Showing posts sorted by date for query Les Misérables. Sort by relevance Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by date for query Les Misérables. Sort by relevance Show all posts
Tuesday, 5 November 2024
Cast Announced for Stiles + Drewe’s Best New Song Prize Concert 2024: A Star-Studded Celebration of New Musical Theatre Talent
Prepare for an unforgettable night of new musical theatre as Mercury Musical Developments and Stiles + Drewe, in partnership with Broadway Licensing Global, present the 2024 Best New Song Prize Concert. Hosted by Olivier Award-winning actor Jenna Russell, this one-night-only gala will take place at The Other Palace on Monday, December 2 at 7:30 pm, showcasing the incredible talent of both emerging and established musical theatre creators.
This unique concert features a glittering cast, including stage icons like Charlie McCullagh (42 Balloons, Jesus Christ Superstar), Desmonda Cathabel (Aladdin, Miss Saigon), Lauryn Redding (Standing at the Sky’s Edge), Natalie Paris (Pretty Woman, SIX), Obioma Ugoala (Frozen, Hamilton), Samuel Barnett (Rock Follies), and Tim Howar (Rock of Ages, The Phantom of the Opera). Also performing are Allyson Ava Brown (Hamilton, Les Misérables), Cassius Hackforth (Something Rotten), Dan Partridge (Grease), Jodie Jacobs (Hello Dolly!), and Liv Andrusier (Fiddler on the Roof).
Alongside performances from these incredible artists, the event will feature songs from recent British musical successes like Becoming Nancy, Cable Street, Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York), and 42 Balloons. The evening celebrates the vitality of new writing with a special showcase of 12 finalist songs, which include:
- 'The Temptation of Me' from Proud by Mark Anderson & Lee Freeman
- 'I’m Going to Stay With You' from The Tale of the Gifted Prince by Lezlie Wade & Dan Green
- 'It Starts Small' from Unfolding by Emma Vieceli
- 'Ideal Robot Assistant' from A.I. Will Solve All Your Problems by Leo Mercer
- 'Someday My Prince Will Come' from Queering the Canon by Cheeyang Ng & Eric Sorrels
- 'Viareggio' from Lifeboats by Gus Gowland
- 'Die Like Trees' from Girl Goes to the Underworld by Sam Norman & Bela Kawalec
- 'Hero' from Man Vs Snake the Epic Musical by Stuart Matthew Price & Daniel Fletcher
- 'Spread a Little Joy Around the Place' from Retail Therapy by Hilmi Jaidin
- 'Locked Away' from The Queen is Mad by Amy Clare Tasker & Tom McGrath
- 'Drek!' from Otto's Weidt's Brush and Broom Workshop for the Blind by Amir Shoenfeld & Caitlyn Burt
- 'Invisible' from Hatched! by Lydia Shaw & Edward Court
A distinguished panel of judges, including Chris Bush, George Stiles, Anthony Drewe, and Joanne Benjamin, will select the winning song, awarding £1,000 toward the winner’s development. An additional award recognising Voice, Vision & Potential will also be presented. Sponsored by Broadway Licensing Global, Dorico, Tarento Productions, and Kenny Wax Productions, the Best New Song Prize Concert celebrates the vibrant future of British musical theatre and its outstanding creative talent.
Sunday, 3 November 2024
THEATRE NEWS ROUNDUP 27th October- 2nd November 2024
What a week for theatrical news! Lots of casting and show announcements, plus exciting concerts to look forward to next summer. Click the links below for the full stories!
The musical extends its UK tour due to high demand, adding extra dates in four cities and bringing its powerful, award-winning story to new audiences.
Celebrating 20 years, 13 Going on 30 comes to the stage with a musical adaptation premiering in Manchester, bringing Jenna Rink’s unforgettable journey to life for a new audience.
BBC Children in Need’s Challenge Squad brings an inspiring new story to life as Ethan prepares to take the stage in COME ALIVE! The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular for the 2024 appeal.
Virginia Gay’s award-winning Cyrano brings a bold, gender-flipped spin on Cyrano de Bergerac to London’s Park Theatre, combining modern humour, romance, and a fresh perspective on classic storytelling.
Clueless The Musical is set to make a stylish West End debut, capturing the wit, charm, and ’90s nostalgia of the beloved film with a fresh score by KT Tunstall and Glenn Slater.
Star-Studded Gala A Marvellous Party Celebrates Noël Coward with a Glittering Lineup
A Marvellous Party will honour Noël Coward with an all-star charity gala featuring performances from some of the UK’s brightest talents.
The sell-out production directed by Eline Arbo and based on Annie Ernaux’s Les Années, comes to London’s Harold Pinter Theatre for a limited run, offering an evocative portrayal of one woman’s life amid societal change.
The musical's original Australian cast album is now streaming in the UK, ahead of the musical’s highly anticipated UK stage premiere at Leicester’s Curve Theatre in April 2025.
Les Miserables West End and World Tour Casting News
Lucie Jones rejoins Les Misérables in the West End for a limited eight-week run as Fantine, while Katie Hall steps into the role for select cities on the Arena Spectacular World Tour before returning to London.
Co-produced by Lance Bass and Michelle Visage, the musical brings a fresh take on Edward Scissorhands to London’s Southwark Playhouse, celebrating individuality through music and heart.
The season brings new voices and powerful stories to the stage with world premieres and inclusive performances featuring top-tier talent.
The play brings Britain’s iconic comedy legends back to life in a nostalgic and hilarious new play set to run in London’s West End.
The highly anticipated Jo- The Little Women Musical concept album will be recorded at Abbey Road Studios
The musical celebrating Houdini’s life and legacy will launch with exclusive previews on Lake Como, Italy, in Spring 2025
The musical returns in 2024 with a star-studded UK & Ireland tour celebrating its 20th anniversary and iconic performances across major cities.
The gripping supernatural thriller, returns for an extensive UK tour in 2025, inviting audiences nationwide to experience its suspenseful, paranormal intrigue live on stage.
The Tony winner is set to headline BST Hyde Park 2025 with a thrilling performance of musical theatre classics and more on July 6.
See you next Sunday for another week of news!
Friday, 1 November 2024
Hugh Jackman Set to Headline 2025 BST Hyde Park with Spectacular Live Show!
Get ready, London- BST Hyde Park 2025 is about to make this summer unforgettable as Tony-winning, Oscar-nominated actor Hugh Jackman is set to bring his incredible stage presence and musical talent to the UK stage on Sunday, July 6, 2025. With his upcoming live show, Hugh Jackman Live, fans can expect a dazzling performance of beloved musical theatre hits, backed by a full live orchestra. Songs will include fan-favourite numbers from The Greatest Showman, Les Misérables, The Music Man, and The Boy From Oz, plus some surprises just for his Hyde Park audience.
Tickets are expected to sell fast. For American Express cardholders, presale tickets go live today, Friday, November 1, at 2:30 pm GMT, with general ticket sales starting on Wednesday, November 6 at 10 am GMT via BST Hyde Park.
This summer's show will mark Jackman’s long-awaited return to the UK stage after five years and follows his record-breaking run in The Music Man on Broadway, which ran from 2021 to 2023. Jackman’s career in musical theatre launched with roles such as Gaston in Beauty and the Beast in Australia, his Olivier-nominated performance in Oklahoma! in the West End, and the Tony-winning role in The Boy from Oz. Now a global star, he continues to captivate audiences both on-screen as Wolverine and on stage. This tour is sure to delight audiences with his signature energy, charisma, and vocal talent.
Jackman’s Hyde Park performance is one of the biggest highlights for the 2025 BST Hyde Park series, joining previously announced headliners Jeff Lynne’s ELO and Zach Bryan. Each year, BST Hyde Park transforms London’s historic royal park into an incredible music destination, with past lineups including superstars like Andrea Bocelli, Shania Twain, Stevie Nicks, Morgan Wallen, and many more.
Don’t miss out on the chance to see Hugh Jackman live at BST Hyde Park this summer- get ready for a night of musical magic that fans will remember for years to come.
Wednesday, 30 October 2024
Lucie Jones Returns to Les Misérables as 'Fantine' in London, with Katie Hall Joining Arena Spectacular World Tour
Cameron Mackintosh has announced that Lucie Jones, multi-award-winning musical theatre star, will reprise her role as Fantine in the West End production of Les Misérables at the Sondheim Theatre for an exclusive eight-week engagement from 23rd December 2024 to 15th February 2025. Known for her powerhouse performances in productions like Wicked, Waitress, Legally Blonde, and more, Jones is a celebrated figure in theatre, also recognised from The X Factor (2009) and the Eurovision Song Contest (2017).
As Jones joins the London cast, Katie Hall, who is currently portraying Fantine at the Sondheim Theatre, will step into the same role on Les Misérables The Arena Spectacular World Tour, performing in Manchester, Newcastle, Gothenburg, Stockholm, Malmo, and Amsterdam. Hall, who has previously played both Cosette and Fantine across various Les Misérables productions, including the 25th Anniversary Concert and on UK and international tours, will return to London on 17 February 2025.
The West End Les Misérables cast also features Ian McIntosh as Jean Valjean, Stewart Clarke as Javert, Jacob Dachtler as Marius, Amena El-Kindy as Éponine, Annabelle Aquino as Cosette, Luke Kempner as Thénardier, Claire Machin as Madame Thénardier, and Robson Broad as Enjolras.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of Les Misérables in London, celebrated with a new World Tour of Les Misérables The Arena Spectacular. Opening in Belfast, the tour will cover cities across Europe and then move to Australia, Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea, with more dates to follow. Additionally, in an unprecedented move, 11 leading UK amateur companies will stage full productions of Les Misérables across the country in 2025.
Featuring iconic songs like 'I Dreamed a Dream', 'On My Own', and 'One Day More', Les Misérables has been seen by over 130 million people in 53 countries and in 22 languages. It remains a global phenomenon, breaking box office records worldwide, with productions in North America and remastered versions of the Oscar-winning film re-released internationally this year.
Thursday, 17 October 2024
Full Cast Revealed for 2025 Tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat
Michael Harrison has announced additional casting for the highly anticipated second UK tour of the London Palladium production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. The show, which kicks off on December 3, 2024, at Edinburgh Playhouse, features two iconic Pharaohs- Donny Osmond and Joe McElderry- and introduces Christina Bianco as the Narrator and Adam Filipe as Joseph.
Tickets are on sale now at uktour.josephthemusical.com.
Global entertainment legend Donny Osmond will return to the stage in the UK for the first time in years, playing Pharaoh in this celebrated production. Having performed as Joseph in over 2,000 shows and starring in the 1999 filmed version with Joan Collins, Richard Attenborough, and Maria Friedman, Osmond brings his signature charisma to the role for a limited run. His UK dates will be exclusive to the Edinburgh Playhouse Christmas season.
Joining Osmond on tour is pop sensation and former Joseph star Joe McElderry, who takes over the role of Pharaoh across several UK locations. After his popular turn as Joseph in the 2017–2018 tour, McElderry is set to captivate audiences in venues like Sunderland’s Empire Theatre, Nottingham’s Theatre Royal, and Leicester’s Curve, among many others.
Christina Bianco, a two-time Drama Desk Award nominee and viral YouTube sensation known for her diva impressions and recent West End role as Glinda in The Wizard of Oz, will narrate the 2025 tour. She is joined by Adam Filipe as Joseph, whose credits include Titanic The Musical, The Prince of Egypt, and Les Misérables. Together, they will perform at all tour dates, promising show-stopping performances.
The ensemble features Hugh Cotton as Reuben and Will Haswell as Simeon. The full cast also includes Aaron Archer, Bella Baldock, Daniel Bowskill, Imogen Bowtell, Taylor Bridges, Joseph Browlie-Johnson, Joseph Craig, Davide Fienauri, Ellie Greenway, Oliver Hawes, Kiera Haynes, Siobhan James, Ben Lancaster, Nicole Lupino, Bradley Perret, Harvey Shulver, Jessica Sutton, Charley Warburton, Jenna Warne, and Alex Woodward. The children’s company will feature an array of talented young performers from across the UK.
The 2025 tour is directed by Laurence Connor, whose previous work includes School of Rock, Miss Saigon, and Les Misérables. Choreography is by JoAnn M Hunter, who has worked on 20 Broadway shows, including On A Clear Day You Can See Forever. Set and costume design is by Morgan Large, with lighting design by Ben Cracknell and sound design by Gareth Owen. The musical direction is led by John Rigby, with John Cameron as orchestrator.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat remains one of the world’s most beloved musicals, with its pop-infused score by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice. The show has been performed globally since its 1969 debut and features timeless hits like "Any Dream Will Do" and "Close Every Door."
With an incredible cast and spectacular production values, the 2025 tour of Joseph promises to be a dazzling celebration of one of musical theatre’s greatest shows. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the musical, this tour is not to be missed!
Wednesday, 16 October 2024
Go Live Theatre Projects Launches Online Charity Auction Featuring Rare Theatre Memorabilia
Go Live Theatre Projects, the London-based theatre education charity, has launched an exciting online charity auction packed with rare and signed theatre memorabilia. The auction aims to raise funds to support the charity’s mission of making theatre accessible to young people and their families, especially those facing financial, social, or physical barriers.
Bidders can expect exclusive items from some of the West End's biggest productions, including signed posters and programmes from Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Hadestown, SIX, Les Misérables, Frozen, Back To The Future, Tina – The Tina Turner Musical, and Wicked. There are also signed t-shirts and hoodies from theatre stars like Michael Ball, Sheridan Smith, Derek Jacobi, Bonnie Langford, and Arlene Phillips. One of the rarest items is a pair of ballet shoes used in The Phantom of the Opera.
To view and bid on these incredible pieces, visit Go Live Theatre's auction page.
If you'd like to see some items in person, visit the Go Live Theatre Projects stand at MusicalCon on October 19-20 at the London Excel Centre.
Go Live Theatre Projects is committed to providing vulnerable and marginalised young people with access to theatre. Donations to support their educational work can be made here.
Sunday, 13 October 2024
THEATRE NEWS ROUNDUP 6th-12th October 2024
This week in the world of theatre has brought exciting updates, casting news, and anniversaries. Here’s a quick recap of the highlights:
The beloved West End concert series West End Does revealed its complete casting. A unique highlight this year is the addition of a Wicked twist, promising an unforgettable holiday event for theatre lovers.
The National Theatre has announced the full cast for its highly anticipated production of Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest. The show, headlined by Ncuti Gatwa and Sharon D. Clarke, promises to breathe fresh energy into the classic play.
It's been announced that international pop star Sinitta will join the UK and Ireland tour of Chicago as Mama Morton for a strictly limited run.
To celebrate milestone anniversaries, Les Misérables, Billy Elliot, and other beloved musicals will be screened in cinemas. This gives fans a unique opportunity to experience these iconic shows in a new format.
Full Cast Announced for UK & Ireland Your of Kinky Boots the Musical
Producers ROYO and Curve are thrilled to announce the complete cast for the all-new Made at Curve production of Kinky Boots The Musical, winner of Olivier, Tony, and Grammy Awards. This celebrated musical will tour the UK and Ireland starting from 17 January 2025.
Matilda the Musical is set to embark on a brand-new tour across the UK and Ireland. Initial dates have been confirmed, promising to bring the magic of Roald Dahl’s story to new audiences.
The highly anticipated Titanique has announced its full cast ahead of its West End debut. This parody musical, based on the legendary Titanic film, is set to sail with a star-studded company for its premiere.
The legendary Toyah Willcox is joining NOW That’s What I Call a Musical as a guest star, adding extra star power to the show.
The Lightning Thief musical has confirmed its lead actors for the upcoming production, generating buzz among fans of the Percy Jackson series. The casting announcement has sparked excitement for the stage adaptation which will star Max Harwood in the title role.
The highly anticipated Macbeth, starring David Tennant and Cush Jumbo, will be making its way to cinemas soon. A new clip has also been released, offering a tantalizing glimpse of the intense production.
The musical adaptation of Sing Street is slated for its UK premiere next summer. Based on the hit film, this coming-of-age musical is already generating excitement ahead of its debut.
Tom Fletcher’s family-friendly show There’s a Monster in Your Show will be embarking on a new tour, with its cast now announced. The tour promises to deliver magical fun for younger audiences across the UK.
The revival of Spend Spend Spend has revealed its complete cast ahead of the production’s return to the stage. Fans of the musical can look forward to seeing the show with fresh faces in key roles.
This week has been packed with exciting news and casting announcements that promise a thrilling season ahead in theatre! Join us next week for another wrap up.
Monday, 7 October 2024
Les Misérables, Billy Elliot and others to be Released in Cinemas for Anniversary Celebrations
Get ready for a cinematic treat! Six filmed stage productions are set to grace cinema screens over the next six months, offering theatre fans a unique chance to experience some of the most celebrated performances from the comfort of their local theatres. Produced by CinemaLive, these screenings will mark significant milestones for each production.
Kicking off the series, Miss Saigon, filmed during its 25th anniversary gala performance at the Prince Edward Theatre in 2016, is currently being shown in cinemas. Following that, the beloved classic The Phantom of the Opera, which celebrated its own 25th anniversary at the Royal Albert Hall in 2011, will screen on November 3 and 5. This production stars Ramin Karimloo and Sierra Boggess, showcasing their incredible talents in a visually stunning performance.
Next up, the award-winning Girl From the North Country, written by Conor McPherson and featuring 20 songs by the legendary Bob Dylan, will be screened on November 21 and 24. This version was recorded at the Belasco Theatre in New York in 2022, bringing its emotional storytelling and poignant music to a broader audience.
Looking ahead to 2025, theatre-goers can look forward to Les Misérables- The Staged Concert, filmed in 2019 at the Gielgud Theatre. This production features a star-studded cast, including Michael Ball, Alfie Boe, Carrie Hope Fletcher, and Matt Lucas. It will be available to view in cinemas starting February 2, 2025.
Shortly after, the arena tour version of Jesus Christ Superstar, featuring an all-star cast that includes Tim Minchin, Mel C, Ben Forster, and Chris Moyles, will be screened across the UK from March 1, 2025. This performance promises to bring a fresh and dynamic interpretation of the rock opera to fans.
Finally, to celebrate its 20th anniversary, a re-release of Billy Elliot will hit cinemas, coinciding with the original West End premiere in 2005. Directed by Stephen Daldry, this production was captured live at the Victoria Palace Theatre in 2014 and will be available starting March 30, 2025.
For more information and to find participating cinemas, be sure to visit the CinemaLive website. This is an incredible opportunity to witness the magic of live theatre in a new and exciting format!
West End Does: Christmas in Oz Casting Announced
West End Does: Christmas is returning this December, and this year, it’s bringing a delightful Oz-themed twist to the festivities. The concert will blend holiday classics with beloved songs from The Wizard of Oz and Wicked, just as the film adaptation of Wicked prepares to grace UK cinemas a few days before the event, making for perfect timing.
The concerts will feature two choirs and a full West End orchestra, all under the direction of musical maestro Samuel Wilson. This year’s impressive lineup includes notable musical theatre stars, particularly alumni from Wicked: Louise Dearman, Sophie Evans, Alice Fearn, Oliver Tompsett, Liam Tamne, and Claudia Kariuki, who have all played key roles in the production.
Hosting the event will be Rob Houchen and Matt Lucas, both known for their work in Les Misérables, promising an evening filled with festive cheer and theatrical magic.
Produced by Chorus Productions Ltd, West End Does: Christmas in Oz will take place in two concerts at Cadogan Hall in London on Sunday, December 1, 2024, at 2:30 PM and 6:30 PM. Tickets are available now through the Cadogan Hall website, so be sure to secure yours early for this festive celebration!
Saturday, 18 November 2023
Jamie Muscato to Perform Solo Concert at Cadogan Hall
Fourth Wall Live, in collaboration with Westway Music, is thrilled to present West End sensation Jamie Muscato live at Cadogan Hall on Saturday, July 21, 2024, at 6:30 pm. Tickets for this exclusive event go on sale starting Monday, November 20, at www.fw-live.com and www.cadoganhall.com.
Renowned for his outstanding contributions to musical theatre, Jamie Muscato, known for his roles in Moulin Rouge and Heathers, will showcase a new solo concert at Cadogan Hall in 2024. Muscato has an impressive repertoire, including performances in Les Misérables, Once In Concert, and Sweeney Todd.
Jamie Muscato's versatile talent extends to TV and film, with notable credits such as Chemistry of Death, Darkness Rising, and The Trial of Christine Keeler.
Fourth Wall Live, recognised for its successful productions like Bonnie and Clyde The Musical In Concert, consistently brings top-tier entertainment to audiences. Their recent shows have featured Broadway favourites like Jeremy Jordan and Audra McDonald, emphasising their commitment to showcasing stars from both the West End and Broadway. Additionally, Fourth Wall Live proudly produced the What’sOnStage Award-winning Bonnie & Clyde The Musical, concluding a successful run at the Garrick Theatre in London’s West End.
Wednesday, 18 October 2023
The Barricade Boys West End Party at the Adelphi Theatre Review: Everything Great About Musical Theatre
The Barricade Boys West End Party
Adelphi Theatre
★★★★★
After extensive touring, The Barricade Boys were back in the West End last night for a heaping dose of feel-good fun. The brainchild of Scott Garnham and Simon Schofield, the Les Misérables-alumni-super-group (completed by Craig Mather and Kieran Brown) performed a maelstrom of musical theatre numbers, alongside pop, rock and swing numbers. With effortless rapport and smooth moves, it's clear to see why the group have gained such a strong fanbase who turned out in full force to the Adelphi Theatre.
What truly sets The Barricade Boys apart is more than just their extraordinary vocal talents and impeccable harmonies. It's the genuine friendship and affection they share, and the fact that they truly seem to be having a ball on stage. Amidst their impressive musical performances and polished dance routines, they weave in personal stories and charming anecdotes from their experiences in various shows; effortlessly connecting with the audience and creating an atmosphere that feels wonderfully welcoming.
Their repertoire spans a wide range of emotions, from the heartfelt intensity of Les Misérables to the joyful doo-wop harmonies of Jersey Boys. Through this musical journey, they showcase melodies from some of the world's greatest musicians, including The Beatles, Bon Jovi, and Queen, all interpreted in a specifically Barricade Boys way. It's a show that will lift your spirits and induce pure joy and serotonin.
There's a certain charm that makes the whole thing feel superbly carefree and entertaining, and whilst there is an element of cheesiness that comes with this sort of show, the group do a spectacular job of keeping everything high quality and entertaining for all, whether they're the target audience or not.
It must be said that at some points the sound balance was a little off, with the backing slightly overpowering the singers but as a whole it was a spectacular sounding evening and the team must be applauded for balancing a show with so many moving vocals, especially for a one night only performance at this venue. It must also be said how outstanding the Barricade Band are, perfectly matching the energy of the boys as well as having a ball themselves.
All of this plus the special guests Courtney Bowman, Fra Fee and Matt Henry, really made it an evening of musical theatre magic.
In a time when so much hatred and pain is prevalent in the world, it's such a privilege and honour to be able to escape to the comfort of the theatre, and this show is a glorious illustration and celebration of the joy and unity the art form can provide.
Reviewed on Tuesday 17th October 2023 by Olivia Mitchell
Photo Credit: Danny Kaan
{AD PR Invite- tickets gifted in exchange for honest review}
Friday, 7 July 2023
New Cast Announced for The Phantom of the Opera at His Majesty's Theatre
Cameron Mackintosh is pleased to announce new cast members for Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera at His Majesty's Theatre from July 31, 2023. The show is currently scheduled until March 2, 2024.
Lily Kerhoas joins as Christine Daaé, Joe Griffiths-Brown as Raoul, David Kristopher-Brown as Ubaldo Piangi, and Maiya Hikasa as Meg Giry. Jon Robyns continues in the role of The Phantom, along with Kelly Glyptis as Carlotta Giudicelli, Adam Linstead as Monsieur André, Matt Harrop as Monsieur Firmin and Francesca Ellis as Madame Giry. At certain performances the role of Christine Daaé will be played by Paige Blankson.
The cast is completed by Hollie Aires, Federica Basile, Corina Clark, Michael Colbourne, Leonard Cook, Colleen Rose Curran, Lily De-La-Haye, Hywel Dowsell, Connor Ewing, Serina Faull, Florence Fowler, James Gant, Melanie Gowie, Eilish Harmon-Beglan, Yukina Hasebe, Samuel Haughton, Thomas Holdsworth, Jacob Hughes, Grace Hume, Tim Morgan, Eve Shanu-Wilson, Tim Southgate, Zoë Soleil Vallée, Jasmine Wallis, Victoria Ward, Ralph Watts, Simon Whitaker, and Andrew York.
Lily Kerhoas previously appeared in Les Misérables and trained at the Royal Academy of Music. Joe Griffiths-Brown was part of the West End company of Hamilton, while David Kristopher-Brown has past experience in The Phantom of the Opera and other productions. Maiya Hikasa's credits include Billy Elliot and the international Tour of Cats.
The Phantom of the Opera is produced by Cameron Mackintosh and The Really Useful Group Ltd. The music is by Andrew Lloyd Webber, with lyrics by Charles Hart and additional lyrics by Richard Stilgoe. The production is based on Gaston Leroux's novel 'Le Fantôme de l'Opera'. The show has been a global sensation, playing to millions of people worldwide.
The London production underwent a creative overhaul after the COVID-related shutdown and has received rave reviews. The legendary musical, celebrating its 37th birthday in October 2023, will continue its successful run at His Majesty's Theatre.
Beyond London, The Phantom of the Opera continues to captivate audiences globally, with productions in Japan, Korea, and on a world tour. Cameron Mackintosh's new production recently concluded a record-breaking run in Australia and will open in Vienna in March 2024. Other exciting productions are also underway in Greece, Italy, and Spain.
Thursday, 6 July 2023
Cast Announced for Pretty Woman the UK & Ireland Tour
The popular West End production, Pretty Woman: The Musical, is going on a UK and Ireland tour! The tour will kick off at the Birmingham Alexandra Theatre on October 17, 2023.
The cast includes: Amber Davies as Vivian Ward, Ore Oduba as Happy Man/Mr. Thompson, Oliver Savile as Edward Lewis, and Natalie Paris as Kit De Luca. They will be joined by Becky Anderson, Rebekah Bryant, Josh Damer-Jennings, Ben Darcy, Andrew Davison, Lila Falce-Bass, Noah Harrison, Sydnie Hocknell, Elly Jay, Rachael Kendall Brown, Michael Kholwadia, Joshua Lear, Stuart Maciver, Victoria Rachael McCabe, Eleanor Morrison-Halliday, LJ Neilson, Annell Odartey, Curtis Patrick and Chomba Taulo.
Amber Davies, currently seen as Lorraine Baines in Back to the Future: The Musical, has also performed in 9 to 5 the Musical and Bring It On. Ore Oduba, known for his role as Brad Majors in The Rocky Horror Show, has also appeared in Curtains and Grease. Oliver Savile's credits include Fiyero in Wicked, Whizzer in Falsettos, and performances in The Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables, Cats, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Natalie Paris, nominated for an Olivier Award for her role in SIX, has also been part of Sunday in the Park with George, Billy Elliot, and Les Misérables.
Pretty Woman: The Musical is a spectacular romantic comedy set in Hollywood in the late '80s. The story follows Vivian and Edward's unforgettable love story, brought to life on stage in a dazzling and theatrical way. Prepare to be swept away by this sensational show that will warm your heart and lift your spirits.
The musical features original music and lyrics by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance, a book by Garry Marshall and J.F. Lawton, and is directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell, a two-time Tony Award winner.
The production includes the iconic song "Oh, Pretty Woman" by Roy Orbison and Bill Dee, which served as inspiration for the beloved romantic comedy film of the same name released in 1990.
photo credit: Dan Kennedy
Tuesday, 10 January 2023
Aimee Lou Wood and John McCrea to Join Cast of Cabaret
Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club in London’s West End are delighted to announce that BAFTA Award winner Aimee Lou Wood will play ‘Sally Bowles’, Olivier Award nominee John McCrea will play ‘The Emcee’ and Nathan Ives-Moiba will play ‘Cliff Bradshaw’ from 13 February 2022 until 27 May 2023. kitkat.club
Aimee Lou Wood said today “I’ve wanted to be Sally Bowles since I was around 10 so this is really special. I’m unbelievably excited and having the greatest time in rehearsals. The production is so wonderful and I feel honoured to be stepping into this beautiful team of people!”
John McCrea said today “I’m thrilled to be taking on the iconic role of the Emcee in this ground-breaking production of Cabaret. It’s an absolute honour to be joining this amazing company of artists.”
Aimee Lou Wood is best known for her portrayal of Aimee Gibbs in all three series of the Netflix series Sex Education for which she won the BAFTA Award for Best Female Comedy Performance. She recently starred in the critically acclaimed film Living opposite Bill Nighy. Her stage credits include Sonya in Uncle Vanya at the Harold Pinter Theatre in the West End and Downstate at the National Theatre.
John McCrea created the role of Jamie New in the smash hit musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie at both the Sheffield Crucible Theatre and the West End’s Apollo Theatre. For his performance he was nominated for the Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical and won the Most Promising Newcomer at the Critics Circle Theatre Awards, the WhatsOnStage Award for Best Actor in a Leading role in a Musical and the UK Theatre Award for Best Musical Performer. He recently appeared as Max in Daddy at the Almeida Theatre and his film credits include Artie in the hit Disney film, Cruella.
Nathan Ives-Moiba’s many theatre credits include As You Like It at the National Theatre, My Children My Africa at Trafalgar Studios, Our Country’s Good for Out of Joint, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, And Did Those Feet and Tull, all at the Octagon Theatre. For his performance in Tull, Nathan was nominated for the Best Newcomer at the Manchester Theatre Awards.
At certain performances, the role of Sally Bowles will be played by Emily Benjamin.
As a member of the original cast of this production, Emily has been a swing and understudy to the role of Sally Bowles since the show opened. Her other West End theatre credits include Bat Out of Hell The Musical at the London Coliseum and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe at the Bridge Theatre.
The final performance for Callum Scott Howells as ‘The Emcee’ and Madeline Brewer as ‘Sally Bowles’ will be Saturday 28 January 2023. Sid Sagar’s final performance as ‘Cliff Bradshaw’ will be Saturday 11 February 2023.
Between 30 January 2023 – 11 February 2023 the role of ‘The Emcee’ will be played by Matthew Gent and the role of ‘Sally Bowles’ will be played by Emily Benjamin. At certain performances the role of ‘Sally Bowles’ will be played by Sally Frith.
Matthew Gent’s West End theatre credits include Sweeney Todd at the Adelphi Theatre, The Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty’s Theatre and Les Misérables at the Queen’s Theatre. His other theatre credits include Rags at the Park Theatre, The Queen of the Mist at Charing Cross Theatre, The Water Babies at Leicester Curve, The Carnival of the Animals at Riverside Studios and Taboo at Brixton Club House.
The cast also includes Vivien Parry as ‘Fraulein Schneider’, Richard Katz as ‘Herr Schultz’, Danny Mahoney as ‘Ernst Ludwig’ and Michelle Bishop as ‘Fraulein Kost’. The cast is completed by Gabriela Benedetti, Charles Croysdill, Laura Delany, Sally Frith, Matthew Gent, Ying Ue Li, Ela Lisondra, Chris O’Mara, Grant Neal, Hicaro Nicolai, Adam Taylor, Toby Turpin, Patrick Wilden and Sophie Maria Wojna.
The Prologue Company currently includes Rachel Benson, Ami Benton, Laura Braid, Reuben Greeph, James Hastings, Samantha Ho, Emma Holt, Liz Kamille, Andrew Linnie, Aine McLoughlin and Callum Sterling.
This unique production of Cabaret opened in December 2021 to critical and audience acclaim, widely praised as the ultimate theatrical experience. In April 2022 the production won a record-breaking seven Olivier Awards, the most for any musical revival in Olivier history. The production has also won three prestigious Critics Circle Awards and most recently the Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Design for designer Tom Scutt.
One of the most successful musicals of all time Cabaret features the songs Wilkommen, Don’t Tell Mama, Mein Herr, Maybe This Time, Money and the title number. It has music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, book by Joe Masteroff. Based on the play by John Van Druten and stories by Christopher Isherwood.
Cabaret is directed by Rebecca Frecknall, set and costume design is by Tom Scutt with choreography by Julia Cheng. Musical supervision is by Jennifer Whyte and musical direction is by Ben Ferguson with lighting design by Isabella Byrd and sound design by Nick Lidster. The casting director is Stuart Burt and the associate director is Jordan Fein.
Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club is produced by Ambassador Theatre Group Productions and Underbelly.
Saturday, 5 November 2022
Full Cast Announced for Doctor Zhivago In Concert
Full casting is announced for Doctor Zhivago- In Concert playing at the London Palladium for one-night-only on Sunday 7 May 2023.
Ramin Karimloo and Celinde Schoenmaker will reprise their 2019 roles as ‘Yurii Zhivago’ and ‘Lara Guishar’ and are joined by returning cast members Kelly Mathieson (‘The Phantom of the Opera, Into The Woods’) playing ‘Tonia Gromeko’ and Charlie McCullagh (’42 Balloons’ and ‘Bonnie & Clyde’) playing ‘Pasha Antipov (Strelnikov)’. Nadim Naaman (‘Broken Wings’, ‘Rumi: The Musical’, ‘The Phantom of the Opera’) will feature as ‘Viktor Komarovksy’.
The cast is completed by Maisey Bawden as ‘Olya’, Cavin Cornwall as ‘Alexander Gromeko’ and Emma Norman as ‘Anna Gromeko’ with Tilly-Raye Bayer as ‘Young Tonia’, Olivia Clark as ‘Young Lara’ and Samuel Newby as ‘Young Yurii’.
Doctor Zhivago- In Concert at The London Palladium is dedicated to the show’s composer Lucy Simon. Producers Jamie Lambert and Eliza Jackson said, “We were so saddened to learn of the passing of the brilliant Lucy Simon. She was a talent beyond words and we are honoured to dedicate this concert production of one of her favourite works to her”.
Based on the Nobel Prize-winning novel by Boris Pasternak, Doctor Zhivago tells the story of Yurii Zhivago (Ramin Karimloo), a political idealist, physician, and poet whose life is tossed by the tides of history as he is torn between a life with his close childhood friend and wife, and the passionate and mysterious Lara Guishar (Celinde Schoenmaker).
Ramin Karimloo and Celinde Schoenmaker will reprise their 2019 roles as ‘Yurii Zhivago’ and ‘Lara Guishar’ and are joined by returning cast members Kelly Mathieson (‘The Phantom of the Opera, Into The Woods’) playing ‘Tonia Gromeko’ and Charlie McCullagh (’42 Balloons’ and ‘Bonnie & Clyde’) playing ‘Pasha Antipov (Strelnikov)’. Nadim Naaman (‘Broken Wings’, ‘Rumi: The Musical’, ‘The Phantom of the Opera’) will feature as ‘Viktor Komarovksy’.
The cast is completed by Maisey Bawden as ‘Olya’, Cavin Cornwall as ‘Alexander Gromeko’ and Emma Norman as ‘Anna Gromeko’ with Tilly-Raye Bayer as ‘Young Tonia’, Olivia Clark as ‘Young Lara’ and Samuel Newby as ‘Young Yurii’.
Doctor Zhivago- In Concert at The London Palladium is dedicated to the show’s composer Lucy Simon. Producers Jamie Lambert and Eliza Jackson said, “We were so saddened to learn of the passing of the brilliant Lucy Simon. She was a talent beyond words and we are honoured to dedicate this concert production of one of her favourite works to her”.
Based on the Nobel Prize-winning novel by Boris Pasternak, Doctor Zhivago tells the story of Yurii Zhivago (Ramin Karimloo), a political idealist, physician, and poet whose life is tossed by the tides of history as he is torn between a life with his close childhood friend and wife, and the passionate and mysterious Lara Guishar (Celinde Schoenmaker).
With a book by Oscar nominee Michael Weller and lyrics by Tony nominee Michael Korie and Emmy nominee Amy Powers, Doctor Zhivago features a sweeping score by two-time Grammy winner and Tony nominee Lucy Simon.
Doctor Zhivago- In Concert is directed by Jordan Murphy (Sunset Boulevard, Matilda, Mary Poppins) with musical direction by Adam Hoskins (The Secret Garden, Dr Zhivago, Camelot).
Olivier and Tony Award nominee Ramin Karimloo made his name in some of the West End's most enduring productions, most notably The Phantom of the Opera and Les Misérables. He originated the role of the Phantom in Phantom of the Opera sequel Love Never Dies in 2010 before making his Broadway debut in the 2014 revival of Les Misérables.
Karimloo has also performed show tunes on a series of solo recordings, including his second album, 2019's From Now On, which landed on the Billboard Heatseekers chart. He is currently starring as Nicky Arnstein in Funny Girl on Broadway.
Celinde Schoenmaker is a Dutch actress and singer, known for appearing as Fantine in the West End production of the musical Les Misérables and as Christine Daae in the West End production of The Phantom of the Opera. Other London theatre credits include Jenny Lind in Barnum at the Menier Chocolate Factory. She also played Renate Blauel in the Elton John biopic Rocketman.
Doctor Zhivago- In Concert is produced by Lambert Jackson and Positive Sum Productions.
Founded by Jamie Lambert and Eliza Jackson in 2018, Lambert Jackson were recently nominated for an Olivier for Best Play for their production of Cruise at the Duchess Theatre with a successful return run at the Apollo Theatre this August/September. They are arguably one of the most exciting theatrical production companies in the UK at the present time. Having been put on the map by their production of the UK Premiere of Doctor Zhivago the musical, they entered the global pandemic with vigour and determination, creating one of the largest online concert series the UK has ever seen, Leave a Light On and leading the way with streamed productions such as The Last Five Years, BKLYN, title of show, Songs for a New World - the latter opening the West End at a sell-out concert at the London Palladium.
Founded in 2022, Positive Sum Productions was created to cultivate original theatre, and celebrate existing shows already loved by many.
TICKETS CAN BE FOUND AT www.lwtheatres.co.uk
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