More casting news for The Prince of Egypt

Further casting has been announced for the West End run of THE PRINCE OF EGYPT which starts previews at the Dominion Theatre on 5th February next year,  

Joining the previously announced Luke Brady (Moses), Liam Tamne (Ramses), Christine Allado (Tzipporah) and Alexia Khadime (Miriam) are Joe Dixon (Seti), Debbie Kurup (Queen Tuya), Gary Wilmot (Jethro), Adam Pearce (Hotep), Tanisha Spring (Nefertari) and Silas Wyatt-Barke (Aaron). 
 

More  casting is still to be announced.

David Thaxton joining cast of Come From Away London

David Thaxton is to join the cast of Come From Away at London's Phoenix Theatre taking over the role of Kevin T/Garth and Others from David Shannon from 9th September.

Thaxton is best known for the Phantom of the Opera, as well as his Olivier-winning role in Passion. Other West End credits include Les Misérables, Love Never Dies, and Jesus Christ Superstar.
 

He joins a cast that includes Jenna Boyd (Beulah and others), Nathanael Campbell (Bob and others), Clive Carter (Claude and others), Mary Doherty (Bonnie and others), Robert Hands (Nick, Doug and others), Helen Hobson (Diane and others), Jonathan Andrew Hume (Kevin J, Ali and others), Harry Morrison (Oz and others), Emma Salvo(Janice and others), Cat Simmons (Hannah and others) and Rachel Tucker (Beverley, Annette and others) with Chiara Baronti, Mark Dugdale, Bob Harms, Kirsty Malpass, Tania Mathurin, Alexander McMorran, Brandon Lee Sears and Jennifer Tierney.

The hit musical recently announced an extension to its run in the West End until 15th February 2020.

New cast for Dolly Parton's 9 to 5 Musical in London

A cast change has just been announced for Dolly Parton's  9 to 5  Musical in London  Chelsea Halfpenny (pictured) will be the  new Judy from 27th August. She will play the role from 27th-29yh August and will be full time from Tuesday 2nd September.  Bonnie Langford, Brian Conley, Caroline Sheen and Natalie McQueen will extend their runs as ‘Roz Keith’, ‘Franklin Hart Jnr’, ‘Violet Newstead’ and ‘Doralee Rhodes’. Bonnie, Caroline and Natalie will all appear in the show until 11th January 2020 and Brian will appear in the show until 30 November 2019.

Chelsea Halfpenny began her career in the popular children’s television series ‘Byker Grove’. She appeared as Amy Wyatt in ‘Emmerdale’ for three years and was most recently seen as Alice Munroe in ‘Casualty’, a part she played for four years. 9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL marks Chelsea’s West End debut.

From 2 September, the cast at the Savoy Theatre will include Victoria Anderson, Alexander Bartles, Simon Campbell, Alexander Day, Rhiane Drummond, Demmileigh Foster, Molly-May Gardiner, Llandyll Gove,  Ben Irish, Jenny Legg, Natasha Mould, Jon Reynolds, James Royden-Lyley, Giles Surridge, Antoine Thomas-Sturge, Richard Taylor-Woods, Sasha Wareham and Emily Woodford.

The show is booking in London until 4th April 2020 and embarks on an extensive UK tour  which kicks off in Birmingham on 4th September. 

Casting announced for the tour of Dolly Parton's 9 to 5 Musical

Casting has just been announced for the tour of Dolly Parton's 9 to 5 Musical  which opens at Birmingham's Alexandra Theatre on  6th September.

Direct from the West End  production, Louise Redknapp and Amber Davies will reprise their roles as ‘Violet Newstead’ and ‘Judy Bernly’  with Amber playing every venue and Louise playing six venues: Manchester, Milton Keynes, Liverpool, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dublin.  Caroline Sheen will play the role of ‘Violet Newstead’ in Cardiff with Laura Tyrer playing the role for the remainder of tour.

Also joining them from the original West End production, Sean Needham and Lucinda Lawrence will play ‘Franklin Hart Jr’ and ‘Roz Keith’ with Brian Conley making a special appearance as ‘Franklin Hart Jnr’ in Milton Keynes.They will be joined by Georgina Castle as ‘Doralee Rhodes’ the role made famous by Dolly Parton.
 

Louise Redknapp has recently turned her musical talents to the stage and previously appeared as Sally Bowles’ in the national tour of “Cabaret”. Most recently Louise played the lead role of ‘Violet Newstead’ in the West End production of “9 to 5 The Musical”.  Louise’s latest solo album will be out later this year.
 

Caroline Sheen has played many  leading roles in the West End including “Les Misérables” at the Palace and Queen’s theatres, “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” at the London Palladium, and the title role in “Mary Poppins” on tour throughout the US and the UK. Caroline is currently playing the lead role of ‘Violet Newstead’ in the West End production.

Amber Davies is best known for being the winner of the hit ITV reality series “Love Island” in 2017. Amber is currently playing the role of ‘Judy Bernly’ in the West End production.

Brian Conley is currently playing the role of ‘Franklin Hart Jnr’ in the West End production. He has many West End credits to his name including ‘Edna Turnblad’ in “Hairspray” at the Shaftesbury Theatre, ‘Caractacus Potts’ in “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” at the London Palladium, and ‘Bill’ in “Me and My Girl” at the Adelphi Theatre. His touring credits include the title role in “Barnum” and ‘Fagin’ in “Oliver!”. Brian’s ITV credits include “An Audience with Brian Conley”, “The Grimleys” and “The Brian Conley Show”.

Georgina Castle’s theatre credits include the role of ‘Sophie Sheridan’ in the West End production of “MAMMA MIA!” at the Novello Theatre, and ‘Lisa Hausman’ in the UK Tour of “Dirty Dancing”. Her television credits include BBC One’s “Doctors” and “New Tricks”.

Lucinda Lawrence’s West End credits include “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, “White Christmas” at the Dominion Theatre at “Follies in Concert” at the London Palladium. Lucinda’s further credits include “On The Town” at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and the UK Tours of “Hairspray” and “Mary Poppins”. Lucinda is currently starring in the West End production of “9 to 5 The Musical”.

Laura Tyrer’s West End theatre credits include the role of ‘Velma Kelly’ in “Chicago” at the Phoenix Theatre, “Spamalot” at the Palace Theatre. Her other credits include the UK Tours of “Thoroughly Modern Millie”, “White Christmas” and “Beauty and the Beast”.

Sean Needham’s West End credits include “Kinky Boots” at the Adelphi and “MAMMA MIA!” at the Prince of Wales. He has appeared in the UK Tours of “Our House” and “Godspell”. His television credits include ITV’s “Emmerdale”, “Crossroads” and Channel 4’s “Hollyoaks”. Sean is currently starring in the West End production..


The cast is completed by Joe Atkinson, Georgia Bradshaw, Sierra Brewerton, Ashford Campbell, Stephanie Chandos, Edward Chitticks, Conor Crown, Ross Lee Fowkes, Ryan Goscinski, Jemima Loddy, Christopher Jordan Marshall, Jacob Maynard, Matt Overfield, Kirsty Anne Shaw, Ricardo Spriggs, Leah St. Luce, and Grace Walker.

 

Louise Dearman & Tim Howar - Licence to Thrill: The Music of Bond

Bond themes from 'Diamonds are Forever' and ‘Goldfinger’ to 'Skyfall' and ‘Writing’s on the Wall’ are being performed live in concert on a tour of 8 venues with the London Concert Orchestra conducted by John Rigby and leading West End vocalists Tim Howar and Louise Dearman.

You can book now for the following dates:

• September 28th -  Royal Festival Hall London
• October 18th -  Bridgewater Hall Manchester
• October 19th -  Usher Hall Edinburgh
• October 20th -  Glasgow Royal Concert Hall Glasgow
• October 25th -  Fairfield Hall Croydon
• October 31st -  St David's Hall Cardiff
• November 3rd -  De Montfort Hall Leicester
• November 10th -  Symphony Hall Birmingham

 The programme includes: From Russia with Love, Goldfinger, Diamonds are Forever, Live and Let Die, For Your Eyes Only, Skyfall, Writing's on the Wall, Moonraker, The Man with the Golden Gun, and A View to Kill.

Toby Marlow steps in to play Catherine Parr in Six

Toby Marlow, co-creator of   hit show  Six the Musical,   took on the role of Catherine Parr at the Arts Theatre yesterday

Marlow, premiered the work alongside Lucy Moss at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2017, and played the role of the sixth Queen of Henry VIII in a concert production of the show for one night only  after a number of cast members were taken ill. The news was warmly  with Marlow thanking the audiences for "being so cool about the concert performance and the cast changes."

The show recently announced it would be going on a UK tour opening at Guildford on 24th October with casting to be announced in due course.

Michael Ball & Alfie Boe to release new album and go on stadium tour

Michael Ball and Alfie Boe are currently in  rehearsals  to star as Jean Valjean and Inspector Javert in the almost sold out all star  Les Miserables staged concert  at the Gielgud which opens next month . And Baz in the Mail has just  revealed that early next February they will  embark on a limited arena  tour around the UK with   some gigs in Japan.The pair are working on a third album (after their chart-topping Together and Together Again) which will be released in November.

Next May, Ball will reprise his award-winning performance as Baltimore housewife Edna Turnblad in Hairspray the Musical   for a limited 12 week run at the London Coliseum (one of his favourite roles which many consider his interpretation as the definitive one).

Aisha Jawando to take over the lead role in Tina — The Tina Turner Musical

Aisha Jawando (the current Tina alternate) is to take over the lead role in Tina — The Tina Turner Musical at the Aldwych Theatre from October 8th. The current lead  American Nkeki Obi-Melekwe, will join the Broadway company of of the show, playing her at  certain performances. Ashley Zhangazha will stay on in London as Ike Turner, Tina’s abusive first husband.

Ms Jawando played Turner’s sister Alline Bullock when the show first opened and  was later promoted to play the singer at some performances.

Jawando's theatre credits include: Cinderella in Cinderella (Hackney Empire), Pilar in Legally Blonde (Monaco), Carmen in The Life (Southwark Playhouse), Martha Reeve in Original London Cast of Motown (Shaftesbury Theatre), Original London Cast of Beautiful (Aldwych Theatre), Book of Mormon (Prince of Wales), Original London cast of Fela! (National Theatre), The Lion King (Lyceum theatre) and Ikette in Soul Sister (Savoy/ UK tour).

More casting news for Mary Poppins at the Prince Edward

The  Daily Mail's Baz has just revealed more casting details for Mary Poppins the Musical which starts previews at the Prince Edward Theatre in October.

Joining the previously announced  Zizi Strallen  who is again playing  the iconic role of Mary Poppins, Charlie Stemp  as Bert , Petula Clark  and Joseph Millson as Mr Banks will be ⁦Amy Griffiths  as  Mrs Winifred Banks (a loving and distracted homemaker who is busy trying to live up to her husband's desire to only associate with "the best people" and be the model wife and mother), Claire Moore as  Miss Andrew (George Banks' overbearing and scary nanny with her bottle of nasty-tasting brimstone and treacle to keep naughty children in line), Claire Machin as Mrs Brill (the overworked and harrassed housekeeper and cook) , Jack North as Robertson Ay  (the dopey and grumbling houseboy ) and  Barry James as (Admiral Boom/Bank Chairman).

The creative team, led by director Richard Eyre, co-director and choreographer Matthew Bourne and co-choreographer Stephen Mear, have cast very experienced musical theatre performers Claire Moore Phantom, Miss Saigon)  and Claire Machin (Les Misérables, Oliver! and My Fair Lady) in the key roles of Miss Andrew and Mrs Brill who both  helped put the Tim Firth and Gary Barlow musical The Girls on the map. Machin has long been associated with the Poppins show ad she  was involved in early workshops and was in the original production. And Ms Moore recorded the very first demo of Practically Perfect for Poppins.  

Jack North ( Sweeney Todd, Gypsy, Barnum) and Barry James (Oliver!, She Loves Me , Les Misérables Little Shop of Horrors, The Phantom of the Opera  Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) are also in the very impressive  company, which begins rehearsing the first week in September. 

The ensemble comprises Yves Adang, Lydia Bannister, Angeline Bell, Lydia Boulton, Matt Cox, Adam Davidson, Katie Deacon, Danielle Delys, Joshua Denyer, Stan Doughty, Glen Facey, Davide Fienauri, Ian Gareth-Jones, Mark Goldthorp, Joanna Gregory, Catherine Hannay, Jacqueline Hughes, Jason Kajdi, Sam Lathwood, Jordan Livesey, Ceili O'Connor, Malinda Parris, Alex Pinder, Ben Redfern, Rachel Spurrell, Lucie-Mae Sumner, Rhys West and Monique Young.

Casting for Jane and Michael Banks is to be revealed.

 

Andy Mace taking over from Paul Whitehouse in Only Fools and Horses musical

Andy Mace will take over the role of Grandad from Paul Whitehouse in  in Only Fools and Horses The Musical at the Haymarket Theatre from 29th July.

Whitehouse, who helped create the piece, is going  to take a break and return in a few months time, at a specific date to be confirmed. Mace has been with the show since it opened in February this year playing Mike The Barman.

Currently appearing in the show are Tom Bennett as Del Boy, Ryan Hutton as Rodney, Dianne Pilkington as Raquel, Pippa Duffy as Cassandra, Jeff Nicholson as Boycie, Samantha Seager as Marlene, Peter Baker as Trigger, Adrian Irvine as Denzil, Pete Gallagher and Adam Venue as the Driscoll Brothers, Chris Kiely as Mickey Pearce.

Cast changes for the Phantom of the Opera in September

As it approaches its 34th year, a new cast the Phantom of the Opera in London has just been announced with effect from 9th September 2019. Australian musical theatre star Josh Piterman (UK tour of Hairspray) will be making his West End debut as The Phantom.

Further casting is that  Britt Lenting will be  making her West End debut playing  Carlotta Giudicelli, while Richard Woodford (We Will Rock You) will play Monsieur André ,  Danny Whitehead will play Raoul and  Bridget Costello is the  alternate Christine Daaé.

Continuing in the show will be Kelly Mathieson as Christine Daaé, Ross Dawes as Monsieur Firmin, Jacinta Mulcahy as Madame Giry, Paul Ettore Tabone as Ubaldo Piangi, Georgia Ware as Meg Giry and Scott Davies as the standby Phantom.

The cast is completed by Zoe Arshamian, Matthew Barrow, James Butcher, Grace Castle, Sophie Caton, Sophie Cottrill, Corinne Cowling, Hadrian Delacey, Morven Douglas, Paul Erbs, Philip Griffiths, Katy Hanna, Ellen Jackson, Adam Robert Lewis, Kris Manuel, Tim Morgan, Danielle Pullum, Rebecca Ridout, Eleanor Sanderson-Nash, Anna Shircliff, Alistair So, John Stacey, Manon Taris, Andrei Teodor Iliescu, Ben Tyler, Claire Tilling, Victoria Ward and Simon Whitaker.

 Josh Piterman is an established Australian musical theatre performer and classical crossover artist. As a singer he was part of the international pop opera group, The Ten Tenors and in 2018 released his self-titled debut solo album which went to Number 1 in the Australian Classical Crossover iTunes chart. Josh’s musical theatre credits include ‘Tony’ in “West Side Story”; ‘Jamie’ in “The Last Five Years”; ‘Edward’ in “Blood Brothers”; and ‘Gerry Goffin’ in “Beautiful – The Carole King Musical”, all in his native Australia. He also played ‘Bustopher Jones/Gus/Growltiger’ in the Australian 2016 season of “Cats”, a role for which he won the Green Room Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical. Josh’s UK theatre credits include playing ‘Corny Collins’ in the UK Tour of “Hairspray”.
 

Britt Lenting's previous theatre credits include ‘Lead Vocalist’ in the UK Tour of Pasha Kovalev’s “The Magic of Hollywood”; ‘Killer Queen’ in “We Will Rock You”; ‘Enid Hoopes’ in “Legally Blonde” and ‘Prudy Pingleton’ in “Hairspray”. Britt has also been seen on television in the Dutch shows “Beat The Best” and “The Voice of Holland” and in the UK on BBC One’s “All Together Now”.
Richard Woodford’s West End theatre credits include ‘Galileo’ and ‘Khashoggi’ in “We Will Rock You” at the Dominion Theatre, ‘Grantaire’/’Factory Foreman’ in “Les Misérables” at the Queen’s Theatre; and ‘Electra’ and ‘Rusty’ in “Starlight Express” at the Apollo Victoria Theatre. Richard also appeared in the 25th Anniversary Tour of “The Phantom of the Opera”, and as ‘Gus/Growltiger/Bustopher Jones’ in the Asian tour of “Cats”, and ‘Greaseball’ and ‘Electra’ in “Starlight Express” in Bochum.

The show is also due to head on on a new UK tour starting at Leicester Curve next February.

Full cast breakdown for fully staged concert version of les Miserables

While the Queen’s Theatre is being restored, Les Miserables  will continue  for a four-month season at the Gielgud Theatre in the form of a fully staged concert version  from August 10th to  30th November starring Michael Ball as Inspector Javert and Alfie Boe as Jean Valjean (for three performances a week the role of Jean Valjean will be played by John Owen-Jones**) with  Carrie Hope Fletcher (Fantine) and Matt Lucas (M.Thenardier), Katy Secombe as Madame Thenardier, Rob Houchen as Marius and Bradley Jaden as Enjolras, Shan Ako is the street urchin, Eponine, and newcomer Lily Kerhoas will portray Valjean's ward, Cosette leading  a cast and orchestra of over 65.

They will be joined by a very strong company which includes many musical theatre stars who have previously played leading roles in the production including Simon Bowman/Bishop of Digne, Rosanna Bates/Factory Worker, Adam Bayjou/Montparnasse, Ciarán Bowling/Swing, Oliver Brenin/Swing / Dance Captain, Earl Carpenter/Bamatabois, Vinny Coyle/Feuilly, Samantha Dorsey/Whore, Tamsin Dowsett/Locket Crone, Nicola Espallardo/Factory Worker, Celia Graham/Factory Girl, Barnaby Hughes/Courfeyrac, Holly-Anne Hull/Whore, Oliver Jackson/Claquesous, Christopher Jacobsen/Warnings, Gavin James/Factory Foreman, Will Jennings/Swing, Ciaran Joyce/Joly, Katie Kerr/Madame, Sarah Lark/Assistant Dance Captain / Swing, Joanna Loxton/Assistant Dance Captain / Swing, Craig Mather/Combeferre, Stephen Matthews/Babet, James Nicholson/Jean Prouvaire, Rosa O’Reilly/Whore, Claire Parrish/Swing, Sophie Reeves/Whore, Grainne Renihan/Hair Crone, Leo Roberts/Hair Crone, Raymond Walsh/Grantaire, Gemma WardleFactory Worker, and Andrew York/Lesgles

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** John Owen-Jones performance schedule:

Monday - John Owen-Jones
Tuesday - Alfie Boe
Wednesday matinee - John Owen-Jones
Wednesday evening - Alfie Boe
Thursday - John Owen-Jones
Friday - Alfie Boe
Saturday matinee - Alfie Boe
Saturday evening - Alfie Boe
The exception to this is 28 - 31 October when Alfie Boe will be appearing in all performances and John Owen-Jones will perform on 1 and 2 November.

Please also note Michael Ball will NOT perform on 13th & 14th September and Alfie Boe will NOT perform on 14th, 15th or 16th October

Casting announced for new tour of We Will Rock You

Casting has been announced for the upcoming tour of We Will Rock You, which opens in September at the Churchill Theatre Bromley and currently finishes at the end of June in Southend.

Ian McIntosh (Beautiful) will play Galileo with  Elena Skye (Kinky Boots) as Scaramouche. Jennifer O'Leary (Heathers)/Killer Queen with Michael McKell (Macbeth) as Buddy. Adam Strong (Rock of Ages) as Khashoggi and David-Michael Johnson (Jesus Christ Superstar) will return to the show in the role of Brit. Amy di Bartolomeo (Bat Out of Hell) will play Oz.

Completing the cast will be Laura Ava-Scott, Emily Olive Boyd, Jack Chambers, Louis Clarke-Clare, Victoria Collins, Christopher D Hunt, Anna Davey, Joanne Harper, Crystal Leah, Edward Leigh, Kate Leiper, Andres Quero Marin and Sam Robinson, Sjoerd van der Meer, Jacob Fearey and Ellie Mitchell.

We Will Rock You closed in the West End in 2014. The musical originally opened in 2002 at the Dominion Theatre in London and went on to become one of the longest running musicals in West End history. A previous UK tour began in 2010 at the Palace Theatre in Manchester.

More casting news for Les Miserables Concert at the Gielgud

It  has been announced this morning that former X Factor contestant Shan Ako and newcomer Lily Kerhoas haave been cast in  the limited concert engagement of Les Miserables at the Gielgud Theatre.

Ako will play the street urchin, Eponine, while Kerhoas will portray Valjean's ward, Cosette.

They join a previously announced principal cast that includes Michael Ball (Javert), Alfie Boe (Jean Valjean),Carrie Hope Fletcher (Fantine) and Matt Lucas (Thénardier), and Katy Secombe (Madame Thénardier). For three performances a week, the role of Jean Valjean will be played by John Owen-Jones. The production will also feature an orchestra of over sixty-five musicians with a supporting company including Rosanna Bates, Adam Bayjou, Ciarán Bowling, Simon Bowman, Oliver Brenin, Earl Carpenter, Vinny Coyle, Samantha Dorsey, Tamsin Dowsett, Nicola Espallardo, Celia Graham, Barnaby Hughes, Holly-Anne Hull, Oliver Jackson, Christopher Jacobsen, Gavin James, Will Jennings, Ciaran Joyce, Katie Kerr, Sarah Lark, Joanna Loxton, Craig Mather, Stephen Matthews, James Nicholson, Rosa O'Reilly, Claire Parrish, Sophie Reeves, Grainne Renihan, Leo Roberts, Raymond Walsh, Gemma Wardle and Andrew York.

Layton Williams and Shane Richie to star in tour of Everybody's Talking About Jamie

Casting of the current West End star Layton Williams and Shane Richie has been announced for the upcoming tour of the hit musical Everybody's Talking About Jamie. Williams is set to continue in the title role, with Richie again stepping into the heels of Hugo/Loco Channelle.

The production kicks off at the Sheffield Lyceum on February 8th. 2020. before before touring the UK until the end of July  with  dates in August 2020 at the Koninklijk Theater Carre in Amsterdam.

 Everybody's Talking About Jamie  is also running at London's  Apollo Theatre where it is currently booking until January 2020. The show is also being  made into a major film by Sheffield based production company Warp Films. 

Layton Williams said: "I've loved my time in the West End but am beyond excited to be playing Jamie on tour! This will be my 6th tour and I can't wait to come back to some of my favourite venues with this beautiful show. I hope you'll welcome me back with open arms as we share this beautiful story and spread love across the U.K! See you's soon..." 

Shane Richie said: "I had such a fantastic time playing Hugo/Loco Chanelle in Everybody's Talking About Jamie in the West End, so when I was offered the chance to be involved in the touring production I jumped at the opportunity to get back into those heels! I believe this show has such an important message for younger and older generations I'm excited to be taking it to a larger audience around the UK."

Paul McCartney working on musical adaptation of It's A Wonderful Life.

According to new reports the New York Post  and some London newspapers,  music legend Paul McCartney is currently at work on a musical adaptation of the classic holiday film, It's A Wonderful Life.

The adaptation, produced by Bill Kenwright, is the first move into the theatre genre for the former Beatle with Lee Hall (Billy Elliot)  writing the book and co-writing the lyrics with McCartney.

One of the  classic Christmas movies starring James Stewart, It's A Wonderful Life tells the story of George Bailey, the nicest guy in town in a terrible predicament. When a series of bad breaks leaves George perched precariously on a bridge on the verge of suicide, his guardian angel, Clarence visits Earth to show George what his hometown Bedford Falls would be if George had never been born.

According to the Post, an early demo of the score has been making the rounds and is rooted in "musical theatre style, while still giving his diehard fans that soulful McCartney sound." And is also described as having "a bona fide lost Beatles album, with one spectacular number's rousing ending bringing to mind the "Na Na Na Na Na"s of 'Hey Jude.'

McCartney said Writing a musical is not something that had ever really appealed to me,But Bill and I met up with Lee Hall and had a chat and I found myself thinking this could be interesting and fun."

There are no current details as to when the musical would hit the stage, but it is likely to start its life in the UK before making its way to Broadway.

First casting news for The Prince of Egypt

Initial casting has been reveaved  for the UK premiere of The Prince of Egypt, which opens at the Dominion Theatre on 5th February 2020.

Luke Brady (Sweeney Todd) will take on the lead role of Moses alongside Liam Tamne (The Light in the Piazza) as Rameses, while Christine Allado (Hamilton) will play Tzipporah and Alexia Khadime (The Book of Mormon) will play Miriam.  More news on casting for the show to follow.

Luke Brady (Moses) trained at RADA and is best known for playing 'Anthony Hope' in Jonathan Kent's acclaimed production of Sondheim's Sweeney Todd (West End and Chichester Festival Theatre). His other credits include: The Merchant of Venice, Twelfth Night and The Taming of the Shrew (Shakespeare's Globe and Tour); and St George and the Dragon (National Theatre).

Liam Tamne (Rameses) most recently starred as 'Guiseppe Naccarelli' in The Light in the Piazza at the South Bank Centre. He has also appeared in: Working (Southwark Playhouse); Spamilton (Menier Chocolate Factory); The Rocky Horror Show (UK Tour); The Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables and Wicked in the West End. He appeared on The Voice (Series 2) and Eurovision: You Decide.

Christine Allado (Tzipporah) starred in the dual role of 'Peggy Schuyler' and 'Maria Reynolds' in the original London cast of Lin-Manuel Miranda's Hamilton. Her additional theatre work includes: In The Heights (Kings Cross Theatre); Here Lies Love (National Theatre); and Sweet Charity (Manchester Royal Exchange). Christine has also toured internationally with Andrea Bocelli as a guest artist and sang the role of 'Maria' in the BBC's acclaimed documentary West Side Stories: The Making of a Classic. 

Alexia Khadime (Miriam) has played leading roles in multiple West End musicals including: 'Elphaba' in Stephen Schwartz's Wicked; 'Nala' in Disney's The Lion King; 'Eponine' in Les Misérables and 'Nabulungi' in the original London cast of The Book of Mormon. Her additional theatre work includes: Welcome To Thebes (National Theatre); Ordinary Days (Trafalgar Studios); and 'Rita Marley' in One Love: The Bob Marley Musical (Birmingham Rep)

Austin Butler to Star as Elvis in Baz Luhrmann’s Biopic

It has just been announced that Austin Butler is to Star as Elvis in Baz Luhrmann’s Biopic After numerous screen tests, has been cast as Elvis Presley in Luhrmann’s next feature film for Warner Bros. The studio tested with a handful of actors in full hair and make-up at the end of June to see who would join Tom Hanks, who is playing Presley’s manager, Colonel Tom Parker.

“I knew I couldn’t make this film if the casting wasn’t absolutely right, and we searched thoroughly for an actor with the ability to evoke the singular natural movement and vocal qualities of this peerless star, but also the inner vulnerability of the artist,” Luhrmann said in a statement. “Throughout the casting process, it was an honor for me to encounter such a vast array of talent. I had heard about Austin Butler from his stand-out role opposite Denzel Washington in ‘The Iceman Cometh’ on Broadway, and through a journey of extensive screen testing and music and performance workshops, I knew unequivocally that I had found someone who could embody the spirit of one of the world’s most iconic musical figures.”

More casting news for Back to the Future Musical

More casting has been announced for Back to the Future the Musical. Joining the previously announced Olly Dobson in the show will be Hugh Coles as George McFly, Rosanna Hyland  as Lorraine Baines and Cedric Neal as Goldie Wilson.

Back to The Future - The Musical will open at the Manchester Opera House on 20th February  running until 17th May  2020 for a strictly limited 12-week season, ahead of a planned transfer to the West End.

Hugh Coles graduated from LAMDA in 2017 and landed one of the lead roles in last year's British summer movie The Festival. He most recently finished working on the BBC series Defending the Guilty, playing young barrister 'Liam' alongside Will Sharpe and Katherine Parkinson. Hugh's other screen credits include Urban Myths: The Mysterious Disappearance of Agatha Christie for Sky Arts and the final series of Doc Martin for ITV.

Rosanna Hyland's theatre credits include 'Rosalie Mullins' in School Of Rock The Musical (Gillian Lynne), 'Alice' in I'm Getting My Act Together and Taking It on the Road (Jermyn Street), 'Betty Hapschatt' in Shock Treatment (King's Head), 'Hope Cladwell' in Urinetown (Apollo), Shrek The Musical (Theatre Royal Drury Lane), Sister Act The Musical (London Palladium) and Carousel (The Savoy).

Cedric Neal most recently was a semi-finalist on The Voice UK 2019 Series. He made his West End debut as 'Berry Gordy' in the original London cast of Motown The Musical. Neal was featured as 'The Arbiter' in the first revival of Chess at London's Coliseum. He can currently be seen as 'Willie' in the Soho Theatre premiere of The View Upstairs. Other London theatre includes the critically acclaimed concert staging of Martin Smith's musical King, portraying Martin Luther King Jr., Cy Coleman's revue Rhythm Of Life (St. James's Theatre), and 'Sporting Life' in the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre Olivier nominated production of Porgy And Bess. Broadway credits include the Tony nominated After Midnight and the 2012 Tony Award-winning revival of Porgy And Bess. Television credits include The Good Guys (Fox) and Seasons 4 & 5 of the Emmy Award-winning drama Friday Night Lights (NBC-Universal). Film credits include Lost In London, which was written and produced by and starred Woody Harrelson.

Full cast joining Ramin Karimloo and Celinde Schoenmaker in Concert performance of Doctor Zhivago musical

Ramin Karimloo and Celinde Schoenmaker are to star as Dr Zhivago and Lara Guishar in  a concert performance of the musical of Doctor Zhivago which is due to take place at Cadogan Hall on 1st  September at 2.00pm and 6.30pm. 

They will be joined by  Rhys Bailey (Young Yurii, Sasha), Maisey Bawden (Olya), Isabella Djuve-Wood (Young Lara), Emma De-Anne Edwards (Anna Gromeko), Darcy Jacobs (Young Tonia), Kelly Mathieson (Tonia Gromeko), Charlie McCullagh (Pasha Antipov, Strelnikov), Matthew Woodyatt (Viktor Komarovksy), and Trinity Laban Musical Theatre as the ensemble

The piece follows Zhivago, a political idealist, poet and doctor who is torn by living a life with his wife, and the mysterious Lara Guishar.

The musical is written by Michael Weller and has music by Lucy Simon and lyrics by Michael Korie and Amy Powers. It  originally opened on Broadway in 2015 starring Tam Mutu and makes its UK concert debut in September.

Ramin Karimloo's theatre credits include Chess (The Kennedy Centre), Anastasia (Broadhurst Theatre, Broadway), Murder Ballad (Arts Theatre), Les Miserables (Imperial Theatre, Broadway - for which he was nominated for the 2014 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical; Princess of Wales Theatre, Queens Theatre, Palace Theatre), Phantom of the Opera 25th Anniversary (Royal Albert Hall), Love Never Dies (Adelphi Theatre - for which he was nominated for the 2011 Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical), Les Miserables 25th Anniversary Concert (O2 Arena), Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty's Theatre), and Miss Saigon (UK tour).

Celinde Schoenmaker's  theatre credits include The Light in the Piazza (Royal Festival Hall, and forthcoming LA Opera), Barnum (Menier Chocolate Factory), Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty's Theatre), Les Miserables (Queens Theatre). For film, her credits include Rocketman.

Moew casting news to follow.

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Casting announced for UK premiere of Angela's Ashes musical.

Casting has been announced for the UK premiere of the Angela's Ashes musical which is based on Frank McCourt's 1996 memoir of growing up in Limerick, Ireland and escaping poverty for a new life in America. The book was made into a film in 1999 by Alan Parker.

Irish musical theatre star Jacinta Whyte stars as Angela, alongside Eoin Cannon as Frank and Marty Maguire as Malachy. The full cast includes Norma Sheahan as Mrs Finucane, Amanda Minihan as Grandma, Bryan Burroughs as Quasimodo, Connor Gormley as Malachy Jnr, Fiona Browne as Nora, Michael Joseph as Billy Heffernan, David O'Meara as Uncle Pat, Mark O'Regan as Mr Griffin, Brigid Shine as Theresa Carmody and Cáit Moloney as ensemble.

The production originally opened in Belfast in 2017 and will run at the Fairfield Halls in Croydon between 24th September and 5th October. Ahead of its Croydon run the piece plays at the   Grand Opera House – Belfast September 3 - September 7 , Dublin Bord Gáis Energy Theatre September 9 - September 14  and at Cork Opera House from September 16 - September 21   

Adam Howell and Paul Hurt's musical was originally developed by Theatre Words and Uncontained Arts at the University of Derby and will be directed  by Thom Southerland with Francis O'Connor designing set and costume, lighting design by Sinead McKenna, movement direction by Ste Clough, and sound design by Jason Fallon. David Hayes is musical director and Mike Dixon is musical supervisor, with original arrangements and orchestrations by Colm Ó Foghlú and arrangements and orchestrations by Joe Csibi.

More Sunday Favourites concerts now on sale

Following the huge success of the first season of Sunday Favourites at The Other Palace,  a new series of intimate concerts have just been announced and are now on sale featuring  West End stars Aimie Atkinson (Six) - 15th September, Alice Fearn (Wicked) - 29th September , Joe McElderry (Joseph, Club Tropicana, The X Factor) - 6th October , David Hunter (Once, Waitress) - 27th October , Jason Pennycooke (Hamilton) - 3rd November & Jodie Steele (Heathers) - 17th November .

New tour of Sister Act Musical starring Brenda Edwards

Producers Jamie Wilson and Whoopi Goldberg are delighted to announce a brand new production of the smash hit musical SISTER ACT opening at Curve, Leicester on 21st April 2020, where it will play until 2 May 2020, ahead of further UK venues and a London season.

A hit musical on both sides of the Atlantic, this brand new production of SISTER ACT will star Brenda Edwards in the specially rewritten role of Deloris Van Cartier.

Brenda Edwards first came to the public’s attention when she became a semi-finalist in the 2005 series of ITV1’s The X Factor. Since then, she has become one of the most sought-after leading ladies in musical theatre. Her many West End and touring credits include Killer Queen in We Will Rock You (Dominion Theatre and original UK Tour), Mama Morton in Chicago (West End and 10th Anniversary Gala), Nettie Fowler in Carousel (London Coliseum), Pearl Pastor in Carmen Jones (Royal Festival Hall), Esta in Moby Dick (Union Theatre) and most recently Motormouth Maybelle in Hairspary (UK Tour). Brenda is also a regular panellist on ITV’s Loose Women.

Jamie Wilson said today “I am thrilled to be collaborating again with Alan Menken, Glenn Slater, Douglas Carter Beane and Whoopi Goldberg to create a new version of Sister Act, in particular reworking the part of Deloris for an older actor and I’m so pleased that the hugely talented Brenda Edwards will launch this production for us. I’m also delighted to be continuing our relationship with Curve in Leicester by developing this new production with them, and I’m equally pleased that this production will be visiting other regional theatres ahead of a London run next Summer. We will be announcing our full creative team, further casting and some more surprises this autumn!”

 Whoopi Goldberg said today “Deloris is a big fun character with lots of personality! Brenda auditioned for this show when it first happened in the UK and didn’t get the part because she was too old, so we’ve rectified that! Previous versions have had Deloris as a 23-year-old – but there are different stakes when you’re older. You can be much more irreverent when you’re older than you can be when you’re in your twenties and thirties. Time makes you funnier! I really am so thrilled Sister Act is coming back to the UK in 2020 with this new version”.







Brenda Edwards first came to the public’s attention when she became a semi-finalist in the 2005 series of ITV1’s The X Factor. Since then, she has become one of the most sought-after leading ladies in musical theatre. Her many West End and touring credits include Killer Queen in We Will Rock You (Dominion Theatre and original UK Tour), Mama Morton in Chicago (West End and 10th Anniversary Gala), Nettie Fowler in Carousel (London Coliseum), Pearl Pastor in Carmen Jones (Royal Festival Hall), Esta in Moby Dick (Union Theatre) and most recently Motormouth Maybelle in Hairspary (UK Tour). Brenda is also a regular panellist on ITV’s Loose Women.

La Clique Live in Leicester Square this Christmas

Award-winning cabaret  La Clique is to  return to the West End tis Christmas for a new run at the Leicester Square Spiegeltent. The show  ran at the London Hippodrome a decade ago, and will now perform from 8th November to 4th January as part of Underbelly's season of shows within the central London square.  La Clique Palace Orkestra,  s live house band,will accompany the performances.

Acts confirmed to perform at the event include Bernie Dieter (Little Death Club) as MC, gentleman juggler Florian Brooks, the fire-breathing, sword-swallowing Heather Holliday and aerialist Stephen Williams performing his Bath Boy act. Further acts will be announced over the coming months.

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Midlife Cowboy new British musical by Tony Hawks opens in London on 13th September

Midlife Cowboy, a new British musical by comedian and best-selling author Tony Hawks, will get its world premiere  at the Pleasance Theatre, London from Friday 13th September - Sunday 6 October, 2019. It will star Debra Stephenson,Tony Hawks Duncan Wisbey, Georgina Field and James Thackeray.

With a cast of talented actor/musicians, 'Midlife Cowboy' is tale of heartache, love, and friendship, laced with new country, blues, romantic and comedy songs. It  follows the fortunes of the members of the Swindon Country and Western Club as they bid to end many years of hurt by finally winning first prize at the prestigious Railway Museum Gala Evening - and along the way discover the true nature of heroism. But this is not just about country music. A marriage is in crisis, friendships are at risk, there is more than a sniff of infidelity in the air, and lives are changed when two new members to the club arrive and turn everything upside down.

Debra Stephenson stars as Jane, a country music-loving puppet-maker who is trying to save her failing marriage and revive their home-based Cowboy Club. Debra is one of Britain’s most talented actors and impressionists and her credits include Coronation Street, Bad Girls, Dead Ringers, The Impressions Show and most recently The Imitation Game.

Tony Hawks plays her midlife crisis suffering husband Stuart. A regular on many of BBC Radio 4’s best loved comedy programmes including Just a Minute, I’m Sorry I haven’t a Clue and The Unbelievable Truth, Tony is also one of the UK’s most successful authors having written many best-selling books including Round Ireland with a Fridge.

Duncan Wisbey (Graham) is an actor, musician and impressionist best known for Alistair McGowan’s Big Impression, Dead Ringers, Four in a Bed, The Hive and Ultimate Brain. Georgina Field’s (Penny) multiple skills have led her to perform in numerous musicals around the UK including Godspell, Salad Days, The Phantom of the Opera and Guys & Dolls.

James Thackeray (Dan) has been seen in Doctor Who and Trainspotting: Live at the 2019 Edinburgh Fringe.

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Amelie The Musical to run at The Other Palace over Christmas

Amélie the Musical is to run at The Other Palace in London over Christmas 2019 from 29th November to 1st  February

Amélie will arrive in London following its UK tour, which continues until October. It runs at The Other Palace from .

The piece will star French-Canadian performer Audrey Brisson as Amélie Poulain alongside Sophie Crawford as 'Gina' (War Horse - NT, Twelfth Night - Orange Tree), Faoileann Cunningham as 'Georgette' / 'Sylvie' (Mary Stuart - Almeida, Ulysses - Abbey Theatre), Rachel Dawson as 'Andamine' / 'Philomene' (The Jungle Book - UK Tour, A Little Night Music - The Watermill), .Oliver Grant as 'Lucien' / 'Mysterious Man' (War Horse - UK Tour, Twelfth Night - Chichester Festival Theatre), Chris Jared as 'Nino Quincampoix' (946: the Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips - Shakespeare's Globe, The Duchess of Malfi - Nottingham Playhouse), , Caolan McCarthy as 'Hippolito' / 'Elton John' (The Plough and the Stars - NT, The Beggar's Opera/Alice in Wonderland - Storyhouse), Samuel Morgan-Grahame as 'Joseph' / 'Fluffy' (Sister Act - UK Tour, All My Sons - Regent's Park Open Air Theatre), Emma Jane Morgan as 'Delphine' (Sweet Charity - The Watermill, Crazy for You - UK Tour), Kate Robson-Stuart as 'Suzanne' (Crazy For You - UK Tour, Untold Stories - Watermill Theatre), Josh Sneesby as 'Blind Beggar' (The Hypocrite & Birthday Bash - RSC, One Man, Two Guvnors - Adelphi Theatre/Theatre Royal Haymarket), Jez Unwin as Raphael / Bretodeau (Oliver - Leicester Curve, Once - Phoenix Theatre) and Johnson Willis as Collignon / Dufayel (Harold and Maude - Charing Cross Theatre, Dido Queen of Carthage & Salome - RSC Swan)

Buy pre-sale tickets for Amélie the Musical at The Other Palace

New tour of The Phantom of the Opera to hold open auditions

Open auditions to  be held in August have been announced for the upcoming UK and Ireland tour of The Phantom of the Opera, which starts in February 2020.

Auditionees should go and register at 9:00 am at the  Mountview Academy in Peckham, London on Monday 5 August 2019. Auditionees should bring a CV, a photo and sheet music.

The touring production is looking for performers of all ethnicities to play both lead and ensemble roles in the piece, with the call-out stating that BAME artists are particularly encouraged to attend. Recalls will then take place through August.

The tour opens on 24 February 2020, with any auditionees expected to be available for 18 months from 6 January 2020.

Sierra Boggess announces London Concert

West End and Broadway star Sierra Boggess has confirmed her return to London to star in a concert at Cadogan Hall on Sunday 2nd  February 2020.

Boggess originated the role of Ariel in The Little Mermaid on Broadway and has appeared as Christine Daaé in productions of both The Phantom of the Opera and Love Never Dies
Other credits include Les Misérables, which she performed for a limited season in the West End, and the original Broadway cast of School of Rock, where she played Rosalie Mullins opposite Alex Brightman.

Buy tickets for Sierra Boggess at Cadogan Hall

QUEEN SYMPHONIC UK concert dates announced

The international concert sensation QUEEN SYMPHONIC is coming to the UK next February for nine shows of Queen’s greatest hits on an epic scale!

Queen Symphonic: A Rock Orchestra Experience pays tribute to one of the UK’s greatest ever rock bands. It has been performed to sell out audiences in the UK and globally with leading orchestras including Sydney Symphony Orchestra; Tokyo Philharmonic; Atlanta Symphony Orchestra; Colorado Symphony Orchestra; The Halle; and many more.The concert was also recorded for a BBC Radio 2 ‘Friday Night Is Music Night’ special, live from the London Coliseum.

Experience the unforgettable magic of Queen, in a rock and symphonic spectacular celebrating the greatest hits of Queen and featuring four rock vocalists who starred in‘We Will Rock You’ accompaned  a five piece rock band and symphony orchestra!

 The Queen Symphony spectacular takes in the London Palladium on February 24th. The show includes full symphonic arrangements blended with a great rock band and performers honouring the greatest hits of Queen including : Bohemian Rhapsody; We Are the Champions; Crazy Little Thing Called Love and  We Will Rock You 

Below are the dates for the February 2020 Shows

15th – Birmingham Symphony Hall - with the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

16th – Glasgow Royal Concert Hall – with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra

18th – Sheffield City Hall – with the Hallam Sinfonia Orchestra

19th – Liverpool Philharmonic Hall – with the Heart of England Philharmonic Orchestra

21st – Harrogate Convention Centre Auditorium - with the Heart of England Philharmonic Orchestra

22nd – Cardiff St David’s Hall - with the Heart of England Philharmonic Orchestra

24th – London Palladium – with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra

25th – Bournemouth Pavilion – with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra

26th – Eastbourne Congress Theatre - with the Heart of England Philharmonic Orchestra


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Pretty Woman Musical sets Broadway closing date

Pretty Woman: The Musical, stage adaptation of the 1990 romantic comedy, is to play its final Broadway performance on  August 18th  at the Nederlander Theatre.

Directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell, the musical began previews July 20th, 2018 and opened on  August 16th, following a world premiere in Chicago. At the time of closing, it will have played 27 previews and 421 regular performances.

The opening-night cast included Samantha Barks as Vivian and Andy Karl as Edward. The two are continuing in the roles until 22nd July when understudy Jillian Mueller and Brennin Hunt (of Fox's Rent) will take over the roles.

The show is scheduled to come to London late next year with a West End theatre yet to be assigned.

An Evening with Bonnie Langford

Direct from London’s Savoy Theatre playing Roz in Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5 The Musical, Bonnie returns to Richmond Theatre for one night only on Friday 13th September with  her West End Musicians led by maestro Anthony England sharing songs and behind-the-scenes stories from her extensive and glittering career on stage including, Gypsy, Cats and Chicago.  Listen to both the music she has performed alongside the songs she loves, with tributes to some iconic leading ladies thrown in with a touch of Michael Buble and Stevie Wonder.

Tickets for an Evening with Bonnie Langford