Simon Lipkin and Gina Beck starring in I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change

Hartshorn – Hook Productions has just  announced the reunion of last year’s critically-acclaimed cast in I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change for two performances at the Arts Theatre on Monday 15th August.

I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change follows the ups and downs of a modern day romantic relationship whilst attempting to answer some of life’s most infuriating questions; “What do women really want?, “What are men really thinking?“, and “Why, when we find the partner of our dreams, do we spend the rest of our lives trying to change them?”

Heading up the company  is Simon Lipkin, who took over the role of Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls earlier this week, opposite Rebel Wilson, and earlier this year appeared in Miss Atomic Bomb (St James).

Joining Simon is Gina Beck who currently appearing as Magnolia Hawks in  Show Boat at the New London.

Also returning is Julie Atherton who last year appeared as Sister Margaretta in ITV’s The Sound of Music Live. Atherton is perhaps best-known for her performance as Kate Monster in the Original London Cast of Avenue Q.

Completing the cast is Samuel Holmes who most recently played Bertie  in Mrs Henderson Presents. He is also be appearing as George in the  Tour of The Wedding Singer, which opens at the Leicester Curve next February.

The production will be directed by Kirk Jameson who most recently presented the London Premiere of The Great American Trailer Park (Waterloo East). For Musical Staging, he is  joined by Sam Spencer-Lane, making this their third production together in as many years. Most recently Spencer-Lane recreated Jerome Robin’s choreography in the celebrated production of West Side Story (Kilworth House).

Scott Morgan completes the creative team as musical director. He most recently accompanied Keith Jack on his UK Tour and Australian drag sensation Courtney Act during her UK shows.

Buy tickets for I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change

Funny Girl to go on tour

Following its run at the Menier Chocolate Factory and the Savoy Theatre  until October , Funny Girl will launch a national tour next year .

The show  opened at the Menier Chocolate last year before transferring to the Savoy Theatre in April
The production will open at the Manchester Palace on 20th February 2017 before touring to Milton Keynes Theatre, Liverpool Empire, Bristol Hippodrome, Stoke Regent Theatre, His Majesty's Theatre Aberdeen, Edinburgh Playhouse, New Victoria Theatre Woking, Marlowe Theatre Canterbury, Birmingham Hippodrome, Newcastle Theatre Royal, Mayflower Theatre Southampton, King’s Theatre Glasgow, Nottingham Theatre Royal and Southend Cliffs Pavilion.  Click here for dates and booking links where available. Further tour dates and casting to be announced

The current cast includes Natasha J Barnes as Fanny Brice, Darius Campbell as Nicky Arnstein, Marilyn Cutts as Mrs Brice, Maurice Lane as Mr Keeney, Valda Aviks as Mrs Meeker, Gay Soper as Mrs Strakosh, Bruce Montague as Florenz Ziegfeld and Joel Montague as Eddie Ryan. Sheridan Smith is expected to be returning to the production in July.

Broadway's The Waitress to open in London next Spring?

The hit Broadway musical The Waitress  (where Jessie Mueller, who won a Tony for her portrait of Carole King in Beautiful, plays the title character)
is aiming to open in the West End in Spring 2017 subject to a suitable theatre being found.

The musical  opened in New York in April and has a score by Sara Bareilles with book by Jessie Nelson and is based on the 2007 motion picture written by Adrienne Shelly.  It tells the story of Jenna who  works in a diner in a small Southern town and is a genius at creating luscious desserts, but her marriage to  overbearing lout Earl makes happiness impossible. She finds some escape through camaraderie with her colleagues at the diner and  by baking fantastic pies.

When she discovers she is pregnant, she makes plans to skip town before her condition is obvious. However, she begins an affair with the new town doctor , who is the only one who knows her secret.

Louise Dearman joins Ramin Karimloo at Palladium Concert next month

Ramin Karimloo is performing for one night only at the London Palladium with his band on Saturday 16th July following two sold out concerts at Islington’s Union Chapel and the Assembly Hall earlier this year. The West End and Broadway star  will perform his Broadgrass material including songs from Broadway, Bluegrass and beyond.

The show will be directed by Peter Taylor with  Louise Dearman will join Ramin for a  duet. The band includes Sergio Ortega, Hadley Fraser and Alan Markley with backing vocals from Katie Birtill.

Tickets for Ramin Karimloo at the Palladium

Jonathan Bailey & Samantha Barks to star in The Last Five Years

Jason Robert Brown is  to direct Jonathan Bailey and Samantha Barks in a  revival of his musical The Last Five Years in London at the St James Theatre  from Friday 27 October to 26th November, with a press night on Wednesday 2 November at 7.00pm.

The musical  premiered at Chicago's Northlight Theatre in 2001 and was then produced Off-Broadway in March 2002. Since then it has had numerous productions both in the United States and internationally. The 2014 American musical comedy-drama film starred Anna Kendrick and Jeremy Jordan.

The musical chronicles the five year romance between Jamie Wellerstein and Cathy Hiatt . However, it does not take place in chronological order: all of Cathy's songs begin after they have separated and move backwards in time to the beginning of their courtship, while Jamie's songs start when they have first met and proceeds through their crumbling marriage. Cathy's first song, (Still Hurting), begins at the point of break-up and runs backwards; while Jamie's tale starts at the beginning of the relationship, with an almost salsa number (Shiksa Goddess), and hurtles forward with his testimony. The characters do not directly interact except for a wedding song in the middle as their timelines cross. They both have to sing  six or seven difficult songs, standing alone on stage, testing their endurance and level of technique.

Samantha Barks will play Cathy. She is best known for playing Eponine in Les Miserables, a role she played in the West End, the 25th Anniversary Concerts at the O2, and in the 2012 film adaptation alongside Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe and Eddie Redmayne. Samantha came to prominence as a finalist on BBC’s I’d Do Anything, and later played Nancy in Cameron Mackintosh’s touring production of Oliver!. Recent theatre credits include the title role in the world premiere of Amelie – A New Musical (Berkeley Repertory Theatre), Mallory/Avril in City of Angels (Donmar Warehouse), Velma Kelly in Chicago (Hollywood Bowl) and Sally Bowles in Cabaret (UK Tour). Recent film credits include Interlude in Prague (Stillking Films), Bitter Harvest (Devil’s Harvest Productions), The Canary (Pioneer Pictures), the voice of Miss Acacia in Jack & The Cuckoo-Clock Heart (EuropaCorp) and The Christmas Candle (Pinewood Studios). Samantha also recently released her debut eponymous album “Samantha Barks” and is currently on a nationwide tour.

 Jonathan Bailey will play Jamie. He is best known for television roles including reporter Olly Stevens in ITV’s Broadchurch and Leonardo Da Vinci in BBC’s Leonardo, with other recent credits including W1A (BBC), Doctor Who (BBC), Crashing (Channel 4), Campus (Channel 4) and the upcoming Hooten and the Lady (Sky). Jonathan is also currently shooting the next series of Michaela Cole's Chewing Gum (E4). Theatre credits include American Psycho (Almeida Theatre), Othello (National Theatre) and South Downs (Harold Pinter Theatre), with film credits including 5 Children and It, Testament of Youth and the upcoming Crowhurst biopic The Mercy with Colin Firth and Rachel Weisz, which is to be released next year. 

The Last Five Years was inspired by Brown's failed marriage to Theresa O'Neill. O'Neill threatened legal action on the grounds the story of the musical represented her relationship with Brown too closely, and Brown changed the song "I Could Be in Love With Someone Like You" to "Shiksa Goddess" in order to reduce the similarity between the character Cathy and O'Neill.

The Last Five Years is written and directed by Jason Robert Brown, with musical direction by Torquil Munro. Casting is by Pippa Ailion. It is produced by Hilary and Stuart Williams in association with Paul Taylor-Mills

Buy tickets for The Last Five Years

Jonathan Bailey & Samantha Barks to star in The Last Five Years

Jason Robert Brown is  to direct Jonathan Bailey and Samantha Barks in a  revival of his musical The Last Five Years in London at the St James Theatre  from Friday 27 October to 26th November, with a press night on Wednesday 2 November at 7.00pm.

The musical  premiered at Chicago's Northlight Theatre in 2001 and was then produced Off-Broadway in March 2002. Since then it has had numerous productions both in the United States and internationally. The 2014 American musical comedy-drama film starred Anna Kendrick and Jeremy Jordan.

The musical chronicles the five year romance between Jamie Wellerstein and Cathy Hiatt . However, it does not take place in chronological order: all of Cathy's songs begin after they have separated and move backwards in time to the beginning of their courtship, while Jamie's songs start when they have first met and proceeds through their crumbling marriage. Cathy's first song, (Still Hurting), begins at the point of break-up and runs backwards; while Jamie's tale starts at the beginning of the relationship, with an almost salsa number (Shiksa Goddess), and hurtles forward with his testimony. The characters do not directly interact except for a wedding song in the middle as their timelines cross. They both have to sing  six or seven difficult songs, standing alone on stage, testing their endurance and level of technique.

Samantha Barks will play Cathy. She is best known for playing Eponine in Les Miserables, a role she played in the West End, the 25th Anniversary Concerts at the O2, and in the 2012 film adaptation alongside Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe and Eddie Redmayne. Samantha came to prominence as a finalist on BBC’s I’d Do Anything, and later played Nancy in Cameron Mackintosh’s touring production of Oliver!. Recent theatre credits include the title role in the world premiere of Amelie – A New Musical (Berkeley Repertory Theatre), Mallory/Avril in City of Angels (Donmar Warehouse), Velma Kelly in Chicago (Hollywood Bowl) and Sally Bowles in Cabaret (UK Tour). Recent film credits include Interlude in Prague (Stillking Films), Bitter Harvest (Devil’s Harvest Productions), The Canary (Pioneer Pictures), the voice of Miss Acacia in Jack & The Cuckoo-Clock Heart (EuropaCorp) and The Christmas Candle (Pinewood Studios). Samantha also recently released her debut eponymous album “Samantha Barks” and is currently on a nationwide tour.

 Jonathan Bailey will play Jamie. He is best known for television roles including reporter Olly Stevens in ITV’s Broadchurch and Leonardo Da Vinci in BBC’s Leonardo, with other recent credits including W1A (BBC), Doctor Who (BBC), Crashing (Channel 4), Campus (Channel 4) and the upcoming Hooten and the Lady (Sky). Jonathan is also currently shooting the next series of Michaela Cole's Chewing Gum (E4). Theatre credits include American Psycho (Almeida Theatre), Othello (National Theatre) and South Downs (Harold Pinter Theatre), with film credits including 5 Children and It, Testament of Youth and the upcoming Crowhurst biopic The Mercy with Colin Firth and Rachel Weisz, which is to be released next year. 

The Last Five Years was inspired by Brown's failed marriage to Theresa O'Neill. O'Neill threatened legal action on the grounds the story of the musical represented her relationship with Brown too closely, and Brown changed the song "I Could Be in Love With Someone Like You" to "Shiksa Goddess" in order to reduce the similarity between the character Cathy and O'Neill.

The Last Five Years is written and directed by Jason Robert Brown, with musical direction by Torquil Munro. Casting is by Pippa Ailion. It is produced by Hilary and Stuart Williams in association with Paul Taylor-Mills

Buy tickets for The Last Five Years

Casting announced Burt Bacharach's Promises, Promises to be revived at the Southwark Playhouse in January

Updated 11th November.  Casting has just been announced for this production -  Craig Armstrong (who plays Eichelberger/Waiter) was in Billy Elliott, West End, and Whistle Down the Wind; Ralph Bogard (Vanderhof/Watchman), The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Arts Theatre, Saucy Jack and the Space Vixens, Ushers the Front of House Musical; Martin Dickinson (Kirkeby/Karl) The Sound of Music, We Will Rock You, The Secret Garden; John Guerrasio (Dr. Dreyfuss) South Pacific, Anything Goes at Grange Park Opera; Charlie Johnson (Sylvia/Patsy/Mrs Sheldrake/Turkey Lurkey Girls) Spend Spend Spend, Union Theatre; Daisy Maywood (Fran) Wonder.land and Medea, NT, A Chorus Line, West End; Natalie Moore-Williams (Miss Olsen/Vivien/Sharon/Turkey Lurkey Girls) Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Scrooge, West End; Lee Ormsby (Dobitch) Pumbaa in The Lion King, The Great Jewish American Songbook; Paul Robinson (Sheldrake) Olivier Award nominee for Singin’ in the Rain, NT, The Sound of Music, White Christmas, Guys & Dolls, Chicago; Emily Squibb (Ginger/Kathy/Hostess) Made in Dagenham and Stephen Ward, West End); Gabriel Vick (Chuck Baxter) Sunny Afternoon, Chariots of Fire, West End; Alex Young (Marge/Nurse/Barbara) Showboat, West End.

Burt Bacharach's Promises, Promises to be revived at the Southwark Playhouse from 13th January-18th February  January 2017 (press night 17th January) which is the first time it  has been staged in London since the original West End production in 1969. The show premiered on Broadway in 1968 starring Jerry Orbach (who won a Tony for his role) and Jill O'Hara.

The first London production opened the following year with Tony Roberts and Betty Buckley. The show was last revived in New York in 2010, featuring Sean Hayes and Kristin Chenoweth when director Rob Ashford added two standard classics - I Say A Little Prayer and A House Is Not A Home - which will be included in the Southwark production.

This is the show for which Bacharach wrote the songs with Hal David, using a book by Neil Simon, based on Billy Wilder's Oscar-winning movie The Apartment. The film was a satire on the American way of doing business with Jack Lemmon playing a sap who gives male executives the key to his flat so they can  "party". Lemmon's character ends up falling for one of the young women enticed into the pad (Shirley MacLaine). Songs include I'll Never Fall In Love Again, Whoever You Are and Turkey Lurkey Time.

The creative team are; Director Bronagh Lagan, Musical Supervisor  Elliot Davis, Musical Director Joe Louis Robinson, Choreographer Cressida Carré, Set and Costume Designer Simon Anthony Wells, Sound Designer Andrew Johnson, Casting Director Jane Deitch, Producers Aria Entertainment and Senbla.

Tickets for Promises Promises

Ryan Molloy and Cassie Compton cast for 27 new British Rock Musical directed by Arlene Phillips

Updated 1st August:  The cast has just been announced which will include Ryan Molloy, Cassie Compton,  Reg Oliver and Jack Donnelly.  

Ryan Molloy holds the record as the longest-running star of a West End musical as Frankie Valli in “Jersey Boys” for six years. He also played the role on Broadway. He was Horace in the musical Fings Ain’t Wot They Used to Be at Theatre Royal Stratford East, played Tremont ‘Chick With A Dick’  in Jerry Springer the Opera, Steve Strange in Taboo, Judas in Godspell, and Ozzie in On the Town (at the ENO).

Cassie Compton was Jean in the world premiere of American Psycho at the Almeida; Nessarose in Wicked and Elizabeth in Dirty Dancing, both in the West End.

Greg Oliver played Moritz in the musical Spring Awakening, Wolf in After the Turn and Kyle in the world premiere of The Prodigals. As a singer he records as Revilo and he’s also in two other bands, HENRIETTA and Beauty School Dropout.

Jack Donnelly is best known for starring as Jason in Atlantis on BBC1. He was also in Misfits and two series of Threesome. On stage he was in Accomplice at the Menier Chocolate Factory.

The rest of the cast includes Lucy Martin, Ryan Gibb, Jodie Jacobs, Maisie Bawden, Eloise Davies, Collette Guitart, Emily Kenwright, Sophie Ayers, Anthony Selwyn, Jason Kajdi, Kristian Cunningham.

Arlene Phillips is to direct the world premiere of 27  new British rock musical which  will run at the Cockpit Theatre in Marylebone for  6 weeks from Thursday 8th September to Saturday 22nd October

27 is a dark interpretation of one of humanity’s oldest stories, written and co-directed by Sam Cassidy about Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Curt Cobain, Jm Morrison and Amy Winehouse: all music legends whose lives were tragically cut short at 27. Orpheus is a would-be rock star turned icon whose experiences of fame and notoriety lead him on a journey of unstoppable self-destruction. Another name for the list. At the tender age of 27. Another star, extinguished…featuring 13 musical numbers and a cast of 15, it is a shattering exploration of the fragility of life and the unwitting connections that bind us together. This rock musical with original lyrics and score serves up songs to die for and killer guitar riffs and will take you somewhere you probably didn’t think existed anymore.

Arlene Phillips said ‘I love working on projects that shout out “we are different”. Working on the fringe of the arts, which I have been doing more of in these last couple of years, I find really exciting. 27 has a powerful and emotional message that evokes so many memories of not just Amy Winehouse but so many others who began with a prodigious talent that eventually destroys them. It is a musical that could connect to so many people of different ages. The musical appeals to me because it was written by a young writer, Sam Cassidy, who has the power in his music to take the audience from one moment of joy to instant tears of sorrow. Casting this show won’t be easy because we need true actors who are able to get into the depth of the roles, and like Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sam writes music that is only possible for a few to sing, and of course, I want them to dance!’

Tickets for 27

Cast for Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Allegro

Full casting has been  announced today for the  professional European première of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Allegro was their third collaboration for the stage following Oklahoma! and Carousel,  and which opened on Broadway in 1947. The show  will open for a six-week run in The Large at Southwark Playhouse from Friday 5th August until Saturday 10th September.

It is produced by Danielle Tarento and directed by Thom Southerland, the award-winning team behind Grey Gardens, Grand Hotel, Titanic, Parade and Mack & Mabel. Southerland is working on a new adaptation of the book and the production will have brand new orchestrations.

Allegro new final posterPlot: In 1905 in a small Midwestern town, the wife of a local doctor gives birth to a baby boy, Joseph Taylor Jr. Allegro chronicles nearly four decades in the life of this average Joe – through his childhood, from college dorm to marriage altar, and on to his own medical career; from the tranquility of his hometown to the hectic din of big city life and a mid-life discovery of who he is and what his life is truly about, ultimately learning the most important lessons of all – the value of family, that money isn’t everything and that home really is where the heart is.

The cast includes Katie Bernstein (Emily West)/Peggy in Mrs Henderson Presents, Emily Bull (Jennie Brinker)/Sunset Boulevard and Sweeney Todd at the ENO and Cosette in Les Misérables, David Delve (Ned Brinker)/ Colonel-Doctor Otternschlag in Grand Hotel at Southwark Playhouse, Julia J Nagle (Marjorie Taylor)/West End and tour in Dirty Dancing, Dylan Turner (Charlie Townsend)/ Beautiful – The Carole King Musical, Chariots of Fire and Rock Of Ages, Susan Travers (Grandma Taylor)/ Rodger’s and Hammerstein’s State Fair at Trafalgar Studios, Gary Tushaw (Joseph Taylor Jr)/ Sunset Boulevard and Sweeney Todd at the ENO and Steve Watts (Dr Taylor)/ Chariots Of Fire. They are joined by Cassandra McCowan, Matthew McDonald, Louise Olley, Benjamin Purkiss, Jacqueline Tate, Samuel Thomas, Leah West and Matthew Woodyatt.

The full creative team are: Director Thom Southerland, Orchestrator Mark Cumberland, Musical Director Dean Austin, Choreographer Lee Proud, Set Designer Anthony Lamble, Costume Designer Jonathan Lipman, Lighting Designer Derek Anderson, Sound Designer Andrew Johnson, and Producer and Casting Director Danielle Tarento.

Tickets for Allegro

Kristin Chenoweth joins Harvey Fierstein and Jennifer Hudson in Hairspray LIVE

Kristin Chenoweth has joined the cast of NBC’s Hairspray LIVE which will be broadcast on 7th December 2016.

She will be playing  Velma Von Tussle, joining  Harvey Fierstein who, as well as writing the screenplay for the live broadcast, will reprise the role of Edna Turnblad which he originated on Broadway.

The cast also includes Jennifer Hudson as Motormouth Maybelle, Martin Short as Wilbur Turnblad and Derek Hough as Corny Collins, Kenny Leon (director of "The Wiz Live!") and Hairspray's original Broadway choreographer Jerry Mitchell with Maddie Baillio making her professional debut as Tracy.

Casting for premiere of Burnt Part Boys Musical

The European premiere of the chamber musical The Burnt Part Boys will be staged at the Park Theatre opening on 11th August (previews from 10th August) for a limited run to 3rd September. This is  the first musical to be staged in Park90.

The Burnt Part Boys ran off-Broadway in 2010. It has music by Chris Miller and lyrics by Nathan Tysen, who co-wrote Tuck Everlasting which recently closed on Broadway.  Book is by Mariana Elder.


The Burnt Part Boys is a coming of age story, following a group of teenagers living under the shadow of tragic mining accident, which claimed the lives of their fathers ten years prior.  With a masterfully orchestrated and arranged score that will engross and mesmerize. It is being erformed by arrangement with Josef Weinberger Limited on behalf of Music Theatre International of New York.

The cast includes David Haydn (Americana) as Dad, Ryan Heenan (The Sound of Music) as Dusty, Chris Jenkins (Billy Elliot) as Jake, David Leopold (Uncle Vanya) as Chet, Grace Osborn (Love Story) as Frances and Joseph Peacock (West Side Story) as Pete. They are joined by Danny Black-George, Tomas Wolstenholme, Jonathan Bourne and Jamie Fillery.

Tickets for Burnt Part Boys

Leading West End cast announced for 42nd Street at Théâtre du Châtelet

An all star West End has been announced for a production of 42nd Street at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris which  runs between 17th November 2016 and 8th January 2017. 42nd Street will have musical direction by Gareth Valentine with staging and choreography by Stephen Mear, design by Peter McKintosh and lighting by Chris Davey.

The cast includes Alexander Hanson as Julian Marsh, Ria Jones as Dorothy Brock, Monique Young as Peggy Sawyer, Dan Burton as Billy Lawlor, Jennie Dale as Maggie Jones, Carl Sanderson as Bert, Emma Kate Nelson as Ann Reilly, Stephane Anelli as Andy Lee, Matthew McKenna as Pat Denning, Teddy Kempner as Abner Dillon, Chantel Bellew as Phyllis Dale, Charlie Allen as Lorraine Flemming, Emily Goodenough as Diane Lorimer, Jessica Keable as Ethel, Barnaby Thompson as Oscar and Scott Emerson as Mac/Doctor/Thug 1.

Sierra Boggess leaving School of Rock on Broadway to Join Phantom in Paris

West End and Broadway star Sierra Boggess is currently playing the headmistress in Andrew Lloyd Webber's School of Rock on Broadway. The Lord has just revealed that she will not be moving with the show to London at the end of this year but is leaving the Broadway production on 8th August and  returning to The Phantom of the Opera  to reprise her role  as Christine in the upcoming French production  in Paris which will open at the Mogador Theatre in October 2016, celebrating the musical's 30th anniversary. It will be the the first time the show has been performed in France and in French.

Boggess has played Christine in The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall, in Las Vegas and on Broadway. She also originated the role in Love Never Dies in the West End.

Her Broadway credits also include It Shoulda Been You, The Little Mermaid and Master Class and she also played Fantine in the West End production of Les Miserables

Michael Ball joins judging panel of West End Bake Off next month

West End Bake Off have just announced that Michael Ball will join Dame Barbara Windsor and Christopher Biggins /who will be on  the judging panel for a second year) at their second West End Bake Off  which takes place at St Anne's Church Courtyard from 11:00am to 1:00 pm on 16th  July, with all money raised going to theatrical charity Acting for Others, an umbrella organisation that represents 15 UK theatrical charities and uses the funds it raises to offer emotional and financial support to members of the entertainment industry who have fallen on hard times through illness, injury or circumstance. West End Bake Off is supported by The Mackintosh Foundation and Official London Theatre.

This year, participants include teams from the following West End shows: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Guys and Dolls, The Mousetrap, LES MISERABLES, The Railway Children, Showstopper! The Improvised Musical, Titanic, Thriller Live and Wicked, with further participants to be announced shortly.

Last year 14 West End shows took part and over £4,000 was raised. Dame Barbara Windsor and Christopher Biggins judged the competition with The Mousetrap winning the trophy.

The event is free to attend for members of the public with the winners announced at 11:00 am and cakes on sale following the announcement. There will also be merchandise available to purchase including exclusive signed programmes and posters.

Dame Barbara Windsor said today: "I am hugely looking forward to judging a second year and isn't it wonderful that after performing eight shows a week these performers are able to find time to put all their efforts towards raising money for Acting for Others."


For those unable to attend the event, Acting for Others can still be supported by donating at its Just Giving page: www.justgiving.com/ctcafo

Jessie Wallace joining the UK tour of Chicago as Mama Morton.

Jessie Wallace (Kat in EastEnders) is to play  role of Mama Morton in the tour of Chicago the Musical from 15th August until 26th November taking over from Sam Bailey (who is due to leave on 9th July)

Best known for playing Kat Slater in EastEnders, a role for which she has won numerous awards,  Jessie's other TV credits include Amy Kriel in Wild at Heart and Pat Phoenix in The Road to Coronation Street, for which she was nominated for a Bafta Award. Her theatre credits include Maureen in Rent Remixed in the West End, Fings Ain’t Wot They Used T’Be at the Theatre Royal Stratford East and Sylvia in the national tour of Stepping Out.  

Wallace joins John Partridge as Billy Flynn, Hayley Tamaddon as Roxie Hart, Sophie Carmen-Jones as Velma Kelly, Neil Ditt as Amos Hart and A.D. Richardson as Mary Sunshine.

Simon Bowman & Mary Carewe in Music from Bond Concert

The line-up for this summer’s Nocturne open air concerts features The Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra performing  a selection of music from classic Bond films in the Great Court at Blenheim Palace on Saturday June 25th.

Presented by former Bond girl Fiona Fullerton (A View To A Kill), and featuring guest vocalists Mary Carewe and the West End's Simon Bowman (Miss Saigon, Les Miserables, Phantom). They will perform themes from films including Goldfinger, From Russia With Love, Live & Let Die, Licence to Kill, Skyfall and  Spectre under the direction of conductor Richard Balcombe.

Buy tickets for The Music From Bond

Cast announced for Moby Dick the Musical at Southwark

Updated 22nd August: the cast has just been announced and will include  X Factor finalist Anton Stephans (Porgy &Bess) leading the cast and playing  Headmistress/Ahab.He will be joined by Brenda Edwards (Chicago, Carmen Jones, Hairspray and We Will Rock You) playing Esta.

The cast also includes Laura Mansell as Starbuck,  Sam Barrett as Coffin, Pérola Congo as Queeqeeg  and Aimee Hodnett as Stubb with  Rachel Anne Rayham, Rebekah Lowings , Glen Facey,  and Grant McConvey.

Last seen in 1992, the saucy cult hit Moby Dick! The Musical is back and will be revived at the Union Theatre in Southwark from Wednesday 12th October – Saturday 12th November 2016

The last time it was in the West End it was  produced by Cameron Mackintosh, with a book by Robert Longden and music and lyrics by Longden and Hereward Kaye.

Cameron Mackintosh said: When I first put on Robert Longdon and Hereward Kaye’s irrepressible version of ‘Moby Dick! The Musical’ 25 years ago, London had virtually no Off West End theatres and the outrageous joy of shows like ‘The Producers’ and ‘The Book of Mormon’ were still decades away. An unlikely alliance between Melville’s great novel and the immortal St Trinian’s girls, ‘Moby Dick!’ is truly a whale of a tale. I’m really delighted that Andrew Wright saw the show as a student in Oxford and has taken up his harpoon to bring Moby roaring back to the New Union Theatre with a wonderful diverse young cast of school ‘girls’ to holler ‘Thar She Blows’!

It tells the tale of anarchic and nubile girls of St. Godley’s Academy for Young Ladies who are in trouble! Money for the school has run out and it’s threatened with closure. Determined to save their school from bankruptcy, the  girls, and their headmistress come up with a plan to it afloat. Using whatever they can find, the girls mount an original production a musical version of Herman Melville’s classic novel Moby Dick as a fundraiser – featuring their  headmistress as Captain Ahab.

This brand new production, staged for the show’s 25th Anniversary, is directed and choreographed by double Olivier Award nominee Andrew Wright who  is reunited with Producer Amy Anzel after their 2014 UK tour of Happy Days – A New Musical, which featured on Channel 4’s The Sound of Musicals.  He said  I am very excited to bring ‘Moby Dick! The Musical’ back to London after 25 years. I saw the original production at the Oxford Fire Station in 1991 and fell in love with its anarchic charm and sheer exuberance. The New Union Theatre is the perfect venue to unleash the girls of St Godley’s version of this classic tale. 25 years on, the piece feels more relevant than ever and after waiting all that time it will hopefully be the dick you’ve been waiting for!

This show is all about having fun and getting involved. Audience members who come in school uniform will get front row onstage seats and play a part in St Godley’s version of Moby Dick.


Tickets for Moby Dick

Martin Kemp , Dannii Minogue and Amber Riley to join Gary Barlow as judges for new Let It Shine Take That inspired musical

Updated 12 November: The BBC have confirmed that singer Lulu is to  join stage 2 of  Gary Barlow's new BBC show Let It Shine as the second guest judge.  Lulu said: “I have always loved working and sharing in the success story that is Take That. So the chance to bring my experience and knowledge of west end musicals, to help cast for a new show, feels a privilege and I am thrilled to do it."

Lulu, who famously collaborated with Gary on Take That hit Relight My Fire, will  help the three permanent judges whittle down the groups to five final bands who will go forward to compete in the live shows.

Updated 14th September: It has just been announced by the BBC that Martin Kemp and Dannii Minogue are to join Gary Barlow as judges on BBC One's Take That talent search Let It Shine which will be co-presented by Graham Norton and Mel Giedroyc

Kemp, an actor and Spandau Ballet's bassist, will be a permanent judge, as will the Australian actress and singer.

Amber Riley, best known for her role as Mercedes Jones in Glee and shortly to star in Dreamgirls the Musical , will be a judge in the first stage of the competition.

Auditions took place in  July and August this year and filming began this month.The talent show is set to be broadcast on BBC1 starting in January next year with Barlow as the main judge who will be joined by three mentors each week. 

Barlow is searching for five performers to star in a stage show called The Band which is  being created in association with Barlow as well as Take That's Mark Owen and Howard Donald. It will initially tour the UK. 

The BBC have said they aren't looking  for lookalikes. Instead they are seeking people who “can sing and move as well as the original members of the group”.

Jon Robyns, Ray Quinn, Roxanne Pallett & Cassie Compton to star in new UK tour of The Wedding Singer

A new UK tour of The Wedding Singer will open at the Leicester Curve on 10th February next year

The cast includes Jon Robyns as Robbie Hart, Ray Quinn as Glen, Cassie Compton as Julia, Roxanne Pallett as Holly, Ruth Madoc as Grandma Rosie and Samuel Holmes as George with further casting to be announced.


Set in 1985 rock-star wannabe Robbie Hart (Jon Robyns: Avenue Q, Legally Blonde) is New Jersey’s favourite wedding singer. When his own fiancée dumps him at the altar a seriously bummed out Robbie makes every wedding as disastrous as his own.

Can sweet natured Julia, (Cassie Compton: X Factor) and her best friend Holly (Roxanne Pallett: Emmerdale, Waterloo Road) lure Robbie out of the dumpster and back into the limelight? Or is he going to see her head off down the aisle with Wall Street bad boy Glenn (Ray Quinn: X Factor, Dancing On Ice)? Only Grandma Rosie (Ruth Madoc: Hi-De-Hi!, Little Britain) seems to be able to see that Robbie and Julia are the couple that are meant to be.

The Wedding Singer tour will be directed and choreographed by Nick Winston. Set and costumes are by Francis O’Connor, musical supervision is by Sarah Travis whilst musical direction and orchestrations are by George Dyer. Lighting is by Ben Cracknell with sound by Richard Brooker, video by Jack Henry James and casting by Jim Arnold.


Full tour dates and booking Link for The Wedding Singer

Release date for Wicked the movie announced

A release date has finally been set for the film adaptation of Wicked! the Musical. Universal Studios has said the film will be released on 20th December 2019 directed by Stephen Daldry.

Based on Gregory Maguire's book, writer Winnie Holzman and composer/lyricist Stephen Schwartz, will reunite for the film adaptation.

Kinks Sunny Afternoon Musical announces closure

The West End production of the Kinks' Musical Sunny Afternoon will close at the Harold Pinter Theatre on 29th October 2016.

A new touring production opens at the Manchester Opera House on 19th August and currently runs into March 2017.

Simon Lipkin to play Nathan Detroit opposite Rebel Wilson in Guys & Dolls

Simon Lipkin is to star opposite Rebel Wilson in Guys and Dolls for a limited engagement at the Phoenix Theatre.

He  will play Nathan Detroit from Tuesday 28th June until Sunday 21st August 2016, starring opposite Rebel Wilson as Miss Adelaide.

Nigel Lindsay and Samantha Spiro will play their final performances as Nathan Detroit and Miss Adelaide on Sunday 26 June.

Hamilton to open at the Victoria Palace October next year

It finally seems that, Lin-Manuel Miranda's mega hit musical Hamilton will open in West End next year. According to  Baz Bamigboye, the Tony nominated musical will open at London's Victoria Palace Theatre in October 2017 with tickets  on sale this October.The production is expected to launch its website on  13th June giving priority ticket information .

Bamigboye also reports that Cameron Mackintosh's Delfont Mackintosh Theatres is expected to spend approximately £30 million to refurbish the theatre in preparation .

Hamilton has book, music and lyrics by Tony and Grammy Award-winning composer Lin-Manuel Miranda, who also plays the title role. The musical is directed by Thomas Kail, with choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler and music direction and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire. Hamilton is inspired by Ron Chernow's biography "Alexander Hamilton."

It is about the young immigrant Alexander Hamilton, the  Founding Father who forever changed America with his revolutionary ideas and actions. During his short life, he served as George Washington's chief aide, was the first Treasury Secretary, but  despised by his fellow Founding Fathers and shot to death by Aaron Burr in a legendary duel.

25th anniversary production of The World Goes Round –The Songs of Kander & Ebb

A 25th anniversary production of The World Goes Round –The Songs of Kander & Ebb will feature as part of the Stephen Joseph Theatre’s Summer Festival  in Scarborough.

It will run between Thursday 28 July and Saturday 3 September (press night  Friday 29th July ).

Conceived by Scott Ellis, Susan Stroman and David Thompson, and directed by Lotte Wakeham, this show features showstoppers including ‘New York, New York’, ‘All That Jazz’, and ‘Money, Money’, alongside lesser-known songs including ‘Mr Cellophane’, ‘Coffee in a Cardboard Cup’ and ‘Arthur in the Afternoon’


Tickets for The World Goes Round –The Songs of Kander & Ebb

Casting and 2016 Tour Dates announced for 20th anniversary production of RENT

Update:  The 2016 tour dates and booking links are:

Aberdeen His Majesty's Theatre 15th-19th November 

Malvern Festival Theatre 22nd-26th November

High Wycombe Swan Theatre 29th November-3rd December

 Dates for 2017 to be announced soon.

A new 20th Anniversary production of Jonathan Larson’s musical RENT opens at Theatr Clwyd for a limited season from 21st October to 12th November 2016, it  will go on a three-week tour, prior to a Christmas Season at St. James Theatre, London from 8th December 2016 to 28 January 2017.

The new production will be directed by Bruce Guthrie with a cast including: Ross Hunter (We Will Rock You, Rock of Ages, The Book of Mormon) as Roger Davis, Billy Cullum (Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) as Mark Cohen, Ryan O’Gorman (Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera, Billy Elliot) as Tom Collins, Shanay Holmes (Thriller Live, The Bodyguard) as Joanne Jefferson, Layton Williams (Billy in Billy Elliot, Thriller Live, Hairspray, Bad Education) as Angel Schunard, Philippa Stefani (In The Heights, Ghost the Musical, High Society) as Mimi Marquez and Lucie Jones (X Factor, Legally Blonde, Ghost the Musical, American Psycho, Les Misérables) as Maureen Johnson.  Casting for the role of Benjamin Coffin III will be announced shortly. The cast will also include Katie Bradley, Jordan Laviniere, Bobbie Little, Christina Modestou, Jenny O’Leary and Kevin Yates.

The much-loved score features songs such as Seasons of Love, Take Me Or Leave Me, One Song Glory, La Vie Bohème, Without You, I’ll Cover You, Out Tonight, I Should Tell You and the title song.

Tickets on sale soon for Rent at Theatr Clwyd.

Tickets on sale now for Rent at St James Theatre 

Full cast announced for Jesus Christ Superstar

As already  announced, Declan Bennett will play the role of Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar at  Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. .Declan was the original lead in the London cast of Once (Phoenix), and has also appeared in Boy George’s musical Taboo (Venue Theatre), RENT (US tour and Broadway), American Idiot (Broadway) as well as on BBC’s EastEnders as Charlie Cotton.

The following casting has just been confirmed:  Tyrone Huntley will play Judas, with Anoushka Lucas as Mary Magdelene, David Thaxton as Pilate, Cavin Cornwall as Caiaphas, Peter Caulfield as Herod, Phil King as Peter, Joel Harper-Jackson as Simon Zealotes and Sean Kingsley as Annas.

Tyrone Huntley can currently be seen in The Book of Mormon (BroadwayWorld Award nomination), having previously appeared in Memphis and in our 2014 production of The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess. He appears in Dreamgirls later this year.

Anoushka Lucas is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and singer. She regularly performs at Ronnie Scott’s, won the Jazz FM Love Supreme competition in 2013, and recently collaborated with Ché Walker on The Etienne Sisters (Theatre Royal, Stratford East).

David Thaxton won the Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical for Passion (Donmar) and has appeared as Javert in Les Misérables (Queens), Raoul in Love Never Dies (Adelphi) and as Maximillian in Candida (Menier).

Also joining the Company are Ashley Andrews, Will Barratt, Billy Cullum, Joshua Dever, Omari Douglas, Simon Hardwick, Raquel Jones, Bobbie Little, Sinead Long, Gloria Obianyo, Joseph Prouse, Charlotte Riby, Cameron Sharp, Barnaby Thompson, Rhys Whitfield, and The Soul Girls will be played by Genesis Lynea, Rosa O’Reilly and Shanay Holmes.

Fra Fee & Madalena Alberto to star in The Fix at new Union Theatre

The Fix marks the first production at the Union Theatre's new venue opening  on 15th July (previews from 13th July) and running until 6th August the show will be directed by Michael Strassen with book and lyrics by John Dempsey and music by Dana P Rowe.

When the most popular presidential candidate dies between his mistress‘s thighs his status-starved widow, Violet, decides that if she can’t be the wife of the president, she’ll be his mother!

Thrusting her lacklustre son Cal into the spotlight, Violet is determined to create the perfect politician at any cost in this brutally comedic tale of lust, greed and scandal. With a rock-fuelled score, laced with scandalous lyrics, the team behind The Witches of Eastwick deliver a dark and spellbinding ride through the American political machine.

It will star Fra Fee (As You Like It/Candide) as Cal Chandler, Lucy Williamson (End Of The Rainbow/Company) as Violet Chandler, Madalena Alberto (War of the Worlds/Evita) as Tina McCoy and Ken Christiansen (Rise and Fall of Little Voice/Lord of the Flies) as Graeme Chandler.

The will be joined by Kate Parr, Peter Saul Blewden, Alastair Hill, Sam Barrett, Francesca Leyland, Laura Bryars, Daryl Armstrong and Rhys Benjamin


Booking for ickets for The Fix opens soon

More Casting News for Dreamgirls Musical

Further casting has just been revealed for the West End premiere of the musical Dreamgirls.

Joining the previously announced Amber Riley as Effie are Joe Aaron Reid ((In The Heights) as Curtis(the manager who ruthlessly pushes the Dreams to international stardom using sex as a business tool), American Liisi LaFontaine as Deena, London-based  Ibinabo Jack as Lorrell, Adam J Bernard (Thriller Live!, UK Tour) as Jimmy  "Thunder" Early (a James Brown-type singer) , Nicholas Bailey /EastEnders, Jackie the Musical) as Marty Jimmy's manager and Tyrone Huntley (The Book of Mormon,) as C.C.White (Effie’s songwriting brother),

They will be joined by Jocasta Almgill, Callum Aylott, Hugo Batista, Samara Casteallo, Chloe Chambers, Carly Mercedes Dyer, Joelle Dyson, Kimmy Edwards, Candace Furbert, Nathan Graham, Ashley Luke Lloyd, Gabriel Mokake, Abiola Ogunbiyi, Sean Parkins, Kirk Patterson, Ryan Reid, Rohan Richards, Noel Samuels, Durone Stokes and Tosh Wanogho-Maud.

Riley stars as  Effie Melody White. But back-up singers Deena Jones and Lorrell Robinson will be played by LaFontaine and Jack, respectively. LaFontaine lives in Los Angeles, as does Riley.

Producer Sonia Friedman and director Casey Nicholaw started holding auditions a year ago, in London, and then began looking further afield for an Effie because there are few performers able to handle the powerful numbers she has to sing.Ruth Brown and Karen Mav are Effie alternates who will take the role on Wednesday nights.

Nicholaw said that Dreamgirls composer Henry Krieger has written a new song for the beginning of the second act. There used to be a Las Vegas-style medley and that was replaced with something else;now we're putting a brand new number in

New Frank Sinatra Musical planned for next year

Ambassador Theatre Group are developing a new jukebox musical based on the life of Frank Sinatra  with plans to open it in 2018.

It  will feature songs from Sinatra’s extensive back catalogue, though creatives – including the book writer – have not yet been announced.

Announcing the news, ATG executive producer Adam Speers said writing the musical’s book would “not be easy – as we have such a wealth of material to choose from. Sinatra’s life is fascinating – from his humble beginnings in New Jersey as the only child of Italian parents, through his rise to stardom, first as a chart-topping recording artist, selling over 150 million records worldwide and then as an Oscar award-winning Hollywood film star. Then there were the Rat Pack days and his partnership with Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. And let’s not forget his personal life, which included friendships with American Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan, as well as relationships with some of the most beautiful and famous women of the day.”

The musical has the full backing of Sinatra’s estate, whose record label Frank Sinatra Enterprises is co-producing the show alongside Stewart Till.

A spokesman for Frank Sinatra Enterprises said: “We’re delighted to be collaborating with Ambassador Theatre Group to produce the musical dramatisation of Mr. Sinatra’s life and art.
Frank Sinatra demonstrated a remarkable ability to appeal to every generation and continues to do so – he is timeless and his artistry continues to influence many of today’s music superstars.”

Cast Announced for the tour of Sister Act

The cast for the tour of Sister Act starring Alexandra Burke has just been announced.Joining Alexandra Burke who is playing the lead role of Deloris van  Carter will be be Joanna Francis as ‘Michelle’, Jon Robyns as ‘Eddie’, Karen Mann as ‘Mother Superior’ and Rosemary Ashe as ‘Sister Mary Lazarus’. Alexandra Burke will perform the role of ‘Deloris Van Cartier’ at all evening performances. At the matinee performances, the role of ‘Deloris Van Cartier’ will be played by Joanna Francis.

Aaron Lee Lambert will play ‘Curtis’, Sarah Goggin ‘Sister Mary Robert’, Susannah Van Den Berg ‘Sister Mary Patrick’, Allison Harding ‘Sister Mary Theresa’, Ricky Rojas ‘Pablo’, Samuel Morgan-Grahame as ‘Joey’ and Sandy Grigelis as ‘TJ’. The company also includes Nicola Bryan, Jennifer Douglas, Aiesha Pease, Sally Peerless and Justin Wilman.

Joanna Francis has recently finished performing in the West End production of “The Lion King”. Her other credits include “Carmen Jones” at the Royal Festival Hall, “The Harder They Come” at the Barbican and Stratford East and as ‘Sybil’ in “The Big Life” at the Apollo Theatre.

Jon Robyns has played many leading roles in the West End including ‘Rod/Princeton’ in the original cast of “Avenue Q” at the Noel Coward Theatre, ‘Marius’ in “Les Miserables” at the Queen’s Theatre, ‘Galahad’ in “Spamalot” at the Harold Pinter and Playhouse Theatres, Alternate ‘Huey’ in “Memphis” at the Shaftesbury Theatre and ‘Hollis’ in “Road Show” at the Menier Chocolate Factory. His other theatre credits include ‘Enjolras’ in the 25th Anniversary tour of “Les Miserables”, ‘Caractacus Potts’ in “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” at the West Yorkshire Playhouse and most recently ‘Emmett Forrest’ in “Legally Blonde” at Curve, Leicester.

Karen Mann’s extensive theatre credits include ‘Golde’ opposite Paul Michael Glaser in the national tour of “Fiddler on the Roof”, the national tour of “I Dreamed A Dream – the Susan Boyle Story” and “Copacabana”, “Martin Guerre” and “Spend, Spend, Spend”, all at the Watermill Theatre. She most recently appeared in “The Witches”, both at Curve, Leicester and on tour.

 Rosemary Ashe’s many West End credits include creating the roles of ‘Carlotta’ in “The Phantom of the Opera” at Her Majesty’s Theatre, ‘Miss Andrew’ in “Mary Poppins” at the Prince Edward Theatre and ‘Felicia Gabriel’ in “The Witches of Eastwick” at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, for which she was nominated for the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Supporting Performance in a Musical. Her other theatre credits include “When We Are Married” at the Garrick Theatre, “Widow Corney” in “Oliver!” at the London Palladium and ‘Grandma Mole’ in the musical of “The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole aged 13 and ¾” at Curve, Leicester.

Mary Poppins Returns Movie details confirmed

Details have now been confirmed for the movie Mary Poppins Returns starring Hamilton's Lin-Manuel Miranda & Emily Blunt 

Blunt stars in the title role with Miranda playing  a new character as a lamplighter named Jack. Drawing from the wealth of material in Travers’ seven additional novels, the story will take place in Depression-era London and follows a now-grown up Jane and Michael Banks, who, along with Michael’s three children, are visited by the enigmatic Mary Poppins following a personal loss. Through her unique magical skills, and with the aid of her friend Jack, she helps the family rediscover the joy and wonder missing in their lives.

Directed by Rob Marshall, with screenplay by David Magee the movie is based on The Mary Poppins Stories by P L Travers. Marc Shaiman will compose anew score, writing original songs with Scott Wittman.

The US release date has been set for 25th December 2018.

Michael Grandage to direct remake of Guys & Dolls movie

Variety is reporting that Fox has hired British stage director-producer Michael Grandage to direct its remake of the 1955 musical “Guys and Dolls.”

John Goldwyn is producing the picture with Working Title. Goldwyn’s grandfather Samuel Goldwyn produced the movie, directed by Joseph L Mankiewicz with Frank Sinatra starring as Nathan Detroit,  and Marlon Brando as Sky Masterson.

The movie was based on the 1950 Broadway musical, which won the Tony for Best Musical that year. The musical was based on Damon Runyon’s stories “The Idyll of Miss Sarah Browne” and “Blood Pressure,” published in the 1930s.

Grandage directed a 2005 stage version of “Guys and Dolls” in London, starring Ewan McGregor as Sky Masterson and Douglas Hodge as Nathan Detroit. He is  currently Artistic Director of the Michael Grandage Company. He has also recently directed “Genius,” the adaptation of the A. Scott Berg biography about legendary editor Max Perkins, starring Colin Firth, Nicole Kidman, Jude Law, Guy Pearce and Laura Linney.

Guys & Dolls is currently playing at the Phoenix Theatre in London's West End until 7th January and is also on a UK tour until the  end of July.

Cast announced for tour of the Commitments

Casting has just been announced for The Commitments UK tour which will open at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley on 3rd October, before opening for the first time ever in Dublin.    

Brian Gilligan is reprising his performance as Deco having played the role in the West End. He will appear alongside West End cast member Andrew Linnie as Jimmy Rabbitte.

Coronation Street's Kevin Kennedy will star as Jimmy’s Da with the Commitmentettes played by sisters Amy Penston (Natalie) and Leah Penston (Imelda), alongside Christina Tedders (Bernie).

The cast will also include Peter Mooney (Derek), Padraig Dooney (Dean), Sam Fordham (Mickah) and John Currivan (Billy). They will be joined by Rhys Whitfield (James), Alex McMorran (Joey) and Christian James (Outspan).