Open auditions announced for film of Everybody's Talking About Jamie

The new film of Everybody's Talking About Jamie is to  find its primary cast through open auditions in Sheffield. With Warp Films announcing that they will be looking for the cast between now and 22 July.  A representative for Warp said: "We don't want this to be stage school kids, we want this to be anyone and everyone, so if you think someone is special get them to sign up."

The  company are looking for applications from people aged 16 years and upward, but they must look 16 years-old. There are no other restrictions on how an applicant should look, and the company are searching for a variety of people to make up a class of 30. Anyone under 18 will need parental permission to apply and submission must be made  via the website. Successful shortlisted applicants will be contacted by Shaheen Baig Casting by email. If you have not heard from them by 6th August,  you have not been successful.

Everybody's Talking About Jamie by Dan Gillespie Sells and Tom MacRae  is based on a documentary about a 16 year-old boy who wants to be a drag queen is currently running in the West End until April 2019 and originally opened at Sheffield Theatres.

Warp Films' previous projects include This Is England, Donkey Punch and Four Lions.

Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story 30th Anniversary Tour Announced

Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story is set to celebrate its 30th anniversary next year by kicking off a new tour at the Theatre Royal Plymouth which was where it first  opened in 1989 before transferring to the West End and running there  for over 14 years at the Victoria Palace, Strand and Duchess Theatres.

To celebrate this landmark anniversary, there will be a special gala performance on Monday 2nd September, with a limited number of tickets being offered at the original 1989 prices (from £7 - £10.50). Further details of this exclusive event will be released in due course.

The Plymouth run will also see the show  being performed on Buddy Holly's birthday (September 7th), allowing the cast and crew to pay homage to the man who inspired the smash hit success. 

Tickets go on sale 8th June. Casting and tour dates for the production to follow.

Josh Groban 2018 UK and Ireland Arena Tour

Multi-platinum award-winning singer and songwriter Josh Groban has just announced the  UK and Ireland dates of his 2018 Arena tour at The O2 London on 12th December, Manchester Arena on 14th December and the 3Arena in Dublin on 16th  December.

Groban is currently in New York filming the The Good Cop new Netflix series, in which  he plays the lead opposite Tony Danza. He is also working on his eighth studio album to be released later in 2018. 

Groban said: "I can't wait to get back on the road and play old and new songs for my fans," . "It's the thing I most look forward to. Creating a show each tour that gives everyone there, including me, an experience they want to hold onto."

Buy tickets for Josh Groban .

Michael Xavier, Ruthie Henshall, Ben Forster, John Owen-Jones, Mazz Murray, Lauren Samuels and Russell Watson The Best of the West End Concert

Seventh Sense presents The Best of the West End at the  Royal Albert Hall on Monday 8th October at  7:30pm.  The concert offers a great line up of  musical theatre stars  including Ruthie Henshall, Michael Xavier,  Ben Forster, Lauren Samuels, John Owen-Jones and  Mazz Murray with  special guest Russell Watson performing  the best of the West End with classic songs from shows including Les Misérables • Mamma Mia • Chicago • Phantom of the Opera • Dream Girls • Jersey Boys • Lion King • West Side Story • Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Following are details of all the performers:

RUTHIE HENSHALL: Olivier Award Winner with credits including: Cats, Les Misérables, Chicago, Miss Saigon, Billy Elliot, Oliver, Crazy For You, Annie, The Woman in White, Guys and Dolls.

BEN FORSTER: Winner of TV and West End ‘Superstar’, who starred as The Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera. Credits include: Jesus Christ Superstar international Arena tour, Elf the Musical, The Rocky Horror Show, Evita.

JOHN OWEN-JONES: Credits include: Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera, Merchant of Venice, Show Boat, The Sound of Music.

RUSSELL WATSON: Described by the New York Times as a performer who sings like Pavarotti and entertains the audience like Sinatra.

MAZZ MURRAY: We Will Rock You legend whose credits include: Mamma Mia, Fame, Rent and Smokey Joe’s Café.

MICHAEL XAVIER: Olivier Award nominated actor who  recently starred on Broadway as Joe Gillis in Sunset Boulevard opposite Glenn Close and went directly on to star in his second Broadway show, Prince Of Broadway.

LAUREN SAMUELS: credits include  Bend It Like Beckham. Leading lady in Grease and star of We Will Rock You.

JACK PACK: Britain’s Got Talent finalists The UK’s most successful Swing Group. .

FRIEDERIKE KRUM: Award-winning mezzo soprano with multiple albums and show credits to her name. 

HEART OF ENGLAND PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA: Formed by Helen and Richard Fitzgerald in 1996 at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall, they have toured regularly with artists such as Smokey Robinson, Gloria Estefan, Barry Manilow, Chris de Burgh, IL Divo, Gladys Knight, Alfie Boe.

MUSICAL THEATRE MASTERCLASS:  talented and aspiring performers, aged from 10-25 who have been mentored by some of the best in the business, including Michael Xavier, who runs the academy, Sir Matthew Bourne, Kerry Ellis, Ramin Karimloo and many more.

Buy tickets for The Best of the West End

West End Live Announces 2018 line up

West End LIVE returns to Trafalgar Square on 16th and 17th June under  new partnership with Magic Radio announced, with presenters including double Olivier Award-winner Ruthie Henshall hosting the weekend
 
The full list of shows for West End LIVE 2018 has been released. A packed schedule of productions will be performing, including  Disney’s The Lion King, Wicked, Les Misérables, Mamma Mia!, The Phantom Of The Opera, Disney’s Aladdin, Dreamgirls, Bat Out Of Hell, Kinky Boots, Matilda The Musical, Motown The Musical, Everybody’s Talking about Jamie and Thriller Live.

Several new arrivals to London’s West End will also be making their West End LIVE debuts, including Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, Strictly Ballroom The Musical, Eugenius!, Brief Encounter, Little Shop Of Horrors, Chicago, Heathers The Musical, Kiss Me, Kate, Knights Of The Rose, Six, Circolombia and Madagascar – A Musical Adventure.

The  showcase finale will feature a performance from chart-topping Britain’s Got Talent winners Collabro on Saturday 16th  June, and an exclusive cabaret of West End stars on Sunday 17th  June.

The full list of shows participating in West End LIVE 2018 is: Disney’s Aladdin, Bat Out Of Hell The Musical, Brief Encounter, Chicago, Circolombia, Dreamgirls, Eugenius!, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Heathers The Musical, Kinky Boots, Kiss Me, Kate, Knights Of The Rose, Disney’s The Lion King, Little Shop Of Horrors, Madagascar, Mamma Mia!, Matilda The Musical, Les Misérables, Motown The Musical, The Phantom Of The Opera, Six, A Spoonful Of Sherman, Strictly Ballroom The Musical, Thriller Live, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical and Wicked

 Performance schedules for the weekend will be released soon via the West End LIVE website.

For the first time, West End LIVE has partnered with Magic Radio, and top Magic presenters Ruthie Henshall, Emma B, Harriet Scott, Richard Allinson, Paul Hayes, Tom Price and Lynn Parsons will be hosting the weekend and introducing performances from the West End LIVE stage.

Official London Theatre (SOLT’s public-facing website) will be backstage at West End LIVE throughout the weekend sharing exclusive behind-the-scenes content.

Robbie Williams to write score for Musical Adaptation of David Walliams' The Boy in the Dress

Baz Bamigboye of The Daily Mail has just reported that pop singer Robbie Williams has signed on to write the music and lyrics for a stage adaptation of David Walliams' best-selling children's novel The Boy in the Dress which is a novel by David Walliams with illustrations by Quentin Blake. 

It is the first book by best selling children's author Walliams and tells the story of a twelve-year-old boy who enjoys cross-dressing, charting  the reactions of his family and friends.

The show will be directed by David Goran and produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company  for a run at Stratford in the winter of 2019, with  hopes of moving into West End sometime in 2020.

Beverley Knight, Izuka Hoyle and Carly Bawden cast in Sylvia at the Old Vic

The Old Vic has just announced the cast of the new musical SYLVIA, which will have its world premiere on 11th September, with previews from 3rd September running until 22nd September.

Sylvia is directed and choreographed by Kate Prince and combines dance, hip hop, soul and funk in a show revolving around the power of the Suffragette movement. It has book by Prince and Priya Parmar, with music by Josh Cohen and DJ Walde. The show marks 100 years since the first women were given the vote in the UK, and comes in the Old Vic's 200th birthday season. SYLVIA is a modern musical celebrating the life of Sylvia Pankhurst, her pivotal role in the campaign for women's rights and the price of the passion and politics that tore her family apart.

Beverley Knight will play Emmeline Pankhurst, with Genesis Lynea as Sylvia Pankhurst, Carly Bawden as Clementine Churchill and Annie Kenney and Izuka Hoyle as Emily Davison.

The company will also include Delroy Atkinson as Winston Churchill, Verity Blyth as Adela Pankhurst, John Dagleish as Keir Hardie, Jade Hackett as Lady Jennie Churchill and Edith Garrud as Silvio Corio with Todd Holdsworth as H G Wells.

Jaye Marshall is dance captain, with Tachia Newall as Lloyd George, Maria Omakinwa as Ada, Karl Queensborough as Harry Pankhurst, Ross Sands as George Bernard Shaw and Richard Pankhurst, Witney White as Christabel Pankhurst and Elliotte Williams-N'Dure as Flora Drummond.

It has design by Ben Stones, lighting by Natasha Chivers, sound by Clement Rawling and casting by Jessica Ronane. The band leader is Josh McKenzie with vocal arrangement by Michael Henry.

Buy tickets for Sylvia

Keith Jack, Mica Paris and Jorgie Porter to star in new UK Tour of Fame

Selladoor Productions have just announced that Keith Jack, Mica Paris and Jorgie Porter will star in the  new UK Tour of Fame - The Musical which opens at the Manchester Palace in 20 July for a brand new 30th Anniversary Tour.  (Mica and Jorgie are scheduled to perform until Mica Paris 2nd December 2018 and Keith Jack until 16th Jun 2019).

Keith Jack, will play Nick Piazza, is best-known as runner-up on BBC1’s Any Dream Will Do. His extensive theatre credits include: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (UK Tour) Only The Brave (Edinburgh Festival) Sincerely Mr Toad (Edinburgh/Greenwich) HMS Pinafore (UK Tour) Forever Plaid (St James Theatre, London) and many pantomimes across the UK. Keith’s concert appearances include performing for HM The Queen at the Parliament Picnic, Choices for Life, Lauder Live and BBC 2’s Friday Night is Music Night; Music, Music . He also has appeared on John Barrowman’s album tour, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Birthday Concert (Hyde Park) and BBC’s Songs of Praise.

Mica Paris who joins the cast as Miss Sherman is one of the UK’s most respected female singers with top 10 hit singles and albums worldwide spanning her 30 year career. Most recently, Mica recorded a new single in honour of Ella Fitzgerald with Guy Barker orchestra. A well-known face on TV Mica has appeared as a broadcaster and presenter on shows including BBC 1’s What Not To Wear. Gok Wan's Miss Naked Beauty for Channel 4 and ITV's CelebAir and is also a regular guest on ITV’s This Morning and Loose Women. Mica also played American Jazz Singer, Amelia Walker in At Bertram’s Hotel – Miss Marple for ITV Productions. She presented The Gospel of Gospel for Channel 4 and was also a contestant on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing 2006. Mica’s stage credits include Mama I Want To Sing, The Vagina Monologues and Sweet Lorraine in the West End and more recently Sylvia in the UK tour of Love Me Tender, based on the music of Elvis and Mama Morton in the UK Number one tour of Chicago.

Jorgie Porter, playing Iris Kelly, is best known for her role as Theresa McQueen in the Channel 4 drama serial Hollyoaks. Her nominations include Best Serial Drama Performance at the National Television Awards and Best Newcomer at the British Soap Awards. She played the role of Miss Croft in BBC1’s highly acclaimed remake of Are You Being Served.Jorgie was a contestant on the seventh series of Dancing On Ice on ITV and made it all the way to the final where she finished runner up, returning for Dancing On Ice: Champion Of Champions. Jorgie has also starred in many award-winning shows including I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! (ITV), Lip Sync Battle (Channel 5) & Celebrity First Dates in aid of Stand Up To Cancer (Channel 4).

Keith, Mica and Jorgie will be joined by Hayley Johnston/Mabel, Stephanie Rojas/Carmen, Molly McGuire/Serena, Jamal Crawford/Tyrone, Albey Brooks/Joe, Louisa Beadel/Lambchops, Simon Anthony/Schlomo, Alexander Zane/Goody, Katie Warsop/Miss Bell & Resident Choreographer, Dermot Canavan/Mr Scheinkopf, Cameron Johnson/Mr Myers with ensemble members  Rebecca French, Daisy Twells, Tom Mussell, Morgan Jackson, Ryan Kayode and swings Tabitha Camburn  and Ike Fallon.

Fame will be Directed and Choregraphed by Nick Winston with Design by Morgan Large, Lighting design by Prema Mehta and Sound Design by Ben Harrison. Mark Crossland is Musical Supervisor.

Featuring the Oscar-winning title song and a cast of outstanding dancers, singers, musicians and rappers as they transform from star struck pupils to superstars. Fame - The Musical will indeed live forever.

Martin Kemp to take over from Cuba Gooding Jr in Chicago

Spandau Ballet star Martin Kemp is to take over the role of Billy Flynn in the West End production of Chicago from July 2nd replacing Cuba Gooding Jr, who is currently playing the smooth-talking lawyer Billy Flynn to 30th June  at the Phoenix Theatre.  Kemp will join the production from 2nd  July for a limited run until 1st September with further cast changes to be announced.

Best known for being a member  of '80s pop band Spandau Ballet, Kemp's stage credits include Million Dollar Quartet and Peter Pan. Martin Kemp's acting credits include Reggie Kray alongside his brother Gary as Ronnie Kray in the film The Krays, Steve Owen in EastEnders, and Sam Phillips in the UK tour of Million Dollar Quartet. His book True - An Autobiography of Martin Kemp, spent several months in The Sunday Times best sellers list. He also appeared as a judge on the BBC's Let It Shine, alongside Dannii Minogue and Gary Barlow.

More tickets released for Elf Christmas Spectacular starring David Essex and Martine McCutcheon

In response to high  public demand, 10,000 extra tickets have been released and are now on sale  for Elf - A Christmas Spectacular starring  David Essex and  Martine McCutcheon.

Elf has become the fastest selling Christmas show this year with over 30,000 tickets being snapped up during the first three weeks of it going on sale, with the  producers adding an extra show at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff on 16th December at 5:00 pm and releasing extra tickets to all performances at Birmingham's Genting Arena and the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham. Elf offers discounted tickets for children (up to age 16) with £10 off most price bands.

New Casting for Tour of Hairspray

New casting has just  been announced for the UK Tour of Hairspray from 12th  June 2018 when the show is at the Stoke Regent Theatre
 

Raquel Jones (The Bodyguard, Jesus Christ Superstar) will be returning to the role of Lil’ Inez having played the part for two years  at the Shaftesbury Theatre. Shak Gabbidon-Williams will be making his professional debut as Seaweed and Dan Partridge (Mama Mia!, Sleeping Beauty) takes over the role of Link Larkin. Graham MacDuff  play the role of Wilbur Turnblad alongside Gemma Lawson as Amber Von Tussle with  Rosie O’Hare in the lead role of Tracy Turnblad.

Brenda Edwards will continue in her critically acclaimed role of Motormouth Maybelle alongside Matt Rixon as Edna Turnblad. Jon Tsouras will stay on as Corny Collins with Gina Murray (Chicago and Full Monty) as Velma Von Tussle and Annalise Liard-Bailey as Penny Pingleton.

Further cast includes: Adam Price, Lucinda Lawrence, Marion Fagbemi, Brianna Ogunbawo, Amana Jones, Emma Warren, Kirsty Ingram, Courtney Brogan Smalley, Ross Clifton, Ben Darcy, Brian O’Muiri, Ziggy Tyler Taylor, Abz Kareem, Reece Richards, Shay Barclay, Abiola Efunshile and Lindsay McAllister.

Gloria and Emilio Estefan's On Your Feet! heading for London Coliseum next summer.

Gloria and Emilio Estefan's smash-hit musical On Your Feet! is coming  to London direct from Broadway for a strictly limited season at London's Coliseum from 14th June- 31st August 2019, after completing seven performances at the Curve, Leicester from 3rd -8th June 2019

On your Feet! is being produced by Jamie Wilson and Gavin Kalin with Colin Ingram and Peter Kane for Intheatre, Marc David Levine and Leicester Curve  Theatre.

Winner of 26 Grammy awards, Gloria Estefan has sold over 100 million records worldwide. Emilio Estefan is a founding member of the pioneering Miami Sound Machine, who created a brand new Latin crossover sound – fusing infectious Cuban rhythms with American pop and disco.

ON YOUR FEET! is the  true love story of the Estefans and their journey from  Cuba, on to the streets of Miami and finally to international superstardom featuring some of the most iconic pops songs of the era, including ‘Rhythm is Gonna Get You’, ‘Conga’, ‘Get On Your Feet’, ‘Don’t Want To Lose You Now’ and ‘1-2-3’.  The show also features an original song called If I Never Got to Tell You, with lyrics by Gloria Estefan and music by her daughter Emily.

It will be directed by two-time Tony Award® winner Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde), with choreography by Olivier Award-winner Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys) and book by Academy Award® winner Alexander Dinelaris (Birdman).
  
Gloria Estefan said: “The UK has not only been an important source of beautiful music for our world, but has also played an integral role in my own personal musical history. To have our life story playing on the stage of the iconic London Coliseum is a dream I could never have imagined coming true. I am thrilled and excited beyond words!”

Producer Jamie Wilson added: “After watching On Your Feet! on Broadway three years ago, we immediately knew we wanted to bring the show to the UK. The story of how Emilio and Gloria brought their music from Cuba to Miami and the world is truly inspirational. We can’t wait for UK audiences to watch, enjoy and have fun at On Your Feet!”

Buy tickets for On You Feet! at the Coliseum

Open Auditions for tour of Motown the Musical

The producers of  Motown the Musical are looking for  child and adult actors to star in the first ever UK tour which begins in Birmingham on 11th October playing  in venues across the country until late 2019, whilst the show continues to play at Shaftesbury Theatre in London’s West End.

Open auditions are being held in  Manchester  on Saturday, June 16th on stage at Manchester Opera House and Sunday, June 17th at the workshop spaces in Birmingham Conservatoire. 

The children’s auditions will be from 10am - 1pm with registration from 9:00am to 10:00am : The producers are looking for black and mixed-race boys, aged between 8-13 with unbroken voices and under 4’11” to play Michael Jackson, little Stevie Wonder and little Berry Gordy. Children will be taught a short dance routine and the song I Want You Back.

All attending are advised to bring trainers, comfortable clothes to dance in and plenty of water.

The adult auditions will be from 2:00pm to 5:00pm with registration from 1:00pm to 2:00pm. Producers are  looking for black and mixed-race male and female singers aged over 18 to portray the iconic stars of the Motown era.They must have a fantastic singing voice with dance/movement and acting skills and need to prepare two Motown songs with the sheet music (no backing tracks) and bring a CV and recent photograph/headshot.

Charles Randolph-Wright, Director of the show said: “Not only will you get to play Michael Jackson, you will also step into the shoes of young Berry Gordy and Stevie Wonder. We are looking for boys who have excellent singing and acting skills and of course, you must also be able to move like Michael!”

Natalie Gallacher at Pippa Ailion Casting, Casting Director of Motown the Musical said: “Since we opened the show in London we have had the pleasure of working with some great children. We are now looking for the next group of boys from across the UK to join us in our brand-new tour to play one of the most iconic roles in the music industry, Michael Jackson.If you are male, black or mixed race, aged 8 to 13 years old, then we would love to see you at our open auditions. We are also always excite d to find brand new undiscovered talent for our adult company. If you’re black or mixed race, aged over 18 and have a passion for singing and performing we’d love to see you”.

Tour of Bridget Jones's Diary In Concert - Film with Live Orchestra

The film Bridget Jones's Diary to tour UK with 60-piece live orchestra performing Patrick Doyle's score as the film is screened.  The tour starts in November and visits Glasgow, Edinburgh, London, Birmingham and Manchester.

The popular  2001 film is based on the novel of the same by Helen Fielding and follows the neurotic 32 year-old Londoner Bridget Jones  (Renee Zellweger) and her love triangle with her boss (played by Hugh Grant) and a disagreeable acquaintance (Colin Firth). It has since grossed over $280million worldwide, saw Zellweger receive an Academy Award nomination and spawned two sequels.

This latest announcement follows similar treatments of movies including Harry Potter, Love Actually, Beauty and the Beast and La La Land.

 Buy  tickets at the following venues

• Glasgow Royal Concert Hall - Friday 2nd November  
• Edinburgh Usher Hall - Saturday 3rd November 
• London Apollo Victoria Theatre - Sunday 4th November
• Birmingham Symphony Hall . Monday 5th November
• Manchester Bridgewater Hall - Tuesday 6th November

Full Company for Chichester's Me And My Girl

The full company has been announced for the upcoming revival of Me and My Girl at Chichester Festival Theatre. The new staging of the musical comedy is directed by Daniel Evans, with choreography from Alistair David and it runs from from July 2nd-August 25th, with a  press night on 9th July.  

Joining the already announced Matt Lucas as Bill Snibson, Caroline Quentin as the Duchess of Dene, Clive Rowe as Sir John Tremayne and Alex Young as Sally are Lydia Bannister, Ronan Burns, Jennie Dale, Jacqui Dubois, Davide Fienauri, Lauren Hall, Siubhan Harrison (as Lady Jacqueline Carstone), Matt Harrop, Victoria Hinde, Melissa Lowe, Dominic Marsh (as The Hon Gerald Bolingbroke), Natasha Mould, Ryan Pidgen, Pippa Raine, Emile Ruddock, Charlotte Scott, Jak Skelly, Monica Swayne, Oliver Tester and Toyan Thomas-Browne. 

The musical is set in Hampshire, Mayfair, and Lambeth in the late 1930s and tells the story of an unrefined cockney gentleman named Bill Snibson, who inherits a fortune when he learns that he is the 14th heir to the Earl of Hareford. It won an Olivier Award and features numbers including "Leaning on a Lamppost", "The Sun Has Got His Hat On", "The Lambeth Walk" and "Me and My Girl". 

Wicked! London 2018/19 cast announcement

Chris Jarman (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) will join the West End cast of Wicked! as Doctor Dillamond this summer, taking over from Martin Ball who leaves on 21st July.

The full cast for the coming year of the long-running West End musical has now been confirmed, wiith  David Witts already announced as the new Fiyero, replacing Bradley Jaden this summer. Current cast member Rosa O'Reilly will also take over the role of Nessarose.

Jaden, Sarah McNicholas (Nessarose) and original cast member Martin Ball (Doctor Dillamond) will all play their final performances on Saturday 21st  July, with the new cast starting two days later.

Alice Fearn (Elphaba) and Sophie Evans (Glinda) will continue in their roles, alongside Melanie La Barrie (Madame Morrible), Andy Hockley (The Wizard), Jack Lansbury (Boq), Laura Pick (standby for Elphaba), Carina Gillespie and Maria Coyne (both standby for Glinda).

The cast is completed by Jennie Abbotts, Meg Astin, Rebecca Botterill, Nicole Carlisle, Conor Crown, Jonathan David Dudley, Lewis Easter, Kerry Enright, Aimée Fisher, André Fabien Francis, Chris George, Tom Andrew Hargreaves, Maggie Lynne, Carl Man, Rhidian Marc, James McHugh, Ellie Mitchell, Sam Robinson, Scott Sutcliffe, Genevieve Taylor, Paulo Teixeira, Samantha Thomas, Libby Watts, Bryony Whitfield, Chiarina Woodall and Tom Woollaston.

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The Greatest Showman to be turned into Broadway musical?

According to The Sun's Dan Wootton this morning,  after being written off as a flop by filmgoers  and critics after just seven days in cinemas,  HUGH JACKMAN’s The Greatest Showman American period musical drama will continue to thrive as a major stage musical.

The film which was written by Jenny Bicks and Bill Condon, has stars including Keala Settle, Zendaya, Hugh Jackman, Michael Gracey and Zac Efron.  Wootton says there have been discussions at the Cannes Film Festival  about a Broadway production of the show, which is  being secretly worked on by the brains behind the movie. Plans were put on ice before the movie’s release – as analysts wrongly predicted a box office failure. But now there is  movement behind-the-scenes to bring now iconic songs like This Is Me, Never Enough and Rewrite the Stars to the stage,  as the film’s soundtrack returns to the top of the UK chart yesterday.

It is hoped Hugh Jackman, who is passionate about the movie, will be coaxed back to Broadway to reprise his role as P T Barnum with  Keala Settle who was plucked from Broadway obscurity to play the bearded lady in the movie seeming an obvious choice to join him. Apparently plans for the movie to be adapted for the stage are to take priority over any spin off's or sequels. With The Greatest Showman being work-shopped for ten weeks before filming in  preparation of a theatre show.

Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein will close at the Garrick Theatre on 25 August prior to release of West End recording and 2019 tour

Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein is to close at the Garrick Theatre on 25th  August (it was booking until the end of September) after a year in the West End.

The production will then embark on a major UK national tour from September 2019 it has been announced today.

Also announced is an Original West End Cast Recording. Recorded live at the Garrick Theatre over several performances earlier this year, it will be released through all usual outlets in July.

Full venue details and dates for the tour will be announced later this year when tickets go on sale.

On the announcement, Brooks said: "Thank you London audiences for embracing Young Frankenstein and for making us such a smash hit in the West End. I'm so happy that soon the rest of the UK will get a chance to see it... so see it before you die or you'll regret it forever!"

Cast changes announced for Aladdin

From Monday 4th June fourteen new cast members are joining the West End production of Aladdin, which is about to celebrate its second birthday at the Prince Edward Theatre.

Joining current cast members Matthew Croke (Aladdin), Jade Ewen (Jasmine), Trevor Dion Nicholas (Genie), Leon Craig (Babkak), Irvine Iqbal (Sultan) and Daniel de Bourg (Kassim) will be Fred Johanson  as Jafar and Julian Capolei  as Omar. Jermaine Woods will take on the role of Iago, having previously covered the role.

Fred Johanson's previous theatre credits include Pontius Pilate in Jesus Christ Superstar (National and European Tours, Lyceum Theatre, London, Gothenburg Operahouse and Gotalejon Stockhold); Javert in Les Miserables (Malmo Opera House and Copenhangen); Father in Children of Eden (Orebro Pastorat); Jack Favell in Rebecca (Malmo Opera House); Peron in Evita (Malmo Opera House); the title role in The Alchemist (Opera Kristiansun) and Max in Sunset Boulevard (Gothenburg Opera). Fred is also a composer/songwriter and has written his own material as well as writing for other artists including Frida (ABBA), Steve Balsamo, Meja and Jo O'Meara. He wrote a hit single for the Australian Popstars, Scandal'Us, which topped the charts at No.1 for three weeks and went Double Platinum together with the follow-up album that went Platinum.

Jermaine Woods has previously had roles in Bugsy Malone (Lyric Hammersmith); The Lion King (UK Tour and Lyceum Theatre, West End); Coppelia (White Rock Theatre, Hastings) and All England Dance (Peacock Theatre, London). On screen Jermaine has appeared in Born to Shine (ITV/Kewwhizz); CBeebies (CBBC); As the Bell Rings (Disney Channel); Coming Down the Mountain (BBC); Yo Gabba Gabba!; The Fountain; Lewis (ITV); Miss Marple (Granada Television) and The Paul O'Grady Show (Channel 4).

Julian Capolei will make his West End debut as Omar. Previous stage productions include Tommy (UK Tour); Sinbad The Sailor (Theatre Royal Stratford East) and Peter Pan (Derby Theatre).


The full 2018/19 cast will include: Koko Basigara, Robertina Bonano, Danny Becker, Angeline Bell, Bianca Cordice, Abigail Climer, Leon Craig, Daniel de Bourg, Nolan Edwards, Melanie Elizabeth, Nordine Ezzahr, Antony Hewitt, Irvine Iqbal, Blythe Jandoo, Abigail Johnson, Travis Kerry, Dann Kharsa, Victoria Layzell, Mitch Leow, Oliver Lidert, Phil Mennell, Richard Murphy, Ian Oswald, Tarisha Rommick, Kyle Seeley, Dominic Sibanda, Ricardo Spriggs, Joshua Steel, Kevin Stephen-Jones, Kayleigh Thandani, Justin Thomas, Damien Winchester and Niko Wirachman.

New tour of A Night At The Musicals Starring Kerry Ellis, Ray Quinn And Lucie Jones

The Novello Orchestra is too Tour The UK in November with A Night At The Musicals starring Kerry Ellis, Ray Quinn and  Lucie Jones

The musicals spectacular led by David Mahoney will feature The Novello Orchestra and a star-studded line up will including Kerry Ellis (whose credits include Wicked and Les Misérables), Dancing on Ice winner and X Factor star Ray Quinn (Grease, Summer Holiday), and Lucie Jones (Legally Blonde, Ghost, Rent, We Will Rock You), fresh from representing the UK in last year's Eurovision Song Contest.

The celebration of musical theatre will feature show-stopping songs from Wicked, Les Misérables, Chicago, Hairspray, Miss Saigon and many more.

The show will visit:

•     Cardiff St Davids Hall - Monday 5 November     

•     Southend Cliffs Pavilion Tuesday 6 November

•     Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre - Wednesday 7 November

•     Oxford New Theatre - Thursday 8 November

•     Llandudno, Venue Cymru - Friday 9th November

•     Southport Theatre - Saturday 10th November

•     Newcastle City Hall -  Monday 12th November

Buy tickets for A Night at the Musicals

Cast announced for new tour of Let It Be Beatles Musical

The cast has just been announced for Let It Be: A Celebration Of The Music Of The Beatles which returns to the UK for a national tour starting in Summer 2018.

West End producer Mark Goucher has struck a deal with Canadian Producer Jeff Parry to take over the commercial running of the worldwide hit Beatles musical. Goucher, also CEO at The Everyman Theatre Cheltenham will launch the brand-new production at Wales Millennium Centre in August, which will lead onto a tie up with German producer’s BB for an extended tour in Germany. It is also hoped that the show will return to a London theatre in late 2018 or early 2019.

Today, the talented cast who will portray the Fab Four in the show has been revealed – coinciding with the 48th anniversary of Let It Be the album, which was released on 8 May 1970.Michael Gagliano  will play John Lennon; Emanuele Angeletti is Paul McCartney; John Brosnan is George Harrison and Ben Cullingworth is Ringo Starr. The band will be joined on stage throughout the tour by musical director Michael Bramwell on keyboards.

Producer Jeff Parry said our strong cast of  Michael, Emanuele, John and Ben, along with musical director Michael are going to give audiences a show they have never experienced before – The Beatles’ concert that never was. Developing the show with the new Part II has been a complete labour of love and I am so excited to now introduce this brand new element to UK fans

Cast changes announced for the MAMMA MIA! International Tour

Full casting has been announced for the MAMMA MIA! International tour. With effect from 31st May 2018 Shona White will star as (Donna Sheridan) with Nicky Swift (Rosie), Helen Anker (Tanya), Tamlyn Henderson (Sam Carmichael), Daniel Crowder (Harry Bright), Matthew Rutherford (Bill Austin), Lucy May Barker (Sophie Sheridan), Phillip Ryan (Sky), Leisha Mollyneaux (Ali), Lottie Henshall (Lisa), Matt Jordan-Pidgeon (Pepper) and Michael Nelson (Eddie). At certain performances the role of Donna Sheridan will be played by Natalie Langston.

Completing the cast are Tom Bainbridge, Devon Braithwaite, Ambra Caserotti, Áine Curran, Martin Dickinson, Tilly Ford, Courtney George, Sarah Harlington, Samuel Hawkins, Luke Jasztal, Matt Kennedy, Stacey Leanne Mills, Hollie Nelson, Matthew Ronchetti, Ellie Rutherford, Jaydon Vijn and Jamie Wilkin.

Full cast announced for Moulin Rouge on Broadway

The Broadway-bound production of Moulin Rouge! The Musical has announced its  principal cast ahead of its out-of-town tryout engagement early this summer at Boston's Emerson Colonial Theatre frm June 27th-August 5th. Opening night is set for July 22nd.

Karen Olivo, Aaron Tveit and Danny Burstein will lead Alex Timbers' production, stepping into roles played onscreen by Nicole Kidman, Ewan McGregor and Jim Broadbent, respectively.

Karen Olivo, is a 2009 Tony winner for West Side Story and a veteran of Lin-Manuel Miranda's musicals In the Heights and Hamilton, will star as Satine, the tragic Parisian nightclub chanteuse and courtesan that Nicole Kidman played in Baz Luhrmann's original movie.

Stepping into the Ewan McGregor role of lovesick writer Christian is Aaron Tveit, seen on Broadway in Catch Me If You Can and Next to Normal, in the film version of Les Miserables and on television in the CBS comic thriller Braindead and Fox's Grease: Live.

Six-time Tony Award nominee Danny Burstein, whose extensive Broadway credits include Cabaret, Follies, Fiddler on the Roof and South Pacific, will star as nefarious nightclub impresario Harold Zidler, played by Jim Broadbent in the film.

Also joining the cast are Sahr Ngaujah (Fela!) as starving artist Toulouse-Lautrec, Ricky Rojas as tango-dancing gigolo Santiago, Robyn Hunter as jealous showgirl Nini and Tam Mutu as the Duke of Monroth, the wealthy club patron determined to buy Satine's love.They will be joined by ensemble members Jacqueline Arnold, Olutayo Bosede, Kyle Brown, Sam Cahn, Joe Carroll, Max Clayton, Natalie Cortez, Jennifer Florentino, Paloma Garcia-Lee, Bahiyah Hibah, Ericka Hunter, Holly James,Brandon Leffler, Reed Luplau, Jeigh Madjus, Daniel Maldonado, Morgan Marcell, Brandt Martinez, Jodi McFadden, Kevyn Morrow, Fred Odgaard, Dylan Paul, Khori Petinaud, and Benjamin Rivera.

While no Broadway plans have been confirmed, the show is expected to move to New York some time next season.

Set among bohemians and aristocrats in the Montmartre Quarter of Paris at the close of the 19th century, Moulin Rouge! The Musical features a book by John Logan and choreography by Sonya Tayeh. The design team includes Derek McLane (sets), Catherine Zuber (costumes), Justin Townsend (lighting) and Peter Hylenski (sound). As in Luhrmann's 2001 movie, the musical's score will comprise popular tunes from across the last 50 years, including a number of songs heard in the Fox film.

The show is produced by Australian company Global Creatures, which also has King Kong heading for Broadway later this year  and another musical based on a Luhrmann film, Strictly Ballroom, currently running in London's West End. Executive producer on Moulin Rouge! The Musical is Bill Damaschke, formerly of DreamWorks Animation.

Ahead of the cast announcement, the musical has  released a video  featuring the love story’s signature tune, “Come What May,”  performed by Aaron Tveit.

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New cast for Les Miserables London from 11th June

From Monday 11 June 2018, there are some major cast changes at the West End production of LES MISÉRABLES at the Queen’s Theatre, which is now in its record breaking 33rd year.

Cameron Mackintosh has announced that Dean Chisnall will star as ‘Jean Valjean’; Toby Miles as ‘Marius’; Elena Skye as ‘Eponine’; Vivien Parry as ‘Madame Thénardier’ and Amara Okereke as ‘Cosette’. Continuing in their roles are Steven Meo as ‘Thénardier’ and Carley Stenson as ‘Fantine’.
David Thaxton continues to play the role of ‘Javert’ until Saturday 21 July, with Bradley Jaden takinbg over the role from Monday 23rd July.


From Monday 11 June 2018 the company will be: Tegan Bannister; Emma Barr; Adam Bayjou; Ciarán Bowling; Oliver Brenin; Dean Chisnall; Grace Farrell; Sophie-May Feek; Adam Filipe; Antony Hanson; Sam Harrison; Barnaby Hughes; James Hume; Ciaran Joyce; Katie Kerr; Rebecca Lafferty; Sarah Lark, Hannah Grace Lawson; Jessica Lee; Jo Loxton; Anna McGarahan; Steven Meo; Toby Miles; James Nicholson; Amara Okereke; Vivien Parry; Carley Stenson; Elena Skye; David Thaxton; Ben Tyler; Joe Vetch; Raymond Walsh and Andrew York. Further casting to be announced soon.

Dean Chisnall’s most recent theatre credits include the UK tour of “Blood Brothers” “The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 ¾ The Musical” at the Menier Chocolate Factory; “Working” at the Southwark Playhouse; “Shrek” at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane and UK tour; “Love Never Dies” at the Adelphi Theatre; “La Cage Aux Folles” at the Playhouse Theatre and “Never Forget” at the Savoy Theatre.

Bradley Jaden is currently appearing as ‘Fiyero’ in “Wicked” at the Victoria Apollo Theatre.  He returns to “Les Misérables” at the Queen’s Theatre having originally played ‘Enjolras’ in the 30th Anniversary cast. His other theatre credits include: the UK tour of “Ghost The Musical”; “Shrek The Musical” at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane; “The Blues Brothers” at the Edinburgh Festival and Stiles and Drewe’s “Peter Pan” at the West Yorkshire Playhouse.  His TV credits include “Emmerdale” on ITV and “Sugar Rush” on Channel 4.

Toby Miles has recently graduated from Arts Educational Schools, London and will be making his professional and West End debut in the role of ‘Marius’.

Elena Skye has just finished playing the role of ‘Lauren’ in “Kinky Boots” at the Adelphi Theatre having made her West End debut in the production in 2016.

Vivien Parry’s most recent theatre credits include: “Half A Sixpence” at the Noël Coward Theatre, “A Christmas Carol”, “Twelfth Night”, A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, and “The Shoemaker’s Holiday” for the Royal Shakespeare Company; “The Girls” UK tour and “Top Hat” at the Aldwych Theatre. Other previous West End credits include: “Mamma Mia!” at the Prince of Wales Theatre; “Fame” at the Cambridge Theatre and “Blood Brothers” at the Phoenix Theatre. Her film credits include Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” in 2017.

Amara Okereke trained at Arts Educational Schools, London and The National Youth Music Theatre.  Her theatre credits for the National Youth Music Theatre include: “The Hired Man” at The Other Palace; “West Side Story” at Manchester Warehouse and “13 The Musical” at the Apollo Theatre.

Carley Stenson’s West End credits include 'Elle Woods' in “Legally Blonde”, 'Princess Fiona' in “Shrek The Musical” and 'Lady of the Lake' in “Spamalot”. Carley also starred as 'Christine Colgate' in the tour of “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels”. She is probably best known for playing the regular role of 'Steph Cunningham' in Channel 4’s Hollyoaks, for which she was nominated for several awards during her 10 years with the show.

Steven Meo’s previous theatre credits include “Pride & Prejudice” at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and on UK tour; “The Taming of the Shrew”, “Boeing Boeing”, “Portrait of the Artist as a Young Dog” all for Theatre Clwyd; “The Distance” for Sheffield Crucible/Orange Tree Theatre and “Flesh and Blood” for Hampstead Theatre and on tour.

David Thaxton previously played ‘Javert’ in 2014, and has also played the role of ‘Enjolras’ in “Les Misérables” at the Queen’s Theatre. His additional theatre credits include ‘Giorgio’ in “Passion” at the Donmar Warehouse, for which he won an Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical, ‘Pilate’ in “Jesus Christ Superstar” at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, ‘Raoul’ in “Love Never Dies” at the Adelphi and ‘Major John Howard’ in “Only The Brave” at Wales Millennium Centre.

Matt Henry, Ryan Molloy, Rachel Tucker Kerry Ellis among stars in concert Live at Zedel

Live At Zédel has just announced its 2018 summer season which will feature intimate concerts with a host of West End stars including  Kinky Boots star Matt Henry's solo debut concert (12 June), Emma Kingston (17 June), Nadim Naaman (18 and 19 June), Ryan Molloy (20 June), Summer and Zizi Strallen (24 June), Rebecca Trehearn and Sandra Marvin (15 July, 7pm), Celinde Schoenmaker (15 July, 9.30pm), Kimberley Walsh (23 July), Trevor Dion Nicholas (12 August), Amy Lennox and Summer Strallen (9 September), Shanay Holmes (19 September), and Jake Brunger and Pippa Cleary (21 September).

Earlier in the season, Rachel Tucker (7 May) returns to the venue following her sold-out concert last year. On 12 May, Bend it Like Beckham actress Lauren Samuels will star in A Celebration of the Life and Works of Burt Bacharach on the music legend's 90th birthday. She will be joined by Classical Brit Award nominee Laura Wright and singer-songwriter AJ Brown.

Wicked star Kerry Ellis will also have a three-week residency in September to celebrate the 20th anniversary since her London stage debut.

As well as solo concerts, Crazy Coqs will host Alexander S Bermange's I Wish My Life Were Like a Musical, which returns for two weeks in August following its premiere in April. Lyricist Mark Petty will host Crazy Coqs Presents a new series of shows with a different musical theme including Classic Songs from the Musicals (10 June), Pride at the Musicals (7 July) and The Disney Show (11 August).

Composer Joe Stilgoe will also return for his summer residency with guests including Rufus Hound, Sharon D Clarke, Louise Dearman, Emma Hatton, Julian Ovenden and Clive Rowe.

Tickets for Live at Zedel

David Witts taking over as Fiyero in Wicked

The West End musical Wicked has just announced new casting, with David Witts (best known for playing Joey Branning in BBC's EastEnders)  joining the cast as Fiyero from 23rd July. He will be taking over from Bradley Jaden who plays his final performance on Saturday 21 July 2018.

Witts' stage credits include Hairspray at Curve, Leicester. On US TV, his credits include Recovery Road and I Ship It and on the big screen, he also completed filming An Unpleasant Surprise and Pride and Prejudice, Cut.

On being cast in Wicked, he said: After three amazing years living and working in Los Angeles, I am excited to be getting back on stage again and to be coming home to make my West End debut in the incredible musical Wicked. I can't wait to start rehearsals and to join everyone at the Apollo Victoria Theatre from 23 July.

David Walliams Gangsta Granny tour moves into Harold Pinter Theatre in August

The Birmingham Stage Company has just  announced the return of their smash-hit adaptation of David Walliams's bestselling book, Gangsta Granny, to the West End. 

The Olivier Award and UK Theatre Award nominated production opens at the Harold Pinter Theatre for a limited two week run, from 14-26 August.

Children needed for tour of Nativity! the Musical

The tour of  NATIVITY! THE MUSICAL is  searching  for children across the UK to audition for the 2018 UK tour as  children from Oakmoor School.

Auditions will be held in, Liverpool on 30 May, Oxford 9 June, Stoke 16 June, Milton Keynes 30 June, Coventry 7 July, Nottingham 21 July and London 14 July. Auditions for both Edinburgh and Glasgow will be held in Edinburgh on the 23 June (children will need to be available to play both venues).

All children auditioning must be characterful but disciplined with strong singing, acting and movement skills and with a passion for performing

To audition, children must be pre-registered with Keston and Keston the Children’s Regional Casting Directors via the iOS App ‘Keston Casting- downloadable’ which can be downloaded for free via the app store or registration can be via the website www.kestonandkestoncasting.com

•     Children must be age 9-12 years old by 1st September 2018
•     Strictly no taller than 4ft 7inches
•     must live within 45 miles commute to the venue and be available to perform the playing    dates of the venue they are auditioning for – tour dates listed here 

All children who fall within the criteria above will be sent an invite with full information and the location for the audition   

NATIVITY! THE MUSICAL is written and directed by the creator and director of the blockbuster film series, Debbie Isitt. Debbie said todayWe are looking for characterful but disciplined children who can 'act' as snobby and superior and yet have a sense of fun and can give over the top performances if required.  We need the children to have good movement ability - marching, basic choreography and have excellent posture.  They should also be able to sing confidently, have basic acting ability and enjoy performing.

Full cast announced for tour of Calendar Girls the Musical

At a press launch yesterday hosted by Gary Barlow and Tim Firth   in the beautiful village of Burnsall in the Yorkshire Dales, the new cast of CALENDAR GIRLS The Musical met  with the original Calendar Girls for the first time

The new production, which will tour nearly every theatre in the British Isles, is already breaking box office records, opening  at the Leeds Grand Theatre on 16th  August 2018. The full cast is Denise Welch (Celia), Sara Crowe (Ruth), Lorraine Bruce (Cora), Fern Britton (Marie), Karen Dunbar (Cora), Anna Jane Casey (Annie), Rebecca Storm (Chris), and Ruth Madoc (Jessie).Joining them will be Phil Corbitt as John, Ian Mercer as Rod, Sebastian Aberneri as Colin, Alan Stocks as Denis, Pauline Daniels as Lady Cravenshire, Ellie Leah as Miss Wilson, Catherine Digges as Miss Wilson, Danny Howker as Danny and Tyler Dobbs as Tommo.