Brenda Edwards and Lee Mead to star in We Will Rock You at the Dominion Theatre

 

Loose Women panellist Brenda Edwards will star alongside  Lee Mead this summer, in Queen and Ben Elton's smash-hit show We Will Rock You at the London Coliseum. The rock musical returns to London after 21 years  for a strictly limited 12-week season from 2 June - 27 August.

Brenda Edwards will star in the role of Killer Queen. She previously played the part in both the UK tour and the record-breaking Dominion Theatre run. Brenda first found fame on the second season of The X Factor, where she made it all the way to the semi-final. She has since had leading roles in hit musicals including Mama Morton in Chicago, Deloris Van Cartier in Sister Act The Musical and Motormouth Maybelle in Hairspray.

Lee Mead will star in the role of Khashoggi. As winner of the BBC One series 'Any Dream Will Do' in 2007, Lee was awarded the prize of the lead role in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. His theatre credits include Billy Flynn in Chicago, Caractacus Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Emmett Forrest in Legally Blonde and Fiyero in Wicked.

Wicked  tour has just announced lead casting for its 2023-25 tour which will play at ten cities, beginning with Edinburgh in December 2023.  Laura Pick is playing Elphaba, having previously played the role in the West End. She is set to play every venue on the tour, with further company to be revealed.

The new tour, features a cast and crew of over 82 people (as well as 20 employed in each city) will coincide with the filming and production of the two-part Wicked movie, with the big-screen versions of the show set to premiere in 2024 and 2025.

2023 will also mark the 20th anniversary of the original Broadway production, while the show is currently in its 17th year in the West End, where it has been seen by 11 million people.

 

Initial casting just announced for tour of Take That musical Greatest Days

Some initial casting has just been announced for the  tour of Take That musical Greatest Days which opens in May in Bromley

The musical, originally titled The Band, will embark on a major UK and Ireland tour to coincide with the summer 2023 release of the official movie version of the show, starring Aisling Bea and Jayde Adams.

It follows a group of friends who reunite and revel in their mutual love for the same boy band, and features Take That tunes including "Never Forget" and "Pray".

Actress and singer Kym Marsh and her daughter Emilie Cunliffe (who has appeared on Britain's Got Talent and The Voice) will star as Rachel and Young Rachel respectively.

Marsh said: "I'm delighted to be returning to theatre and joining the cast of Greatest Days. I was in my early 20s when Take That were at the height of their fame and, of course, I was a huge Take That fan – who wasn't?Their music takes me back to so many special times in my life as it will for so many other people. I'm thrilled to be working with my daughter, Emilie, too. She's a real talent and I can't wait to share the stage with her. Greatest Days is a wonderful, uplifting show with iconic music, a great storyline and I know people will love it."

Emilie added "I'm really excited to be joining the cast of Greatest Days. I grew up listening to Take That with mum, so what an honour it is to be part of this brilliant musical celebrating their music. I'm really close to my mum and getting to work with her is a dream come true."

First casting for tour of Shrek the Musical

Based on the Oscar®-winning DreamWorks Animated film, Shrek the Musical returns to the stage in a newly imagined production on a new UK tour from July 2023. Directed and choreographed by Nick Winston and Samuel Holmes with design by Phil Whitcomb, it is produced by Mark Goucher and will open at Theatre Royal Plymouth on 21st July-

First casting news is that Anthony Lawrence (The Lion King tour, Matilda the Musical) is Shrek, alongside Joanne Clifton (Strictly Come Dancing, Windfall, The Addams Family) as Fiona. Also cast are Brandon Lee Sears (Dreamgirls, Be More Chill, Come From Away) as Donkey with James Gillan (Everybody's Talking About Jamie), playing Lord Faquaad.

Jason Manford and Ashley Banjo revealed as first Wizard of Oz cast members at the Palladium

The first names appearing in the Wizard of Oz production at the London Palladium were revealed on Zoe Ball´s BBC Breakfast Show this morning

Comedian and performer Jason Manford (Seeney Todd. Guys & Dolls, Curtains, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) will play The Cowardly Lion in the West End run of Nikolai Foster's production , while Diversity star Ashley Banjo will make his West End musical debut as The Tin Man. 

The Wizard of Oz which is currently being staged at Curve in Leicester will transfer to The London Palladium for a summer season from 23rd June and will then embark on an extensive UK tour opening in Liverpool in December.

Directed by Nikolai Foster (Billy Elliot The Musical, A Chorus Line) The Wizard of Oz has choreography by Shay Barclay, while the set designer is Colin Richmond, projection designer is Douglas O'Connell, costume and puppet designer is Rachael Canning, lighting designer is Ben Cracknell, sound designer is Adam Fisher, creative consultant is Mark Kaufman, musical director and musical supervisor is George Dyer, magic consultant is Scott Penrose, casting director is Kay Magson CDG, props supervisor is Marcus Hall Props, costume supervisor is Anna Josephs and wigs, hair and makeup designer is Elizabeth Marini.

 

 

 

Les Miserables Cast Changes

Les Miserables in London have just announced he following cast changes: From 28 February to 25 March Dean Chisnall will return to London to play the role of Jean Valjean for a strictly limited season, following the completion of the show's UK and Ireland tour.

Joining the company from 27 March 2023 will be Josh Piterman (The Phantom of the Opera) as Jean Valjean, Stewart Clarke (Cabaret) as Javert, Lucie Jones (Wicked) as Fantine, Claire Machin (Mary Poppins) as Madame Thénardier and Harry Chandler (making his West End debut) as Enjolras.

They join Gerard Carey as Thénardier, Robert Tripolino as Marius, Nathania Ong as Éponine, Lulu-Mae Pears as Cosette.

The company is completed by Hazel Baldwin, Brad Barnley, Emma Barr, Will Barratt, Cameron Burt, Natalie Chua, Matthew Dale, Matt Dempsey, Bryony Duncan, Louis Emmanuel, Sophie-May Feek, Melad Hamidi, Harry Jack, Christopher Jacobsen, Will Jennings, Benjamin Karran, Yazmin King, Bart Lambert, Sarah Lark, Adam Robert Lewis, Georgie Lovatt, Ellie Ann Lowe, Donald Craig Manuel, Jodie Nolan, Sam Peggs, Jo Stephenson, Phoebe Williams and Ollie Wray.

Josh Piterman is an established Australian musical theatre performer and classical crossover artist, who made his West End debut in 2019 as The Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty’s Theatre. He is currently reprising the role at the Arts Centre in Melbourne, having recently played the Sydney Opera House to critical acclaim with a “star performance” (Australian Arts Review) described as “nothing short of perfection” (Broadway World). 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.

Stewart Clarke most recently appeared in Mandela at the Young Vic. His previous credits include the role of Ersnt Ludwig in the original cast of the multi-award-winning Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club, Be More Chill at The Other Palace, Fiddler on the Roof at the Playhouse Theatre for which he received an Olivier Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical, and Loserville at the Garrick Theatre. He also appeared in Assassins at the Menier Chocolate Factory and The Rink at the Southwark Playhouse.

Lucie Jones returns to the role of Fantine following her recent WhatsOnStage award winning appearance as Elphaba in Wicked at the Victoria Apollo. Her London theatre credits include Jenna in Waitress, also on tour, Fantine in the Les Misérables Staged Concert and Cosette in the original production of Les Misérables at the Queen’s Theatre, Victoria in American Psycho at the Almeida and Maureen in RENT at The Other Palace. Her other credits include Elle Woods in Legally Blonde at Leicester Curve, on UK Tour and at the South Korea Opera House, Molly in the International tour of Ghost, Meatloaf in the International Arena tour of We Will Rock You and Holly in the UK tour of The Wedding Singer.

 Claire Machin was recently seen as Mrs Brill in Mary Poppins at the Prince Edward Theatre. Her previous theatre credits include her Olivier-nominated performance as Cora in Girls the Musical at Phoenix Theatre, Gladys in the original  London cast of Memphis at the Shaftesbury Theatre, for which she was nominated for a WhatsOnStage award, Claire in Amour at the Charing Cross Theatre, Violet Butterfield in Flowers for Mrs. Harris at the Chichester Festival Theatre, Alice Beane in Titanic (UK Tour), Barbara Castle in Made in Dagenham at the Queens Theatre Hornchurch, Mabel in The Pajama Game at the Chichester Festival Theatre and Shaftesbury Theatre, Mrs. Metcalf in Betty Blue Eyes at the Novello Theatre, and Widow Corney in Oliver! at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane and on tour.

Les Misérables marks Harry Chandler’s West End debut, having recently played Feuilly in the UK and Ireland tour of the production.

 Dean Chisnall most recently played the role of Jean Valjean in the UK and Ireland tour of Les Misérables, having also closed the original production of Les Misérables at the Queen’s Theatre and appeared in the West End Staged Concert version of the show. His previous theatre credits include George Mole in The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole at the Menier Chocolate Factory, the Narrator in Blood Brothers (UK tour), Working at Southwark Playhouse, Shrek in Shrek The Musical at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane and National Tour, Love Never Dies at the Adelphi Theatre, La Cage aux Folles at the Playhouse, Never Forget at the Savoy and on tour, Evita at the Adelphi Theatre and The Woman in White at the Palace Theatre.

 

cast for new tour of Titanic the Musical

Maury Yeston and Peter Stone's Titanic the Musical is heading out on a 10th anniversary UK tour kicking off at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley on 16th March 2023 The cast has just been announced for the new tour of Titanic the Musical which begins rehearsals today.

It includes Martin Allanson (J Bruce Ismay), Valda Akiks (Ida Straus), Graham Bickley (Captain Edward Smith), Sam Brown (Frederick Fleet), James Darch (Edgar Beane), David Delve (Isidor Straus), Catherine Digges (Head Maid), Adam Filipe (Frederick Barrett), Emily George (Kate Murphy), Luke Harley (Andrew Latimer), Emma Harrold (Lady Caroline Neville), Alastair Hill (Harold Bride), Abi Hudson (Maid), Barnaby Hughes (Herbert Pitman/Henry Etches), Paul Kemble (Joseph Boxhall), Niamh Long (Kate Mullins), Matthew McDonald (Charles Clarke), Ian McLarnon (Thomas Andrews), Danny Michaels (Joseph Bell), Chris Nevin (Jim Farrell), Jack North (Charles Lightoller), Joseph Peacock (Bellboy/Wallace Hartley), Billy Roberts (William McMaster Murdoch), Bree Smith (Alice Beane) and Lucie-Mae Sumner (Kate McGowan).

Pretty Woman the Musical to tour later this year

The producers of the smash hit PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL are delighted to announce that the show is to embark on an extensive UK and Ireland Tour opening at the Birmingham Alexandra Theatre on 17 October 2023 and currently ending in Sheffield in September 2024 with casting and further venues to be announced soon.

The production continues to play at London´s Savoy Theatre where it is currently booking until 11th June 2023.  

PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL is Hollywood’s ultimate rom-com, live on stage. Once upon a time in the late ’80s, Vivian met Edward and her life changed forever. Be swept up in their romance in this dazzlingly theatrical take on a love story for the ages – and get to know these iconic characters in a whole new way – in a sensational show guaranteed to lift your spirits and light up your heart.

 

PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL features original music and lyrics by Grammy Award winner Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance, a book by Garry Marshall and the film’s screenwriter J.F. Lawton, it is directed and choreographed by the two-time Tony Award winner Jerry Mitchell.

 

Full casting announced for the West End premiere the Temptations musical AIN’T TOO PROUD

Full casting has been announced for the West End premiere of the smash hit Tony Award-winning Broadway musical AIN’T TOO PROUD, opening at the Prince Edward Theatre from Friday 31 March 2023. 

Joining the previously announced Cameron Bernard Jones as Melvin Franklin, Kyle Cox as Paul Williams, Sifiso Mazibuko as Otis Williams, Tosh Wanogho-Maud as David Ruffin and Mitchell Zhangazha as Eddie Kendricks will be Evonnee Bentley-Holder, Natalia Brown, Ryan Carter, Hannah Fairclough, Christopher Gopaul, Daniel Haswell, Naomi Katiyo, Akmed Junior Khemalai, Holly Liburd, Darnell Mathew-James, Simeon Montague, Posi Morakinyo, Sadie-Jean Shirley, Michael James Stewart, Toyan Thomas-Browne, Dylan Turner and Kevin Yates.

Cameron Bernard Jones’ theatre credits include Punchdrunk’s The Burnt City, the titular role in The Wiz at the Hope Mill Theatre, South Pacific at the Chichester Festival Theatre and Tina The Musical and Motown The Musical both in the West End, the latter in which he also played the role of Melvin Franklin.

Kyle Cox most recently appeared in Elf at the Dominion Theatre. His additional theatre credits include the role of Wyatt in Crazy For You at the Chichester Festival Theatre, and a workshop production of Halls: The Musical at the Turbine Theatre.

Sifiso Mazibuko’s theatre credits include the role of Aaron Burr in Hamilton at the Victoria Palace Theatre, as well as Malindadzimu at the Hampstead Theatre and Motown The Musical in the West End.

Tosh Wanogho-Maud’s theatre credits include the role of Ben E King/ Rudy Lewis in The Drifter’s Girl at the Garrick Theatre, Jimmy Early in Dreamgirls at the Savoy Theatre, Joe in Show Boat at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, Mutumbo in The Book of Mormon at the Prince of Wales Theatre, Young Simba in The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre and Winston in Whistle Down the Wind at the Aldwych Theatre.

Mitchell Zhangazha’s most recently appeared in Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol at the Southbank Centre’s Queen Elizabeth Hall. His other theatre credits include Dear Evan Hansen at the Noel Coward Theatre, for which he won the Black British Theatre Award 2022 for Best Understudy/Swing in a Theatre Production, Back to the Future at the Manchester Opera House, Motown The Musical at the Shaftesbury Theatre, The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the London Palladium, Caroline or Change at the National Theatre, Porgy and Bess at the Savoy Theatre, Oliver! at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, and Young Michael Jackson in Thriller Live at the Lyric Theatre and on tour.

Faye Brookes to take over from Maisie Smith in tour of Strictly Ballroom

New lead casting has been announced for the tour of  Baz Luhrmann's Strictly Ballroom

Taking over from previous star Maisie Smith and joining Kevin Clifton in the show from 27th March   will be Dancing on Ice finalist and Coronation Street star Faye Brookes.

Brookes who has previously appeared in Chicago and Legally Blonde said today: "I'm thrilled to be joining the tour of Strictly Ballroom and can't wait to work with Craig Revel Horwood, Kevin Clifton and the hugely talented cast. I'm so excited to be playing the role of Fran and making it my own. Bring it on!"

Smith is set to perform until 25 March, playing her final performance in Southend. Brookes will then appear in Bradford, Milton Keynes, Norwich, Bournemouth, York, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Derry, Dublin, Glasgow, Aylesbury, Nottingham, Salford, Leeds and Bristol.

 

Cast changes for Heathers Musical in London

New casting has been announced for Heathers the Musical at The Other Palace.

From 19th February Miracle Chance (Be More Chill) is set to take on the lead role of Veronica Sawyer, while Dear Evan Hansen's Ellis Kirk will play Jason ‘J D' Dean.

Joining them will be  will be Olivia Barnett-Legh,  making her professional debut as Heather Chandler, Kia Paris Walcott (Millennials) as Heather Duke,and Katharine Pearson (Back To The Future) as Heather McNamara.

Completing the cast is Katie Ramshaw (Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella) as Martha Dunnstock, Will Breckin (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat) as Kurt Kelly, Cristian Zaccarini (Grease) as Ram Sweeney, Rachel Breeze (La Bohéme) as Ms Fleming, Alexander Service (Little Women) as Kurt's Dad/Big-Bud/Principal and Alexander McMorran (Come From Away) as Ram's Dad/Veronica's Dad/Coach.

Also cast are Elliot David Parkes (Heathers) as Beleaguered Geek, Megan Hill (But I'm A Cheerleader) as Midwestern Surfer Punk, Georgia Anderson (Hairspray) as New Wave Party Girl, Sophie Hutchinson (The Addams Family) as Drama Club Drama Queen, Georgia Ludica-Davies (The Book of Mormon) as Young Republicanette, Bibi Jay (Betty Blue Eyes) as Stoner Chick, Lewis Asquith (Heathers) as Hipster Dork and Kaine Ruddach (Mamma Mia!) as Preppy Stud.

Casting news for new tour of Heathers the Musical

Casting news for the new tour of Heathers the Musical which kicks off at Windsor  Theatre Royal on 14th February is that Jenna Innes (Les Misérables) takes on the role of Veronica Sawyer (originated by Carrie Hope Fletcher in the UK), and returning to the role of Jason ‘JD' Dean is Jacob Fowler (Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella).

Also cast as the three maniacal Heathers will be Verity Thompson (Cinderella) as Heather Chandler, Elise Zavou (Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World) as Heather Duke and Billie Bowman (Heathers) as Heather Macnamara.

The cast is completed by Kingsley Morton (The Addams Family) as Martha Dunnstock, Alex Woodward (Mamma Mia!) as Kurt Kelly, Morgan Jackson (Mamma Mia!) as Ram Sweeney, Katie Paine (We Will Rock You) as Ms Fleming, Jay Bryce (Motown: The Musical) as Kurt's Dad/Big-Bud/Principal, Conor McFarlane (Once) as Ram's Dad/Veronica's Dad/Coach with Tom Dickerson (The Book of Mormon) as Beleaguered Geek, Lizzie Emery (Rent) as Midwestern Surfer Punk, Eliza Bowden (professional debut) as New Wave Party Girl, Eleanor Walsh (The Rocky Horror Show) as Drama Club Drama Queen, Summer Priest (Get Up, Stand Up!) as Young Republicanette, Maeve Byrne (Grease) as Stoner Chick, Liam Dean (Gypsy) as Hipster Dork and Markus Sodergren (Roles We'll Never Play) as Preppy Stud.

Jamie Bogyo to join cast of Aspects of Love

Moulin Rouge! West End star Jamie Bogyo is to  play the role of Alex, joining Michael Ball in the upcoming run of Aspects of Love from 12th May to 11 November 2023 at the Lyric Theatre. 

Ball will take on thr role of Alex´s uncle George.  He played Alex during the show's original run 34 years ago and  said today: "I'm thrilled to announce that the role of Alex in Aspects of Love will be played by Jamie Bogyo. He's tall, good looking, sings like a dream and is half my age...I hate him! He will be amazing."

Aspects of Love has original music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Don Black and Charles Hart. It is based on the novel by David Garnett and directed in this new production by Jonathan Kent. Further cast and creative team are to be revealed.