Sunday, May 24

Ria Jones, Michael Dore and Geronimo Rauch Magic of the Musicals

BBC Radio 2 brings the Magic of the Musicals to the King’s Lynn Festival as its weekly music show Friday Night is Music Night.  It will be at the King's Lynn Corn Exchange to record a special musical theatre edition of the programme on Monday 20th July at 7:30 pm. It will be broadcast on BBC Radio 2 on Friday 24th July at 8:00 pm 

Ria Jones, Michael Dore and  Geronimo Rauch  will perform numbers from musicals including hits Mack & Mabel; Carousel; Les Miserables; Guys & Dolls and The Phantom of the Opera, accompanied by the BBC Concert Orchestra, Conducted by Richard Balcombe with Presenter Ken Bruce.



Tickets for the Magic of the Musicals




Bertie Carvel, Cynthia Erivo, Matt Henry, Sean Palmer,Laura Pitt-Pulford, Caroline Sheen, Oliver Tompsett and Willemijn Verkaik performing in Jason Robert Brown Concert

Jason Robert Brown is performing Live in Concert at the Royal Festival Hall on Tuesday 26th May at 19:30 .
 
He is a triple Tony Award-winning composer, lyricist, conductor, arranger, orchestrator, director and performer, best known for his scores to renowned musicals including The Bridges of Madison County, the recently revived The Last Five Years, his debut song cycle Songs for a New World, and  Parade, for which he won the 1999 Tony Award for Best Score.
He  has been hailed as 'one of Broadway’s smartest and most sophisticated songwriters since Stephen Sondheim' (Philadelphia Inquirer) and his 'extraordinary, jubilant theater music' (Chicago Tribune) has been heard all over the world. The New York Times refers to him as 'a leading member of a new generation of composers who embody high hopes for the American musical.'

Special guests include Amy Booth Steel, Bertie Carvel, Cynthia Erivo, Matt HenryThe cast of the NYMT production of ‘13,  Sean PalmerLaura Pitt-Pulford, Caroline Sheen, Oliver Tompsett, Willemijn Verkaik and Eleanor Worthington-Cox accompanied by the Jason Robert Brown
Orchestra


Tickets for Jason Robert Brown Concert

Saturday, May 23

Simon Webbe, Alison Jiear and Leanne Jones to star in Stiles and Drewe's Three Little Pigs at Palace Theatre

Song-writing duo George Stiles and Anthony Drewe ('Honk!', 'Betty Blue Eyes', 'Just So', 'Mary Poppins', 'Peter Pan' and 'Soho Cinders') will premiere their latest musical which an adaptation of The Three Little Pigs, at the Palace Theatre in London's West End for a limited summer season from 5th August to 6th September 2015, with a running time of  50 minutes and performances in the morning and early afternoon.

It will star the group Blue's singer Simon Webbe (Wolf), Daniel Buckley (Q),  Leanne Jones (Bee), Aison Jiear (seen recently on Britains Got Talent) As Mummy Pig and Taofique Folarin (Bar).

It tells the story of how the three little porkers become world renowned celebrity superstars when forced to leave the warmth of their mother's overcrowded sty. Will the Three Little Pigs cope without their adoring mother's 'hogs and kisses'? Will their DIY building skills cut the mustard? And will they be able to stand on their own four trotters and outwit the Big Bad Wolf?"

The production will be directed by Anthony Drewe with set and costumes designed by Jason Denvir, choreography by Ewan Jones and lighting designed by Oliver Fenwick.

It will run alongside  Roddy Doyle's the Commitments which is due to end its run at the theatre on 1st November.

Book tickets for The Three Little Pigs 

Wednesday, May 20

Sir Tim Rice writing new songs for Beauty & Beast Movie

The Hit Broadway musical of Disney's   BEAUTY & THE BEAST will start shooting this month with new songs by Sir Tim Rice who said: At the moment, right now, I am working on some songs with Alan Menken for the new live action version of BEAUTY & THE BEAST - which is a return to working with my chums at Disney, which is fine. I am enjoying it very much.

In addition to Emma Watson, the movie is set to showcase Dan Stevens (Downton Abbey) as The Beast, along with  Luke Evans as Gaston.

The  cast also includes  Emma Thompson,  Kevin Kline,  Audra McDonald,r Timothy Spall and Sir Ian McKellen.

Tuesday, May 19

Results of Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year

Twelve finalists from top drama schools across the UK competed for the title of this year's Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year on Sunday 17th May at the Garrick Theatre, Each student sung a song by Stephen Sondheim and, a new musical theatre song at his personal request, written by members of Mercury Musical Developments and shortlisted for the Stiles & Drewe Best New Song Prize.

Erin Doherty was  this year's winner, performing "Broadway Baby" from Follies as her Stephen Sondheim Song and New Song "Angel at the Top of the Tree" written by Darren Clarke. The runner up of the 2015 competition was Leah West who sung "I Read" from Passion as her Sondheim Song and "Love Me" by Laura Kaye Thomson as her New Song.

The award for the Stiles & Drewe Best New Song Prize 2015 went to Richy Hughes and Joseph Finlay for "Don't Look Down from The Superhero", which was sung by finalist Grant McConvey. The runner up for The Best New Song Prize went to Darren Clark for "The Angel at the Top of the Tree", performed by 2015's winner Erin Doherty.

Patron of the Stephen Sondheim Society, Julia McKenzie presented the award at the afternoon which was T hosted by Michael Xavier, with a line up of judges including Elaine Paige, Laura Pitt-Pulford, director Jamie Lloyd, conductor and BBC Proms favourite John Wilson and writer and broadcaster Edward Seckerson. Composers and lyricists George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, and Pippa Cleary and Jake Brunger (writers of The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole at Curve Leicester) judged the Best New Song Prize.

The competition is now in its ninth year with a top prize of £1,000 for both the Student Performer and the writer of the Best New Song. The student runner-up will also receive a prize of £500. The event is produced by Martin Jackson and Victoria Saxton for Mercury Musical Developments and Craig Glenday for The Stephen Sondheim Society.

Monday, May 18

Billy Elliott new cast and tour news

Ruthie Henshall and Deka Walmsley are to stay on in the lead  roles  as Mrs Wilkinson and Dad in the West End cast for Billy Elliot - The Musical at the Victoria Palace Theatre.

Also continuing in their roles are Chris Grahamson as Tony, Gillian Elisa as Grandma, Howard Crossley as George and Claudia Bradley as Dead Mum.

Phil Snowden will play Mr Braithwaite and James Butcher has joined the cast as Older Billy.

Ensemble members are Craig Armstrong, Richard Ashton, James Ballanger, David Bardsley, Paul Basleigh, Rachel Bingham, Lucinda Collins, Peter Cork, Scott Cripps, Robbie Durham, Ross Finnie, Lee Hoy, Ruri James, Ben Redfern, Charlotte Riby, Mike Scott, Sharon Sexton, Wendy Somerville, Spencer Stafford, David Stoller and Kerry Washington.

Last week Billy Elliot celebrated ten years in the West End releasing over 600,000 tickets and extending booking through to 17th December 2016.

The first UK and Ireland tour has also been announced, opening at the Theatre Royal Plymouth in February 2016 - more details to follow

Cynthia Erivo, Jenna Russell, Damian Humbley & Dean-John Wilson to star in Songs for a New World by Jason Robert Brown

Casting has been announced for the London revival of Songs for a New World by Triple Tony Award winner Jason Robert Brown: Cynthia Erivo, Jenna Russell, Damian Humbley & Dean-John Wilson will be  accompanied by a five piece band.

The musical is directed by Adam Lenson and runs at the St. James Theatre from 22nd July to 8th August 2015.  It is celebrating 20 years since its first performance Off-Broadway with an all-new London production


Written when Jason Robert Brown was only 25, Songs for a New World broke the mould of the ‘showstopper’ Broadway musical. The show debuted Off-Broadway in 1995 and has since been seen in hundreds of productions around the world, including the UK Premiere at the Bridewell Theatre in 2001. It weaves characters, locations and time periods together in one extraordinary evening - from the deck of a Spanish sailing ship to the window-ledge of a New York penthouse.

Cynthia Erivo is set to reprise her performance in The Colour Purple on Broadway this autumn, starring alongside Jennifer Hudson. Her other theatre credits include Henry IV (Donmar Warehouse); Dessa Rose (Trafalgar Studios); Sister Act: The Musical (UK Tour); The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (Gielgud Theatre). Her television credits include The Tunnel (Kudos) and Mr Selfridge (ITV).

Jenna Russell's
theatre credits include Di and Viv and Rose(Vaudeville Theatre); Urinetown (St. James Theatre / West End); Merrily We Roll Along (Menier Chocolate Factory / West End); Sunday in the Park with George (Wyndham’s Theatre / Roundabout Theatre Company, New York). Her film credits include Mortdecai (Lionsgate), whilst her television credits include Call the Midwife (Neal Street/ BBC) and The Ladies Paradise (BBC1).

Damian Humbley’
s theatre credits include Forbidden Broadway and Merrily We Roll Along (Menier Chocolate Factory / West End); The Last Five Years (Menier Chocolate Factory); Lend Me a Tenor (Theatre Royal Plymouth / West End); Shoes (Peacock Theatre/ Sadler’s Wells) and Fiddler on the Roof (Sheffield Theatre / West End).

Dean-John Wilson was most recently seen in the Oliver nominated production of Here Lies Love at the National Theatre. His other theatre credits include From Here to Eternity (Shaftesbury Theatre); Super Ordinary (Soho Theatre); Bare (Union Theatre) and Sister Act: The Musical (UK Tour).

Tickets for Songs for a New World 

Point & Shoot Musical at Brighton Festival and King's Head

Point & Shoot is a new musical which was performed at the Brighton Fringe earlier this month and has its final performance in Brighton  at The Warren , Main House on 31st May 4:00 pm.  You can also see it for one night only at the The King's Head Theatre in London on Monday 25th May at  7.30pm

It  is an extremely faced paced (75 minute) and  funny musical satire with  four accomplished actors  covering a number of  roles, while  singing, dancing and accompanying themselves on a variety of musical instruments. (two  play the saxophone, two play the piano and three  play the flute).

There are very quick  costume changes,  numerous plot twists in the cleverly written script , showstopping musical numbers and the occasional explosion!
The plot  is set  in the year 2042 and revolves around  the  film industry which as we know it is dead:  out of money and out of ideas. A has-been producer and an ambitious young screenwriter believe they have hit the jackpot when a mysterious femme fatale offers them the rights to a little-known 60s television show...a property they can use to revive mega-budget movie franchises.

But turning the adventures of Selma the dutiful housewife into an action-packed blockbuster turns out to be an exercise fraught with danger, intrigue and various perils, with potentially apocalyptic consequences.
Point & Shoot  premiered in February 2014 at Perth's Fringe World Festival. The production, directed by Tyler Jones and Gemma Hall, and starring Jones, Robert Woods, Erin Hutchinson and Tamara Woolrych, enjoyed a successful season that was extended due to popular demand. At the Fringe World Awards, it  won the Artrage Theatre Award for Best Theatre Production and the coveted Martin Sims Award for Best New Western Australian Work.

A very slick, frenetic and entertaining evening which is certainly worth going to see. 


Friday, May 15

Motown the Musical to open at Shaftesbury next February

According to Baz in today's Mail Tony Award-winner Motown the Musical is transferring to the West End next year running  at the Shaftesbury Theatre from 11th  February 2016, with an official opening night on 8th  March. Tickets now on sale

The show the show premiered on Broadway in 2013 and follows the career of producer and songwriter Berry Gordy who created the legendary Motown Records which had signed artists including Diana Ross and the Supremes, Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye and The Temptations. Featuring hits including "My Girl," "What's Going On," "Dancing in the Street," "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" and "Ain't No Mountain High Enough".

The show  follows fellow another Broadway import Memphis the Musical, which stars Beverley Knight and X Factor's s Matt Cardle (from 6th July) and ends  its run there  on 31st October 2015.

Thursday, May 14

Glori Onitiri, Rob Houchen, Aaron Sidwell, Sam Lupton and Katie Paine in West End Switched Off

Gloria Onitiri, Rob Houchen, Aaron Sidwell, Sam Lupton and Katie Paine are in  the West End Switched Off cast at the St James Studio on 24th May.

Onitiri recently  played the lead role of Rachel Marron in the West End production of The Bodyguard: Aaron Sidwell, recently seen in Loserville and Cool Rider, and known for his role as Steven Beale in EastEnders:  Rob Houchen is currently playing Marius in Les Miserables:  Sam Lupton's West End  performances include Boq in Wicked and Avenue Q,   and Katie Paine, was most recently seen in We Will Rock You and Godspell. They join the previously announced Rebecca Trehearn (City of Angels/Ghost) , Sophie Linder-Lee (Wicked/Mamma Mia), Jodie Jacobs (Rock of Ages) and Jodie Steele (Jesus Christ Superstar/Fame). A live band led by musical director Kris Rawlinson will accompany the performers.


West End Switched Off will be reprising the format of bringing together classic and unknown musical theatre songs in new stripped back, acoustic arrangements


Tickets for West End Switched off 

Tuesday, May 12

Cast Announced for Grand Hotel at Southwark Playhouse

Updated 24th June: The The 17-strong international cast has just been announced:

Christine Grimandi (Elizaveta Grushinskaya) is an acclaimed Italian musical theatre star making her UK stage debut. Her previous starring roles include three years as Norma Desmond in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard, Mrs Potts in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Grizabella in Cats,  Anita in West Side Story (all in Germany) and the Mother Superior in The Sound of Music (Rome).

Scott Garnham (Baron Felix Von Gaigern) has just played Edgar Beane in the transfer of Titanic to the Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto. His West End roles include Buddy Cortina in Made in Dagenham (Adelphi) and covered Liam O’Deary in I Can’t Sing! (London Palladium).

George Rae
(Otto Kringelein) was Timon in Disney’s The Lion King, TJ in Sister Act; Ko-Ko in The Mikado (UK tour) and had featured roles in Whisky Galore – A Musical!, Kiss Me, Kate and Company.

Victoria Serra (Flaemmchen) has just played Kate McGowan in the transfer of Titanic to Toronto, a role she created in London. Her other leading roles include Sophie in Mamma Mia! (international tour) and Jenny in Love Story (Union).

Philip Rham
(Colonel-Doctor Otternschlag) has just played Captain Smith in the transfer of Titanic to Toronto, a role he created at Southwark Playhouse. He was also Judge Roan in Tarento’s Parade at Southwark Playhouse.

Jacob Chapman (Hermann Preysing). West End credits include playing the rebel leader in We Will Rock You (Dominion) and Combeferre and understudy Jean Valjean in Les Misérables (Queens). Other roles included Pish-Tush in The Mikado (Charing Cross) and Henri in Carnival of the Animals (Riverside Studios).

Valerie Cutko
(Raffaela) played Mrs Mullin in Carousel at Arcola theatre and Fraulein Kost in Cabaret, directed by Rufus Norris. She was in the original Broadway cast of Grand Hotel.

Jonathan Stewart (Erik) has just played George Button in A Damsel in Distress at Chichester Festival Theatre. He was Pinocchio in the original West End cast of Shrek.

James Gant (Rohna/Zinnowitz) has recently played both Jean Valjean and Javert in Les Misérables in the West End. He had featured roles in Evita, Jekyll & Hyde and Oliver! (UK tours).

Charles Hagerty (Sandor/Chauffeur) was in the original Broadway cast of If/Then. His other major musicals include Wicked, Jesus Christ Superstar and Les Misérables.

Paul Iveson (Witt) has been in Jersey Boys (West End), Annie Get Your Gun (Young Vic) and Hello, Dolly! (Regent’s Park, Open Air Theatre).

The rest of the cast are: Rhiannon Howys, Jammy Kasongo, Ceili O’Connor, Durone Stokes, Samuel J Weir and Leah West.

Danielle Tarento is presenting a new production of the Tony Award winning musical Grand Hotel at the Southwark Playhouse from 31st July to 5th September, (official opening  5th August 2015).

It will be directed by Thom Southerland with  a book by Luther Davis, music and lyrics by George Forrest and Robert Wright with additional music and lyrics by Maury Yeston, musical supervision by Simon Lee and musical direction by Michael Bradley, choreography by Lee Proud, set and costume designs by Lee Newby, lighting design by Derek Anderson and sound design by Andrew Johnson.

Casting is to be announced.

The musical is based on Vicki Baum's Grand Hotel. The original production opened on Broadway in 1989 where it ran for over 1,000 performances and was nominated for 12 Tony Awards with its London premiere at the Dominion Theatre in 1992, running for just under four months. It was successfully revived at the Donmar Warehouse in 2004 directed by Michael Grandage.

Come, spend a night or two in the world’s most opulent, extravagant hotel. Perhaps you will find your fortune there, perhaps you will find true love, perhaps all of your dreams will come true… perhaps…The Grand Hotel is bustling with eccentric and sometimes dubious guests: amongst them a fading prima ballerina being forced to dance again; a fatally ill Jewish bookkeeper who wants to spend his final days living in luxury; a young, handsome, but destitute Baron; a cynical doctor suffering from World War I wounds; an honest businessman going bad as he faces financial ruin and a typist dreaming of Hollywood stardom. Over the course of a weekend, their extraordinary stories interweave with each other and the hotel's hardworking staff.


Buy tickets for Grand Hotel

Monday, May 11

New cast announced for Les Miserables

Cameron Mackintosh is delighted to announce new casting for Les Miserables  at the Queen’s Theatre from 15th  June 2015 are: Phil Daniels as ‘Thénardier’, Jeremy Secomb as ‘Javert’, Rachelle Ann Go as ‘Fantine’; Katy Secombe as ‘Madame Thénardier’ and Zoë Doano as ‘Cosette.’
Peter Lockyer will continue to star as ‘Jean Valjean’, Rob Houchen as ‘Marius’ and Carrie Hope Fletcher as ‘Eponine’.  Bradley Jaden, who is currently in the ensemble, will play ‘Enjolras’.


From 15 June the full company will be: Adam Bayjou; Sanne den Besten; Edd Campbell Bird; Oliver Brenin; David Burnip; Phil Daniels; Jordan Lee Davies; Zoë Doano; Tamsin Dowsett; Carrie Hope Fletcher; Rachelle Ann Go; Katy Hanna; Matthew Harvey; Rob Houchen; Bradley Jaden; Matt Jeans; Charlotte            Kennedy; Emma Kingston; Peter Lockyer; Jo Loxton; Luke McCall; Ryan O'Gorman; Jo Parsons; Adam Pearce; Michael Riseley; Jeremy Secomb; Katy Secombe; Courney Stapleton; Jessamy Stoddart; Samantha Thomas; Lee Van Geleen; Helen Walsh and Paul Wilkins.


Phil Daniels rose to fame through his roles in “Quadrophenia” and “Scum”. Other notable TV credits include: “Moonfleet”, “Holding On”, “Outlaws”, “EastEnders”, “Rock & Chips”, “New Tricks” and “Poirot”.  His theatre credits include most recently” Knight Of The Burning Pestle” at Shakespeare’s Globe as well as “This House” at the National Theatre and “Anthony & Cleopatra” at Shakespeare’s Globe.


Jeremy Secomb is currently playing the title role in the sold out “Sweeney Todd” at Harrington’s Pie and Mash Shop. His other theatre credits include: “The Phantom of the Opera” at Her Majesty’s Theatre, “Lend Me A Tenor” at the Gielgud Theatre and “Priscilla Queen of the Desert” at the Palace Theatre.

 Rachelle Ann Go has just finished playing the role of ‘Gigi’ in Cameron Mackintosh’s new production of “Miss Saigon” at the Prince Edward Theatre for which she won the Whatsonstage Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical. She is a well-known TV star in her native country, the Philippines having won the “Search for a Star” contest. Rachelle is also a double-platinum recording artist.

 Katy Secombe returns to the role of ‘Madame Thénardier’ having last played the part in 2012 opposite Matt Lucas.  She most recently played the role of Brenda in “I Can’t Sing! The X Factor Musical” at the London Palladium. Previous theatre credits include: “The Lyons” at the Menier Chocolate Factory and ‘Rosie’ in “Mamma Mia!” at the Prince of Wales Theatre.

 Zoë Doano is currently playing the role of ‘Johanna’ in the sold out “Sweeney Todd” at Harrington’s Pie and Mash Shop. Her other theatre credits include: ‘Marianne’ in “The Grand Tour” at the Finborough Theatre; “High Society” UK Tour, “Sweet Smell of Success” at The Arcola Theatre, ‘Frenchy’ in “Grease” in the West End and The Sound of Music UK Tour.  Her TV credits include: “Hollyoaks” and “Doctors”. 

Rob Houchen trained at Guildford School of Acting and after graduating toured Germany with “The 12 Tenors”.

Carrie Hope Fletcher played ‘Young Eponine’ at the Palace Theatre in 2001. Her West End credits include ‘Jemima Potts’ in “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” at the London Palladium and ‘Jane Banks’ in “Mary Poppins” at the Prince Edward Theatre.

Bradley Jaden’s
theatre credits include: “Ghost”, the original UK tour, “Shrek The Musical” at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, “The 12 Tenors” tour of Europe and Japan and “Peter Pan” at the West Yorkshire Playhouse.



Saturday, May 9

New Hoagy Carmichael Musical Stardust Road Postponed at St James Theatre

Updated 12th August:
Producers have today announced the postponement of the musical Hoagy Carmichael's Stardust Road. Lead producer Hoagy B. Carmichael said in a statement: "We are terribly saddened to reveal that due to issues with a potential investor we have had to cancel the run in London. It would have been irresponsible to everyone involved in the production to have moved ahead without this vital piece of financing in place. We are incredibly proud of the creative team and actors we cast and hope they can all continue the journey with us when we expect to remount the show in London in 2016. I am sorry to disappoint the 800 people who had already bought tickets to the show, but they should contact the St James Theatre for full refunds or exchanges."

Stardust Road is a new musical being produced by Hoagy B Carmichael, Robert Mackintosh, and Hilary A Williams at the St James Theatre in Victoria from 27th October to 21st November  with an official opening on 30th October 2015.

It is based on the songs of Hoagy Carmichael who wrote four of the most-recorded American songs of all time:  'Stardust', 'Georgia on My Mind', 'The Nearness of You' and 'Heart and Soul' . This new American musical uses music from the age of jazz, blues and ragtime in the 20s to the Golden Age of Hollywood featuring the songs "Up a Lazy River Two Sleepy People", "In The Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening", "Old Buttermilk Sky", "Skylark", "Riverboat Shuffle", "Old Man Harlem", "Rockin' Chair", "Memphis in June", "The Nearness of You", "I Get Along Without You Very Well", "Huggin' and Chalkin'" with a live band and cast of singers and dancers.

Buy Tickets for Stardust Road 

Friday, May 8

Steven Pinder to play Dr Dillamond in Wicked! London

The musical WICKED,has just announced that Steven Pinder, who is currently playing Doctor Dillamond and The Wizard on the  UK Tour of the show, will join the London production at the Apollo Victoria as Doctor Dillamond from  10th August to 19 September 2015. Philip Childs will play his final performance on Saturday 8th  August.

Steven is best remembered as Max Farnham in Phil Redmond’s Brookside, which  he played from 1990 until the final episode in 2003. He has worked extensively in theatre and television and joined the acclaimed UK Tour of Wicked in September 2014. 

Thursday, May 7

More Singular Sensations featuring Alex Gaumond and Cynthia Erivo at Charing Cross Theatre

Edward Seckerson (formerly the presenter of BBC Radio 3’s long-running musical theatre show Stage & Screen), continues his Singular Sensations series of in-depth encounters with stars of musical theatre at London’s Charing Cross Theatre featuring Alex Gaumond. on Sunday 7th June and Cynthia Erivo on Sunday 19th July at 3:00 pm

Alex Gaumond's  West End theatre credits include: Beadle Bamford Sweeney Todd (ENO); Freddy Benson Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Savoy); Miss Trunchbull in the RSC's Matilda (Cambridge); Alberto Beddini Top Hat (Aldwych); Galileo We Will Rock You (Dominion); Emmett Forrest Legally Blonde (Savoy, Olivier Award nomination for Best Actor in a Musical); Ray Sunshine Desperately Seeking Susan (Novello); Tom Jenkins Scrooge (Palladium).
Other theatre includes: Jesus Jesus Christ Superstar (Ljubljana Festival, Slovenia); Galileo We Will Rock You (original UK tour); Rusty Charlie/understudy Nathan Detroit Guys and Dolls (Donmar Warehouse UK tour); Malcolm MacGregor The Full Monty (original UK tour)
Recordings include: The Confession Room; The Concrete Jungle; Legally Blonde (Original London Cast); Scrooge (London Palladium Cast, with Tommy Steele).
.
Cynthia Erivo's credits include Kneehigh's Umbrella's of Cherbourg, Jerry Zaks' Sister Act - The Musical, Perfect Pitch's Lift, The Menier Chocolate Factory's critically acclaimed Color Purple, directed by John Doyle, which she will be taking to Broadway later this year, Trafalgar Studios' brilliant production of Dessa Rose and more recently Phyllida Lloyd's critically aclaimed  Henry IV for The Donmar Warehouse and Puck in Nick Bagnall's production of Midsummer Night's Dream for Liverpool Everyman Theatre. Cynthia's TV credits include; Mister Selfridge and The Tunnel.

Book tickets for Singular Sensations

Wednesday, May 6

First Details of 2015 West End Live

This year’s West End LIVE  returns to  Trafalgar Square on Saturday 20th  and Sunday 21st  June 2015.

The free musical extravaganza, showcases the best of the West End and  is now the largest event of its type in the world attracting crowds of more than 500,000 people over the  weekend.

Organised by Westminster City Council in partnership with the Society of London Theatre, this year’s celebration is set to deliver another star-studded, packed weekend of free entertainment from some of the West End’s biggest shows with confirmed performances including   Billy Elliot, Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, Jersey Boys, Mamma Mia!, Matilda The Musical and Wicked joined by The Carole King Musical Beautiful and Sunny Afternoon.

Fulldetails of the spectacular line-up of performances on the main stage and special events, including the return of the popular Spiegeltent in Leicester Square, will be announced in due course.

Mamma Mia! Cast Changes

Mazz Murray and Gabriella Williams are joining the musical  Mamma Mia! at the Novello Theatre with effect from 8th June

Mazz Murray will be joining the cast as Tanya, with  Jo Napthine as Rosie, Gabriella Williams as Sophie Sheridan and James Darch as Sky.

Also joining the cast will be Louise Young as Ali, Stephanie Fearon as Lisa, Dan Partridge as Pepper and Rory Phelan as Eddie.

Dianne Pilkington will continue to star as Donna Sheridan, with Richard Trinder as Sam, Alasdair Harvey as Harry and Charles Daish as Bill. At certain performances, the role of Donna Sheridan will be played by Shona White.

Mazz Murray famously starred as Killer Queen in We Will Rock You at the Dominion Theatre for seven years. Her theatre credits also include: Maureen in the Rent (UK Tour), Fame (West End/UK Tour) and Smokey Joe’s Café (UK Tour).She is the daughter of songwriter Mitch Murray (who won two Ivor Novello Awards and wrote or co-wrote five UK and three US chart-topping records). She makes up one third of vocal group Woman, who have supported Earth Wind and Fire and Billy Ocean on their UK national tours.

Jo Napthine’s theatre credits include Made in Dagenham (Adelphi Theatre), Urinetown (St James Theatre), Sister Act and The Sound of Music (London Palladium), The Woman in White (Palace Theatre), Jerry Springer – The Opera (National and Cambridge Theatre), Kiss Me Kate (Victoria Palace Theatre) and Les Misérables (Palace Theatre).

Mamma Mia! marks Gabriella Williams’ West End debut. She will be graduating this summer from Arts Educational Schools. She is currently making her professional debut in Carrie at Southwark Playhouse. James Darch’s previous theatre work includes White Christmas (West Yorkshire Playhouse), Kiss Me Kate (Royal Albert Hall) and Cats (UK Tour).

Cast announced for tour of Love Me Tender

Adam Spiegel Productions, Robert G. Bartner and the Ambassador Theatre Group are delighted to announce the full cast for the UK and Ireland tour of “LOVE ME TENDER - the new musical inspired by and featuring the music of Elvis Presley.

Joining the previously announced Mica Paris as ‘Sylvia’ will be Sian Reeves as ‘Mayor Matilda Hyde’ and Shaun Williamson as ‘Jim’ with Ben Lewis as ‘Chad’.  The rest of the company includes: Mark Anderson as ‘Dennis’; Aretha Ayeh as ‘Lorraine’; Chris Howell as ‘Sheriff Earl’; Felix Mosse as ‘Dean’; Laura Tebbutt as ‘Natalie’; Kate Tydman as ‘Miss Sandra’; Sophie Ayres; Jamie Hughes-Ward; Will Jeffs; Jacob Maynard; Matthew McKenna; Elliot Powell; Ruthie Stephens; Paulo Teixeira; Lindsey Tierney; Sharon Wattis and T’Shan Williams.

Sian Reeves is best known for playing the role of Sydney Henshall in the BBC drama “Cutting It”, and for playing villain Sally Spode in “Emmerdale”. Her other TV credits include: “Holby City”, “Doctors” and “Where The Heart Is”.  Her theatre credits include: “Vernon God Little” at The Young Vic, “Talk Of The City” and “The Merchant Of Venice” at the RSC, “West Side Story” on UK Tour and “Kiss Me Kate” at the RSC/Old Vic. Sian was in the original cast of “Les Misérables” at the Barbican and took over the role of ‘Cosette’ when it transferred to the Palace Theatre.

Shaun Williamson is best known to millions of TV viewers as Barry Evans in BBC1’s “EastEnders”. His other TV credits include “Extras” and “Life’s Too Short”. His theatre credits include “Anything Goes” on UK tour and “Saturday Night Fever” and “Guys and Dolls” in the West End and on UK tour. His film credits include: “Daylight Robbery” and the Ricky Gervais film “The Invention of Lying” alongside Stephen Merchant.

Ben Lewis has most recently been seen in “Forbidden Broadway” at the Menier Chocolate Factory and in the West End. He originated the role of ‘The Phantom’ in “Love Never Dies” in his native Australia for which he won the Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical Award at the 2012 Sydney Theatre Awards. His other theatre credits include: “A Little Night Music”; “Spamalot”; “Urinetown” and “Priscilla Queen of the Desert”. His TV credits include: “Doctors” and “McLeod’s Daughters” and “Carols by Candlelight” for Channel 9 Australia.

Tuesday, May 5

Charity Concert An Evening with Tim Rice and Friends

Sir Tim Rice has announced a charity concert entitled An Evening with Tim Rice and Friends  at the Sage Gateshead on Thursday October 8th at 7:30 pm .   Numbers from The Lion King, Evita and Jesus Christ Superstar to James Bond and beyond will be performed live by performers and artistes including Marti Pellow and Frances Ruffelle plus acclaimed musician Rick Wakeman, accompanied by Royal Northern Sinfonia.

The concert in in aid of  cancer charity Maggie's Newcastle which was built two years ago in the grounds of Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital, offering  free practical, emotional and social support to people with cancer and their family and friends

Sir Tim said: “The concert is called ‘An Evening with Tim Rice and Friends’ and that’s just what it is.
“There will be various fine singers who will be singing songs I have written over the decades and I will link them by telling a few stories - some of which I hope will be found amusing - of how they were written and about the shows they were written for.”

Tickets for An Evening with Tim Rice and Friends 

Sunday, May 3

1984 to open at The Playhouse Theatre in June

The production of George Orwell's 1984, adapted by Robert Icke and Duncan Macmillan will return to the Playhouse Theatre in London's West End opening on 18th June 2015, following previews from the 12th June, for a limited 12-week season until 5 September. It follows  Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown which closes on 23rd May.

The production  was originally seen at the Nottingham Playhouse in September 2013, before transferring to the Almeida Theatre in north London in February 2014 plus a run at the Playhouse from 28 April to 23 August 2014. Following its next West End run it will go on to an international and UK tour.

1984 features designs by Chloe Lamford, lighting by Natasha Chivers, sound by Tom Gibbons and video by Tim Reid. The producers are Sonia Friedman Productions and Eleanor Lloyd Productions / Headlong, Nottingham Playhouse and Almeida Theatre.

1984 was originally published in 1949 and went on to become one of the most popular and well read novels of the 20th Century. It is responsible for coining the term 'Big Brother', along with the now popular concept of 'Room 101' and 'thoughtcrimes'."April, 1984. Comrade 6079, Winston Smith, thinks a thought and starts a diary. But Big Brother is always watching, and the door to Room 101 can swing open in the blink of an eye."

Casting news to ofollow shortly.

LEE MEAD - CONCERT TOUR

West End musical theatre star Lee Mead is presenting Some  Enchanted Christmas at the Garrick Theatre at 6:00 pm on Sunday 6th December which is the last date in his tour of the same name which visits Civic Hall, Bedworth/19th July: Shanklin Theatre, Isle of Wight/2nd August, West Cliff Theatre, Clacton-on-Sea/16th August, Camberley Theatre, /5th September, The Apex, Bury St Edmunds/19th September, Queen’s Theatre, Barnstaple/4th October: Octagon Theatre, Yeovil/25th October, Theatre Royal, Winchester/8th NovemberGarrick Theatre, Lichfield/21st November

Lee and his band (with some guests to be announced) will be performing  numbers from  MGM films and musical theatre shows of the 1940s including 'Some Enchanted Evening' from the 1958 film 'South Pacific'. 'I'll See You in my Dreams' from the 1940s film 'Kitty Foyle' and the title  song from the iconic Gene Kelly film 'Singing in the Rain'

Lee also has a  album due out in summer on the  same theme with a title  and release date yet to be confirmed.


Tickets for Lee Mead One Enchanted Christmas