Richard Fleeshman leaving Legally Blonde

Simon Thomas will replace Richard Fleeshman as Warner Huntington III in Legally Blonde at the Savoy Theatre in London's West End from 25th October, when Denise Van Outen, Siobhan Dillon and Carley Stenson also join Sheridan Smith in the cast of the hit musical.

Simon Thomas has just finished playing one of the Princes in Into The Woods (pictured) at the Open Air Theatre in Regent’s Park, along with Michael Xavier (who is due to open in Love Story the Musical at the Duchess Theatre at the end of November)

His previous credits include Cymbeline, Twelfth Night and HMS Pinafore at Regent’s Park: Marguerite (Theatre Royal Haymarket), Days Of Hope (King’s Head Theatre), Merry Wives of Windsor (RSC), Make Me A Song (New Players theatre) and he played the title role in Disney’s Tarzan in Hamburg.

His film and television credits include Damian in The Score, Russian Army conscript in Bigga Than Ben and How Music Works for Tiger Aspect productions.

Denise Van Outen to take up hairdressing at Savoy?

In a recent interview Denise Van Outen hinted that she was shortly to take on a stage role, and rumours are now rife that this will be playing Paulette the dog loving hairdresser in Legally Blonde at the Savoy Theatre when Jill Halfpenny leaves in October.

Laura Bell Bundy who played Elle on Broadway was tipped to join the show when Sheridan Smith leaves, but she is no longer available and is appearing in the American sitcom How I Met Your Mother.

Van Outen’s most recent West End roles have been in Chicago and Tell Me On A Sunday, but she has been taking a break since she gave birth to baby Betsy in May with husband Lee Mead who is currently starring as Fiyero in Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre.

Legally Blonde Competition

Legally Blonde the Musical is launching a competition in association with Juicy Couture on Wednesday 4th August.

Cast members from the show, including Sheridan Smith and Richard Fleeshman, will be at the Juicy Couture Store in Bruton Street between 3:00-4:00 to offer the chance to win a fantastic weekend break for you and a friend to see Legally Blonde at the Savoy Theatre.

The prize also includes an overnight stay in a luxury Radisson Edwardian hotel with breakfast and pre-theatre dinner, complimentary champagne and programmes at the theatre plus a £1,000 shopping spree in Juicy Couture’s flagship store on Bruton Street.

The 5 runners up will each receive a pair of tickets and a £200 shopping spree.

To competition closes on 5th September. 

Cast changes at Legally Blonde the Musical

As already mentioned, Sheridan Smith is due to leave Legally Blonde the Musical at the Savoy Theatre on 23rd October.  Jill Halfpenny who plays Paulette will also be leaving during that month.

When they leave,  Legally Blonde will revert back to its winter schedule and no longer offer Sunday performances.

Director Jerry Mitchell will return to audition replacements for the departing cast members with a rumour going round that the original Elle Woods, Laura Bell Bundy, might take over from Sheridan "for a while".

Legally Blonde album, cast and performance schedule changes

Legally Blonde the musical has an original cast album coming out on 2nd August.  It was recorded live during Duncan James’ final performance on 14th June.

The preliminary cast contracts expire in October with a number of the ensemble wanting to stay on, but Jill Halfpenny who plays Paulette is definitely leaving. 

It is hoped that Sheridan Smith who plays Elle might extend into a second year (the show is currently booking until 20th February,  2011 at the Savoy Theatre).

When the cast changes the performance schedule will alter to a Monday to Saturday with no Sunday shows over the winter.

Legally Blonde extends booking period

Legally Blonde the Musical starring Sheridan Smith  and Richard Fleeshman has extended its booking period and you can now reserve tickets up until 20th February, 2011.

There are Sunday matinees at the Savoy Theatre over the summer period. There are no shows on Tuesday and evening shows are on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 19:30 with matinees on Thursday and Saturday at 2:30 and Sunday at 3.00 pm

Assisted Performances for Legally Blonde

Legally Blonde the Musical at the Savoy Theatre starring Sheridan Smith (and Richard Fleeshman from 16th June) are offering the following assisted matinee performances:

• Audio described performance: By Irene Richards on Sat 17 Jul at 14:30
• Sign language interpreted performance: By Theatresign on Sat 2nd October at 14:30

Legally Blonde Casting and Booking info

Legally Blonde The Musical has today extended its  booking period to 29th October 2011 releasing over 311,000 new tickets for sale at the Savoy Theatre and also announcing their Christmas performance schedule.

Richard Fleeshman takes over from Duncan James on 16th June to play Warner Huntington III opposite Sheridan Smith as Elle Woods, Jill Halfpenny as Paulette, Peter Davison as Professor Callahan and Alex Gaumond as Emmett.

Other cast members from 16th June are Emma Bateman (Stenographer), Dan Burton (Padamadan, Nikos), Darren Carnall (Kiki), Chris Ellis-Stanton (Grandmaster Chad, Dewey, Kyle), Nadine Higgin (Judge, Saleswoman), Ibinabo Jack (Pilar), Caroline Keiff (Vivienne Kensington), Amy Lennox (Margot), Suzie McAdam (Enid), Andy Mace (Dad, Winthrop, Reporter), Susan McFadden (Serena), Matthew McKenna (Aaron), Sorelle Marsh (Courtney, Mom, Whitney), Aoife Mulholland (Brooke), Sean Mulligan (Pforzheimer), Roxanne Palmer (Kate, Chutney), Sergio Priftis (Carlos), Tamara Wall (District Attorney) and Ed White (Lowell) with Fabian Aloise, Francis Haugen, Jane McMurtrie, Sherrie Pennington and Lucy Miller as swings.

Take over date announced for Richard Fleeshman in Legally Blonde

As mentioned earlier this month, former Coronation Street star Richard Fleeshman will take over from for former Blue singer Duncan James playing Warner in Legally Blonde at the Savoy Theatre next month.

Duncan James’ six-month contract finishes on 4th June and Richard Fleeshman will take over on 16th June.

As well as Sheridan Smith, the current West End cast also features  Peter Davison as Harvard professor Callahan and Jill Halfpenny as Paulette.

Sheridan Smith in new BBC Comedy

The BBC is working on a new comedy drama project called Maynard with the pilot episode starring comedy actress and musical theatare star Sheridan Smith who is currently playing the lead in Legally Blonde at the Savoy Theatre.

Maynard is described as a multi-cultural comedy drama set in the heart of Brixton, telling the story of a young family man (Maynard’s) dream, and the lives of the people in the community around him.

The BBC is planning a rehearsed reading of the script at Bush Hall in London on Tuesday 11th May and is inviting comedy fans to come along and give feedback. The bar opens at 6.00 pm, the read through will start at about 6.30pm and last half an hour. For tickets visit: www.bbc.co.uk

Richard Fleeshman to take over from Duncan James in Legally Blonde

The ex-Coronation Street actor Richard Fleeshman will replace Duncan James as the male lead opposite Sheridan Smith in Legally Blonde at the Savoy Theatre when he leaves the show in June.

Richard joined Corrie when he was just 12 years old and stayed there for four years playing the role of Craig Harris.

Fleeshman is a singer/songwriter and in 2003 was the youngest celebrity contestant to win a Stars in Their Eyes Celebrity Special at the age of 13. He also won Soapstar Superstar in 2006 and went on to perform as Elton John’s support act on his Summer Stadium and Red Piano Tours.

Sheridan Smith in Jonathan Creek

Saw Sheridan Smith (who is currently appearing in Legally Blonde) playing Jonathan Creek’s assistant Joey Ross in BBC's one off special “The Judas Tree” on Easter Sunday.

Thought she made a great assistant to Alan Davies with her all her energy and quirkiness. Would be good if they made another series as it’s a bit different and Smith and Davies make a great team.

Sheridan has just been away on holiday, but she is now back playing Elle Woods at the Savoy Theatre.

Duncan James to Leave Legally Blonde

Duncan James is currently playing Warner Huntingdon in Legally Blonde at the Savoy Theatre but he will be lleaving the show in June.  

Although the producers  asked him to extend his contract until October, the former Blue heartthrob has lots of other things that he wants to pursue, but he did not rule out a return to the role in the future.

West End Musicals OfferingTicket Exchanges due to Bad Weather

With the snow continuing to fall in London, several West End musicals are offering theatregoers struggling to get into the capital the option to exchange their tickets for another performance. No shows have yet been cancelled due to the weather.

At the moment the following musicals are offering exchanges (subject to availability): The Dark Angel, A Christmas Carol, We Will Rock You (restricted to performances within two weeks), The Phantom of the Opera, The Lion King, Thriller - Live, Priscilla, Sister Act, Grease, Hairspray, Little Voice, Mamma Mia!, Les Miserables and Avenue Q.

Legally Blonde which has only just opened at the Savoy Theatre  is offering exchanges to theatregoers who live outside of London.

In the rest of the country a number of regional venues have been heavily hit, with several shows affected last night. Ticket holders due to attend performances this evening are advised to contact the theatre for further information before travelling.

West End Musicals Opening & Closing in January

On Saturday 2nd January the Menier Chocolate Factory production of La Cage Aux Folles starring Douglas Hodge closes at the Playhouse Theatre and transfers to Broadway where Kelsey Grammer (Frasier) joins the cast.

Dreamboats & Petticoats takes its place opening at the Playhouse Theatre on Wednesday 6th January. This show features some of the greatest rock and roll numbers from the 60s and was written by Laurence Marks & Maurice Gran (of Goodnight Sweetheart, New Statesman and Birds of a Feather fame).  It has already been in the West End and is returning following a successful UK tour. 

Legally Blonde the Musical opens at the Savoy Theatre on Wednesday 13th January.  It has been previewing and I have heard very good things about it. The cast includes Sheridan Smith, Duncan James, Aoife Mulholland, Peter Davison and Jill Halfpenny

Annie Get Your Gun starring Jane Horrocks closes at the Young Vic Theatre on Saturday 9th January