John Barrowman announces Fabulous Concert Tour

John Barrowman  will embark on a 12-date  Fabulous tour of  England, Scotland, and Wales celebrating his 30 years on stage and screen with favourite songs and fabulous stories from his life and career. this summer opening at London’s Savoy Theatre on Sunday June 16th. 

John is a singer, actor, dancer, presenter, judge and author. Most recently, UK audiences delighted in supporting him as he made the final three in ITV’s I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here 2018.

Speaking about the tour he said: I can’t believe it’s been 30 years from my West End debut in Anything Goes to my Australian jungle adventures in I’m A Celebrity, and there’s been lots of fabulousness in between. I’m thrilled to celebrate this amazing milestone with my FABULOUS tour. I’m looking forward to meeting fans and sharing some of my favourite moments with you all.

Tickets  go on presale on 22nd January and general sale on Wednesday, January 23rd

   

Line up of West End stars announced for new Night Caps intimate solo concerts at the Other Palace in February

The Night Caps concert series has just been announced for MT FEST UK which is  two-week festival of new musical theatre being Presented by Paul Taylor-Mills at The Other Palace from Monday 11th-Saturday 23rd February 2019

Night Caps are informal and intimate solo concerts which will take place in the Studio at the Other Palace nightly throughout the festival, presenting the audience with an opportunity to get to know some of the country’s most eminent musical theatre stars through the songs that shaped them, songs they might never get to sing, and songs from new works.

The  lineup features Nathan Amzi, Luke Bayer, Louise Dearman, Victoria Hamilton-Barritt, Evelyn Hoskins, Rob Houchen, Sophie Isaacs, Emma Kingston, Claudia Kariuki, Jordan Luke Gage, Laura Pitt-Pulford and Tosh Wanogho-Maud.

The concerts all take place at 9:00 pm with the following schedule. 

• Monday 11 February: Tosh Wanogho-Maud
• Tuesday 12 February:Evelyn Hoskins
• Wednesday 13 February: Sophie Isaacs
• Thursday 14 February:Luke Bayer
• Friday 15 February: Louise Dearman
• Saturday 16 February: Rob Houchen
• Monday 18 February:Victoria Hamilton-Barritt
• Tuesday 19 February: Claudia Kariuki
• Wednesday 20 February: Laura Pitt-Pulford
• Thursday 21 February:    Emma Kingston,
• Friday 22 February: Nathan Amzi
• Saturday 23 February:Jordan Luke Gage

Nathan Amzi’s West End credits include Heathers (Haymarket Theatre), Aladdin (Price Edward Theatre) and Urinetown (Apollo Theatre). Luke Bayer is currently appearing as Alternate Jamie in Everyone’s Talking About Jamie (Apollo Theatre). Louise Dearman is best known as the only actress to have played both Glinda and Elphaba in Wicked (Apollo Victoria Theatre). Victoria Hamilton-Barritt has recently been seen in Murder Ballad (Arts Theatre), for which she received and Olivier Award nomination, and In The Heights (King’s Cross Theatre). Evelyn Hoskins has starred as the title role in Carrie The Musical (Southwark Playhouse) and Liesl in ITV’s The Sound of Music Live. Rob Houchen returns to The Other Palace having starred as Eugene in Eugenius!. Sophie Isaacs most recently starred as Heather McNamara in Heathers The Musical (The Other Palace and Haymarket Theatre). Emma Kingston most recently played the Evita in the Evita International Tour. Other roles include Vanessa in In The Heights (Southwark Playhouse and King’s Cross Theatre). Claudia Kariuki is currently appearing in School of Rock (New London Theatre), with other recent credits including Ragtime (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre) and Hairspray (UK & Ireland tour). Jordan Luke Gage has just completed his run starring as Strat in Bat Out Of Hell (Dominion Theatre). Laura Pitt-Pulford recently appeared in Flowers for Mrs Harris (Chichester Festival Theatre) and was Olivier Award nominated for Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre). Tosh Wanogho-Maud recently starred as Jimmy in Dreamgirls, with other West End credits including Show Boat and The Book of Mormon.

MT Fest UK is a two-week festival of new musical theatre at The Other Palace from Monday 11 to Saturday 23 February 2019. The festival will present new work by both emerging and established writers, as well as programming talks and concerts from some of the most celebrated performers, writers and producers currently working in musical theatre. All tickets to events and performances will be between £10-15 Further events and casting details will be announced over the coming weeks.

Tickets for all Night Caps concerts go on sale on Monday 21 January at 12.00 noon

Open auditions announced for Hamilton London

The West End production of Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical Hamilton has just announced open auditions. You are requested to register by sending a current photo, showreel  and CV to hamiltoncasting@camack.co.uk or by post. Auditions will be held over the next few months with recalls in the spring/summer.

They are looking for males and females in their 20s and 30s from all ethnic backgrounds as well as  singers who can rap or hip-hop dancers, with rehearsals starting in September 2019 and  the contract ending November 2020.

Reflecting Miranda's core requirement for the cast of the show to be ethnically diverse, the audition notice says: While artists of all ethnicities will be considered for the production, it is an intrinsic requirement of the show for the majority of the company to reflect a range of BAME backgrounds.

More casting news for Spielbergs West Side Story movie

Steven Spielberg and Tony Kushner’s new  film adaptation of West Side Story has found its Sharks in some familiar stage names. Ariana DeBose, who earned a Tony nomination as Donna Summer in Summer on Broadway will play Anita, while Billy Elliot Tony winner David Alvarez and Hamilton tour alum josh Andrés Rivera will take on the roles of Bernardo and Chino.

According to Deadline 17-year-old newcomer Rachel Zegler from New Jersey, will  take on the coveted role of Maria following a nationwide search covering more than 30K actors.. She will star opposite the previously reported Ansel Elgort as Tony.

The cast will also include Rita Moreno, who won an Oscar for her performance as Anita in the 1962 film based on the classic musical. The stage and screen legend is set to play Valentina,  a reconceived and expanded version of the character of Doc, the owner of the corner store in which Tony works.

The film is expected to begin filming this summer and will feature choreography by Justin Peck.

Director Spielberg and casting director Cindy Tolan set out to find a cast that included members of both the Puerto Rican and larger Latinx communities (DeBose and Rivera have Puerto Rican backgrounds; Alvarez and Zegler are Cuban- and Colombian-American, respectively). Spielberg said:  I’m so happy that we’ve assembled a cast that reflects the astonishing depth of talent in America’s multifaceted Hispanic community-

Bernadette Peters announces UK Concert Tour dates

Three-time Tony recipient Bernadette Peters, most recently on Broadway in the Tony-winning revival of Hello, Dolly!, has announced a host of 2019 concert dates, including four appearances in the UK  beginning June 10 at the Lyceum Theatre in London, followed by June 12 at Usher Hall in Edinburgh, June 14 at Symphony Hall in Birmingham, and June 16 at The Lowry in Salford.

UK Tickets now on presale at www.bernadettepeters.com

The stage and screen star will perform selections from her award-winning Broadway outings, including tunes from Sunday in the Park with George, Into the Woods, and Hello, Dolly!, as well as additional theatre tunes and standards.

Broadway legend and Tony Award-winning actress Bernadette Peters  received her seventh Tony Award nomination for her electrifying portrayal of Momma Rose in Sam Mendes' record-breaking Broadway revival of Gypsy as well as both the Tony Award and Drama Desk Award for her critically-acclaimed performance in Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Song and Dance. Peters also received Tony nominations for her work in the 1992 musical The Goodbye Girl; Stephen Sondheim's Pulitzer Prize-winning musical Sunday in the Park With George; the Jerry Herman/Gower Champion ode to the movies, Mack and Mabel; and the Leonard Bernstein/Comden and Green musical On The Town. In addition to these honors, Peters earned a Drama Desk nomination for her memorable portrayal of the Witch in Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods.

Peters has also appeared 17 films including The Jerk with Steve Martin, The Longest Yard with Burt Reynolds, Silent Movie with Mel Brooks, Annie with Carol Burnett, Pink Cadillac with Clint Eastwood, Slaves of New York with Mercedes Ruehl, Woody Allen's Alice with Mia Farrow, Impromptu with Hugh Grant and Mandy Patinkin, and most recently, It Runs in the Family, starring opposite Kirk and Michael Douglas.

Caroline Sheen to cover Louise Redknapp role in Dolly Parton's 9 to 5

West End leading lady Caroline Sheen has stepped into the breach to take on the role of Violet Newstead in Dolly Parton's  9 to 5 Musical which opens at the Savoy Theatre on 28th March. She will play the part until the end of March (final date TBC) when Louise Redknapp is expected to have recovered from her recent injuries and able to join the show. 

The show will be in good hands until her return with Welsh actress Caroline, having previously starred in a number of musicals including Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Les Miserables and The Witches of Eastwick.

The Barricade Boys new concert tour just announced

Direct from London’s West End and Broadway, The Barricade Boys are back on the road FROM 14 FEBRUARY TO 20 JULY 2019 with their critically acclaimed national tour featuring fabulous harmonies, incredible vocals,  good looks and charm, The Barricade Boys showcase the UK’s finest male voices from the world’s longest running musical – Les Misérables.

The Barricade Boys perform the world’s greatest show tunes and  a celebrate music from some of the most iconic names in the music industry, from powerful ballads and beautiful operatic arias to some of the best pop, rock and swing numbers of all time.

 After sell-out performances in London’s West End, an appearance on Broadway and a host of international dates, this exceptional group are once again taking their spectacular live show around the country, as well as across the pond to the USA (in April).

The Barricade Boys have played nearly every major role in musical theatre from The Phantom of The Opera, Wicked and Billy Elliot to Jersey Boys, The Sound Of Music and of course Les Misérables. As seen on ITV’s ‘This Morning’ and ‘The Paul O’Grady Show’, The Barricade Boys have rightfully secured their place as the world’s leading musical theatre super group.

 The Barricade Boys were founded in 2016 by Scott Garnham (Nativity! The Musical, Billy Elliot The Musical, Made in Dagenham, Les Misérables) and Simon Schofield (title role in Oliver! London Palladium, Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Sound of Music, Doctor Doolitle, Les Misérables).

2019 Tour Dates:

Thursday 14th February          

Windsor, Theatre Royal

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Thursday 21st February           

Basingstoke, The Haymarket

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Friday 15th March

Paignton, Palace Theatre

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Saturday 16th March

Portsmouth, Kings Theatre

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Sunday 17th March

Birmingham, Alexandra Theatre

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Thursday 21st March

Walsall, Forest Arts Centre

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Friday 22nd March

Runcorn, The Brindley

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Saturday 23rd March

Consett, The Empire

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Sunday 24th March

Blackburn, King George’s Hall

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Sunday 7^th April

Florida, USA, Aventura PAC

Monday 8^th & Tuesday 9^th April

Florida, USA, Crest Theater

Friday 12^th April

New York (Brooklyn) Kingsborough College

Saturday 13^th April

New York (Long Island) Tiles Center

Sunday 14^th April

New York (Queensborough) Community College

Saturday 20th April

Doncaster, The Dome

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Wednesday 1st May

Radlett, Radlett Centre

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Friday 3rd May

Coventry, Belgrade Theatre

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Saturday 4th May

York, Grand Opera House

On Sale Soon

Sunday 5th May

Darlington, The Hippodrome

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Tuesday 14th May

Colchester, Mercury Theatre

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Saturday 18th May

Southend, Palace Theatre

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Sunday 19th May

Surrey. Dorking Halls

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Friday 24th May

Aylesbury. Waterside Theatre On Sale Soon

Saturday 25th May

Retford, Majestic Theatre

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Sunday 26th May

Bolton, Albert Halls On Sale Soon

Saturday 1^st June

Bromley, Churchill Theatre On Sale Soon

Wednesday 6th June

Poole, Lighthouse Theatre

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Friday 7^th June

Winchester, Theatre Royal On Sale Soon

Thursday 13^th June

Chesham, Elgiva Theatre On Sale Soon

Friday 14th June

Brecon, Theatr Brycheiniog

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Saturday 15th June

Malvern, Malvern Theatres On Sale Soon

Thursday 20th June

Hastings, White Rock Theatre

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Thursday 27^th June

Hertford, Hertford Theatre On Sale Soon

Saturday 20th July

Grimsby, Auditorium

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Ramin Karimloo to appear in BBC's Holby City

The BBC Press Office has confirmed West End and Broadway leading man Ramin Karimloo is joining the cast of BBC One's Holby City this spring, playing new consultant Kian Madani, who is the arch nemesis of Jac Naylor from their days at medical school.

Kian is also linked to someone in the ED which could lead to some exciting storylines involving Casualty too. Ramin is thrilled to be joining the cast, especially during such a historic year saying:  It’s really exciting to be joining the Holby City family during their 20th anniversary Kian is a dynamic and exciting character and I’m thrilled to be playing him. I’m really looking forward to working with Holby’s incredible cast and creatives.

Karimloo is in the UK at the moment with his new concert From Now On which he is touring  in January with his acclaimed Broadgrass Band.

Dates when his episodes are airing to follow.

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New tour of Disney's The Lion King to open in Bristol in September

Disney's The Lion King is to embark on a new UK and Ireland tour later this year , to coincide with 20 years of it being in the West End.

Beginning at the Bristol Hippodrome in September, the show will visit  Edinburgh Playhouse in December, with further venues to be announced.Tickets for Bristol go on sale in February and in March for Edinburgh.

The Lion King premiered in London in October 1999 at the Lyceum Theatre and is now the sixth longest-running West End musical of all time. To celebrate 20 years in London more events are still to be announced.

Dr Dolittle Tour to close early at the end of January

The UK tour of  the new stage production of the musical Doctor Dolittle is to close early now playing its final performance at Oxford New Theatre on 26th January. It had been scheduled to run until November 2019.

Directed by Christopher Renshaw, the show stars Mark Williams and first opened at Churchill Theatre, Bromley on 9th November The musical has book, music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and is based on the 1967 movie of the same name starring Rex Harrison, and the children's stories by Hugh Lofting. The tour formed part of the 50th-anniversary celebrations of the film.

The show's production company Music and Lyrics has cited lower than anticipated advance ticket sales for the reason to cancel the tour.

Chair Robert Sanderson said: "Music and Lyrics was established to create work of scale and imagination for regional presenting venues and over eight years it has met with a high degree of success. On this occasion, Doctor Dolittle has not secured the same degree of support and, sadly, members of the consortium have had no alternative but to foreshorten the planned tour.I would like to thank all those involved in creating this breathtaking production, which has been enjoyed by audiences and critics alike. There is still time to see the production in Oxford between 15 and 26 January."

Ticket holders for the cancelled leg of the tour are advised to contact their point of purchase.

Full cast announced for new tour of Annie starring Anita Dobson and Craig Revel Horwood

Michael Harrison and David Ian have announced full casting for the new UK tour the musical “ANNIE” which opens at Manchester Opera House on  2nd February 2019. Joining the previously announced Anita Dobson and Craig Revel Horwood who both star as ‘Miss Hannigan’ (Anita  from 2 February – 27 April 2019 and Craig from 30 April – 6 July 2019) will be Alex Bourne as ‘Oliver Warbucks’, Richard Meek as ‘Rooster’, Jenny Gayner as ‘Lily’ and Carolyn Maitland as ‘Grace Farrell’. The title role of ‘Annie’ is shared by Faye Katsande, Ava Smith and Freya Yates who are joined by three teams of young performers playing the girls in Miss Hannigan’s orphanage.

 Completing the cast will be Michael Anderson, Thomas Audibert, Andy Barke, Caroline Bateson, Daisy Boyles, Blaise Colangelo, Gary Davis, Ashleigh Graham, George Rae, Anne Smith, India Thornton, Matt Trevorrow, Amy West and Samuel Wilson Freeman.  

Alex Bourne reprises his performance as ‘Oliver Warbucks’ after playing the role in this  production of “Annie” in the West End, Toronto and on the 2015/16 tour. His many other West End credits include ‘Danny’ in “Grease”, ‘The Beast’ in “Beauty and the Beast”, ‘Billy Flynn’ in “Chicago”, ‘Khashoggi’ in “We Will Rock You” and ‘Fred/Petruchio’ in “Kiss Me, Kate” for which he received an Olivier Award nomination for Best Actor in a Musical. His other credits include ‘Daryl Van Horne’ in “The Witches of Eastwick” and the Watermill Theatre, for which he received a TMA nomination for Best Actor, ‘Sam Michael’ in the national tour of “Mamma Mia!” and ‘Lex Hogan’ in “Eugenius!” at the Other Palace.

Richard Meek’s many credits include ‘Trevor Graydon’ in “Thoroughly Modern Millie”, ‘Brad’, ‘Eddie’ and ‘Dr Scott’ in “The Rocky Horror Show” and ‘Sir Galahad’ in “Spamalot”, all on national tour. He has also appeared as ‘Leo Bloom’ in the international tour of “The Producers” as well as ‘Dustin’ and ‘Greaseball’ in the 25th anniversary cast of “Starlight Express” in Bochum, Germany.

Jenny Gayner’s West End credits include ‘Miss Wilson’ in the original cast of “The Girls” at the Phoenix Theatre, ‘Hunyak’ in “Chicago” at the Adelphi, Cambridge and Garrick theatres and “Spamalot” at the Palace Theatre. Jenny has also appeared as ‘Lina Lamont’ in “Singin’ in the Rain” and ‘Brooke Windham’ in “Legally Blonde”, both at Kilworth House.

Carolyn Maitland reprises her performance as ‘Grace Farrell’ after playing the role in this production of “Annie” in Toronto. Her West End credits include ‘Ellen’ in “Miss Saigon” at the Prince Edward Theatre, ‘Marian’ in “The Woman in White” at the Charing Cross Theatre and “Groundhog Day” and “Kiss Me, Kate”, both at the Old Vic. Her other credits include ‘Molly’ in the national tour of “Ghost” and ‘Kathy Seldon’ in Singin’ in the Rain at Kilworth House.

Director Rob Marshall talks Mary Poppins Returns movie sequel

Rob Marshall, director of the new Disney Mary Poppins Returns film has said that work on a brand new sequel was in "early stages" in an interview with The Sun, adding "I will say right now that there were eight books, so there's a lot of great material still to mine. That's what we worked from, those incredible eight books of PL Travers." Marshall was talking at the American Airlines, BBC America and Jaguar Land Rover BAFTA Tea Party when he made the remarks.

The hit 2018 film, which stars Emily Blunt and Lin-Manuel Miranda, was released on 21st  December, and has to date grossed $260,000,000 worldwide.

The stage production of Mary Poppins will be returning to the West End in 2019, with Zizi Strallen and Charlie Stemp playing Poppins and Bert. Booking is due to open at he end of this month. Marshall also said that a stage adaptation of Mary Poppins Returns could actually work and would be really fun.