Siobhan Dillon, Tam Mutu and Simon Bailey lead cast on Tess the Musical album

The  title role on the forthcoming album recording of new British musical TESS musical adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s iconic novel Tess of the d’Urbervilles.is to be played by West End star Siobhan Dillon. who first rose to fame in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hunt for a Maria in The Sound of Music, has been unveiled as the eponymous heroine in the  Performing opposite Siobhan will be Broadway leading man Tam Mutu, playing the villainous Alec d’Urberville, and Jersey Boys star Simon Bailey as her great love Angel Clare.

Written by Michael Blore and Michael Davies, the album is the culmination of two years’ work and is scheduled to be recorded later this year, with a fully staged production expected to follow.Composer Blore and lyricist Davies said they were “absolutely blown away” to have the stellar trio on board. They added: “There was a very short shortlist for the role of Tess, and Siobhan was on it. We didn’t dare hope we might be able to secure her fantastic talent, so we are more than excited that she, Tam and Simon are so keen to support this new work.”

 Siobhan’s first professional appearance was understudying Sandy in the 2007 revival of Grease (Piccadilly Theatre). She went on to tour the UK in Bill Kenwright’s Can’t Smile Without You and as Sally Bowles in Cabaret before playing the role of Vivienne in the Olivier award-winning Legally Blonde (Savoy), Claire in EX (Soho Theatre) and the leading role of Molly in Ghost The Musical (West End).She recently played opposite Glenn Close in Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard at English National Opera (Coliseum) and before that appeared as Ellen in Miss Saigon (Prince Edward).

 Tam Mutu,  made his Broadway debut last year in the title role of Dr Zhivago, is a multi-award-winning performer and West End favourite. He alternated the role of the Phantom in Love Never Dies with Ramin Karimloo (Adelphi), starred as Anatoly in Chess (Toronto) and won a clutch of awards as Javert in Les Miserables (Queen’s), including best performance in a long-running musical and best performance of a song for “Stars”.

Simon Bailey is currently appearing as Bob Gaudio in the West End production of Jersey Boys, and has performed in some of the biggest shows in musical theatre history. He’s played Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty’s), Enjolras in the 21st anniversary cast of Les Miserables (Queen’s) and Pharaoh in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (New London). He’s also a founder member of Teatro, Theatreland’s first supergroup.


Other cast include Jacqueline Tate as Joan Durbeyfield (The Phantom of the Opera, Avenue Q and South Pacific) and James Dinsmore as John Durbeyfield (Corbyn the musical and An Ideal Husband). Singing the role of Groby will be Olivier award-winning actor Nathan Dowling (for Jerry Springer the opera).

Burt Bacharach in Concert at the Palladium

Burt Bacharach is returning to London to perform in concert at the London Palladium for the first time along with a full orchestra and very special guest artists

He will be performing live  some of his most unforgettable hits including I'll Never Fall In Love Again / The Look Of Love / I Say A Little Prayer / Walk On By / Anyone Who Had A Heart / Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head / (They Long To Be) Close To You, Do You Know the Way to San Jose, This Guys in Love With You.

Tickets for Burt Bacharach at the Palladium 

The Book of Mormon Cast Changes

Alexandra Ncube takes over as Nabulungi in West End production of The Book of Mormon from Broadway actress Asmeret Ghebremichael whose final performance  was on 28th May, with McNube playing her first performance yesterday (30th May).

Ncube, previously played Nabulungi in The Book of Mormon's US tour, and joins Broadway actors KJ Hippensteel and Brian Sears who star as Elder Price and Elder Cunningham as well as Olivier winner Stephen Ashfield as Elder McKinley.

The current cast is completed by Delroy Atkinson, Tyrone Huntley, Richard Lloyd-King, Dean Maynard, Kelly Agbowu, Philip Catchpole, Joseph Davenport, Jonathan Dudley, Harry Francis, Lydia Fraser, Reece Kerridge, Alex Lodge, Joshua Lovell, Brianna Ogunbawo, Stephen Rolley, Jacade Simpson, Ellena Vincent, Rodney Vubya, T’Shan Williams, Oliver Ormson, Christopher Copeland, Brendan Cull, Tania Mathurin, David McMullan, Sean Parkins, David O’Reilly, Rhys Taylor and Kayi Ushe.

New casting announced for Kinky Boots

Elena Skye and David Hunter are joining the West End production of Kinky Boots to star as Lauren and Charlie from 15th August 2016.
Matt Henry has extended his contract and will continue to strut his stuff as Lola into 2017 with Cordelia Farnworth and Alan Mehdizadeh also set to join the cast as Nicola and Don.

Killian Donnelly and Matt Henry portray the central characters Charlie and Lola are joined by Amy Lennox (Lauren), Jamie Baughan (Don), Amy Ross (Nicola) and Michael Hobbs (George).

Aladdin extends booking period as previews start tonight

Disney's new musical Aladdin has just extended its West End booking period at the Prince Edward Theatre to 11th February 2017.

The show plays its first preview tonight (27th May ) ahead of press night on Wednesday 15th June 2016.

Gary Barlow & Tim Firth's the Girls musical heading for West End in January

Gary Barlow and Tim Firth's musical adaptation of Calendar Girls is transferring to the West End next year. The Girls will begin performances at the Phoenix Theatre in January  2017 with tickets on sale from 12 noon on 16th September.

The Girls premiered at the Leeds Grand Theatre in late 2015 with a  second out-of-town tryout at The Lowry in Salford in early 2016.

Since then Firth, Barlow and producers David Pugh and Dafydd Rogers have been on the look out for the right theatre. And now they’ve found it. They have been fine-tuning  the musical since it ran in Leeds and Salford Quays and will continue to work on it until rehearsals start in December.

Barlow and Firth said in a statement: It has been four years in the making. Then, just over a year ago, we premiered at the village hall in Yorkshire, where the Calendar Girls did their first ever photoshoot.It’s been a little like tending a sunflower: from seeding it in Yorkshire, to now seeing it bloom in London’s West End. 

The Girls  is inspired by the true story of a group of ladies, who decide to appear nude for a Women's Institute calendar in order to raise funds to buy a settee for their local hospital, in memory of one of their husbands. This musical comedy shows life in their Yorkshire village, how it happened, the effect on husbands, sons and daughters, and how a group of ordinary ladies achieved something extraordinary.

 It is based on the 2003 film Calendar Girls which featured a screenplay by Tim Firth and Juliette Towhidi based on a true story of a group of Yorkshire women who produced a nude calendar to raise money for Leukaemia Research under the auspices of the Women's Institutes in April 1999.  It was a major success with  an ensemble cast headed by Helen Mirren and Julie Walters, with Linda Bassett, Annette Crosbie, Celia Imrie, Penelope Wilton and Geraldine James playing key supporting roles. 

Casting for the West End transfer is yet to be announced and currently under negotiation, but previously included Debbie Chazen as Ruth, Sara Kestelman as Jessie, Claire Machin as Cora, Claire Moore as Chris, Vivien Parry as Celia, Joanna Riding as Annie and Harriet Thorpe as Marie. Also in the cast were Stephen Boswell as Colin, Joe Caffrey as Rod, Jeremy Clyde as Denis, Susan Fay as Brenda, Steve Giles as Lawrence, Richard Huw as John, Shirley Jameson as Miss Wilson, Judith Street as Lady Cravenshire and Karen West as the other Miss Wilson.

 Gary Barlow and Tim Firth grew up in the same village in the north of England and have been friends for 25 years. With Take That, Gary has written and co-written 14 number one singles, has sold over 50 million records worldwide and is a six times Ivor Novello Award winner. Tim has won the Olivier Award and UK Theatre Award for Best New Musical, and the British Comedy Awards Best Comedy Film for Calendar Girls.

Line Up Announced for 2016 West End Live

West End LIVE 2016  takes place in Trafalgar Square on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19thJune. Celebrating its 12th year, the free musical extravaganza showcases the best of the West End. Attracting crowds of more than 500,000 people over the course of the weekend, West End LIVE with MasterCard is the largest event of its type in the world with over 25 shows joining the main stage line-up to celebrate the best of the West End and stars including Beverley Knight, Michael Xavier, Kerry Ellis, Tom Chambers, Samantha Barks, Matt Cardle and Pixie Lott set to perform

Organised by Westminster City Council and Official London Theatre with support from the Mayor of London, this year’s celebration is set to deliver another star-studded, packed weekend of free entertainment from the West End’s biggest shows.

The line-up for the West End Live stage this year includes; American Idiot, Beautiful – The Carole King Musical, The Bodyguard, Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, Disney’s The Lion King, In The Heights, Impossible, Jersey Boys, Les Misérables, Mamma Mia!, Matilda The Musical, The Phantom Of The Opera, Showstopper! The Improvised Musical, Stomp, Sunny Afternoon, Thriller Live and Wicked.

New shows making their West End LIVE debuts over the weekend include Breakfast At Tiffany’s, Crazy For You, Guys And Dolls, Jesus Christ Superstar, Kinky Boots, Motown The Musical, Murder Ballad, The Secret Garden, Show Boat and The Wedding Singer.

Schedule of performances to follow

Paul O'Grady, Lee Mead and Julian Clary cast in Cinderella at Palladium

First casting has been announced for the Cinderella pantomime at the London Palladium this Christmas.

The 32 strong cast will be led by Paul O’Grady as The Wicked Stepmother, Julian Clary as Dandini and Lee Mead as Prince Charming with  ventriloquist Paul Zerdin as Buttons, Nigel Havers as Lord Chamberlain and music hall performer Arthur Strong as Baron Hardup. The actors playing the roles of Cinderella, the Fairy Godmother and the Ugly Sisters will be announced soon.

Cinderella opens at the London Palladium on 14th December 2016 (previews from 9th December) and runs until 15th January 2017.

Directed by Michael Harrison and co-directed and choreographed by Andrew Wright, Cinderella is designed by Ian Westbrook with costume designs for O’Grady and Clary by Hugh Durrant.

Full cast announced for new musical Eugenius

Updated 27th June: the full cast has just been announced : the show will star David Bedella as Lex Hogan, Amy Lenox as Janey, Samuel Holmes as Theo and Summer Strallen as Carrie with Warwick Davis, who is also producing the show, as Hector and Marcus Brigstocke as Narrator/Laurence. Brian Blessed will provide a guest voiceover.

Completing the cast are Alison Arnopp as Mrs Truthseeker/Clapper Board Man/Hollywood Choir/Midwife, Norman Bowman as Dad/Mr Winterbottom/Jake The Bum/Lord Tough Man/Cameraman, Daniel Buckley as Ferris, Sharon D Clarke as Space Diva, Shaun Dalton as Gerhard/Tough Man, Louis Maskell as Eugene, Ross William Wild as Stock Jock/Coke Head/Reporters/George Lucas/Fish Leader/Soap Dodger and Gabriella Williams as Katy/Cheerleader/Lady Man/Hilary.

A new musical Eugenius! will receive a concert staging at the London Palladium on 29th June starringWarwick Davis (who is also producing) , David Bedella (In The Heights/Jerry Springer The Opera), Amy Lennox (Kinky Boots/Legally Blonde), Samuel Holmes (Mrs Henderson Presents/Spamalot) and Summer Strallen (Sound of Music/Love Never Dies).Comedian Marcus Brigstocke will be the Narrator and Brian Blessed provides a guest voiceover.

Eugenius! has book, music and lyrics by Ben Adams and Chris Wilkins. The concert performance will be directed by Ian Talbot and Michael Jibson. Choreography will be by Aaron Renfree and Nick Winston. Sound is by Gareth Owen with lighting by Andrew Ellis, musical supervision by Steve Power and musical direction by Nathan Jarvis.

Warwick Davis said: “We are really excited to be bringing a brand new, original production to the London stage. The performance on 29 June will give the audience a chance to experience this new ‘80s-inspired musical before it is staged in the West End as a full production next year. We have a hugely talented cast and production team, and the music is just phenomenal. We look forward to sharing our work with the first, lucky audience at the London Palladium this June.”

Described as an "exciting and innovative musical",  Eugenius! is a classic 1980's love story between two teenagers, Eugene and Janey. She is in love with him, but he always has his head inside a comic book – so much so that he actually writes his own comic about a superhero. Against the odds, Eugene’s creations take him to Hollywood and he becomes the unlikely hero of his own intergalactic battle! The musical has an original score based on the sounds of the 1980s, with a story which hilariously merges real life and the intergalactic world of the comic book.


Buy tickets for Eugenius

Rebel Wilson joining Guys & Dolls Cast in London

Rebel Wilson has just announced that she is joining the West End cast of GUYS & DOLLS for 8 weeks only at the Phoenix Theatre, playing Miss Adelaide taking over from Samantha Spiro from Tuesday 28 June until Sunday 21 August 2016.

Wilson says: Wilson says: A lot of people who know me from my more recent film work have no idea how much theatre has influenced my life. I saw my first musical at age 14, a show called 42nd Street, after one of my family's dogs had unsuccessfully auditioned to be in it.It blew me away and I've loved musical theatre ever since. Training at the Australian Theatre for Young People gave me the opportunity to perform onstage in 8 productions ranging from new Australian musicals to classic plays. I then went on to write and perform in my own productions before being snapped up to do screen work.I am delighted to be making my West End debut in Guys & Dolls and to be playing such an iconic role as 'Miss Adelaide' is truly an honor. Hopefully I crush it....but you'll have to come and see me to find out!

She is an Australian stand-up comedian, actress, and writer who first  appeared as Toula on the SBS comedy series Pizza and the sketch comedy series The Wedge. In 2008 she wrote, produced and starred in the musical comedy series Bogan Pride and the  following year won the Tropfest best actress award for her role in Bargain and made a guest appearance in City Homicide. Shortly after moving to the United States, Wilson was cast as Brynn in the feature film Bridesmaids.

Wilson has also appeared in A Few Best Men, What to Expect When You're Expecting and Struck by Lightning, leading Variety to name her one of their "Top Ten Comics to Watch for 2011". She also appeared as Becky in Bachelorette and starred in the musical films Pitch Perfect and Pitch Perfect 2 as Fat Amy, a role that earned her several award nominations and wins including the MTV Best Breakthrough Performance Award and a Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Actress. 

Rachel Tucker and rest of Wicked 10th Anniversary Cast Announced

Wicked! has just announced  the new cast for their 10th birthday celebrations from Monday 5th  September. It will include: Rachel Tucker, returning to London's West End direct from her triumphant run on Broadway, to play 'Elphaba'; Suzie Mathers, who joins from the Australian production to star as 'Glinda'; Oliver Savile continuing as 'Fiyero'; Anita Dobson joins to play 'Madame Morrible'; Mark Curry who continues as 'The Wizard'; original cast member Martin Ball returns to play 'Doctor Dillamond'; original cast member Katie Rowley Jones continues as 'Nessarose', and Idriss Kargbo joins to play 'Boq'. Alice Fearns will be Standby for 'Elphaba' and Carina Gillespie continues as Standby for 'Glinda'. (Rachel Tucker, Anita Dobson and Katie Rowley Jones appear until Saturday 28 January 2017 only).

They will be joined by James Darch, Kerry Enright, Freya Field, Joseph Fletcher, Fraser Fraser, David Gale, Sergio Giacomelli, Alexandra Grierson, Olivia Kate Holding, Aaron Jenkins, Claudia Kariuki, Will Lucas, Chanel Mian, Billy Mitchell, Scott Monello, Ella Nonini, Rosa O’Reilly, Julienne Schembri, Joe Sleight, Jessamy Stoddart, Paulo Teixeira, Joe Toland, Hannah Toy, Russell Walker, Sasha Wareham and Helen Woolf. 

Hannah Waddingham, Rodney Earl Clarke, Gary Williams and Michael Ball tribute concert to David Jacobs

Friday Night Is Music Night on BBC Radio2 at 8:00 pm tonight presents a special edition to remember the  broadcaster David Jacobs who would have been 90 this week.

With West End star singers Hannah Waddingham, Rodney Earl Clarke, Gary Williams and Michael Ball. Mike Dixon conducts the sixty piece BBC Concert Orchestra in a programme that will feature many of David Jacobs favourites including the overture to 'Mack and Mabel', 'I Won't Send Roses', 'On The Street Where You Live', 'They Can't Take That Away From Me', '76 Trombones' and many more. 

The oncert is presented by David Jacobs daughter, the actress Emma Jacobs.

Motown Cast Change as booking period extended

Obioma Ugoal takes over the role of  Smokey Robinson from 4th July in the hit musical Motown; with booking now extended to 28th October 2017 at the Shaftesbury Theatre.

Ugoala has just appeared in the RSC's KING AND COUNTRY: The PHYSICISTS at Donmar Warehouse and  Shakespeare's GREAT CYCLE OF KINGS at the Brooklyn Academy of Music this spring. 

Featuring music from the Motown catalogue and book by Motown founder Berry Gordy, Motown the Musical opened in London in March.

It has also been announced that Obioma Ugoala is joining the cast as Smokey Robinson from 4th Julyreplacing former Broadway cast member Charl Brown.

The show features 50 Motown tracks including Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, I’ll Be There, Dancing In The Street, Stop! In The Name Of Love, My Girl and I Heard It through the Grapevine,

Samantha Barks announces support on Forthcoming Concert Tour

Samantha Barks has just announced that on her forthcoming concert tour  which kicks off on 8th June, she will be supported by singer-songwriter and theatre performer Alex James Ellison, whose credits include Aliens Love Underpants and Apartment 40C,  he previously released his EP Duvet Days and single 'Chocolate Bar'. 

School of Rock opening at New London Theatre later this year

After recent news that SCHOOL OF ROCK - THE MUSICAL was looking to  bring forward the date of  its London opening. (producers originally announced it would begin performances at the London Palladium next year), but last month it revealed they were aiming to open  the show at a different theatre in Spring 2017. The Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye has just revealed that Andrew Lloyd Webber's show will now open at the New London Theatre later this year following the early closure of Show Boat beginning  previews from October 24th,  with an opening night slated for November 14th. Priority tickets go on sale on Monday 23rd May and on general sale next Wednesday 25th May with the show initially booking to 12th February 2017.

Webber is reportedly still on the hunt for the role of 'Dewey Finn', currently played on Broadway by Tony nominee Alex Brightman

Into the Woods Menier's Summer production

It has just been announced that Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's musical Into The Woods is to open at the Menier Chocolate Factory on 12th July (previews from 1st July) for a run until 17th September 2016.

The American theatre company Fiasco are bringing their reinvention of the show to London following a successful season in New York . They will be using ten actors, a number of  musical instruments and  vivid imagination to ensure that the  the show is "reimagined as never before". This production, which received the 2015 Lucille Lortel Award for Best Revival, will include the original US cast.

This production is presented in association with Michael Harrison Entertainment and David Ian Productions. Noah Brody and Ben Steinfeld direct with music supervison by Matt Castle, choreography by Lisa Shriver, set by Derek McLane, costume by Whitney Locher lighting by Christopher Akerlind and sound by Darron L West.



Tickets for Into the Woods

Launch of Live At Zédel with artists including Julie Atherton, Lucie Jones, Carley Stenson, Oliver Tompsett & Matt Cardle.

In  September Brassiere Zedel at Crazy Coqs in Soho will be relaunched with programming being taken over by United Agents. The new season will begin with an official partnership with The Philharmonia Orchestra alongside the Southbank Centre and US composer Scott Alan as Artistic Director In Residence.

 

Some of the first artists to be featured Live At Zédel include Julie Atherton, Carley Stenson & Matt Cardle. Scott Alan's varied programme includes intimate pre-show ‘coq-tails and Conversations’ from Mark Shenton with nights from West End stars Julie Atherton and Simon Lipkin as well as performances from performers including Carly Stenson, Oliver Tompsett and Lucie Jones.

 

 

Live At Zédel will host a number of spoken word evenings with some of London’s "most witty and entertaining" speakers and a monthly comedy night as well as offering  a food-themed week of entertainment in the Crazy Coqs featuring Grace Dent, Jay Rayner and Gizzie Erskine and a comedy season including Katherine Ryan and Doc Brown. Other names taking part in the Autumn relaunch include Maria Friedman, West End Frame Award winner Matt Cardle, Clare Teal & DENIM. 

 

The collaboration between Corbin and King and United Agents, means that Live At Zédel will be the first time a classical orchestra is affiliated with a West End venue, the programme includes a series of monthly intimate concerts in the Crazy Coqs, culminating in a one-off performance with a 23-piece line-up in the main Brasserie Space in early 2017. 

Tickets and full programme details will be available soon,

Two Miss Saigon movies - the Danny Boyle film and 25th Anniversary Performance

Updated 27th May: Miss Saigon’s  appeal lives on, with  two Miss Saigon films in the works - one of them directed by Oscar-winner Danny Boyle.

First to be released will be Miss Saigon: 25th Anniversary Performance, which features a mix of footage from that landmark gala show in 2014 and the last night of the recent revival at the Prince Edward Theatre. Apparently  Cameron Mackintosh has been editing footage for the long awaited filmed record of the Miss Saigon 25th anniversary performance; Baz Bamgiboye has seen a rough cut of 20 minutes,  and says it’s much more than just cameras being plonked in front of a stage.

That film — featuring a breakout performance by Eva Noblezada as Kim, the club girl who falls for an American GI just as Saigon collapses at the end of the Vietnam War; Jon Jon Briones, as the conniving pimp-fixer known as the Engineer; and Alistair Brammer as Chris the GI — has some brilliant footage.

The show closed in the West End in February but  returns to Broadway in March where UK stars Eva Noblezada and Jon Jon Briones are set to reprise their roles, followed by a US national tour in Spring 2017. in New York.

Mackintosh explained that the movie, official title Miss Saigon: The 25th Anniversary Performance, includes film shot at the special anniversary show; the last night on February 27th ; and three days of filming close-ups and cutaways that feature the original revival company with Eva Noblezada in the title role, Jon Jon Briones as the Engineer and Alistair Brammer as Chris.

It is due to  be shown in cinemas on October 16th  and will later be available to buy.

The second film is a big Hollywood movie Danny Boyle plans to direct at the end of 2018. Boyle saw Noblezada perform in Miss Saigon twice when it was on at the Prince Edward - maybe  she will endsup on Boyle’s shortlist to play Kim in his big-budget film.  But that’s a long way off...

David Bowie's Lazarus heading for London

A special temporary London venue is to  be built specifically to house David Bowie and Enda Walsh's new musical LAZARUS, which premiered last year Off-Broadway at the New York Theatre Workshop where tickets for  the entire run sold out within hours.

An 800-seat theatre will be constructed as part of the King's Cross Complex, which the show will move into either late this autumn or early next spring, following some "tweaking and fine-tuning" and hopefully with its Michael C. Hall who starred in New York. Robert Fox will produce.



Lazarus is a musical with music and lyrics  by David Bowie. It was first performed at the end of 2015, and was one of the last works completed before his death on 10th January 2016. The musical is a sequel to Walter Tevis's novel The Man Who Fell to Earth; Bowie previously starred in the 1976 film adaptation of the same name, directed by Nicolas Roeg.

The New York cast of Lazarus directed by Ivo van Hove (Hedda Gabler, More Stately Mansions, Obie Awards) included Golden Globe winner and six-time Emmy nominee Michael C. Hall (Hedwig and the Angry Inch, "Dexter") as Thomas Newton, Tony Award nominee Cristin Milioti (Once) as Elly, and Michael Esper (The Last Ship) as Valentine, as well as Krystina Alabado (American Idiot), Sophia Anne Caruso (The Nether), Nicholas Christopher (Whorl Inside A Loop), Lynn Craig (Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson), Bobby Moreno (Year of the Rooster), Krista Pioppi (Spring Awakening Nat'l Tour), Charlie Pollock (The Wild Party), and Brynn Williams (Bye Bye Birdie).

Nicole Scherzinger pulls out of Cats Broadway revival to return to X Factor

With the cast of the Cats Broadway revival just announced with one notable exception: the actress playing the lead role of Grizabella -  speaking during an interview for the Economist radio, an  angry Andrew Lloyd Webber has claimed that Nicole Scherzinger has pulled out of the production saying she  has quit the musical to return to The X Factor UK as a judge alongside Simon Cowell. Scherzinger starred as Grizabella in the recent West End revival of Cats, and was strongly understood to be reprising her role on Broadway.

Lloyd Webber said: A week before we go into rehearsal on Broadway, which luckily I'm not producing, I get the news that she's decided to do X Factor, having agreed to do everything. I mean she's crazy but American producers just say, 'Ah well, we'll just get someone else', because she's not actually that well known in America. I'm furious because I really believe she's a really fantastically talented girl and I really went out on a limb to get her into the London Palladium here and it makes me look like an absolute t**t. But never mind, there will be another girl on Broadway and Nicole won't get her Tony Award.

Scherzinger defended her decision to return to the  X Factor to replace Rita Ora telling the Standard: “I had every intention of doing Cats on Broadway but the contract was never finalised. I am incredibly blessed to be given so many amazing opportunities, including Cats, but unfortunately we weren’t able to make it work this time around. I adore and respect Andrew, I’m so grateful for our friendship and can’t wait for the opportunity to create more magic together.

School of Rock The Musical London opening before the end of the year ?

Baz in today's Mail is reporting that Andrew Lloyd Webber's West End production of School of Rock - The Musical, previously announced for a May 2017 opening  at the New London Theatre, might be opening  before the end of this year.

Andrew Lloyd Webber told the Mail We're looking into whether we can get into the theatre in November. But we're by no means confirmed.I would say there's a 40% chance of it happening this autumn.

He is still on the hunt for the role of 'Dewey Finn', currently played on Broadway by Tony nominee Alex Brightman. School of Rock - The Musical opened at Broadway's Winter Garden Theatre (1634 Broadway) on Sunday, December 6, 2015. It will launch a US tour in autumn  2017, playing coast-to-coast engagements across America..

Magic of the Musicals Concert featuring Ramin Karimloo

Magic Of The Musicals is at  the Royal Albert Hall for one night only on Monday 23rd May.

The show features leading casts from Disney’s The Lion King, Hairspray, Mamma Mia!, Matilda The Musical, Guys and Dolls, In The Heights, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Wicked, Beautiful and Sunny Afternoon, performing hits including The Winner Takes It All (Mamma Mia!), Luck Be A Lady (Guys & Dolls), Pure Imagination (Charlie and the The Chocolate Factory), Naughty (Matilda), I Know Where I’ve Been (Hairspray).

Hosted by Tom Chambers (Strictly Come Dancing, Top Hat The Musical) and Ruthie Henshall (Billy Elliot, Les Miserables, Cats, A Chorus Line), with special guest performer Ramin Karimloo (Les Misérables, The Phantom Of The Opera).

Tickets for Magic of the Musicals

Alternates for Amber Riley's role of Effie in Dreamgirls Announced

Reality stars  Voice UK's Ruth Brown and The X Factor's Karen Mav will alternate the role of Effie in the musical Dreamgirls sharing  Wednesday evening performances. As previously announced, Glee's Amber Riley will star as Effie in the West End production. Directed by Casey Nicholaw, Dreamgirls opens at the Savoy Theatre on 14th December 2016 (previews from 19th November).




Effie has two huge numbers: And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going and I’m Changing and Dreamgirls producer Sonia Friedman said she, Casey Nicholaw (the show’s director and choreographer) and Nick Finlow (the musical supervisor) knew that whoever won the role of Effie would not be able to perform all eight shows, every week saying the role is absolutely massive and whoever you are, however great your voice is, however experienced and vocally strong you are, you are going to need to rest it’ Finlow added Effie is one of the most demanding vocals in musical theatre, and  the show is incredibly lucky to have the amazing Amber Riley.He said both Mav and Brown have the vocal range to play Effie and boasted that Dreamgirls had three unique young ladies preparing for the role of a lifetime.

More casting news is to follow. The original Broadway production of Dreamgirls, directed and choreographed by Michael Bennett, opened in 1981 starring Jennifer Holliday and won six Tony Awards. In 2006 Dreamgirls was adapted into an Oscar winning film starring Jennifer Hudson, Beyoncé Knowles, Eddie Murphy and Jamie Foxx.

Full cast announced for Side Show at Southwark starring Louise Dearman & Laura Pitt Pulford

Updated 14th September:  Full casting has now been announced: Joining Louise Dearman and Laura Pitt-Pulford areare Haydn Oakley as Terry Connor, Jay Marsh as Jake, Dominic Hodson as Buddy Foster, Christopher Howell as The Boss/Sir, Lala Barlow as Bearded Lady, Oliver Marshall as Dog, David Muscat as Human Pin Cushion, Nuwan Hugh Perera as Sheik Fakir, Agnes Pure as Snake Lady, Nuno Queimado as Reptile Man, Kirstie Skivington as Half Man Half Woman and Genevieve Taylor as Dolly Dimples.

Louise Dearman & Laura Pitt-Pulford are to star as the Hilton sisters in the revised version of Side Show (featuring additional material by Bill Condon) at  Southwark Playhouse. Directed by Hannah Chissick, Side Show will open on 26th October (previews from 21st October) and run until 3rd December 2016.

Louise Dearman (Daisy) is best known for being the first actress to star as both Glinda and Elphaba in the hit musical Wicked, playing both roles to great acclaim in the West End. Her many other theatre credits include Miss Adelaide in Guys and Dolls (UK Tour), Bianca in Kiss Me Kate (Royal Albert Hall), Mrs D in The Water Babies (Leicester Curve), Eva Peron in Evita (UK Tour) and Jan in Grease (West End).

Laura Pitt-Pulford (Violet) received a 2016 Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. Other recent credits include Flowers for Mrs Harris (Sheffield Crucible), Nancy in Oliver! (Leicester Curve), The Smallest Show on Earth (UK Tour), Follies in Concert (Royal Albert Hall), Maria in The Sound of Music (Leicester Curve) and The Light Princess (National Theatre).

With music by Henry Krieger and lyrics by Bill Russell, Side Show is inspired by the true story of conjoined twins Daisy and Violet Hilton. Described as "a remarkable musical about love, acceptance and embracing the unique" telling ttrue story of conjoined twins Daisy and Violet Hilton who  make ends meet playing a headline act at a seedy side show, languishing under the rule of an oppressive ringmaster. But when spotted by a talent agent, they are thrust into the spotlight of the famed 1920’s Orpheum Circuit. They soon become the highest paid vaudeville stars of their time, but whilst Daisy relishes the spotlight, Violet wishes for a quiet life with a man she loves, and who loves her. Can they balance their individual dreams with their inescapable physical connection? Side Show is a heartwarming search for first love and acceptance, amidst the spectacle of fame and scrutiny under the spotlight.

Side Show is presented by Paul Taylor-Mills, who returns to Southwark Playhouse following his Olivier nominated production of In The Heights and award winning production of Carrie: The Musical. Side Show features a score by Dreamgirls composer Henry Krieger and lyrics by Bill Russell (Elegies for Angels and Punks and Raging Queens).

Emily Skinner and Alice Ripley starred in the original 1997 Broadway production with  Emily Padgett and Erin Davie leading the 2014 Broadway revival.

Buy tickets for Side Show

Nigel Lindsay to play Nathan Detroit in Guys & Dolls at the Phoenix

Nigel Lindsay is taking over as Nathan Detroit in the West End production of Guys and Dolls. He takes over from Richard Kind from  24th May 2016.

Lindsay previously played the part in the 2005 London revival of Guys and Dolls. He last starred in the West End in SPEED-THE-PLOW opposite Lindsay Lohan, and before that in the title role in SHREK THE MUSICAL, as well as THE REAL THING on Broadway.

Lindsay joins Samantha Spiro, Oliver Tompsett and Siubhan Harrison who play Adelaide, Sky Masterson and Sarah in the show which is playing  at the Phoenix Theatre.

Sheridan Smith taking extended break from Funny Girl

Natasha Barnes is temporarily taking over the role of  Fanny Brice from Sheridan Smith in the  production of Funny Girl at the Savoy Theatre.

Barnes currently understudies the role and has received tremendous acclaim for her performance.

Producers have announced that Sheridan Smith is taking 2 - 4 weeks leave of absence from the show due to stress and exhaustion saying "Sheridan Smith will be taking leave of absence from Funny Girl, due to stress and exhaustion. The entire team at Funny Girl is thinking of Sheridan, and know she is getting the rest and support she needs during this very difficult and stressful time.We will all miss her enormously and send her our love and best wishes - and we are looking forward to her return to the show in due course. Meanwhile, we are thrilled to support the wonderful Natasha J Barnes who will be taking on the role of Fanny Brice until Sheridan’s return. Natasha has been covering Sheridan in this role since the run at the Menier Chocolate Factory and has received high praise from audiences on the occasions that she has appeared. We are all certain audiences will continue to love our amazing show.

We send much love and good wishes to Sheridan for a speedy return to her old self.

Cast announced for Wicked international tour

Full casting has just been announced for the International Tour of Wicked! which will open at the Bradford Alhambra Theatre on 20th July 2016 for five week season before heading  overseas. Bradford will be the only British city outside of London to host Wicked in 2016. Over 25,000 tickets have already been sold for the Bradford engagement. For best availability choose Sunday matinees (2.30pm) and midweek performances, with tickets starting from just £21.50 (plus fees).

Jacqueline Hughes (Elphaba) starred in the UK & Ireland Tour of Wicked, playing the role of Elphaba on many occasions to great acclaim, and is currently appearing in the tour of Mary Poppins; Carly Anderson (Glinda) recently appeared in Sunset Boulevard at the London Coliseum and played the starring role of Kira in the London premiere of the musical Xanadu; Bradley Jaden (Fiyero) is currently starring as Enjolras in Les Misérables in the West End; popular Brookside star Steven Pinder returns to Wicked to play The Wizard and Doctor Dillamond; Kim Ismay, who has starred as Tanya in Mamma Mia! in the West End and on its International Tour, will play Madame Morrible; BAFTA® Cymru winner Iddon Jones will play Boq and Emily Shaw, who was in the original cast of Matilda, will play Nessarose. Jodie Steele, who has just completed a run in War of the Worlds in the West End, will be Standby for Elphaba.

Completing the cast are: Kyle Anthony, Joe Atkinson, Sam Brown, Hannah Cadec, Joel Cooper, Nicholas Corre, James Davies-Williams, Natasha Ferguson, Elizabeth Futter, Zoe George, Amy Goodwin, Alex Jordan-Mills, Stuart MacIver, Tom Mather, Stacey McGuire, Sara Morley, Emily Olive Boyd, Wendy-Lee Purdy, Dean Read, Paul Saunders, Elisha Sherman, Joshua St Clair and Hannah Veerapen.

The International Tour will play Singapore between 29th September and 16th October 2016, Hong Kong between 8th December 2016 and 1st January 2017 and Manila in 2017 with further dates to be announced.

Audra McDonald's Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill Postponed

Today it was announced that Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill has been postponed as the show’s star Audra McDonald has announced that she and her husband, actor Will Swenson, are expecting a baby. The couple married in 2012. While this is their first child together, she is mother to a daughter, and he is father to two sons, from their previous marriages.

Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill had been due to run at the West End’s Wyndham’s Theatre from 25th  June to 3rd September 2016, with a press night on 5th July. Plans for revised dates will be announced soon.

Speaking from New York where she is currently starring in the Broadway production of Shuffle Along, Or The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed, Audra McDonald said:“Who knew that tap dancing during perimenopause could lead to pregnancy? Will and I are completely surprised—and elated—to be expecting a new addition to our family. I am so very grateful to everyone in New York and London for allowing me to rearrange my schedule to accommodate this little miracle. Of course, I’m disappointed I have to postpone my West End debut in Lady Day, but I look forward to rescheduling as soon as possible.”

Show Boat to close four months earlier than planned

Daniel Evans’ acclaimed production of the musical Show Boat is to close in the West End four months earlier than planned.  The musical originally opened  at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield and transferred to the New London Theatre in April. It will now close on August 27th  (it had been booking until January 2017).

Producers David Ian, Bob Bartner and Norman Tulchin said: “We could not be more proud of Daniel’s production of Show Boat. This first class cast and creative team have delivered an exceptional production and we are delighted that London audiences have had the opportunity to see this five-star show.”

Leona Lewis cast as Grizabella in Cats on Broadway

Updated 26th May;  It has just been announced that with Nicole Scherzinger's withdrawal  to join the judging panel for the next series of X Factor,  LEONA LEWIS (winner of the third X Factor series in 2006) is to play Grizabella.

With a career now spanning eight years, Leona Lewis  has sold 20 million records worldwide. She should be amazing vocally in the part with  an impressive powerful  four octave mezzo-soprano vocal range with strong technical control and frequently use of the falsetto register. In 2014 she  made her film debut in the supporting role of Elena in the romantic comedy musical, Walking on Sunshine.

"Leona has one of the greatest voices of her generation," said Andrew Lloyd Webber. "We are all hugely excited about working with her."

"It is an incredible honor to be asked by Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber to join the Cats family," said Lewis. "I will never forget seeing the show as a little girl and how blown away I was by the magical experience of it. I am beyond thrilled for my Broadway debut to be in such an iconic show. To work with a team as legendary as those on Cats is an experience I will cherish every moment of. I cannot wait to see the audiences out in NYC!

The cast for the first-ever Broadway revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber's iconic musical CATS has just been announced. The show  will return to Broadway this summer at the Neil Simon Theatre with previews beginning Thursday, July 14th and an opening set for Sunday, July 31st.

The new generation of CATS will include Giuseppe Bausilio as "Carbucketty," Quentin Earl Darrington as "Old Deuteronomy," Jeremy Davis as "Skimbleshanks," Kim Faure as "Demeter," Sara Jean Ford as "Jellylorum," Lili Froehlich as "Electra," Daniel Gaymon as "Macavity," Shonica Gooden as "Rumpleteazer," Christopher Gurr as "Gus/Bustopher Jones," Tyler Hanes as "Rum Tum Tugger," Andy Jones as "Munkustrap," Kolton Krouse as "Tumblebrutus," Eloise Kropp as "Jennyanydots / Gumbie," Jess LeProtto as "Mungojerrie," Georgina Pazcoguin as "Victoria," Emily Pynenburg as "Cassandra," Arianna Rosario as "Sillabub," Ahmad Simmons as "Alonzo," Christine Cornish Smith "Bombalurina," Corey Snide as "Coricopat," Emily Tate as "Tantomile," Ricky Ubeda as "Mistoffelees," and Sharrod Williams as "Pouncival,"with Richard Todd Adams, Aaron Albano, Callan Bergmann, Claire Camp, Francesca Granell, Jessica Hendy, Harris Milgrim, Madison Mitchell, Nathan Patrick Morgan and Megan Ort.

Les Miserables Cast Changes Announced

Now in its record breaking 31st year, Cameron Mackintosh has just announced cast changes for LES MISÉRABLES at the Queen’s Theatre.

From Monday 13 June  David Langham will play Thénardier and Chris Cowley will play Enjolras.  They join Peter Lockyer as Jean Valjean, Jeremy Secomb as Javert; Craig Mather as Marius; Rachelle Ann Go as Fantine, Eva Noblezada as Eponine; Katy Secombe as Madame Thenardier and Zoë Doano as Cosette.

 From 13th  June the full company will be: Thomas Aldridge; Adam Bayjou; Oliver Brenin; Lucyelle Cliffe; Andy Conaghan; Chris Cowley; Vinny Coyle; Zoë Doano; Tamsin Dowsett; Aimée Fisher; Rachelle Ann Go; Antony Hansen; Steffan Harri; Will Jennings; Josie Kemp; Charlotte Kennedy; David Langham; Peter Lockyer; Joanna Loxton; Simon Lynch; Craig Mather; Kayleigh McKnight; Felix Mosse; Eva Noblezada; Hollie O’Donoghue; Adam Pearce; Jonny Purchase; Sophie Reeves; Jeremy Secomb; Katy Secombe; Samantha Thomas; Lee Van Geleen and Danny Whitehead.

David Langham’s most recent theatre credits include “Wendy & Peter Pan” for the Royal Shakespeare Company; “The Light Princess” at the National Theatre and the UK tours of “Oliver!” and “Spamalot.”  His TV and film credits include: “Doctor Who” and “The Phantom of the Opera”.

 Chris Cowley most recently appeared in “The Last Five Years” at the New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich. His other theatre credits include: “Wicked” at the Apollo Victoria Theatre and “Saturday Night Fever” at the English Theatre Frankfurt.

Peter Lockyer completed a year and a half run as Jean Valjean in the sold-out North American 25th Anniversary Tour of “Les Misérables”. He has also appeared as ‘Chris’ in “Miss Saigon” on Broadway and in the first National tour and as ‘Marius’ in the 10th Anniversary production of “Les Misérables” on Broadway.

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

Craig Mather most recently appeared in “Sweeney Todd” at Harrington’s Pie Shop in the West End.  His other theatre credits include: the UK tour of “Tonight’s The Night” and “Les Misérables” at the Queen’s Theatre.

Rachelle Ann Go most recently played ‘Fantine’ in “Les Misérables” in Manila, where the new Asian tour opened. She returns to the London production to continue the role. Previously she played the role of ‘Gigi’ in Cameron Mackintosh’s new production of “Miss Saigon” at the Prince Edward Theatre for which she won the Whatsonstage Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical. She is a well-known TV star in her native country, the Philippines, having won the “Search for a Star” contest. Rachelle is also a double-platinum recording artist.

Eva Noblezada was ‘Kim’ in Cameron Mackintosh’s new production of “Miss Saigon”, having made her professional stage debut in the role when the musical opened in 2014 at the Prince Edward Theatre. Eva will perform the role of ‘Kim’ when the show opens on Broadway in 2017. For her performance in the West End she has received critical acclaim as well as the Whatsonstage.com Award for Best Actress in a Musical.

 Katy Secombe  recently appeared as ‘Brenda’ in “I Can’t Sing! The X Factor Musical” at the London Palladium. She previously played the role of ‘Madame Thénardier’ in “Les Misérables” in 2012 opposite Matt Lucas. Other theatre credits include: “The Lyons” at the Menier Chocolate Factory and ‘Rosie’ in “Mamma Mia!” at the Prince of Wales Theatre.

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

The Stripper New Musical by Rocky Horror Team

The Stripper  will run at the St James Studio From Thursday 7th July - Saturday 13th August 2016 (Press night: Monday 11 July at 8:00 pm). The show was first staged at the Queen's Theatre Hornchurch on 28 August 2009.

The St. James Studio will be transformed into sleazy nightclub 'The Club Extravaganza' for the run of musical whodunnit The Stripper, based on the pulp fiction story by Carter Brown, with music and lyrics by Richard Hartley and Richard O'Brien, the writers of cult classic The Rocky Horror Show. Benji Sperring will direct, fresh from rave reviews for The Toxic Avenger at Southwark Playhouse. Sperring's other stage credits include the acclaimed first production of Shock Treatment, the sequel to The Rocky Horror Show.

The year is 1961, the place is Pine City, California, and some broad is threatening to throw herself off the top of the fanciest hotel in town. There's trouble brewing and Lieutenant Al Wheeler wants answers.

First stop, Club Extravaganza where we meet delectable Deadpan Dolores. Her name says it all... she's not shy, so what's she hiding?

As Wheeler is thrust into a sleazy underworld of strip-joints and lost lonely hearts, the truth isn't the only thing he uncovers.

Tickets go on sale today for Theatre members and friends on Monday 9th May at 10:00 am and on general sale on Tuesday 10 May at 10:00 am.

Nadim Naaman new Album and Concert Launch Details

West End star Nadim Naaman has announced further details for his second album entitled Sides  and revealed plans for an album launch concert.  It is a double-length album featuring nine original self-penned songs and nine musical theatre numbers from writers and shows which have shaped and influenced Naaman's career so far and will be released with independent label Auburn Jam Records on 20th June 2016.



Nadim is currently starring as Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera. Other musicl theatre credits include: Titanic (Toronto/Southwark Playhouse), Sweeney Todd (Harrington’s Pie & Mash Shop), One Man Two Gurs (West End), The Sound of Music (West End), Chess (Union), Marguerite (Tabard), Thirteen Days (Arcola), Knight Crew (Glyndebourne), James and The Giant Peach (Watermill) and The Last Five Years (Pleasance).

There are collaborations on the album with: Rob Houchen (Titanic/Les Mis), Eva Noblezada (Miss Saigon/Les Mis), Jeremy Secomb (Sweeney Todd/Les Mis), Celinde Schoenmaker (Phantom/Les Mis) and Laura Tebbutt (Forbidden Broadway/Love Me Tender). It will also feature a bonus track of the previously released ‘A Soldier’s Christmas’, written by Naaman and performed with former Phantom Gerónimo Rauch.

The album launch concert takes place at the Hippodrome on Sunday 19th June 2016 at 3:00 pm. Naaman will be joined by an 8-piece band led by musical director, and the album’s producer, Joe Davison with special guests including Rob Houchen, Jeremy Secomb, Celinde Schoenmaker, Laura Tebbutt and Will Barratt.



A limited run of CD copies of Sides will be released, which can be pre-ordered now from Auburn Jam Records. Sides will be available for download via all major online retailers from 20th June. Tickets for the album launch concert are on sale now.

West End Live News

West End LIVE with MasterCard will again return to  Trafalgar Square on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th June 2016.

Celebrating its 12th year, the free musical extravaganza showcases the best of the West End. Attracting crowds of more than 500,000 people over the course of the weekend, West End LIVE with MasterCard is the largest event of its type in the world.

Organised by Westminster City Council and Official London Theatre with support from the Mayor of London, this year’s celebration is set to deliver another star-studded weekend of free entetainment from the West End’s biggest shows.

The full line-up of performances will be announced shortly.

Latest Casting News for Chichester's Half a Sixpence

Initial casting has been announced for Half A Sixpence at the Chichester Festival Theatre which  opens on 26th July 2016 (previews from 14th July) and runs until 3rd September 2016.

The show will star Ian Bartholomew as Chitterlow, Vivien Parry as Mrs Walsingham, Emma Williams as Helen Walsingham and two young actors Devon-Elise Johnson as Ann Pornick and Charlie Stemp as Arthur Kipps.

Charlie Stemp (pictured) and Devon-Elise Johnson have both recently completed the international tour of Mamma Mia! Stemp has also appeared in Wicked in the West End, while Johnson’s London theatre credits include Taboo, and Susan Parks in Billy Elliot as a child performer.

The show  is co-created and co-produced by Cameron Mackintosh with book by Julian Fellowes.Stiles and Drewe have written new songs for the musical to complement  famous numbers from David Heneker's score.

Rachel Kavanaugh directs with choreography by Andrew Wright, orchestrations by William David Brohn, musical supervision by Stephen Brooker, musical supervision & musical direction by Graham Hurman, lighting by Paule Constable, sound by Mick Potter and video design by Luke Halls.

Cast announced for Tim Minchin's new Groundhog Day Musical at Old Vic

Full casting details have just been released for   for Tim Minchin's musical adaptation of Groundhog Day at the Old Vic.

As already  announced,  the show will star Andy Karl as Phil Connors, Carlyss Peer as Rita and Eugene McCoy as Larry. Joining them are Leo Andrew, David Birch, Ste Clough, Roger Dipper, Georgina Hagen, Kieran Jae, Julie Jupp, Andrew Langtree, Vicki Lee Taylor, Emma Lindars, Antonio Magro, Carolyn Maitland, Kirsty Malpass, Lisa Mathieson, Jenny O’Leary, Leanne Pinder, Mark Pollard, Damien Poole, Jack Shalloo, Andrew Spillett and Spencer Stafford.

With book by Danny Rubin and choreography by Peter Darling, the musical is directed by Matthew Warchus who previously collaborated with Minchin on Matilda. It will open at the Old Vic on 16th August 2016 (previews from 11th July) for a limited run of 10 weeks followed by a Broadway opening (theatre TBA)  on 9th March 2017 (previews from 23rd January) starring Karl.

Tickets for Groundhog Day
  

Jason Donovan to lead cast in tour of Million Dollar Quartet

It has just been announced that Jason Donovan is to star in the tour of Million Dollar Quartet which kicks off at the Leicester Curve in September.

Jason Donovan is playing  legendary record producer Sam Phillips - the man who brought the four recording stars together to create music history. Jason's  musical theatre credits  include leading roles in The Rocky Horror Show, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Sweeney Todd and most recently,  Priscilla Queen of the Desert.

Joining Donovan in the cast is Martin Kaye as Jerry Lee Lewis. He played the role on the first North American tour of of the show and the Las Vegas Production.

Robbie Durham plays Johnny Cash Ross, William Wild is cast as Elvis Presley, Matt Wycliffe appears as Carl Perkins and Katie Ray is Dyanne.

Final cast announced for 60th Anniversary Gala of My Fair Lady

Updated 27th June:  The full cast has just been announced and now includes Patricia Routledge (Keeping Up Appearances) as  Mrs Higgins whilst Bradley Jaden (Wicked) will star as Freddie Eynsford-Hill. 

Sam Hiller (My Fair Lady/Phantom) will play Colonel Pickering with Rebecca Louis (Mack and Mabel) as Mrs Pearce. Joining the ensemble are Andrew Bateup, Jordan Lee Davies, Katy Hanna, Emma Harrold, Sejal Keshwala and Joe Vetch.

There is to to be a 60th Anniversary Gala Fundraiser in Celebration of My Fair Lady  on Sunday 19th  June at  St. Pauls Church, Covent Garden

Directed by Alastair Knights (Putting It Together St James Theatre, Kings of Broadway Palace Theatre) with Musical Direction by Alex Parker (Les Miserables Queen’s Theatre, Kings of Broadway Palace Theatre) the performance willinclude rare material cut from the original 1956 production including two new songs – Come To The Ball and Say A Prayer For Me Tonight, which have never before been heard on the London stage. The evening will also include classic scenes from My Fair Lady, its source material Pygmalion and excerpts from Alan Jay Lerner’s autobiography The Street Where I Live. Accompanied by an 18 piece orchestra, the concert will feature many of themuch loved songs of Lerner and Loewe’s timeless score including Wouldn’t It Be Loverly, I Could Have Danced All Night

The role of Eliza Doolittle will be performed by multiple West End leading ladies including Gina Beck (ShowboatNew London Theatre, Wicked Apollo Victoria); Alexia Khadime (Winner ‘Best Supporting Actress in a Musical’ at the 2014 WhatsOnStage Awards for The Book of Mormon Prince of Wales Theatre); Amy Lennox (Nominated fora 2016 Olivier Award for her performance in Kinky Boots Adelphi Theatre); Eva Noblezada (Winner 'Best Actress in a Musical' at the 2015 WhatsOnStage Awards for Miss Saigon Prince Edward Theatre); Laura Pitt-Pulford(Nominated at the 2016 Olivier Awards for her performance in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers Open Air Theatre)and Kara Tointon (Mr Selfridge ITV, The Sound of Music Live ITV). The concert will also feature BAFTA award winner, Anthony Andrews (My Fair Lady Drury Lane, Brideshead Revised ITV) as Henry Higgins and comedian Frank Skinner as Alfred P. Doolittle. Liz Robertson, the widow of playwright and lyricist, Alan Jay Lerner, and star of the 1979 London production will be the narrator with  more casting to be announced soon.

The evening is generously supported by Sir Cameron Mackintosh and produced by ebp. All proceeds from this charity gala will go towards the restoration of St. Paul’s Church and to improve disabled access.

Tickets for  the 60th Anniversary Gala of My Fair Lady

Cast announced for Sound of Music Tour starting later this month

Bill Kenwright's tour of  The Sound of Music is due to start again on 18th May at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre with the following. cast: BBC1’s The Voice star Lucy O’Byrne is to reprise the role of  Maria and Coronation Street’s Andrew Lancel will again play Captain Von Trapp.

BBC1’s The Voice runner-up and award-nominated Lucy O’Byrne  became a household name when she shot to success as the runner-up in the TV talent show. With chart-topper Will.i.am as her mentor, and biggest fan, Lucy made history as the first classical singer to reach the final, impressing the nation with her stunning vocal range. Now, having recently performed at the BBC Proms, she makes her musical debut as the young Maria.

Andrew Lancel is best known as super-villain Frank Foster in Coronation Street, a role that earned him a 'Villain of the Year' award at the British Soap Awards. He also played DI Neil Manson in the long-running ITV television series The Bill. His numerous stage credits include Bill Kenwright’s touring productions of The Small Hand and Twelve Angry Men. Andrew starred in Epstein: The Man Who Made The Beatles in Liverpool and London, and most recently appeared on stage in The Damned United at the West Yorkshire Playhouse.

Joining Lucy and Andrew on stage are Jan Hartley (Mother Abbess), Duncan Smith (Max), Isla Carter (Baroness Elsa), Kane Verrall (Rolf), Annie Horn (Liesl), Zoe Ann Brown (Sister Margaretta), Kate Scott (Sister Berthe), Tammy Davies (Sister Sophia), Jude Neill (Ursula), Anouska Eaton (Baroness Elberfeld), Jon de Ville (Franz), Pippa Winslow (Frau Schmidt), Scott Ainslie (Admiral von Schreiber), Piers Bate (Baron Elberfeld) and Lewis Barnshaw.

Tom Chambers & Caroline Sheen to star in Crazy for You at the Watermill

Updated 28th June: It has just been announced that Caroline Sheen is to  join the cast at Newbury playing Polly.She and Tom Chambers will be  joined by Completing the cast are: Matt Bateman (Eugene Fodor); Kit Benjamin (Everett Baker); Hollie Cassar (Tess); Peter Dukes (Bela Zangler); Lindsay Goodhand (Lottie Child / Patricia Fodor); Katrina Kleve (Mitzi); Jeremy Legat (Lank Hawkins); Emile Ruddock (Custus); Ned Rudkins-Stow (Moose); Seren Sandham-Davies (Patsy); Lucy Thatcher (Irene Roth) and Anne White (Margie).


Tom Chambers is to  star as Bobby in a new production of Gershwins' Crazy for You at the Watermill Theatre in Newbury directed by Watermill artistic director Paul Hart and produced in association with Jamie Wilson. The show runs from July 28th-September 17th, with press night on August 1st.

The musical will be reimagined for the Watermill stage and for a company of actor-musicians. Crazy for You is the ultimate feel-good musical with a fabulous score from the Gershwin brothers’ songbook. The multi-award winning, romantic comedy, filled with great dance numbers, charts the troubled love story of Bobby, son of a wealthy New York banking family and frustrated Broadway hoofer, and Polly, daughter of the proprietor of a failing theatre in Deadrock, Nevada. Sent to close the theatre down, Bobby falls for Polly and, in the guise of a Hungarian impresario, decides to save the theatre by putting on a show.

Mistaken identities, plot twists, heartbreak, happiness and a wealth of memorable tunes, including I Got Rhythm, They Can’t Take That Away From Me, Nice Work If You Can Get It and Embraceable You, all feature in this exhilarating celebration of the great Broadway musicals.

Tom Chambers credits include Top Hat (West End and UK tour), White Christmas (West End) and winner of Strictly Come Dancing.

Priority booking opens to Friends of The Watermill on Monday 9th May at 10:00 am.Booking opens to all on Monday 16th May at 10:00 am

Secret Garden Musical to run for six weeks at Ambassadors Theatre

Around 300 children are to star in a new production of The Secret Garden at the Ambassadors Theatre for six weeks from July 27th to August 31st (press night August 3rd)

The musical which received its UK premiere in 2000, will run alongside Stomp. Directed by Rupert Hands, the new production has been cut to 75 minutes in length.

More than 2,000 children have auditioned for The Secret Garden and 300 youngsters will be cast in the show.Producer Matthew Chandler of P2P Productions said: “This is the European premiere of a new version of The Secret Garden, specially adapted to be performed with just 4 adult actors and 20 children. We have 21 teams child actors who will perform in rotation throughout the season. of It is a fantastic opportunity for all the youngsters involved.”

Orphaned while living in India, 10 year-old Mary Lennox returns to Yorkshire, England to live with her embittered, reclusive uncle Archibald, whom she has never met. There, the ill-tempered and lonely Mary meets Martha, a chambermaid, who tells her of a secret garden which belonged to her aunt Lily before she died. Mary’s search for the garden introduces her to a slew of other characters including Dickon (Martha’s brother), Ben (the head gardener), Neville (her other uncle), and a spirited robin that seems to be trying to talk to her. This compelling tale of forgiveness and hope reveals that even the cruelest of environments can blossom with new life.

Hands said he was looking forward to working “with such an exciting company of young actors”, after more than 2,000 children auditioned for the production.Giving young people the opportunity to work on great shows in great spaces is vital for the future of theatre,”

Richard Baker will be musical director for the show, which has choreography by Jamie Neale and costumes by Lizzy Leech.

Buy tickets for The Secret Garden