Musical Theatre News

David Shannon Competing to Represent Ireland in Eurovision Song Content

2012-01-28T14:09:00.002Z

West End star David Shannon has been selected to compete to represent Ireland at the 57th Eurovision Song Contest which will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan in May 2012.

There will be five acts competing and the winner will be chosen through the live The Late Late Show: Eurosong 2012 organised by the Irish broadcaster RTÉ on 24th February.

David Shannon will perform as a duo with Una Gibney and they are being mentored by show business agent Julian Benson. Una Gibney is a singer with the band Boogie Nights and spent a year on tour singing with Michael Flatley’s show Celtic Tiger. David Shannon has played leading roles in London’s West End including Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon, Cats and Sweeney Todd.

They are the third act to be announced and they are currently up against Donna McCaul and Jedward. Donna previously represented the Emerald Isle in 2005 but failed to qualify for the final. Jedward represented Ireland last year and came eighth. The other two competitors are expected to be revealed in the coming days.

Colm Wilkinson & Frances Ruffelle in Les Miserables Film

2012-01-26T23:55:00.002Z

Colm Wilkinson (the first Jean Valjean) and Frances Ruffelle, who created the part of Eponine have been given feature roles in the Les Miserables movie.

Wilkinson will play the Bishop of Digne and Ruffelle will play “the most fabulous whore” in the group of prostitutes who sing the number Lovely Ladies.

Wilkinson has played Valjean in London and on Broadway and said that as he takes on the role of the bishop his journey with Les Miserables has ended “and I have come full circle”.

The director Tom Hooper has already spent three weeks working with Hugh Jackman on his characterisation of Jean Valjean with rehearsals starting at Pinewood studios next week for seven weeks. There’s also talk of some filming being done in France.

Russell Crowe (Inspector Javert) will be arriving in the UK next week, along with Anne Hathaway (Fantine), Eddie Redmayne (Marius), Amanda Seyfried (Cosette) and Aaron Tveit (Enjolras). Taylor Swift (Eponine) arrived here earlier this week. Other key roles are still in negotiation.

The stage show has 28 actors playing a variety of roles but Cameron Mackintosh said the film version will have scores of parts for West End performers saying: “It’s the same as when the musical Oliver! was being made and dozens — probably hundreds — of people from London stage shows took part”.

Casting for Wonderful Town starring Connie Fisher & Michael Xavier

2012-01-26T16:23:00.001Z

The tour of Wonderful Town starring Connie Fisher and Michael Xavier kicks off at the Salford Lowry on 31st March.

Connie plays aspiring writer Ruth Sherwood who arrives in New York with her beautiful younger sister Eileen played by Lucy Van Gasse. Michael Xavier plays Bob Baker and he wil be joined by Haydn Oakley/Frank Lippencott: Joseph Alessi/Chick Clark: Michael Matus/Valenti: Sevan Stephan/Mr Appopolous: Nic Greenshields/Wreck: Graves/Helen Tiffany: Annette Yeo/Mrs Wade & Violet and Paul Hawkyard as Officer Lonigan.

Plus members of the ensemble: Natalie Moore-Williams, Katy Hards, Lucinda Lawrence, Lucy James, Frankie Jenna, Oliver Roll, Bob Harms, Peter McPherson, Matt Wilman, Giovanni Spanó, Liam Wrate and Alain Terzoli.

Geronimo Rauch to play Jean Valjean in Les Miserables

2012-01-26T12:18:00.001Z

Ramin Karimloo is playing Jean Valjean for a limited season in Les Miserables at the Queens Theatre and is due to leave the show on 3rd March.

Geronimo Rauch, who is currently starring in the Spanish production of Les Miserables, will make his West End debut as Jean Valjean when the cast change takes place on 18th June 2012. He is contracted to play the role for a year to 14th June 2013.

He will begin rehearsals in London on the 14th May and Rauch said: "I began my vocal teaching 17 years ago, listening to Colm Wilkinson singing as Jean Valjean, I can´t believe that I´ve been given this chance. I never imagined then that today I´d take this role."

Geronimo Rauch was born in Argentina in 1978 and reached popularity in his native country after winning the reality show PopStars in 2002 when he became a member of the hugely successful pop group Mambru.

His debut in musical theatre was in the Argentinean production of Les Miserables. He has played the role of Doody in Grease and starred in Jesus Christ Superstar and Chicago also in Argentina. He was then selected to lead the Spanish production of Les Miserables as Jean Valjean.

Ramin Karimloo Album Launch

2012-01-26T06:48:00.001Z

The new debut album by West End star Ramin Karimloo was launched at the Café de Paris earlier this week at a reception attended by Cameron Mackintosh.

Ramin is currently playing Jean Valjean in Les Miserables at the Queen's Theatre and recently appeared as the Phantom in Lover Never Dies and The Phantom of the Opera, including the 25th anniversary spectacular at the Royal Albert Hall.

He leaves LesMis on 3rd March and then embarks on Ramin in Concert tour during May.

His debut album Ramin is out on March 5th on Sony Music. It includes his own compositions and covers of Bryan Adams and Muse songs, plus the Music of the Night from Phantom of the Opera as well as brand new material from song-writing heavyweights like Ryan Tedder (Leona Lewis’ Bleeding Love).

"I always wanted to record my own album," says Ramin. "I'm so glad I now have." His legion of fans, and there are many, will undoubtedly think likewise.

Tracklisting:

1.    Show Me light
2.    Coming Home
3.    Till I Hear You Sing
4.    Broken Home
5.    Guiding Light
6.    Human Heart
7.    Constant Angel
8.    Music of The Night
9.    Eyes Of A Child
10. Inside My World
11. Everything I do (I Do It For You)
12. Cathedrals

Legally Blonde to Close Five Months Early

2012-01-25T19:01:00.001Z

Legally Blonde the Musical was booking until 27th October at the Savoy Theatre, but is now due to close 5 months early on 7th April.

The production opened in December 2009 at the Savoy Theatre and went on to win seven major theatre awards including the Olivier Award for Best Musical. According to press material, “plans are in place for an Australian production to open in Sydney later this year”.

Legally Blonde the Tour is at UK theatres until 25th August with Ray Quinn and Les Dennis taking on leadng roles.

Noel Sullivan new Galileo in We Will Rock You

2012-01-25T14:14:00.001Z

He has been playing the role of Galileo on the 2011 tour of We Will Rock You and Noel Sullivan is about to reprise the role in London’s West End when he takes over from Alex Gaumond who leaves the show at the Dominion on 18th February.

Sullivan was a member of the British pop group Hear'Say which was formed through the talent show Popstars. In July 2008 he played the lead role in Flashdance and from November 2009 starred as Danny Zuko in Grease in London’s West End.

New Cowardly Lion in Oz

2012-01-25T12:05:00.001Z

As already revealed there are a number of cast changes taking place at The Wizard of Oz in February with Russell Grant taking over from Michael Crawford as the Wizard and Sophie Evans taking over Dorothy full time from Danielle Hope.

David Ganly who plays the Cowardly Lion is also leaving and his role will be taken by Martin Callaghan (pictured) who will join Paul Keating (Scarecrow), Edward Baker-Duly (Tin Man), Emily Tierney (Glinda) and Marianne Benedict (The Wicked Witch of the West).

Martin Callaghan's extensive theatre credits include Chess, My Fair Lady, Aspects of Love, (UK Tours); Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (UK Tour); Uncle Pumblechook in Great Expectations (UK Tour); Turkey in HONK! (National Theatre Tour); Beadle Bamford in Sweeney Todd (Derby Playhouse); Nicely-Nicely Johnson in Guys and Dolls (Sheffield Crucible); Uncle Henry/The Emerald City Guard in The Wizard of Oz (Birmingham Rep and The West Yorkshire Playhouse); The Typesetter in Personals (Apollo Theatre London); Herod in Jesus Christ Superstar (UK Tour and Lyceum Theatre London); Amos Hart in Chicago (UK and International Tours); Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof (UK Tour) and Smee in Peter Pan (West Yorkshire Playhouse).

Crazy For You Closing Early on 17th March

2012-01-24T20:24:00.003Z

George and Ira Gershwin's comedy musical Crazy For You was the final production of last year's season at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. It subsequently transferred into the Novello Theatre in London's West End with an initial booking period to 28th July 2012.

The show will now close four months earlier than planned and is due to end its run on 17th March 2012.

The next production currently announced for the Novello Theatre is Mamma Mia! which closes on 1st September at the Prince of Wales Theatre which has been its home for seven years and re-opens at the Novello on 6th September 2012.

Cast List for Tour of Avenue Q

2012-01-22T15:45:00.002Z

The new tour of Avenue Q kicks off at Plymouth Theatre Royal on Monday and tours the UK until 28th July.

The cast list is as follows: Princeton/Rod - Sam Lupton
Kate/Lucy - Katherine Moraz
Nicky/Trekkie/Bear - Chris Thatcher
Mrs T/Bear - Daniella Gibb (and u/s Kate/Lucy]
Gary - Matthew J Henry
Christmas Eve - Julia Yammanee
Brian - Edward Judge

Understudies/ensemble:
Luke Striffler - Princeton/Rod, Nicky/Trekkie, Brian
Jonny Fines - Nicky/Trekkie, Princeton/Rod, Brian
Kayi Ushe - Gary Arina Ii - Mrs T/Bear, Christmas Eve
Gabrielle Brooks - Gary, Mrs T/Bear
Rina Takasaki - Christmas Eve

Rock of Ages Film Opening Delayed

2012-01-22T11:01:00.002Z

The film version of the smash hit Broadway musical Rock of Ages is set to open slightly later than previously announced and will now be shown on 15th June instead of the 1st as previously announced.

It stars Tom Cruise as Stacee Jaxx, Diego Boneta as Drew, Julianne Hough as Sherrie, Russell Brand as Lonny, Alec Baldwin as Dennis, Mary J Blige as Justice, Brian Cranston as the Mayor, Malin Ackerman as Constance Sack, Paul Giamatti as Paul Gill and Catherine Zeta-Jones as the Mayor's Wife.

The story of small town girl Sherrie and city boy Drew who meet on the Sunset Strip while pursuing their Hollywood dreams is told through the hits of Def Leppard, Joan Jett, Journey, Foreigner, Bon Jovi, Night Ranger, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Poison and Whitesnake.

Rock of Ages is currently playing at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London's West End with Shayne Ward, Justin Lee Collins and Oliver Tompsett playing the lead roles.

Sir Tim Rice Opposes ITV Show to Cast Jesus Christ Superstar

2012-01-22T08:43:00.001Z

Sir Tim Rice is in strong disagreement over the ITV show which Lord Lloyd Webber has launched this week to find someone to play the lead in Jesus Christ Superstar for an arena tour later this year. They originally wrote Jesus Christ Superstar as an album in 1969 which became a hit a West End musical in 1972.

The Lord previously found stars for West End productions of The Sound of Music, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Oliver! and The Wizard of Oz on BBC talent shows,

Sir Tim who wrote the musical's lyrics has called the search to find the next Jesus as "tasteless", "tacky" and "relentlessly downmarket".

Sir Tim said that Lord Lloyd Webber had ignored his requests not to cast a new production of the musical via a television contest and said: "I've had several meetings with Andrew and said that I don't want this done, but now it appears it's been signed and sealed. Andrew wants to rehash things all the time, but I really don't think Superstar needs that tasteless reality television treatment. Those shows are relentlessly downmarket, which is fine if the show is a lightweight bit of fluff. I am fully behind an arena show, but I just don't think you need another television series to do that."

Sir Tim said that the musical's religious and political themes could become a source of ridicule in a television talent show with the judges telling hopeful contestants: "You could be Jesus"

He said: "It opens up a lot of opportunities for spoofs and I think it would be ill-advised to have people voting for who should be Jesus. It's just possible that it might be the most sophisticated, tasteful show hosted by the Archbishop of Canterbury, but I doubt it. It sounds tacky and I really don't think Andrew should do it."

Sir Tim also added that he is prepared to veto the winning contestant "They can't cast the show without my approval. I have the right to veto casting so if Andrew casts it on TV and I didn't like the person, I could say so." He has also written to ITV, saying he "does not feel comfortable with the concept of the show".

While there has long been speculation about tensions between them they have always been careful to stress their amicable relationship. Lord Lloyd Webber said in a recent interview: "There has never been a feud. We have been great friends for a very long time." They worked together in 2010 on two new songs for a West End production of The Wizard of Oz.

Regional auditions for Jesus Christ Superstar will begin next month and the programme will air every night for three weeks on ITV1 during June and July.

Lord Lloyd Webber declined to comment on Sir Tim's concerns.

Ray Quinn Dancing on Ice this Weekend

2012-01-21T12:51:00.001Z

Dancing on Ice airs tomorrow night Sunday 22nd January on ITV1 at 6:10 pm. This week’s show is all about movies and the silver screen.

Ex Dancing on Ice champion Ray Quinn is due to join the Tour of Legally Blonde taking on the role of Warner at the end of this month, but he has been at the Movies Week rehearsals this weekend helping out on some of the programmes.

Russell Grant Taking over from Michael Crawford as the Wizard of Oz

2012-01-21T08:00:00.004Z

Michael Crawford will be leaving Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Wizard of Oz on 5th February. The part of the Wizard will be taken over by media personality Russell Grant whose first love is singing and dancing. He will perform the role from 14th February for a limited 12 week run.

He is playing Snake in the Children of Eden Gala on 29th January and will be guesting in Raymond Gubbay's production of HMS Pinafore at the Barbican, Manchester and Birmingham between March 11th and 18th.

Russell has recently shot back into the limelight by winning over so many viewers votes with his warmth and sense of humour in Strictly Come Dancing. He originally trained for musical theatre and in 1983 Russell Grant And The Starlettes released cover versions of the songs No Matter What Sign You Are and Where Is Love?

But he is best known for his television presenting and various astrology programmes. In 1986 he joined TV-am as resident astrologer appearing on Good Morning and After Nine until 1990. Then from 1992-95 he was a regular on This Morning with Richard and Judy offering astrological advice.

Michael Ball, Martin Shaw and Biggins Rockin’ Horses Charity Gala

2012-01-20T13:30:00.002Z

On Sunday 26th February at 7:30 pm at the Savoy Theatre Michael Ball, Martin Shaw, Christopher Biggins, Natasha Hamilton, Jenny Seagrove, Nicola McAuliffe, Roy Marsden, Clive Rowe, HarDeep Singh Kholi and Sylvia Syms present Rockin’ Horses.

They will perform poetry, prose, songs and anecdotes in aid of Mane Chance Sanctuary and Shooting Star CHASE, hospice care for children and teenagers.

Michael Ball is a patron of Shooting Star CHASE hospice and Jenny Seagrove is a trustee of Mane Chance Sanctuary which is devoted to helping animals (mainly horses) who have been abused, neglected or abandoned and left to die. Some of the animals visit The Shooting Star CHASE hospice for the children to pet, and it is the Sanctuary’s dream to expand and be able to welcome special needs children and riding for the disabled in a friendly and encouraging environment.

Shooting Star CHASE is the children's hospice service, supporting local families with a child or teenager not expected to reach their 19th birthday. They currently help over 500 families living in western London, Surrey and West Sussex and are committed to caring for these families, offering practical, nursing and emotional support.

Tickets: £55, £45, £35, £25. £55 premium tickets include best seats, a glass of champagne and a programme.

Buy tickets online for Rockin' Horses or call the box office on 0844 871 7627

Ghost the Musical Broadway Cast

2012-01-19T14:38:00.002Z

Ghost The Musical has announced full casting for the Broadway production. Joining West End stars Richard Fleeshman (Sam Wheat) and Caissie Levy (Molly Jensen) will be Da’Vine Joy Randolph (Oda Mae Brown), Bryce Pinkham (Carl Bruner) with Tyler McGee, Lance Roberts, Moya Angela, Jason Babinsky, Michael Balderrama, James Brown III, Stephen Carrasco, Jeremy Davis, Sharona D’Ornellas, Josh Franklin, Albert Guerzon, Afra Hines, Carly Hughes, Karen Hyland, Alison Luff, Vasthy Mompoint, Jennifer Noble, Joe Aaron Reid, Constantine Rousouli, Jennifer Sanchez, Daniel Watts, and Jesse Wildman.

Ghost The Musical begins previews on Thursday, March 15th at Broadway’s Lunt-Fontanne Theatre with opening night on Monday April 23rd.

Ghost the Musical is still playing at the Piccadilly Theatre in London's West End where it is booking until 30th October 2012.

Nicole Scherzinger to join panel searching for Jesus Christ Superstar ?

2012-01-19T12:26:00.001Z

Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber has approached Nicole Scherzinger to be a judge on his ITV search for Jesus Christ Superstar.

He recently persuaded her to perform the part of Christine at the Royal Variety Performance accompanied by three Phantoms and she was one of the highlights singing the part perfectly.

Steve Balsamo, who starred in the West End production of Jesus Christ Superstar in the 90’s has already been confirmed as a judge, and Lord Lloyd Webber has met with Nicole in London several times to discuss the possibility of her joining the panel.

It's believed that Lloyd Webber has already cast Nicole as Mary Magdalene in the film adaptation of the show.

Audition Details for Lloyd Webber new Jesus Christ Superstar

2012-01-18T08:21:00.001Z

As mentioned Andrew Lloyd Webber has now officially launched his search on ITV1 for an actor to play the lead in his new arena tour of Jesus Christ Superstar.

If you are interested in auditioning for the part then the team will be seeing people from 16^th February to 20^th March in London, Dublin, Belfast, Manchester, Glasgow and Cardiff.

Visit www.itv.com/superstar for full details on how to apply and audition. The application period opens today and closes on Wednesday 15^th February. Anyone can apply over the age of 18 years: professional or amateur.

Andrew Lloyd Webber launches search for Jesus Christ Superstar

2012-01-18T08:09:00.002Z

As already blogged, after five years with the BBC Lord Lloyd-Webber is moving to ITV1 for a new talent show searching for the lead of the musical Jesus Christ Superstar which will open at London’s O2 Arena.

The format will be similar to Lloyd Webber’s previous talent searches with BBC when he found a Maria (Connie Fisher) for The Sound of Music, Joseph (Lee Mead) for the Technicolor Dreamcoat, Nancy (Jodie Prenger) forOliver! and Danielle Hope for Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. All of these winners have gone on to forge sucessful careers in musical theatre.

The new ITV series will feature a performance at the O2 Arena rather than in the West End with Lloyd Webber saying: “Presenting a new, 2012 version of Jesus Christ Superstar for arenas is truly exciting. Some of the best performances of this show have been in rock venues and I'm thrilled to see the show return to its roots. ITV is providing the perfect platform for us to find a new, British Superstar.It is the public who lead the casting process and they’ve got it absolutely right four times already. It’s been wonderful to see the careers of so many of the contestants blossom, so it will be especially fascinating to see who the public chooses as their Superstar".

Auditions will take place during February and March in London, Dublin, Belfast, Manchester, Glasgow and Cardiff. It is yet to be revealed who the panel of judges are that will join ALW to choose the finalists but Steve Balsamo (his original West End Jesus) has been rumoured.

Sheridan Smith and Michael Xavier Bridget Jones Diary Workshop

2012-01-16T08:34:00.004Z

Update 17th January: Looks like things are still moving ahead for the musical of Bridget Jones Diary.

Sheridan Smith (who is playing Bridget) and Michael Xavier are back at another workshop this week to do some more development work on it. Xavier is working on the Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant) part at the workshop. He is due to join Connie Fisher on a short tour of Leonard Bernstein’s musical comedy Wonderful Town in March.

They will be joined by other West End stars including Caroline Keiff (Legally Blonde, Wicked!), Bertie Carvel (Matilda), Richard Cordery (Spring Awakening, Love Story the Musical) and Julie Le Grand (Wicked!).

Brigget Jones the musical will be directed by Stephen Daldry (The Hours, Billy Elliot) with choreography by Peter Darling (Billy Elliot). The musical is being developed by Working Title who are currently in development on a third Bridget Jones movie.

Lily Allen has said she has finished the songs so hopefully this new musical will be ready for the West End at the end of this year or beginning of 2013.

Sierra Boggess and Tam Mutu Engaged

2012-01-14T07:07:00.003Z

They starred together and fell in love in Love Never Dies at the Adelphi Theatre and are currently in London (but soon returning to New York) preparing to open in Rebecca the Musical: Sierra Boggess and Tam Mutu have just announced their engagement with their romantic roles spilling over into real life . They are to be married later this year.

Sierra will play the leading role of “I” in the upcoming Broadway musical Rebecca and Tam Mutu will co-star as her new husband Maxim de Winter. Rebecca will begin previews on March 27th at the Broadhurst Theatre and open on April 22nd.

Ben Richards in From Here to Eternity Musical Workshop

2012-01-13T14:41:00.006Z

Ex Bill and Priscilla Queen of the Desert star Ben Richards finishes playing Hook in Peter Pan at Southampton tomorrow and is then taking part in a workshop for the new Tim Rice musical From Here to Eternity next week.

So it looks as if the project is moving forward. and Richards is playing Sergeant Warden which is the part originally played by Burt Lancaster (who I think he bears more than a passing resemblance to).

The 1953 film version was about life in a US military fort on the Hawaiian island of Oahu before Pearl Harbour and deals with the troubles of the soldiers played by Burt Lancaster, Montgomery Clift, Frank Sinatra and Ernest Borgnine with Deborah Kerr and Donna Reed playing the women in their lives. It featured that wonderful Lancaster/Kerr beach scene which was considered very risqué in those days.

Rice explained that the stage show is based on the book and not Daniel Taradash’s movie screenplay. He said: “It’s taken several years to secure full stage rights. It’s only really now that we are all gung-ho”.

Rice is the co-producer with a score by young British composer Stuart Brayson. He said last year: “I've got a director (Tamara Harvey - Tell Me On A Sunday): I've got a book writer (Bill Oakes ): and I found myself becoming the producer - it took me quite a while to get the rights. We still need some new songs, and Stuart wants me to do the lyrics, so I've already done one new song with him and we've got a few more in the works. I hope to get From Here To Eternity off the ground next year."

Wizard Michael Crawford and Dorothy leaving Oz next month

2012-01-13T04:52:00.002Z

It has now been confirmed that Michael Crawford and Danielle Hope are leaving The Wizard of Oz on February 5th, 2012. They have been with the show since it began previews in February 2011.

No replacements have yet been announced for either role.

Casting news for Wonderful Town Tour

2012-01-12T20:07:00.001Z

Soprano Lucy Van Gasse (pictured) will be joining Connie Fisher and Michael Xavier in the tour of Leonard Bernstein’s Wonderful Town.

Connie Fisher (star of The Sound of Music and winner of the BBC’s How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?) plays aspiring writer Ruth Sherwood who arrives in New York with her beautiful younger sister Eileen played by Lucy van Gasse. She will be joined by Michael Xavier (Love Story and Into the Woods) playing Bob Baker.

Lucy has recently appeared in the West End covering the leading role of Christine Daaé in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Love Never Dies.

Gary Wilmot & Clare Buckfield in Bowl of Cherries Musical Revue

2012-01-12T14:48:00.002Z

The Charing Cross Theatre is presenting A Bowl of Cherries musical revue from 6th-31st March. It looks at life through a cycle of plays and songs observed by two theatre ghosts from the last war who are trapped between this world and the next.

Clare Buckfield and Gary Wilmot play Penny Riddle and Albert Farthing and they are joined by eight versatile actors and musicians.

The humorous, sexy, and thought provoking book is written by Carolyn Pertwee with music from Ivor Novello award winning David Martin who wrote Can't Smile Without You.

The plays and songs illustrate life’s bitter sweet experiences and take you on a journey from the cradle to infinity. Albert is tired of being in limbo and wants to move on but is held back by Penny who is in denial, believing she is still alive and waiting for her big theatrical moment.

Buy tickets for A Bowl of Cherries

Final Episode of The Story of the Musicals

2012-01-12T13:37:00.002Z

Part three of this excellent series can be seen on BBC Four on Tuesday 17th January at 21:00.

The final episode of The Story of Musicals brings it up to the 90s and beyond. It covers the rise of jukebox musicals like Mamma Mia! with Bjorn Ulvaeus and Judy Craymer telling the story of how the show was created, and Ben Elton and Brian May revealing how We Will Rock You became a smash hit.

Pop culture invaded musical theatre with celebrities like Jason Donovan appearing in Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and shows like the Jerry Springer Opera proving a step too far.

The hit movie Billy Elliot was recreated for the stage and Andrew Lloyd Webber went to the BBC to find new stars for Joseph, Oliver! and The Wizard of Oz.

Eddie Redmayne on Les Miserables film rehearsals

2012-01-12T12:00:00.001Z

Eddie Redmayne is currently playing Richard II at London's Donmar Warehouse and also stars in the BBC's forthcoming version of Birdsong. At the end of this month he stars rehearsals for the film of Les Miserables which The King’s Speech Tom Hooper is directing and which stars Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway and Sacha Baron Cohen.

Redmayne is playing student Marius the romantic lead and said he has been testing his live singing skills as the director wants to capture his all star cast singing live - not miming to a soundtrack - for his version of the hit musical

The 30-year-old actor said he was attracted by the "spontaneity" of singing live. Redmayne told the BBC "I'm in hardcore singing lessons. I was down in Pinewood yesterday doing some tests with Tom and it's all happening. If you record an album and then make a music video to that album you are restricted by the choices you made. It is months in advance of what you know what your character is actually going to be doing. So the idea is that the piano will play and we'll sing live - they've tested it all and I think it will be good.”

On his approach to singing his solo Empty Chairs at Empty Tables, Redmayne said: "You have to forget all the versions you've heard and deconstruct the song and try to find your own way through it. We'll have to wait and see whether it works or not." I'm sure it will with its high profile, that cast and Hooper directing ...

Full line up for Children of Eden Concert

2012-01-12T11:09:00.005Z

The Children of Eden charity concert will be held at the Prince of Wales Theatre on 29th January in London. It is in aid of of Crohn's and Colitis UK and will be hosted by Stephen Schwartz.

The latest casting information is Oliver Thornton/Adam: Anton Stephans/Father: Louise Dearman/Eve (replacing Emma Barton): Gareth Gates/Cain: John Wilding/Abel: Brenda Edwards/Mama Noah: Lauren Samuels/Yonah: Waylon Jacobs/Japeth: Aaron Sidwell/Ham: Russell Grant/Snake: Tom Pearce (Noah): Jamie Papanicolaou (Shem) and Kerry Ellis as a special guest closing the concert.

The storytellers are: Craig Rhys Barlow, Matt Brinkler, Chloe Hart, Joanna Kirkland, Gemma Sandzer and Robbie Scotcher. Young Cain will be played by Ben Radcliffe and Young Abel by Marcus Billany.

Children of Eden Choir: Ross Barnes, Kimberley Blake, Sam Cassidy, Kelly Everitt, Mark Gillon, Kay Victoria Hindmarsh, Matthew McBrier,Ben McMath, Camille Mesnard, Rebekah Thawley, Katy Treharne, William Whelton

GSA Students: Laura Benazaize, Christina Bennington, Kayleigh McKnight, Hannah Boyce, Francesca Bunce, Abigail Simpson, Steffan Jones, Adam Bal, Martin Hovland, Kim Strommen, Tom Wright and Richard King

MGA Students: Rio Brady, Ali Colam, Sean Fitzpatrick, Stuart Gray, Paddy Hornig, Lara Kidd, Scott Kidd, Stefanie Meikle, Emma Simpson, Anna Slorach, Abbie Stenhouse and Peter Vint.

Dancers: John Walsh Brannoch, Steven Cleverley, Will Peaco Jr and John Phoenix

Swings: Archie Duffie, Jamie Gildberg, Lee Greenaway, Ashleigh Jones, Josh Little, George Olney, Freya Sutton and Isabelle Tranter

The music and lyrics are by Stephen Schwartz and the book is by John Caird. It is based on the Book of Genesis with Act I telling the story of Adam and Eve, Cain, and Abel and Act II dealing with Noah and the Flood.

Buy tickets at: https://tickets.delfont-mackintosh.com/

Strictly Come Dancing’s Flavia & Vincent Midnight Tango at Aldwych

2012-01-12T10:44:00.001Z

Strictly Come Dancing’s Flavia Cacace and Vincent Simone open in Midnight Tango at the Aldwych Theatre in London's West End for ten weeks from 20th January until 31st March before it embarks on a UK tour from April through to July.

The show is produced by Arlene Phillips and Adam Spiegel and has been created and choreographed by Simone and Cacace who are joined on stage by a company of ten other tango dancers.

Simone and Cacace have been partnering each other for 17 years and were a couple for 13. Flavia said: "It's very different to most other dance performances we've done. It actually tells a story. There's a beautiful set – it's all located in a bar in Buenos Aires. We've got two brilliant actors who are basically the bar owners. You spend two hours with us at the bar. Different characters come in, people meet, people have fights, people fall in love, what generally tends to happen. There is light and shade within it. All dance, no dialogue. It's a very clear story."

Elaine Paige stays with Follies in Los Angeles

2012-01-12T09:18:00.001Z

The Broadway production of James Goldman and Stephen Sondheim’s Follies closes on 22nd January and is now due to transfer from Marquis Theatre to the Center Theatre in Los Angeles for six weeks from 3rd May (opens 9th May) to 9th June 2012.

Bernadette Peters is leaving the cast with Tony winner Victoria Clark (pictured) taking over the role of Sally in her place. Also now officially confirmed to transfer with the production are co-stars Jan Maxwell, Danny Burstein, Ron Raines and Elaine Paige. Announcements regarding the rest of the cast are expected shortly.

Clark's theatre credits include roles in the Broadway musicals Sunday in the Park with George (1985), Guys and Dolls (1992-93), A Grand Night for Singing (1993-94), How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (1995-96, as Smitty), Titanic (1997-99, creating the role of Alice Beane), Cabaret (1999-2000, as Fraulein Kost) and Urinetown (2003, as Penelope Pennywise), as well as numerous roles off-Broadway, in national tours and in regional theatre.

Tali Pelman becomes ATG Co-Producer

2012-01-11T14:50:00.004Z

Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) has just announced a co-producing partnership with Tali Pelman who is a West End and Broadway Producer.

She will develop and produce productions for ATG venues having previously spent four years there as in-house producer where her impressive credits included The Mountaintop by Katori Hall (West End and on Broadway starring Samuel L Jackson and Angela Bassett), Keira Knightley and Damian Lewis starring in The Misanthrope by Martin Crimp, Kris Marshall, Joanna Page, and Robert Webb starring in Fat Pig written and directed by Neil LaBute, Felicity Kendal starring in The Last Cigarette by Simon Gray and Hugh Whitemore, John Hannah and Paul Hilton starring in Riflemind by Andrew Upton and directed by Philip Seymour Hoffman. Richard Coyle, Gina McKee, Timothy West and Charlie Cox starring in The Lover/The Collection by Harold Pinter and as Associate Producer for ATG, with Geoffrey Rush and Susan Sarandon Starring in Exit the King by Eugène Ionesco (Broadway).

Co-founded by husband and wife team Howard Panter and Rosemary Squire the Ambassador Theatre Group is the largest owner/operator of theatres in the UK with 39 venues, an internationally recognised theatre producer and a leader in theatre ticketing services through ATG Tickets.

Current and recent co-productions include Ghost the Musical, South Pacific, All New People, Monkee Business, Matthew Bourne’s The Nutcracker!, Legally Blonde the Musical, Monty Python’s Spamalot, The Misanthrope, West Side Story, Elling, Guys and Dolls, Sweeney Todd, Company, Exit the King and The Rocky Horror Show

Jason Howard rejoins South Pacific Tour in Cardiff

2012-01-11T12:34:00.002Z

When the tour of South Pacific opens at the Southampton Mayflower Theatre on 17th January Matthew Cammelle will be playing the role of Emile de Becque opposite Samantha Womack as Nellie Forbush.

When the show is at the Wales Millennium Centre from 17th-28th April Jason Howard will return to his native Wales to play the role of the French plantation owner. He will take over from Matthew Cammelle just for the Cardiff leg of the tour to make sure his Welsh National Opera fans get to see him in a very different role

Film of Jersey Boys

2012-01-11T12:14:00.001Z

The musical Jersey Boys tells the story of the remarkable rise to stardom of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons who are one of the most successful bands in pop music history.

Tony Award winner John Logan will adapt the Broadway hit Jersey Boys to a screenplay with GK Films who are expected to partner with Columbia Pictures for distribution, though no dates for the film have yet been announced at this stage.

Logan's previous film work includes Sweeney Todd (Golden Globe Award); The Aviator (Oscar, Golden Globe, BAFTA and WGA nominations); Gladiator (Oscar, Golden Globe, BAFTA and WGA nominations); The Last Samurai; Any Given Sunday, and RKO 281 (WGA Award, Emmy nomination).

Film of Sondheim and Lapine’s Into the Woods

2012-01-11T10:55:00.004Z

Oscar-nominated director Rob Marshall is working with Disney on a film adaptation of Into the Woods. The musical was last presented in London at the Open Air Theatre in Regent’s Park in 2010.

Into the Woods is based on stories of the Brothers Grimm which Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine have adapted to give a dark and humorous twist. The famous tales of Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, Cinderella and Rapunzel (who lets her hair down) are interwoven with the story of the Baker and his Wife who are trying to have children.

This tale goes way beyond the usual “happily ever after” we have come to expect as the characters find themselves in unfamiliar circumstances and their hopes and dreams are shattered.

Lapine is workibg on the script which Marshall expects to feature new songs by Sondheim who Marshall has worked with as a choreographer in the 1990s on ‘A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum' and 'Company'.

Marshall at one point had thought of directing Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd but the timing wasn’t right and it was made as a film by director Tim Burton with Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter starring.

There have been other attempts to bring Into the Woods to the screen: in 1994 with Robin Williams, Goldie Hawn and Cher and later at Columbia Pictures with director Rob Minkoff attached with Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan and Susan Sarandon.

The Story of Musicals BBC Four Last night

2012-01-11T06:47:00.002Z

Episode 2 of The Story of Musicals on BBC Four last night again provided a fascinating insight of the glory days of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Cameron Mackintosh.

One of the productions it featured was Cats which was deemed to be a flop before it even opened and the producers being so desperate to raise funds that they were even asking the cast if they wanted to put some money into it. Wayne Sleep who played Magical Mr Mistoffelees gave it three months and Paul Nicholas (Rum Tum Tugger) also said no and still regrets it to this day.

I went to see Cats when it opened and it was the most exciting and innovative night I have spent in musical theatre which I still remember vividly and it is the show which pushed me into this business.

Robert Stigwood also told the story of his trying to get Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice to collaborate again on Phantom. After finally managing to get them to agree to have dinner together at Rice’s house they moved into his music room where ALW played a few numbers to be greeted by Rice’s comment “that is the most boring music you’ve ever written!”

If you missed it last night The Story of the Musicals is repeated again on BBC Four on Thursday 12th January at 23:30 and on Sunday at 19:00 and 23:00

The final Episode 3 will air on Tuesday 17th January at 21:00

Steven Pacey is new King Arthur in Spamalot Tour

2012-01-10T11:17:00.002Z

Steven Pacey is taking over from Marcus Brigstocke as King Arthur on the new tour of Monty Python's Spamalot. Brigstocke leaves the show at the end of its Oxford run on 21st January and Pacey takes over on 23rd January when the show opens at Oxford. He remains with the show until 21st April at Sunderland Empire.

When he opens at Oxford he will be joined by Bonnie Langford who takes over from Jodie Prenger as the Lady of the Lake.

Stephen Pacey is an impressive performer with recent West End theatre credits including George in La Cage Aux Folles, he was an original Tony in West Side Story and an original Jesus in Godspell. His comedy work includes creating the role of Bertie Wooster in By Jeeves for which he was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Actor in A Musical.

TV work includes Wallander, Spooks, Murder in Mind and a spoof Tony Blair in Jeffrey Archer- The Truth

Sondheim’s Assassins at Pleasance Theatre

2012-01-06T15:59:00.001Z

The musical Assassins with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by John Weidman is being performed at the Pleasance Theatre in Islington from 20th March-8th April.

I went to see this musical at the Donmar Warehouse in 1992 and really recommend it. It was directed by Sam Mendes with a cast that included Henry Goodman as Charles Guiteau, Gareth Snook as Lee Harvey Oswald, Anthony Barclay as the Balladeer and Louise Gold as Sara Jane Moore.

Assassins cleverly uses the premise of a murderous carnival game to produce a portrayal of men and women who attempted to assassinate Presidents of the United States from Abraham Lincoln to Ronald Reagan. The music reflects the eras depicted.

Directed by Ray Rackham, with musical direction by Joe Bunker, and brand-new orchestral arrangements by David Keefe, this production is not suitable for the under 10s

Tickets from www.pleasance.co.uk/

Andrew Lloyd Webber to launch search for Jesus Christ Superstar on ITV

2012-01-06T15:09:00.001Z

Today's tabloid press are confirming the story that Andrew Lloyd Webber is launching another of his musical reality shows in the autumn. This time it is to find a leading man for a relaunch of his 1972 West End musical Jesus Christ Superstar, but with ITV and not the BBC.

Lloyd Webber will be head judge as before, and Welsh singer Steve Balsamo who played Jesus in a 1996 London revival is said to be on board.

This new large scale production is not heading for a West End run but will go on a countrywide arena tour including London's O2 Arena.

The Lord has already fronted four musical reality shows with the BBC: How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?, I'd Do Anything, Any Dream Will Do and Over The Rainbow. He has moved to ITV because apparently the Beeb were dragging their heels as they "Had issues about auditioning for Jesus. They feared Christians would get hot under the collar". They also kept being criticised for effectively promoting Andrew's commercial interests.

The project still has some hurdles to get over as Tim Rice, who wrote the original lyrics to Jesus Christ, is said not to be keen. The source added: "He is not a massive fan of TV musical shows, he's old school. It could be a sticking point."

Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice already have Canada's Stratford Shakespeare Festival production of Jesus Christ Superstar opening at the Neil Simon Theatre on Broadway in March..

The Book of the Mormon to Open at the Prince of Wales next year

2012-01-06T02:13:00.001Z

According to Baz in today’s Mail executives from New York are in discussions to open The Book of the Mormon at the Prince of Wales Theatre in London’s West End early next year. Mamma Mia! is due to run there until 1st September and transfers to the Novello a week later. There will be a limited run of another show at the Prince of Wales before the Mormons arrive.

The Broadway hit show has been mooted as moving to London for some time. The book has been created by South Park maestros Trey Parker and Matt Stone with Robert Lopez (Avenue Q).

It is a comedy musical about two disciples of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints who are shipped off to northern Uganda to convert the locals.

Hugh Jackman confirms Houdini on Broadway

2012-01-05T12:20:00.001Z

Hugh Jackman is heading to the UK at the end of this month to start rehearsals on the movie version of the musical Les Miserables in which he is playing Jean Valjean. Shooting starts in February and the film is due to be released in December.

Jackman has just finished a record breaking run of his ten week one man show on Broadway (which he will hopefully bring to London’s West End) and this has obviously given him a taste for theatre again as has finally signed up to play Harry Houdini on Broadway in a new musical saying "In many ways I've been preparing for this role my whole life. I have been deeply fascinated by the life of Houdini since I was young”. He has already played an illusionist in 2006 film The Prestige.

The musical has an incredibly strong creative team and is to be written by West Wing creator Aaron Sorkin with Stephen Schwartz (of Wicked! fame) providing the music and lyrics and Jack O’Brien directing. The show will open in New York in 2013 or 2014.

Sorkin said the musical "tells the story of an epic battle that took place between the world's greatest illusionist and a trio of women, known as 'Spiritualists'".

Simon Bailey playing Raoul in Phantom of the Opera Tour

2012-01-05T11:32:00.001Z

It has just been confirmed that Simon Bailey is playing Raoul in the Phantom of the Opera Tour alongside phantoms John Owen-Jones and Earl Carpenter and Christine played by Katie Hall.

Simon’s West End theatre credits include Pharaoh in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the New London Theatre, We Will Rock You at the Dominion Theatre and Enjolras in Les Miserables.

He is a founder member of Teatro (theatreland's first supergroup) and has travelled all over the world performing with them in concert.

Most recently Simon has been playing Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty’s Theatre and performed in Passion at the Donmar Warehouse as part of Sondheim's 80th birthday celebrations.

The Story of Musicals Episode 2

2012-01-04T14:47:00.002Z

This excellent three part series started on BBC Four last night. The next episode is at 21:00 on Tuesday 10th January considers the gestation and influence of such blockbusters as Blood Brothers, The Phantom of the Opera and Cats: Andrew Lloyd Webber's monstrously profitable adaptation of TS Eliot's feline poetry which was predicted to be commercial suicide.

With contributions from Lord Lloyd Webber, Sir Cameron Mackintosh, Sir Tim Rice, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Stephen Fry, Trevor Nunn, Sir Cliff Richard, Elaine Paige, Gillian Lyne, Paul Nicholas, Bonnie Langford, Richard Stilgoe, John Caird, John Napier, Bill Kenwright, Willy Russell, Alain Boublil, Claude-Michel Schonberg, Anthony Pye-Jeary, Arlene Phillips, Charles Hart, Don Black, Harold Prince and Michael Ball.

Frances Ruffelle Beneath the Dress at Menier

2012-01-04T13:11:00.003Z

Frances Ruffelle was the original Eponine in Les Misérables 25 years ago and has recently has starred as Roxie Hart in Chicago. She is currently appearing in the musical Pippin at the Menier Chocolate Factory.

For one night only on Sunday 12th February at 7:30 pm she is performing her show Beneath the Dress at the Menier.

Following a successful stint at the Edinburgh Festival, Frances Ruffelle presented Beneath the Dress at the Garrick Theatre.The concert is an exploration of her musical influences with songs by Cole Porter, Duke Ellington & Kurt Weill, plus lesser-known song writers whose work has inspired her.

Tickets for Beneath the Dress

We Will Rock You Kevin Kennedy in Corrie Musical

2012-01-04T11:36:00.001Z

Former Coronation Street star Kevin Kennedy is currently playing the role of Pop in the Queen hit musical We Will Rock You at London’s Dominion theatre. But he is preparing to revive soap character Curly Watts in the musical Street of Dreams.

The new musical will be hosted by Paul O'Grady andhave its world premiere at the MEN Arena on 21st and 22nd March featuring some Corrie greats including Julie Goodyear (Rovers landlady Bet Lynch) re-enacting some of the soap's most famous scenes.

Songs included in the show are Tony Warren's iconic Opening Episode featuring Ena Sharples, Elsie Tanner and Annie Walker, Woman Stanley Woman - Hilda and Stan Ogden's posh second honeymoon at the Savoy Hotel, He's My Man - a catfight on the cobbles between love rivals Elsie Tanner and Bet Lynch, Norman Bates With A Briefcase - featuring serial killer Richard Hillman, Cunning Clever Crafty - Jack and Vera's "blind date" with Jack as the suave 'Vince Fontaine' and spectacular Moulin Rouge homage and Sweet Butterfly featuring lovelorn knicker factory worker Sean Tully.

We Will Rock You have released Kevin especially to take part in the premiere of Street of Dreams and he says audiences are in for a treat. “It's big, it's spectacular, that's why it's got to be in an Arena setting. It's just a beautiful piece of work and very complimentary to what Coronation Street is all about. They couldn't have had the world premiere anywhere else but Manchester, could they? And I think a Manchester audience takes things really to their hearts.”

Kevin will sing Curly's Song which harks back to the storyline where he adopts a star in honour of his great love, Raquel. There is no word yet as to whether Sarah Lancashire (last seen in Betty Blue eyes) who played Raquel may be among the scores of “special guests” expected to return for the musical.

Buy online Tickets for Street of Dreams or call: 0844 847 8000.

New Ringo Starr & Dave Stewart Musical?

2012-01-04T11:10:00.001Z

Ex-Eurythmics star Dave Stewart has provided the additional music and lyrics to the musical Ghost which is currently playing at the Piccaduilly Theatre in London's West End and due to open at Broadway’s Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on April 23, 2012.

He has now joined forces with Beatles drummer Ringo Starr to write a Broadway musical with Starr saying: "Me and Dave wrote a musical, a complete thing - characters, story, a lot of songs. We wrote it for Broadway, but it will more likely end up as a movie... and I'm not telling you anything else. It's about other people".

The collaboration came about when Stewart wrote several tracks for Starr’s new album Ringo 2012 which is due for release on 30th January.

Taylor Swift & Amanda Seyfried to join LesMis movie cast

2012-01-04T10:30:00.003Z

Universal has offered country pop singer Taylor Swift the role of Eponine and Amanda Seyfried (Sophie in the 2008 movie Mamma Mia!) Cosette in the Tom Hooper directed film of Les Miserables.

If they agree the deals they will complete the stellar principal cast of Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean, Russell Crowe as Javert, Sacha Baron Cohen as Thenardier, Helena Bonham Carter at Madame Thenardier, Eddie Redmayne as Marius, Anne Hathaway as Fantine and Aaron Tveit as Enjolras.

Rehearsals start at the end of this month with shooting taking place in London in February and the film due for release at the end of this year in December.

Spider Man:Turn off the Dark breaks Broadway records

2012-01-04T08:14:00.002Z

The Spider Man musical is the costliest ever Broadway show at $75M but it has found its way to the top despite injuries to actors, delays in opening, poor reviews and a record-breaking preview period.

The Broadway League reported yesterday that Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark took $2.9M over nine performances last week. This the highest single-week gross of any show in Broadway history.

That shatters the record held by “Wicked,” which last January recorded a one-week take of $2.2 million over eight shows. Last week “Wicked” took in $2.7 million over nine shows.

Wicked! & Jersey Boys in West End Mash Up

2012-01-04T06:39:00.001Z

There is a charity cabaret for Love Langdon services for young adults with learning disabilities at the Leicester Square Theatre on Sunday 19th February at 19:30.

Mash Up - West End Tunes Meet Timeless Hits is a music review featuring West End tunes arranged with music from the worlds of pop, jazz and R&B.

The cabaret features a host of fabulous West End performers from shows including Mamma Mia!, Wicked!, The Lion King, Jersey Boys and Billy Elliott accompanied by a five piece fusion band and singing ensemble.

Tickets from http://leicestersquaretheatre.ticketsolve.com or call 08448 733433

Lucky Stiff Musical at Landor Theatre

2012-01-03T14:01:00.001Z

Lucky Stiff is a musical with Book & Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and music by Stephen Flaherty which is based on “The Man Who Broke The Bank at Monte Carlo” by Michael Butterworth. It will be on at the Landor Theatre from 1st-25th February. (press night February 3rd)

Tony Award winners Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty’s Ragtime was performed at The Landor Theatre in September, and Lucky Stiff is the show that started it all. In 1988 Ahrens and Flaherty exploded onto the musical theatre scene with Lucky Stiff, a classic musical farce, complete with slamming doors, mistaken identities, six million dollars in diamonds and a corpse in a wheelchair.

The story revolves around Harry Witherspoon, an unassuming English shoe salesman, who is forced to take the embalmed body of his recently murdered, Atlantic City casino managing, Uncle Tony on a vacation to Monte Carlo. Should he succeed in passing his uncle off as alive, he will inherit $6,000,000 but if he doesn’t the money goes to the Universal Dog Home of Brooklyn…or perhaps it will go to the gun-toting wife of the casino owner…? …but what’s the hen-pecked optometrist from New Jersey doing in the South of France… or the Arab…or the Italian? Definitely, Something Funny’s Going On!

Full Cast and Creatives to Be Announced

Tickets at: www.landortheatre.co.uk

Glenn Carter and Robyn North star in musical Floyd Collins

2012-01-03T13:52:00.002Z

Glenn Carter (Jersey Boys, Jesus Christ Superstar, Alfie, Chess, Les Miserables, Joseph and Whistle Down the Wind) and Robyn North (Phantom, Master Class, My Fair Lady, Rebels And Retail and Thoroughly Modern Millie) will lead the cast of the musical Floyd Collins at the Southwark Playhouse from 22^nd February-31^st March.

This is the first London revival of the award-winning Tina Landau and Adam Guettel musical in over ten years.The cast will also include Ryan Sampson (The Kitchen Sink and Dido Queen Of Carthage), Jane Webster (The Phantom Of The Opera and The Sound Of Music), Vlach Ashton, Kit Benjamin and Dayle Hodge.

Floyd Collins is set in Kentucky in 1925 and is based on true events telling the story of one of the greatest cavers ever to have lived who dreamt of finding fame and fortune. When an expedition left him trapped 55 feet underground the story became a national sensation. The musical examines the media circus' reaction to Floyd's tragedy, his family's suffering and the various rescue attempts that took place.
Floyd Collins is directed by Derek Bond with musical direction by Tim Jackson and choreography by Richard Jones.

Tickets at: http://southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/

Michael Ball Profiling Leslie Bricusse Tonight

2012-01-03T05:45:00.001Z

Michael Ball has been taking a break over the Christmas and New Year period before he heads back to London’s West End to play the title role in the Sondheim Musical Sweeney Todd which opens at the Adelphi Theatre in March. He also has a new album Love Changes Everything: The Collection which is due for release on 16th January.

Tonight you can hear him profiling composer Leslie Bricusse in Pure Imagination: The Leslie Bricusse Story on BBC Radio 2 tonight at 22:00. This follows the Friday Night Is Music Night special in December which marked Bricusse's 80th year, with West end stars John Owen-Jones, Hannah Waddingham and Mike Jibson singing a great selection of his songs.

Leslie Bricusse is a London-born writer, composer and lyricist who has written the book, music and/or lyrics for more than 40 musical films and plays during his career. He has dozens of awards: multiple Oscars, Grammys, Tonys and Ivor Novellos, and is one of only a handful of British songwriters to be inducted into the American Songwriters Hall Of Fame.

He has worked with many talented contemporaries including Anthony Newley, Henry Mancini, John Williams, John Barry, Jule Styne, Quincy Jones, Andre Previn with a catalogue of songs including Goldfinger, Feeling Good, You Only Live Twice, Pure Imagination, If I Ruled The World., The Candy Man, My Kind Of Girl for Matt Monro and musicals including Stop The World I Want To Get Off, and The Roar of The Greasepaint The Smell of The Crowd. He now lives in America and at the age of 80 still continues to compose words and music.

Contributors on Pure Imagination include Sir Michael Caine, Michael Winner, Joan Collins, Sacha Newley, Liza Minnelli, Nancy Sinatra, Robert Wagner, Michael Feinstein, John Williams, Julie Andrews, George Hamilton, Petula Clark and Leslie Bricusse.

The Story of Musicals Series on BBC4

2012-01-02T16:19:00.001Z

I have seen some trailers for what looks to be a very good three part series on The Story of Musicals. It starts on BBC Four television tomorrow night (3rd January) at 21:00 for an hour, and then the following Tuesdays 10th and 17th January at the same time.

It tells how the British musical became a driving force behind musical theatre around the world . Tonight's episode looks at how British musicals went on to reclaim the West End from American domination just after the Second World War. . Highlights include The Boyfriend and its failure to conquer Broadway, the riches to rags story of Lionel Bart's Oliver! and the partnership between Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber from Jesus Christ Superstar to Evita.

Featuring contributions from Andrew Lloyd Webber, Cameron Mackintosh, Tim Rice, Elaine Paige, Ron Moody, Bill Kenwright, Sheila Hancock, Harold Prince, Robert Stigwood, Tommy Steele, Paul Nicholas, John Barrowman and Willy Russell.

West End and Touring Musicals in 2012

2012-01-01T10:28:00.001Z

Despite Andrew Lloyd Webber describing the weeks the Olympics will be held in the UK this year as a “bloodbath in the West End” with some shows due to close during that period, there are still some excellent musicals (both new and old) due to open in London or go on a UK tour,

First this year are two transfers from Chichester Festival Theatre: Singin’ In The Rain starring Adam Cooper at the Palace Theatre previews in February and Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd starring Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton as Mrs Lovett is at the Adelphi in March.

The stage premiere of the musical Top Hat starring Tom Chambers and Summer Strallen comes to the Aldwych in April following a very successful regional tour that plays two more dates at Woking and Bristol to try out some new material before moving into the West End,.

A bunch of new home grown commercial shows are in development to open after the Olympics including the Spice Girls musical Viva Forever which has been written by Jennifer Saunders: Bridget Jones’ Diary with music by Lily Allen starring Sheridan Smith: The Bodyguard and The Commitments. The much-hyped Broadway hit Book Of The Mormon is also looking to open in London.

New touring productions include Chicago starring Ali Bastian as Roxie Hart, Stefan Booth as Billy Flynn, Tupele Dorgu as Velma Kelly and Bernie Nolan as Matron ‘Mama’ Morton.

The Broadway classic Wonderful Town starring Connie Fisher and Michael Xavier will open in Salford Quays backed by the full Halle Orchestra in March before going on a four month tour of Britain.

Monkee Business is a new musical featuring the songs of The Monkees is due to open at the Manchester Opera House in March

Hair the Musical starring Gareth Gates, Zoe Birkett and Amy Diamond is hitting the road in April starting at the Liverpool Empire.

A new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera starring John Owen-Jones starts touring in February and Starlight Express direct by Arlene Phillips kicks off a tour at Wimbledon Theatre in May.

Opera North is opening a new production of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic Carousel in Leeds and Salford Quays before bringing it to the Barbican in August.

The Tony Award winning musical American Idiot featuring songs by the influential rock band Green Day will have its UK premiere at the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton in October before embarking on a short tour with the US cast which finishes at the Hammersmith Apollo in December.

Jeff Wayne's The War of The Worlds: The New Generation - Alive on Stage is going on a UK arena tour again at the end of the year with Liam Neeson replacing Richard Burton appearing in 3D holography as the story's narrator journalist George Herbert.

Other new touring productions include Save The Last Dance For Me from the same team behind Dreamboats And Petticoats: Rainy Days & Mondays featuring music by the Carpenters and I Dreamed A Dream which is based on the life story of Susan Boyle.

Adam Garcia back in Got to Dance on Sunday

2011-12-31T12:37:00.001Z

West End star and actor Adam Garcia, singer and dancer Kimberly Wyatt and Ashley Banjo who is the leader/choreographer of dance troupe Diversity have been searching for talented divas, crews, troupes and solo performers of every style and age to compete on Sky 1’s Got to Dance and win a cheque for £250,000.

The show starts on New Year's Day 1st January at 6:00 pm. It is hosted by Davina McCall and will see up to 3,000 dance acts try their luck in trials for the new series in Dublin, Glasgow and London. More than 71 dance variations will be on display, including African, Chinese ribbon, Cotswold Morris, electric boogie and hoofing which is a form of step dancing.

214 acts are set to be asked back for another trial and 30 will eventually be chosen to perform in live semi-final shows ahead of a final showdown at Kensington Olympia in West London.

A second audition show can be seen on Sky 1 on Monday January 2nd at 6:00 pm.

Garcia last appeared in London's West in Stomp and is long overdue a return please ...

Helen Bonham Carter awarded CBE

2011-12-31T09:23:00.001Z

Actress Helena Bonham Carter has been recognised in the 2012 New Year Honours list and been awarded a CBE for services to drama.

She.is rumoured to be playing Madame Thenardier with Sacha Baron Cohen playing her innkeeper husband in the movie of Les Miserables which is due to begin rehearsals at the end of this month and filming in March. Hugh Jackman is starring as Jean Valjean and Russell Crowe is playing Inspector Javert.

Bonham Carter is married to director Tim Burton and was last seen performing musically as Mrs Lovett in Sondheim's Sweeney Todd with Johnny Depp playing the demon barber.

Hear Alfie Boe's 100 Best Tunes Tonight

2011-12-30T16:00:00.001Z

Alfie Boe is currently in the middle of his Bring Him Home Concert Tour and tonight you can hear him on BBC Radio2 at 8.00 pm presenting a selection of Your Hundred Best Tunes plus a few of his personal favourites from the worlds of opera, operetta and film.

Alfie Boe's selection includes recordings by Richard Tauber; Maria Callas; Richard Crooks and Caruso's 1902 recording of "Vesti La Guibba which became the first record to sell one million copies. His orchestral choices are taken from the last listeners' poll carried out in 2003 and include excerpts from Ralph Vaughan Williams' "The Lark Ascending", Bedrich Smetana's "Ma Vlast" and Rachmaninov's "Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini".

Andrew Lloyd Webber describes 2012 Olympics as West End Bloodbath

2011-12-30T07:11:00.004Z

In an interview with the BBC Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber described the period of the 2012 Olympics as causing a "blood bath in London's West End".

"Nobody's going to go to the theatre at all" the composer told Radio 4's Today programme, predicting that "most of the theatres in London will shut. It's going to be very tough" he said, revealing advance bookings were "about 10%" of their normal level."

With moving around the capital being very difficult and tourists not buying theatre tickets over that period, he said he knows of three large musical which will close during the Games and only the established "must sees" and "oldies" like Les Miserables, War Horse and Phantom of the Opera should attract enough business be able remain open.

On a more positive note Lloyd Webber said a host of new musicals would arrive in the West End after the 2012 games including Viva Forever about the Spice Girls which has been written by Jennifer Saunders, Bridget Jones the Musical which stars Sheridan Smith with music by Lily Allen and the Tony award-winning The Book of Mormon.

Latest on Sir Tim Rice’s From here To Eternity Musical

2011-12-28T12:05:00.001Z

As previously blogged, Sir Tim Rice plans to bring the 1951 James Jones novel “From Here to Eternity” to the London stage. He has acquired full rights to produce the story and already has a score based on the film and book written by Stuart Brazen.

Rice said “I've got a director; I've got a book writer; and, I found myself becoming the producer - it took me quite a while to get the rights. We still need some new songs, and Stuart wants me to do the lyrics, so I've already done one new song with him and we've got a few more in the works. I hope to get From Here To Eternity off the ground next year."

It has now been reported that Sir Tim Rice hopes to raise the necessary cash from small investors saying “There are lots of people who are willing to put up £10,000 to get the ball rolling. We’ll need about £5million and if it is any good, by opening night it should be paying for itself. I wouldn’t put my own money in as that would make it harder to tell if the show is any good or not. It clouds the judgment.”

Live Singing and Strict Diets for cast of Les Miserables Movie

2011-12-28T11:29:00.001Z

Tony-award winner Hugh Jackman is still performing his one man show Hugh Jackman Back on Broadway at the Broadhurst Theatre until January 1st 2012, but has now confirmed that he will be heading for London at the end of January to begin rehearsals to play Jean Valjean in the movie version of Les Miserables.

Jackman said: "We start filming in March, and rehearsals at the end of January. It's an eighteen-year-period where I take the character”. At the start he's in a prison camp and Tom Hooper wants him to look the part in the early episodes of Valjean (starving-look, no pecs, etc) as Valjean is initially shown in a prison camp . . . moving to a bulk that is "massive like an ox".

Sacha Baron Cohen who is playing innkeeper Thenardier has reportedly been told he must sing live in the new film version. Unlike most film musicals, the cast will record their vocals live on camera rather than go into a studio first then mime on film to the pre-recorded vocal.

It's going to be hard work for the cast as they have to learn the complex songs, then they'll have to get it right on set in front of the other stars and crew.

After the Turn with music by Tim Prottey-Jones

2011-12-28T11:01:00.002Z

After the Turn is a new British Pop/Rock Musical featuring the songs of up and coming composer Tim Prottey-Jones. It is playing at the Courtyard Theatre in Hackney from 31st January-25th February 2012.

Starring Ashleigh Gray, Liam Doyle, Tori Allen-Martin, Stephen Rolley, Greg Oliver and Steven Webb, After The Turn is a story about grief, guilt, self-discovery, forgiveness and that thing we just can’t do without … love.

Tickets at: www.ticketmaster.co.uk

Tommy Steele: Bermondsey Boy on Radio 2 tonight

2011-12-26T15:18:00.001Z

Veteran entertainer Tommy Steele has just celebrated his 75th birthday and is currently on a tour of Scrooge the Musical which is playing at the Salford Lowry over the festive season.

On Radio2 tonight at 22:00 Don Black presents Tommy Steele: Bermondsey Boy. He was Britain's first Rock 'n' Roll star who has enjoyed a highly successful career in recordings on stage and screen.

Larry Parnes once said "Tommy Steele was the greatest entertainer that I ever had on my books" and he slowly moved away from rock 'n' roll into more mainstream entertainment, including pantomime, stage and screen.

Notable projects include The Tommy Steele Story, Hans Christian Andersen, Half A Sixpence, Singin' In The Rain, Some Like It Hot, and Doctor Doolittle. He is also a noted sculptor and painter who has exhibited at the Royal Academy.

Contributors to the programme include Julia Foster, Gillian Lynne, Laurie Mansfield, Michael Reed and Marty Wilde.

Graham Bickley & Mary Carewe sing The Music of Burt Bacharach

2011-12-22T13:30:00.001Z

The Cadogan Hall are presenting a special Valentine’s Day Concert of The Music of Burt Bacharach: What the World Needs Now... with Mary Carewe, Graham Bickley, Cat Simmons and Sarah Lark as special guest vocalists accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with Richard Balcombe conducting,

The concert will take place on Tuesday 14th February at 7:30 pm and features some great numbers including Anyone Who Had A Heart; Close to You, Alfie, Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head, This Guy’s in Love With You and many more well-known classics written for great artists like Dusty Springfield, The Carpenters, Tom Jones, Dionne Warwick and Herb Alpert.

Tickets at https://esro.cadoganhall.com

Dianne Pilkington & Gerard Carey join Tyne Daly in Masterclass

2011-12-22T13:15:00.001Z

Tyne Daly will make her West End debut in Terrence McNally’s 1995 drama Master Class at the Vaudeville Theatre for a 14 week run from January 21st to 28th April, with press night on 7th February 2012. Daly is best known in the UK for the TV police drama Cagney and Lacey, and is highly regarded in the States for her powerful theatre performances.

The show is an extraordinary insight into the life and loves of Maria Callas, the iconic opera singer whose turbulent private life and fiery temperament were as astonishing as her formidable talents.Inspired by her operatic master classes of the early 70s, this is a riveting, hilarious and intensely moving portrayal of the sacrifice and heartache behind the artist, the diva and the legend..

Other cast members joining Daly include Gerard Carey, Jeremy Cohen, Naomi O’Connell, Dianne Pilkington and Garrett Sorenson

You can see a trailer for Master Class here.

Graham Bickley, Tim Howar & Anna-Jane Casey in Guys & Dolls in Concert

2011-12-21T07:45:00.004Z

Guys and Dolls in Concert with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra and Chorus is on a the Cadogan Hall from Wednesday 22nd- Saturday 25th August, (including a Saturday matinee).

The company includes actor Dennis Waterman (The Sweeney, Minder, New Tricks) as the Narrator: Anna-Jane Casey (Cats, Starlight Express, West Side Story, Chicago) as Sarah Brown: Graham Bickley (Les Misérables, Miss Saigon, Jukebox, Sunset Boulevard) plays Nathan Detroit: Tim Howar (We Will Rock You and Mike & The Mechanics singer) is Sky Masterson with the actress playing Miss Adelaide still to be announced. Richard Balcombe is the Musical director

Guys and Dolls tells the story of a group of small time gamblers and the ladies in their lives with classic songs including Luck Be A Lady, Sit Down You're Rocking The Boat, If I Were A Bell, Sue Me, My Time of Day/I've Never Been in Love Before, Take Back Your Mink and the title song Guys and Dolls.

Tickets at https://esro.cadoganhall.com

John Owen-Jones, Hannah Waddingham and Mike Jibson in Leslie Bricusse Concert

2011-12-19T10:15:00.004Z

West End stars John Owen-Jones, Hannah Waddingham and Mike Jibson join Sir Michael Parkinson who is presenting a special Friday Night is Music Night celebrating the 80th year of Leslie Bricusse on BBC Radio 2 on December 23rd at 8:00 pm.

Although best known for his partnership with Anthony Newley, Bricusse has worked with many other composers. Sammy Davis Jr. had hits with What Kind of Fool Am I? (Stop the World - I Want to Get Off) and Candy Man (Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory). Other recording artists who have recorded his songs songs include Matt Monro and Frank Sinatra (My Kind of Girl), Shirley Bassey (Goldfinger), Harry Secombe (If I Ruled the World), Nancy Sinatra (You Only Live Twice), Maureen McGovern (Can You Read My Mind) and Diana Krall ("When I Look in Your Eyes).

Mike Dixon conducts the BBC Concert Orchestra with singers from the West End including John Owen-Jones, Hannah Waddingham and Michael Jibson plus the Finchley Children's Music Group and Annie Skates' Capital Voices.

The concert was recorded at London's Mermaid Theatre on Friday 16th December and in an interview with the Radio Times John Owen-Jones named Waddingham’s Can You Read My Mind and Jibson’s My Kind of Girl as standouts from his fellow performers - “really lovely songs I wasn’t familiar with.” Of his own selection he says: “I thoroughly enjoyed singing Feeling Good and If I Ruled the World – they just seem to ‘fit’ me, if you know what I mean.”.

Ramin Karimloo 2012 Concert Dates

2011-12-17T08:50:00.001Z

Leading West End star Ramin Karimloo is currently appearing as Jean Valjean in Les Miserables at the Queens’ Theatre in London’s West End.

He leaves the show next March and then goes on to do Ramin in Concert performing songs from his debut album along side some much loved West End favourites including Les Miserables, The Phantom of the Opera, Love Never Dies and South Pacific.

Ramin In Concert will open at the Royal Festival Hall in London on 1st May and then tour to the Cliffs Pavilion Southend. Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, Philharmonic Hall Liverpool, The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester and the Royal Concert Hall Glasgow where it ends on 20th May.

His debut solo album, the self-titled Ramin, will be released by Sony next year and you can pre-order a copy from Amazon for £8.99 for dispatch on 6th February 2012.

Strictly Come Dancing Tours

2011-12-15T16:04:00.001Z

BBC’s hugely popular Strictly Come Dancing comes to an end this weekend with the final being held in Blackpool between Harry Judd, Chelsee Healey and Jason Donovan.

Professional dancers from the show Flavia Cacace and Vincent Simone then open in London with their Midnight Tango show at the Aldwych Theatre in the West End which runs from 20th January until 31st March 2012.

If you can’t get into London to see the show then check out the dates for the Midnight Tango tour which opens in Manchester in April and visits a number of UK theatres until July.

Anton du Beke and Erin Boag are also touring the UK with a new show Anton & Erin's Let's Do It dancing to music from George Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Kander & Ebb and Cole Porter. It opens in Northampton on 19th January and tours until 18th March.

Tom Chambers back in Top Hat Musical in March

2011-12-15T15:50:00.000Z

The tour of Irving Berlin’s Top Hat starring Tom Chambers and Summer Strallen ended at the Leeds Grand Theatre on 10th December.

After taking a break over Christmas it starts again next March for a limited run at Woking and Bristol Theatres to try out some new songs plus do any tweaking that needs to be done before it starts previews at the Aldwych Theatre in London’s West End on April 19th.

David Tennant Presenting Shrek TV Christmas Special

2011-12-15T11:31:00.000Z

Dr Who star David Tennant is going behind the screens to narrate an hour-long special Shrek: Once Upon A Time this Christmas on BBC3 at 9:00 pm on Friday 23rd December.

"David Tennant narrates a celebratory look at how an ogre with a Scottish accent single-handedly changed the face of animation. It features exclusive interviews with the creative geniuses behind the award-winning animation and the voices that brought the story to life, including Cameron Diaz, Antonio Banderas, Jennifer Saunders and Shrek himself, Mike Myers."

You can see Shrek the Musical at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane where it is booking until October 21st 2012.

Listen to Nicole Scherzinger wth the Four Phantoms

2011-12-15T05:44:00.003Z

Nicole Scherzinger performed with four past and present Phantoms of the Opera at last night's Royal Variety Show.

They were introduced by Lord Lloyd Webber who described Ms Scherzinger as "performing out of her comfort zone". Well she seemed pretty comfortable to me giving a flawless (and completely live) rendition of the song accompanied by notable Phantoms Simon Bowman, Ramin Karimloo, John Owen-Jones and Earl Carpenter.

You can hear Nicole Scherzinger singing Phantom of the Opera here

Jersey Boys Frankie Valli and Four Seasons at Royal Albert Hall

2011-12-14T11:46:00.001Z

Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons will play their first show in the UK for 18 years when they appear at the Royal Albert Hall on 26th June next year.

They will be performing hits going back to the 1960’s including Big Girls Don’t Cry, Walk Like A Man, Rag Doll, Who Loves You, Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, Working My Way Back To You, Let’s Hang On, My Eyes Adored You, Bye, Bye, Baby (Baby Goodbye), December 1963 (Oh What A Night) and Grease.

The story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons is told in the very successful long-running musical Jersey Boys at the Prince Edward Theatre in London’s West End.

Shayne Ward & Oliver Tompsett staying with Rock of Ages

2011-12-14T11:35:00.001Z

The Musical Rock of Ages is currently booking at the Shaftesbury Theatre until 20th October 2012.

It has recently been announced that the full original London cast line up including Justin Lee Collins, Shayne Ward, Oliver Tompsett, Amy Pemberton and Simon Lipkin are to continue in the show for at least another six months taking them through to the end of September 2012.

Barry Manilow has hip repair surgery

2011-12-14T06:14:00.001Z

You can see Barry Manilow on the Royal Variety Show which is being broadcast from 7:30 pm on ITV1 tonight. The show was recorded at the Salford Lowry earlier this month which allowed Mr Manilow to return to the States to undergo hip repair surgery on Monday - the day after completing a seven-year run of shows in Las Vegas.

68-year-old Manilow had the surgery at a Los Angeles hospital saying "That's what you get when you jump around to Copacabana for 30 years! It’s not hip replacement – never has been. I seem to have ripped the abductor muscles on both hips and messed up my bursas.After the surgery, the Doctors told me it will take three weeks before I can walk and then another three weeks to recover. And then it’s Chicago and Radio City!"

He is due back in the UK next year performing five arena concerts in May.

New Wind in the Willows Musical from Downton Abbey's Julian Fellowes

2011-12-09T06:45:00.001Z

Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes is to write a new musical adaptation of Kenneth Grahame's novel The Wind in the Willows for London’s West End. Fellowes also won an Oscar for Gosford Park.

He will reunite with composer and lyricist duo George Stiles and Anthony Drewe for the project. Stiles and Drewe’s many collaborations include Betty Blue Eyes which ran in the West End earlier this year, and the Olivier Award-winning Honk! The trio previously worked together on Cameron Mackintosh's West End and Broadway production of Mary Poppins.

Fellowes said: "The Wind in the Willows is one of our greatest classics and as true and entertaining now as it has ever been. I am delighted and tremendously flattered to have been asked to write the book for the new musical. In fact, I suspect this is something I've been wanting to do subconsciously for many years."

Stiles added: "We all celebrate our English roots as writers and the musical possibilities of Kenneth Grahame's classic chime very strongly with me. The book itself is packed with music and songs so I can't wait to find the sounds to score Ratty, Mole, Badger, Toad and their adventures".

It is hoped that the musical will open in 2013. It will be produced by Jamie Hendry Productions whose recent shows include Legally Blonde the Musical, Birdsong, Spring Awakening and La Cage Aux Folles.

Charlie & The Chocolate Factory Musical to open at Palladium in 2013?

2011-12-09T04:41:00.001Z

As already reported, Roald Dahl’s novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is to be turned into a stage musical under the direction of Sam Mendes with the aim to start rehearsals early in 2013 and then begin previews in May of that year. Warner Bros studio, which controls the book’s rights, is in early negotiations for the show to open at the London Palladium.

The songs will be penned by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman who are the team behind Hairspray using a libretto by David Greig (the man behind the National Theatre of Scotland's fantastical new version of Peter Pan). Designer Mark Thompson has already begun preliminary work on how The Chocolate Factory will look and Peter Darling will choreograph.

The two film versions of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" starring Gene Wilder in 1971 and Johnny Depp in 2005 (directed by Tim Burton of Sweeney Todd and Alice in Wonderland fame) were both huge hits.

Aaron Tveit cast as Enjolras in LesMis Movie

2011-12-09T04:30:00.001Z

The latest bit of casting news on the Les Miserables movies is that Broadway actor Aaron Tveit (pictured) is playing as Enjolras, the heroic student leader who heads the march to the Paris barricades. He is best known for originating the roles of Gabe in Next to Normal and Frank Abagnale Jr in Catch Me If You Can.

Tveit's other musical theatre credtis include Hairsperay (Link Larkin), Wicked! (Fiyero), Three Musketeers (D'Artagnan) and Rent (Roger Davis). He has also appeared on television in Gossip Girl and Ugly Betty.

He joins Hugh Jackman (Jean Valjean), Russell Crowe (Javert), Sacha Baron Cohen (Thenardier), Eddie Redmayne (Marius) and Anne Hathaway as Fantine. Helena Bonham Carter is still in negotiations to play Madame Thenardier.

Latest on Finding Neverland Musical

2011-12-09T04:18:00.002Z

As already reported, musical version of the film Finding Neverland, which starred Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet is heading for London’s West End.

Two workshops with a full cast are currently being held in London with Julian Ovenden playing J M Barrie and Jenna Russell as Sylvia Llewelyn Davies (whose sons inspired Barrie to write Peter Pan).

Songs include He Makes Me Smile which has Sylvia reflecting on what a difference Barrie has made to her family’s life and Ovenden’s duet You Don’t Know Me with Theo Stevenson who is playing Peter.

The workshop has a very distinguished cast including Linda Thorson (of The Avengers fame), Allan Corduner, Scarlett Strallen, Beverley Klein and Alexander Hanson. The other Llewelyn Davies boys are played by Elliot Alinson, Connor Fitzgerald and Ilan Galkhoff.

Rob Ashford is directing and choreographing the show. The composer is Scott Frankel who wrote Grey Gardens. Lyrics are by Michael Korie and the book is by Allan Knee whose novel was adapted into the film.

The current plan is to open Neverland at a regional theatre and then bring it to the West End next autumn or early in 2013.

More Alfie Boe Bring Him Home Tour Dates

2011-12-08T13:08:00.001Z

Alfie Boe has announced he will be performing two Scottish concerts next Summer. His sell-out Bring Him Home Tour started earlier this week and his new album Alfie was released at the end of October.

Alfie has now confirmed two additional concerts in Scotland in July, He will be at Aberdeen Music Hall on 10th July and Dundee Caird Hall on the 11th.

Sacha Baron Cohen to play Thenardier in Les Miserables Movie

2011-12-08T09:26:00.002Z

Sacha Baron Cohen (aka Borat) has landed a new film role playing innkeeper Monsieur Thenardier in the film version of Les Miserables starring Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe and Anne Hathaway.

I think it's great casting as the part of Thenardier involves a lot of comedy illustrated by the fact that it was recently played on stage in the West End by Matt Lucas. The last time I saw Baron Cohen in a musical was when he playing the over the top barber Signor Adolfo Pirelli in Tim Burton's version of Sweeney Todd starring Johnny Depp.

Casting is yet to be announced for Madame Thenardier but Helena Bonham Carter has been a trong rumour for some time. Interestingly enough she played Mrs Lovett in Sweeney.

The director Tom Hooper is certainly getting together a stellar cast for Les Miserables the movie which begins shooting in the UK next March and is currently schedule for a December 2012 release date.

Hugh Jackman Back on Broadway raises record amount for charity

2011-12-08T06:49:00.001Z

Hugh Jackman has been presenting his one man show Hugh Jackman, Back on Broadway and during just three weeks of performances his post-show appeals to the audience for donations to the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS fund drive raised a whopping $857,740. That total was boosted auctions of undershirts worn by Jackman in the show which went for more than $10,000 each.

I was at a performance of Jackman’s the Boy from Oz on Broadway a few years ago when he held one of these fundraising auctions after the show and believe me the audience go mad for the lots and pay incredible amounts of money for anything which he has been wearing.

Jackman was easily the highest fundraiser but other shows included How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying with $325,935 and The Book of Mormon came in third with $315, 968.

This man is charismatic on stage and really exciting to watch so I am really hoping that he manages to get this show on in London's West End while hs is here next year shooting the film of Les Miserables.

Paul O’Grady narrating Coronation Street the Musical

2011-12-08T06:37:00.001Z

Paul O'Grady will join past and present cast members of Coronation Street on stage to narrate the Corrie musical called Street Of Dreams at Manchester's MEN Arena on 21st and 22nd March 2012.

ITV’s Coronation Street will be turned into an all-singing, all-dancing stage musical featuring some of the show's best-loved stars with Julie Goodyear reprising her role as Bet Lynch; Kevin Kennedy (who is currently appearing in We Will Rock You) is back as Curly Watts plus Brian Capron who played serial killer Richard Hillman. Current cast members include Katy Cavanagh who plays Julie Carp and William Roache who plays Ken Barlow.

There will be a 25 piece orchestra and the cast will perform songs based on famous scenes from the soap's 51-year history taking part in song and dance routines. The tunes include Woman Stanley Woman/ based on Hilda and Stan Ogden's second honeymoon: He's My Man/about a catfight between Elsie Tanner and Bet Lynch and Norman Bates With A Briefcase which is about murderer Richard Hillman. Former favourite characters such as Ena Sharples, Elsie Tanner and Hilda Ogden will also be featured.

The show is choreographed by Stephen Mear who has won Olivier Awards for his work on the stage versions of Mary Poppins and Hello Dolly.

Paul O'Grady is a massive fan of the soap and said he had "chunks of script from 30 years ago engraved in my memory. To relive it all alongside unforgettable characters and talent on the stage, revisiting such iconic scenes from across the years, is just brilliant. I can't wait to watch it all come together and the reaction it receives."

Latest on Les Miserables Movie

2011-12-07T11:16:00.002Z

Oscar-winning director of the King's Speech Tom Hooper (pictured) is also directing the film of Les Miserables starring Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway and Eddie Redmayne which begins shooting in London next March with an initial release date set for December 2012.

King's Speech stars Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter are also said to be attached to the project.

Hooper said "I did test 3D and I was very tempted - I think it is a very interesting new form. But I slightly worry with 3D that some people will physically struggle with it. If you have a certain type of eyesight it can be more demanding than watching a normal movie. With a two-and-a-half hour film I didn't want to make something that anyone might think ‘That's not for me, because I don't like the medium’. I wanted to make a film that would touch everyone. I believe the story is so strong that 3D is not essential. So I can definitely announce it's good old-fashioned 2D.”

Hooper added that the casting of Eponine and Cosette would be announced soon adding "I've never done a film where big star actors are as obsessed with being in it as this!"

Workshop for New Sting Musical

2011-12-07T10:29:00.001Z

A workshop is being put together in the New Year for the new musical project by Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning Next to Normal librettist Brian Yorkey and Grammy Award-winning songwriter Sting.

The Last Ship is a stage musical adaptation of Sting's 1991 album "The Soul Cages" which includes his classic numbers Roxanne, Walking On The Moon and Message In A Bottle. It will incorporate biographical aspects from his life in 1980’s Newcastle.

Sting has already composed over 20 new songs plus the musical will include a handful of pre-existing Sting songs framed within a new context.

Alfie Boe & John Owen-Jones performing at Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod

2011-12-07T09:51:00.001Z

John Owen-Jones is due to leave The Phantom of the Opera on Saturday to take a short break before he reprises the role on the Phantom Tour which starts at Plymouth in February and tenor Alfie Boe has just started his Bring Him Home Concert Tour.

Both of them are appearing in the 2012 Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod which runs from Tuesday 3rd-Sunday 8th July. Owen-Jones performing in the Grand finale musical extravaganza on Sunday 8th July with Go Compare advert star Wynne Evans, Evans’ brother Mark Llywelyn Evans, soprano Fflur Wyn and Côr CF1 on the iconic Llangollen Pavilion stage.

Alfie Boe is appearing on Thursday 5th July with an All Singing, All Dancing Show Choirs competition

The box office opened on 5th December and you can get tickets Online booking at www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk Box Office: 01978 862001 9.30am to 4.30pm weekdays. Email tickets@international-eisteddfod.co.uk

Gavin and Stacey the Musical?

2011-12-06T11:45:00.001Z

Ruth Jones co-wrote the hit BBC series Gavin & Stacy with actor James Corden (currently starring in West End play One Man Two Guvnors) has announced plans for it to be turned into a stage production saying: "We'd love to do Gavin and Stacey: The Musical. I know it is something James wants to do too."

Ramin Karimloo, John Owen-Jones, Simon Bowman & Earl Carpenter on 2011 Royal Variety Show

2011-12-06T03:21:00.006Z

The 2011 Royal Variety Show took places at the Lowry Theatre Salford Keys last night in the presence of HRH Princess Anne.

West End Stars performing included Adam Cooper and the cast of Singin' in the Rain which had rave reviews at the Chichester Festival Thetre earlier this year and is due to open in London's West End at the Palace Theatre in February.

Four West End leading men who did not appear in the ITV1 billing also made an appearance: Ramin Karimloo who has just taken over the role of Jean Valjean from Alfie Boe in Les Miserables: John Owen-Jones who is currently the Phantom of the Opera and is shortly leaving the show to play the role on a national tour which starts next year: Simon Bowman who has played Jean Valjean and the Phantom and Earl Carpenter who has been playing the role of Khasoggi in We Will Rock You and is currently in rehearsals to take over the role of Phantom from Owen-Jones and also play it in the latter half of the tour.

They were joined by Nicole Scherzinger who was spotted having dinner with Lord Lloyd Webber (who was in the audience last night) before the show. She was introduced by the Lord as "performing alongside the cast of Phantom of the Opera". She is known to be a Phantom fan and has made a recording of "Love Never Dies". She said: “It was an honour to be in his company. To be asked to sing Phantom Of The Opera is amazing. I’m so excited to be performing again.”

The date on which the show is to be broadcast on ITV1 is December 14th at 7:30 pm

Adam Garcia back with Got To Dance 2012

2011-12-04T12:19:00.001Z

Got to Dance is back for a third series on 1st January at 6:00 pm on Sky 1 HD and Sky 1. The second audition show will air on Monday 2nd January at 6:00 pm.

The reality TV series sets out to discover the country’s most talented dance floor divas by scouring the nation for Britain’s best crews, troupes and solo dancers of all styles and ages. The prize is a cash prize of £250k.
The series is hosted by Dania McCall and the auditions are judged by panel comprising West End star and actor Adam Garcia: singer and trained dancer Kimberly Wyatt and Ashley Banjo, lead dancer and choreographer of Diversity.

Eight audition shows have been filmed in Dublin, Glasgow and London. The judges whittle down the shortlist down to a final 30, who then compete across five live semi-final shows. A public vote decides the eight finalists who will perform in front of a 6,000-strong audience at Kensington Olympia.

Hugh Jackman presenting one man show in West End next year

2011-12-02T16:54:00.001Z

Hugh Jackman is breaking box office records in his one man show at the Broadhurst Theatre on Broadway where he interacts with the audience and performs some great song-and-dance numbers.

He is currently talking to producer Robert Fox and Cameron Mackintosh about using one of his theatres for a series of Sunday night concerts while he’s in London next Spring filming his role of Jean Valjean in the musical Les Miserables for Oscar-winning director Tom Hooper.

As soon as the Les Miserables shooting schedule is fixed dates and a theatre will be announced.

Having seen him perform live on stage several times really hope this comes off!

Rebecca the Musical starring Sierra Boggess postponed

2011-12-02T16:45:00.004Z

LATEST NEWS: Rebecca is being postponed until the end of
2012/beginning of 2013 due to lack of funds.

Lead producer Ben Sprecher said: "It is with great disappointment that we have made the decision to postpone the Broadway debut of this phenomenal musical until next season. Rebecca is a grand and spectacular musical requiring substantial capitalization, and it's no secret that in this very negative economic climate, raising money for Broadway has become even more difficult and laborious than it has historically always been. We are very close to meeting our financial goal, but we just ran short of time to complete capitalization with rehearsals slated to begin in two weeks. We feel that Rebecca is too special of a musical to short change in any way. It is our responsibility to the creators of this show, to our cast, our partners, our investors and our vendors that the complete financing is in place before rehearsals begin. Rebecca on Broadway must have the proper chance to continue the successful track record it currently enjoys worldwide. My co-producers and I remain very committed to bringing this wonderful show to New York next season."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------More Casting has just been announced for the musical Rebecca which is based on the classic novel by Daphne Du Maurier. It opens at the Broadhurst Theatre on Broadway on April 22nd (previews from 27th March).

As previously announced Sierra Boggess is playing the leading role of “I” and she will be joined by her real life partner Tam Mutu (Love Never Dies) as Maxim de Winter, Karen Mason (Sunset Boulevard, Mamma Mia!) as Mrs Danvers, James Barbour (Beauty and the Beast, A Tale of Two Cities) as Jack Favell, John Dossett (Gypsy) as Frank Crawley, Donna English (Lend Me A Tenor) as Beatrice de Winter and Nick Wyman (Les Miserables) as Giles.

Alfie Boe on Friday Night is Music Night Tomorrow

2011-12-01T15:38:00.001Z

On Friday 2nd December at 20:00 on BBC Radio 2 you can hear Ken Bruce introduce Alfie Boe and soprano Rebecca Bottone performing with the BBC Concert Orchestra at the Chichester Festival Theatre in a concert recorded in February 2011

Alfie starts his Bring Him Home Concert Tour next week at Bristol Colston Hall and goes on an extensive UK tour until th February

Green Day American Idiot Musical Tour Dates

2011-12-01T11:19:00.004Z

The Tony Award winning musical American Idiot will have its UK premiere at the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton next October before embarking on a short tour with the US cast which finishes at the Hammersmith Apollo in December. It is hoped a West End transfer may then be on the cards.

American Idiot features the songs of one of the influential rock band Green Day with hit songs include Boulevard of Broken Dreams, 21 Guns, Wake Me Up When September Ends, Holiday and American Idiot from Green Day’s 2004 Grammy award-winning album of the same name.

It is about three disaffected young men, Johnny, Will, and Tunny. Johnny and Tunny flee stifling suburbia and their parents’ restrictions to look for the freedom and excitement of the city while Will stays home to work out his relationship with his pregnant girlfriend. Tunny gives up on life in the city and joins the military while Johnny finds a part of himself that he grows to dislike, has a relationship and experiences lost love.

With a book by lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong and Tony award-winning director Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening), who also co-directs with British Olivier winner and choreographer Steven Hoggett.
Booking opens on Friday 9th December at 10:00 am

The tour dates are: October 9th-13th Southampton Mayflower Theatre: October 15th-20th Cardiff Wales Millennium Centre: October 22nd-27th Edinburgh Playhouse: October 29th-November 3rd : Glasgow Clyde Auditorium: November 5th-10th Dublin Grand Canal Theatre: November 12th-24th Manchester Palace Theatre: November 26th-December 1st Birmingham Alexandra Theatre: December 4th- 9th London HMV Hammersmith Apollo

Judith Owen Live at the Pheasantry

2011-11-30T15:42:00.001Z

Following her sell out West End show with Ruby Wax in "Losing It” and her two sell-out debut shows at The Pheasantry in the King’s Road, Judith Owen will be playing her final date there this year on Tuesday December 6th at 8:30 pm.

Guesting with Judith will be singer/songwriter Julia Fordham, Gabriella Swallow on cello, Judith's partner Harry Shearer (Spinal Tap and The Simpsons), will be playing double bass and Lawrence Cottle will play bass.

Owens' poignant music is emotional, moving and funny one minute and haunting and atmospheric the next. Her folk-jazz voice is soulfully cool and deeply introspective, whispering when necessary and wailing when the moment calls for candour.

Ticket price £15.00 from www.pizzaexpresslive.co.uk/ Reservations: Tel: 0845 6027017 (option 8)

Alex Gaumond, Jamie Muscato, Jodie Jacobs, Darius Campbell and Katie Hall guests on Ruthie Henshall's After Show

2011-11-30T13:34:00.003Z

David Bedella is starring in Cardiff’s Christmas Panto so the next “After Show with David Bedella” will be hosted by Ruthie Henshall on December 8th at the Alleycat Bar in Denmark Street. Doors: 10:00pm-3:00am

After Show is a live late night chat show with Ruthie talking to an impressive line up of West End stars including Alex Gaumond, Jamie Muscato, Jodie Jacobs, Darius Campbell, Angie Brown, Ben Stott and Katie Hall. They will also sing a song or two along with a jazz trio and the very best of West End singers.

In the new year After Show will resume on Thursday, February 9th with David Bedella back at the helm.

Advance Tickets: £15 www.wegottickets.com
Cast Rate Tickets: £10 on the door

Complete new cast list for Ghost the Musical

2011-11-30T11:17:00.001Z

I wrote yesterday that Caissie Levy and Richard Fleeshman were leaving Ghost the Musical in London's West End on 12th January next year to transfer with the show to Broadway, and that Siobhan Dillon and Mark Evans would be taking over their lead roles from 13th January.

The full new cast list for Ghost the Musical from 13th January is Siobhan Dillon (Molly Jensen), Mark Evans (Sam Wheat), Sharon D Clarke (Oda Mae Brown), Andrew Langtree (Carl Bruner), Ivan de Freitas (Willie Lopez), Adebayo Bolaji (Subway Ghost), Mark White (Hospital Ghost), Lisa Davina Phillip (Clara) and Jenny Fitzpatrick (Louise).

They are joined by Jaygann Ayeh, Paul Ayres, Darren Carnall, Samuel Edwards, Rebecca Giacopazzi, Emily Hawgood, Louise Lawson, Rochelle Neil, Michael Peters, Laura Selwood, Yemie Sonuga, Spencer Stafford, Philippa Stefani, Jez Unwin, Sally Whitehead and Mark Willshire.

Mark Evans & Siobhan Dillon to star in Ghost the Musical

2011-11-29T16:09:00.002Z

Caissie Levy (Molly Jensen) and Richard Fleeshman (Sam Wheat) are to transfer to the Broadway production of Ghost the Musical when it opens on April 23rd 2012 (previews from March 15th) . They will be joined by Bryce Pinkham as Carl Bruner and Da’Vine Joy Randolph as Oda Mae Brown.

Their roles in the London production will be taken by Siobhan Dillon and Mark Evans from 13th January 2012. They will join Sharon D Clarke as Oda Mae Brown and Andrew Langtree as Carl.

Ghost the Musical Cast Changes

2011-11-29T16:02:00.002Z

Ghost the Musical is due to open on Broadway next year and in Melbourne in 2013. Closer to home in London's West End there is a cast change due to take place in February at the Piccadilly Theatre.

Mark Evans who is currently playing Fiyero in Wicked! the musical takes over from Richard Fleeshman as Sam and Siobhan Dillon takes over from Caissie Levy as Molly.

Jessie Buckley, Alison Jiear, Deborah Myers, James Graeme & Tim Howar in The Sound of Musicals

2011-11-29T14:30:00.001Z

At 15:00 on 28th December at the Barbican Hall The Sound of Musicals will feature West End stars Alison Jiear, Deborah Myers, James Graeme and Tim Howar performing a new programme of show-stopping songs from the greatest Broadway and West End musicals including: Les Misérables, Anything Goes, South Pacific, The Sound of Music, Sweet Charity, The Phantom of the Opera, Wicked, The Wizard of Oz, Grease, Love Never Dies, Cats and Carousel.

They will be accompanied by the London Concert Orchestra conducted by David Shrubsole

Tickets from: www.barbican.org.uk

Backbeat Beatles Musical Closing 18th February

2011-11-29T11:20:00.003Z

The musical Backbeat which is about the Beatles early years in Hamburg during the 1960's is booking at the Duke of York’s Theatre until 24th March 2012, but it has just been announced that Zach Braff's comedy All New People will open at that theatre on 22nd February and Backbeat will now close on 18th February 2012.

David Bowie denies songs being used in Heroes Musical

2011-11-28T07:12:00.001Z

Yesterday I wrote an article about Heroes: The Musical featuring David Bowie songs which was due to play at the IndigO2 in March.

It had been reported in a Sunday newspaper that Bowie had surprisingly given permission for his songs to be used in the show which was to feature a cast of over 30 performers and a live band.

This news seems to be inaccurate as last night David Bowie’s website issued a statement saying: "Neither the David Bowie Organization, nor its co-publishers EMI Music and Chrysalis, has issued a license for this performance at the O2. There are no negotiations pending for a long running musical featuring the music of Mr Bowie."

Must admit I felt a bit uneasy when I checked the O2 website and the musical was not listed, but with statements from the writer and a poster published it seems to be legitimate …

David Bowie Songs in Heroes: The Musical

2011-11-27T12:36:00.003Z

David Bowie has given his permission for the first time for his songs to be turned into a show called Heroes: The Musical which has been described as a futuristic fantasy which will be based on the story of Major Tom, the star man and a young man called David.

Heroes is a classic 1977 David Bowie track which is considered to be one of the greatest singles of all time.

Deep Singh wrote the musical and told the Observer: "We could not really believe it when they gave us permission. His people had warned us that it was very unlikely that he would be interested and that he had been asked many times before. We did not want Mr Bowie to think it was going to be a tribute show, and that seems to have had an effect. Mr Bowie's representatives have been incredibly supportive when we have asked them for things and yet hands-off in terms of letting us get on with the project."

Heroes: The Musical will be directed and choreographed by Matthew Gould and will feature around 20 songs including Heroes, The Man Who Sold the World and Let's Dance. Gould said: "We want the audience to become involved with the characters. There is a fear a whole generation might not get to hear Bowie's extraordinary music without a show like this."

The world premiere will take place at IndigO2 on Sunday 11th March 2012 with proceeds going to three charities, the Orpheus Centre, Albert & Friends Instant Circus and Youth Music Theatre UK.