for the film in the USA of 25th December 2014.  There is no UK date yet.

James Gill and Paul Spicer The 8th Fold Concert Performance

James Gillan (Boq in Wicked) and Paul Spicer (The Witches of Eastwick and Avenue Q) are leading a specially conceived concert performance of a new musical The 8th Fold at the Duchess Theatre on 10th November

With music and lyrics by Gianna Onori and book by Ava Eldred and Onori, the musical is described as being about loss, learning and new beginnings.

Set in the recent past, and rooted in the American War on Terror, it tells the story of four boys ravaged by grief and the steps they take towards a brave new start. Over the course of a single year, it celebrates friendship, remembrance and hope for the future.

Also in the cast will be Sharif Afifi, Alex Beaumont, Will Bradnam, Dario Cacioppo, Nathan Lodge and Matthew Maguire.

It will be directed by Jennifer Farrell and Raymond Tait, with musical direction by Angharad Sanders.

To book tickets, contact the box office on 0844 412 4659 or visit www.the8thfold.co.uk

Frances Ruffelle, Richard Fleeshman, Nathan James, Scott Alan and Willemijn Verkaik join Shoshana Bean in Cabaret

They gave some amazing performances at the IndigO2 last night at the Scott Alan Concert and obviously had a great time together as now  Frances Ruffelle, Richard Fleeshman, Nathan James, Scott Alan  and Willemijn Verkaik are joining Shoshana Bean as special guests in her cabaret show  at the London Hippodrome on Wednesday 7th August at 11:00 pm.

Tickets from www.hippodromecasino.com

Adrian Hansel Joins Hairspay Tour Tonight

X Factor finalist Marcus Collins has withdrawn from the tour of Hairspray due to ongoing health problems.

His role of Seaweed J Stubbs has been excellently covered by understudy Fela Lufadeju, but tonight Adrian Hansel returns to the role which he played in the original London cast from October 2007 until it closed at the Shaftesbury Theatre in March 2010. He will play Seaweed Stubbs for the remainder of the tour.

His previous credits include 'Hud' in Hair (Pleasance Theatre, London), 'Tyrone Jackson' in Fame (Edinburgh Playhouse and Aldwych Theatre, London) and 'Rusty' in Starlight Express (Apollo Victoria Theatre, London). He has also appeared as a soloist on a number of Michael Ball tours.

Phantom of the Opera Cast Changes

The new principals joining The Phantom of the Opera cast at Her Majesty's Theatre from 2nd September are : Gerónimo Rauch/The Phantom:Sean Palmer/Raoul: Andy Hockley/Monsieur Firmin: Martin Ball/Monsieur André: Claire Moore/Carlotta: Jacinta Mulcahy/Madame Giry: Cat Lane/Meg Giry and Olivia Brereton and Harriet Jones will both play Christine at certain performances.

Louise Dearman & Mark Evans The Secrets of Stage Success

Mark Evans (currently in US tour of The Book of Mormon) and  Louise Dearman (Wicked!) are joining forces to write a book called The Secrets of Stage Success putting their shared experience and knowledge to good use, solving all your performing dilemmas.

If you want to develop your own career as a performer, then now is your chance to find out the secrets of their success, and what you can do to follow in their footsteps…

 

ASK A QUESTION AND WIN TICKETS TO SEE LOUISE OR MARK ON STAGE

Have you thought about going to drama school but don’t know where to start looking?

Do you need practical tips for nailing your next audition?

Do you want to know how to deal with stage fright or when things go wrong on stage?

Perhaps you want to hear how a particular role has challenged or changed Louise and Mark’s own technique…

Find out more here and ask your question by 14th October

Amazing Line Up Announced for Scott Alan Concert at IndigO2

The full cast for the Scott Alan London Concert on August 4th at the IndigO2 includes the amazing line up of Willemijn Verkaik, Richard Fleeshman, Ricardo Afonso, John Owen-Jones, Shoshana Bean, Cynthia Erivo, Simon Bailey, Scott Garnham, Greg Oliver, Nathan James, Anton Zetterholm, Riccardo Greco, Siobhan Dillon, Ashleigh Gray, Julie Atherton, Jodie Jacobs, Katie Paine, Annalene Beechey, Chloe Hart, Sophie Thierens and contest winners Nathan Lodge and Holly-Anne Hull.  

Tickets from: http://www.theo2.co.uk/