Full Cast announced for tour of Lin Manual Miranda`s Bring It On

The full cast has just been announced for the tour of Lin Manual Miranda`s Bring It On which opens in Peterborough on 26th November.

Joining the  originally announced Amber Davies as Campbell with Louis Smith as Cameron will be joined by Vanessa Fisher/Danielle, Alicia Belgarde/Eva, Georgia Bradshaw/Nautica, Connor Carson/Randall. Marvyn Charles/Twig, Chelsea Hall/Bridget, Jal Joshua/La Cienega, Chloe Pole/Skylar, Biancha Szynal/Kylar and Samuel Wilson-Freeman/Steven. 

With ensemble members Jordan Isaac, Bethany Kate, Gareth Moran, Ayden Morgan, Kenedy Small, Zinzile Tshuma and swings Paris Green and Sergi Ibanez.

ALW Cinderella performances to resume on 18th August

The West End production of Andrew Lloyd Webber´s Cinderella was due to have its opening night on Monday at the Gillian Lynne Theatre when it was forced to close by a positive Covid case. It has now  revealed fresh opening plans with performances now on sale from 18th August, pushing back its opening for a number of weeks. This is after the track and trace rules change, meaning double-vaccinated individuals do not need to isolate if they come into contact with a Covid-positive individual. This may prevent further cancellations and give both the production and audiences more confidence.

Press night is on Wednesday, August 25th. Ticket holders for dates before 18th August will be contacted by the production.

You can see the first trailer from the show here

More casting news for The Drifters Girl starring Beverley Knight

As previously announced West End leading lady Beverley Knight is to star in The Drifters Girl a new musical which will now open in  the West End in 2021. It tells  the remarkable story of THE DRIFTERS, one of the world’s greatest vocal groups, and the truth about the woman who made them.

Produced by Michael Harrison and David Ian the show will now start its run in 2021 at the Theatre Royal Newcastle from 9th-23rd October 2021 and then transfer to London's  Garrick Theatre from 4th November for a limited 20 week run to 26th March 2022 (Press Night: Thursday 25 November 2021 at 7:00pm).

BEVERLEY KNIGHT (Sylvia, Cats and The Bodyguard) stars as Faye Treadwell, the legendary manager of THE DRIFTERS. She was the world's first African American, female music manager and widow of the group's co-founder George Treadwell. Faye continued to manage the band after George's death in 1967 and fought for three decades to turn Atlantic Records' hottest vocal group into a global phenomenon. From the highs of hit records and sell out tours to the lows of legal battles and personal tragedy, THE DRIFTERS GIRL charts the trailblazing efforts of the world’s first African American, female music manager and how she refused to ever give up on the group she loved. Thirty years, and hundreds of hit songs later, there is no doubt that Faye Treadwell was and always will be, The Drifters Girl. She will be joined by Tosh Wanogho-Maud (Ben E. King), Tarinn Callender (Johnny Moore), Adam J. Bernard (George Treadwell) and Matt Henry (Clyde McPhatter).

Adam J Bernard exploded into the West End limelight when he originated the role of Jimmy ‘Thunder’ Early in Dreamgirls, for which he was awarded an Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical.

Tarinn Callender originated the roles of Hercules Mulligan and James Madison in the West End production of the international musical phenomenon Hamilton. His other credits include the Olivier Award winning production of Come From Away. Award-winning actor, singer, songwriter and artist  

Matt Henry won an Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his performance as Lola in Kinky Boots, for which he also received a Grammy Award nomination for the London cast recording. As a finalist on the BBC’s The Voice, Matt’s performance of Ray LaMontagne’s ‘Trouble’ racked up over four million hits on YouTube and the original ‘Trouble’ re-entered the UK charts that week, testament to Matt’s performance.  

Tosh Wanogho-Maud played Jimmy in the West End musical Dreamgirls. His other West End credits include Show Boat, The Book of Mormon and playing the role of Simba in The Lion King.   

The Drifters Girl is produced by Michael Harrison and David Ian.with a book by Ed Curtis, based on an idea by Tina Treadwell, and is co-created by Beverley Knight, Adam J Bernard, Tarinn Callender, Matt Henry and Tosh Wanogho-Maud. It will be directed by Jonathan Church, with set design by Anthony Ward, choreography by Karen Bruce, costume design by Fay Fullerton, orchestrations and musical supervision by Chris Egan lighting design by Ben Cracknell, sound design by Tom Marshall and video design by Andrzej Goulding. Associate Director is Tyrone Huntley and Associate Choreographer is Myles Brown.

 

LAURA OSNES AND JEREMY JORDAN REUNITE FOR BONNIE AND CLYDE IN CONCERT

Broadway stars Laura Osnes and Jeremy Jordan are to reunite for a one-off performance of the cult hit musical BONNIE AND CLYDE IN CONCERT directed by NICK WINSTON and produced by Fourth Wall Live at the newly refurbished Theatre Royal Drury Lane on Tuesday 18 January 2022 at 7.30pm. Ticket presale opens on Wednesday 28 July at 10.00am, with general on sale Friday 30 July at 10.00am.

A decade on from their Broadway run Laura Osnes and Jeremy Jordan reprise their roles for the first time for a one-off concert performance marking the first time Laura and Jeremy have performed together in the capital, and Laura’s London debut.

 Tony Award nominated performer, LAURA OSNES was most recently seen on Broadway in the Tony Award-winning musical “Bandstand” and on television in the Hallmark Channel’s original movie “One Royal Holiday”, following lead appearances in the network’s “A Homecoming for the Holidays” and “In The Key Of Love”. Her other Broadway credits include Cinderella in “Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella”; Bonnie Parker in “Bonnie and Clyde”, Hope Harcourt in the Tony Award winning revival of “Anything Goes”, Nellie Forbush in Lincoln Center Theater’s “South Pacific”; and Sandy in “Grease”.
 

JEREMY JORDAN is best known for his Tony and Grammy-nominated portrayal of Jack Kelly in Newsies on Broadway, as well as his many roles on television including series regulars on CW’s "Supergirl”, NBC’s “Smash” and Disney Channel’s “Tangled." Recently, he starred on Broadway opposite Kerry Washington in the provocative new play, “American Son”, and then reprised his role in the Netflix film adaptation. Additional Broadway credits include starring as Clyde in “Bonnie & Clyde”, Tony in “West Side Story”, and lead roles in “Waitress” and “Rock of Ages”. On television he has guest starred on "The Flash," "Elementary" and "Law and Order: SVU”.

 BONNIE AND CLYDE IN CONCERT has a book by Ivan Menchell (Blended [movie], The Cemetery Club, The Prince and The Pauper Musical), music by Frank Wildhorn (Jekyll and Hyde, The Scarlett Pimpernel), lyrics by Don Black (Tell Me On a Sunday, Sunset Boulevard, Mrs Henderson Presents) and is directed by Nick Winston (Rock of Ages, Fame, Chess in Concert, Royal Variety Performance) with musical direction by Katy Richardson (SIX, Rent, Jersey Boys). BONNIE AND CLYDE IN CONCERT is produced by Fourth Wall Live and co-produced by DLAP Group, Jason Haigh-Ellery and David Treatman Creative.

At the height of the Great Depression, Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow went from two small-town nobodies in West Texas to America's most renowned folk heroes and the Texas law enforcement's worst nightmares. Fearless, shameless, and alluring, Bonnie & Clyde is the electrifying story of love, adventure and crime that captured the attention of an entire country. The show features the songs “Raise A Little Hell”, “This World Will Remember Me” and “Made In America”.

When Bonnie and Clyde meet, their mutual cravings for excitement and fame immediately set them on a mission to chase their dreams. Their bold and reckless behaviour turns the young lovers' thrilling adventure into a downward spiral, putting themselves and their loved ones in trouble with the law. Forced to stay on the run, the lovers resort to robbery and murder to survive. As the infamous duo's fame grows bigger, their inevitable end draws nearer.

Presale sign up is available NOW www.bonnieandclydeconcert.com

THE RISE AND FALL OF LITTLE VOICE new tour starring SHOBNA GULATI as Mari Hoff, IAN KELSEY as Ray Say AND CHRISTINA BIANCO as Little Voice.

Producers Katy Lipson and Glass Half Full Productions have just announced the UK tour of a brand-new production of Jim Cartwright’s The Rise And Fall of Little Voice which will open  in Southampton on 23rd March 2022.

Directed by Bronagh Lagan (Cruise, West End) it will star two-time Drama Desk nominee   Christina Bianco, whose extraordinary diva videos have been viewed over 25million times on YouTube to great international acclaim, will play LV.  Shobna Gulati, whose work includes Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (West End/film), Cinderella (Lyric Hammersmith), Coronation Street and Dinner Ladies will play Mari Hoff.  While Ian Kelsey, much loved for his many leading roles in the West End and on TV including Coronation Street, Emmerdale, Doctors and Casualty will play Ray Say.   

FOOTLOOSE THE MUSICAL RESCHEDULED TOUR CAST ANNOUNCED

Footloose The Musical is is set to go back on the road   in 2022 opening in the UK at the Theatre Royal Plymouth on 14th February  following 3 weeks in Zurich before an extensive UK tour.

Selladoor Productions have confirmed today that the previously announced Darren Day will remain in the role of Reverend Moore and will be joined on stage by newly cast Dancing on Ice Winner and Theatre star Jake Quickenden.

Jake first hit our screens in The X Factor in 2012 and again in 2014 where he went through to the live shows followed by appearances on Chart Show TV, ITV’s Kellys Heroes, as a regular panelist on Big Brothers Bit On The Side and as a contestant on I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here.  Following his win of the 2018 season of Dancing on Ice Jake has most recently been seen in hit TV show Hollyoaks. Jake is no stranger to the stage having performed in the title role of Peter Pan at Blackpool Opera House; also touring with the Dreamboys and appearing in Pantomime. He most recently starred in the acclaimed 50^th  anniversary production of Hair the Musical.

 Jake says;“I can’t wait to get out on Tour with Footloose, after such a strange and difficult time we will finally be able to join our friends and family in the theatre for a truly feel -good night out.  This show is packed full of amazing 80’s hits I can’t think of a better tonic for 2022”

Jake will join Musical Theatre favourite Darren Day in the production.  Following his first starring theatre role in Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Darren has enjoyed an extensive career in the West End including Summer Holiday, Copacabana and Grease.   Tours include Alfie, Carousel, Great Expectations, Godspell, The Rocky Horror Show, We Will Rock You and many more – most recently Mame, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Rita Sue and Bob Too and new musical Bumblescratch at the Adelphi Theatre,  Darren can be seen later this year in the role of Billy Flynn in smash-hit musical Chicago. His TV career has included roles in  Sky’s Stella, Hollyoaks and Holby City, as well as many presenting appearances. Darren was a finalist in the 2016 series of Celebrity Big Brother. Recent feature films include White Island, Name of the Game, Rudy and Demon Eye as well as The Krays - Dead Man Walking. Darren is also an established recording artist and has made guest appearances as a singer on a wide range of television shows.Having been previously cast in the 2020 tour which was postponed due to Covid 19 Darren said “I am so delighted to be able to stay with the tour of Footloose for the 2022 tour. I was a teenager in the 80’s, which is such an impressionable age for movies and music. This is one of the most iconic films and soundtracks from my teenage years.  I can remember hearing Footloose on the radio for the first time and thinking… what a tune! I’m really looking forward to seeing you there”

 

Tickets now on general sale for Cabaret the Musical starring Eddie Redmayne and Jessie Buckley

Oscar, Golden Globe, BAFTA, Tony and Olivier award winner Eddie Redmayne will star as the  ‘The Emcee’ with  Bafta Nominee and British Independent Film award winner Jessie Buckley as ‘Sally Bowles’  in a new revamped production of Cabaret the Musical at the Kit Kat Club to be  directed by  Rebecca Frecknall who will be joined by  production designer Tom Scutt, choreographer Julia Chen, lighting designer Isabella Byrd, sound designer Nicholas Lidster, and music director Jennifer Whyte.

The production will open on November 15th at the reimagined Playhouse Theatre which has been turned into the Kit Kat Club.

Before the show, guests are invited to enjoy and explore the Kit Kat Club with drinks, dining and pre-show entertainment all on offer. When booking, guests will receive a 'club entry time' to allow enough time to take in the world of the Kit Kat Club before the show starts. But of course, the show really starts when you first join us in the club

Jessie Buckley was most recently seen in the National Theatre film production of Romeo and Juliet. She was  a finalist on the Oliver! reality competition series, I'd Do Anything. She has been seen on the West End in Stephen Sondheim's A Little Night Music with  screen credits including Chernobyl, I'm Thinking of Ending Things, and Fargo. Her film roles include Beast and Wild Rose. 

Eddie  Redmayne co-starred with Alfred Molina in the award-winning John Logan play RED on Broadway  for which he took home a Tony Award for Featured Actor in a Play in 2010. He originated the role at the Donmar Warehouse in London where he won the coveted Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actor. His film work includes the Les Miserables, Harry Potter spinoff Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, The Danish Girl, and The Theory of Everything, for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor.

Tickets for Cabaret ARE NOW ON GENERAL SALE  with a second ticket release going on sale week commencing 6th September 2021.

Details of a £25 ticket lottery, including table seating, will be announced in September Guests will be allocated a ‘club entry time’ on booking which will allow them to fully explore and experience all parts of the Kit Kat Club and pre-show entertainment. Exclusive three course, pre-show dining at cabaret tables available.

 

 

Full cast announced for re-opening of Lin Manuel Miranda`s Hamilton in August

The full cast for the musical Hamilton has just been announced for when the show reopens in August:  Karl Queensborough is in the title role of Alexander Hamilton with Simon-Anthony Rhoden as Aaron Burr, Ava Brennan as Angelica Schuyler, Sharon Rose as Eliza Hamilton, Trevor Dion Nicholas as George Washington, Waylon Jacobs as Marquis De Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson, Emile Ruddock as Hercules Mulligan/James Madison, Khalid Daley as John Laurens/Phillip Hamilton, Emilie Louise Israel as Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds and Harry Hepple as King George. At certain performances the role of Alexander Hamilton will be played by Nuno Queimado.

The cast also includes Jade Albertsen, Curtis Angus, Robson Broad, Matthew Caputo, Filippo Coffano, Ashley Daniels, Kelly Downing, Lydia Fraser, Jordan Frazier, Manaia Glassey-Ohlson, Jake Halsey-Jones, Olivia Kate Holding, Peter Houston, DeAngelo Jones, Nicolais-Andre Kerry, Travis Kerry, Ella Kora, Natasha Leaver, Aaron Lee Lambert, Phoebe Liberty Jones, Sinead Long, Louis Mackrodt, Jay Perry, Lindsey Tierney and Brandon Williams.

Stephen Schwartz's Pippin extends run at Charing Cross Theatre through to September

Stephen Schwartz's timeless musical Pippin  is reimagined in a new production, directed by Steven Dexter. It has just extended its run from 30th June  through to 5th September.

 

The eight-person version of Pippin will star Ryan Anderson, returning to the role of Pippin, alongside Ian Carlyle as the Leading Player, Alex James-Hatton as Lewis, Daniel Krikler as Charles, Gabrielle Lewis-Dodson as Fastrada, Natalie McQueen as Catherine, Genevieve Nicole as Berthe and Jaydon Vijn as Theo.

Pippin is a 1972 musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Roger O Hirson. Bob Fosse directed the original Broadway production and also contributed to the libretto. 

Pippin uses the premise of a mysterious acting troupe (via its leading player) to tell the story of Pippin who is a young prince and heir to the throne of Charlemagne as he searches for beauty, glory and fame. On his journey he has to come to grips with lust, sex, war, politics and religion.

Numbers include Corner of the Sky, Welcome Home, No Time at All,With You, Spread a Little Sunshine and Morning Glow.

 Buy tickets for Pippin

 

 

 

 

Full cast announced for Mary Poppins` West End reopening on 7th August

The full cast has been announced for Mary Poppins the Musical when it reopens in London  on 7th August, with Zizi Strallen and Charlie Stemp set to return in the leading roles and  Petula Clark returning to play the Bird Woman.They will be joined by Charlie Anson as George Banks, Amy Griffiths as Winifred Banks, Liz Robertson as Miss Andrew, Claire Machin as Mrs Brill, Jack North as Robertson Ay and Paul F Monaghan as Admiral Boom and Bank Chairman.

Katie Cox, Rose Dawson, Megan Donovan, Megan Judge, Ellie Kit Jones and Maddison Thew will alternate the role of Jane Banks. Logan Clark, George Hamblin, Charlie Irwin, Charlie Murphy, Frankie Treadaway and Fred Wilcox will all take on the role of Michael Banks.

The ensemble features Yves Adang, Angeline Bell, Lydia Boulton, Alison Connell, Adam Davidson, Danielle Delys, Joseph Dockree, Charlie Donnelly, Stan Doughty, Glen Facey, Davide Fienauri, Harry Francis, Lyndsey Gardiner, Ian Gareth-Jones, Maria Garrett, Mark Goldthorp, Jacqueline Hughes, Emma Hunter, Jason Kajdi, Sam Lathwood, Jordan Livesey, Tania Mathurin, Laura Medforth, Alex Pinder, Ben Redfern, Clare Rickard, Lucie-Mae Sumner, Scott Waugh and Monique Young.

Full cast announced for tour of Heathers the Musical

The Heathers Musical is currently enjoying  a 12-week run at Theatre Royal Haymarket until 13 September 2021. In tandem with this it will begin its  touring production at Leeds Grand Theatre (for three weeks from 28 July) and then visit cities throughout the UK.

The full cast for the tour of Heathers the Musiical has just been announced with Rebecca Wickes (Veronica Sawyer), Simon Gordon (JD), Maddison Firth (Heather Chandler), Merryl Ansah (Heather Duke), Lizzy Parker (Heather McNamara),Georgina Hagen (Ms. Fleming/Veronica's Mom), Mhairi Angus (Martha Dunnstock), Liam Doyle (Kurt Kelly), Rory Phelan (Ram Sweeney), Andy Brady (Kurt's Dad/Veronica's Dad/Principle Gowan) and Kurt Kansley (Ram's Dad/Big Bud Dean/Coach Ripper). With ensemble members Callum Connolly, Rhiane Drummond, Bayley Hart, Benjamin Karren, Sam Stones, May Tether and Daisy Twells.

 

 

New cast members joining &Juliet when it reopens in September

Some new cast members are  joining  & Juliet the Musical  when it reopens in London on  24th September 2021 at the Shaftesbury Theatre.

Miriam-Teak Lee will again lead the company, with  Cassidy Janson as Anne Hathaway, Oliver Tompsett as William Shakespeare, David Bedella as Lance, Jordan Luke Gage as Romeo, Melanie La Barrie as Nurse, and Tim Mahendran as Francois. Alex Thomas-Smith (soon to appear in RENT at Hope Mill Theatre , understudied Jared Kleinman and Evan Hansen as part of the West End cast.) will be joining the  cast as May.

The ensemble will include Roshani Abbey, Jocasta Almgill, Josh Baker, Ivan De Freitas, Rhian Duncan, Kieran Lai, Nathan Lorainey-Dineen, Jaye Marshall, Grace Mouat, Antoine Murray-Straughan, Billy Nevers, Kerri Norville, Christopher Parkinson, Kirstie Skivington, Alex Tranter, Sophie Usher and Rhys Wilkinson.