Showing posts sorted by date for query The Phantom of the Opera. Sort by relevance Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by date for query The Phantom of the Opera. 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.
Friday, 1 November 2024
The Impossible Man Musical Honouring Houdini to Debut with Exclusive Previews on Lake Como in Spring 2025
In an enchanting new musical tribute to Harry Houdini, The Impossible Man will bring the legendary illusionist to life with special previews on Lake Como, Italy, in Spring 2025. Portrayed by Broadway star and Drama Desk nominee Ryan Silverman, Houdini’s story will unfold with over 20 dazzling stage illusions, including some that have never before been seen onstage. This exciting announcement coincides with October 31, 2024, marking 98 years since Houdini's passing.
Silverman, known for his performances in Broadway hits like The Phantom of the Opera, Chicago, and Side Show, will capture Houdini’s world-renowned charisma and stage mastery. Reflecting on his role, Silverman shared:
Playing Houdini will be a challenge I’m thrilled to take on, and with such a respected creative team, I’m beyond excited to jump into the world of The Impossible Man!”
Under the direction of Federico Bellone, who recently helmed Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera, The Impossible Man promises a bold narrative style inspired by modern television, shifting between Houdini’s final day in 1926 and pivotal moments from his past. This unique approach invites audiences to explore both Houdini’s fame and personal trials, all set against a Broadway-inspired score composed by Giovanni Maria Lori, who has drawn influence from Houdini's Hungarian roots.
Magic designer Paolo Carta (known for Mary Poppins, Ghost, and Charlie and The Chocolate Factory in Europe) will be creating a range of awe-inspiring illusions, including a reimagining of Houdini's Chinese Water Torture Cell and the stage appearance of an elephant. The impressive choreography, led by Gillian Bruce, will add another layer to the production’s dynamic performances.
With its prestigious Lake Como setting for previews at Sociale Theatre and a full international debut to be announced later in the year, The Impossible Man promises to be a memorable tribute to Houdini, celebrating his life and magic like never before.
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 Mis̩rables, Frozen, Back To The Future, Tina РThe 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.
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!
Friday, 25 August 2023
Love Never Dies in Concert at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane Review: Musicality Reigns Supreme
Love Never Dies in Concert
Theatre Royal Drury Lane
★★★★
Once again, the LMTO and Fourth Wall Live have joined forces to bring a musical to life in concert form with a stellar cast and stunning music. This time, it’s the much discussed and dissected Love Never Dies, which hasn’t been staged in the West End since 2011. For two days the Theatre Royal Drury Lane played host to the latest iteration of the show which mesmerisingly took audiences back to the world of the Phantom and Christine. With the spotlight on a talented cast, and powerful orchestrations, this concert rendition really let the music shine and provided a memorable theatrical experience for those in attendance.
With such a brilliant cast, it’s no surprise that the performances were broadly nothing short of exceptional, capturing the essence of the characters and their emotions. Celinde Schoenmaker stepped back into the role of the beloved songbird, Christine Daae and did so in an utterly magical way, with her soaring soprano perfectly bringing the score to life and dazzling throughout her time on stage. Alongside her, Broadway veteran Norm Lewis put mask back on (in this case a swanky gold number) and became the musical Phantom of the Opera once again. His gorgeous baritone vocals provided some spectacular moments, especially in the rousing Till I Hear You Sing and it’s always a treat to see him on a West End stage. It did however seem that the rock number The Beauty Underneath was not performed live, which is a bit disappointing in a show of this calibre, and it would be interesting to know what prompted this decision from the creative team. This isn’t a criticism of anyone in particular, but perhaps opens a wider conversation about how these concert versions are rehearsed and put together. Of course it’s a massive task to create such strong shows in a short amount of time and given their minimal runtime it’s understandable that the turnaround has to be fairly quick, but it would be curious to know if it’s possible to create a rehearsal process that works for everyone involved and doesn’t leave the audience feeling shortchanged.
Aside from this, the music was incredibly strong, with a number of stand out moments that brought to life the deeply evocative and emotive feelings which course through this show. As Meg Giry, Courtney Stapleton brought a lovely buoyancy and freshness which showed the character in a new and engaging light, whilst Matthew Season-Young provided some strong vocal moments as Raoul. The supporting cast, including the London Musical Theatre Chorus deserve commendation for their remarkable vocals which truly soared in the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.
Staging wise, this was one of the less full-out concerts compared to others but it still did an excellent job of evoking the world of Phantasma and showcasing some of the whimsy of Coney Island. Rebecca Brower’s costumes were very in keeping with the gothic vibes and cleverly mirrored some of those from the original Phantom production, overall creating a dynamic atmosphere which cleverly set the place and time, without overshadowing the music.
The LMTO orchestra, under the baton of Freddie Tapner, masterfully captured the intricate emotions of the music, underscoring the characters' journeys with every note. The majestic melodies and haunting refrains were a testament to the timeless quality of Lloyd Webber's composition and it was such a treat to hear the score performed by such a large group of highly talented musicians.
While Love Never Dies has faced criticism for its narrative depth, the concert format seemed to address some of these concerns. The live performance allowed the characters to shine and their relationships to be explored with greater nuance. A lot of the plot is quite frankly ludicrous and the characters have taken complete 180s from their initial iterations but this concert format seemed to be a perfect vehicle for highlighting the strengths of the piece while minimising its perceived weaknesses.
Overall Love Never Dies in Concert, was a captivating and emotionally resonant experience. The talented cast and impeccable orchestral accompaniment combined to create a theatrical event that honoured the legacy of its predecessor while standing as a powerful production in its own right. Many of the original book issues still stand but from the audience reaction, it’s clear that this is still a show which many hold close to their hearts.
Reviewed on Tuesday 21st August 2023 by Olivia Mitchell
{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
Initial Cast Announced for Elf the Musical at the Dominion Theatre this Winter
Celebrating its 20th anniversary since the original release of the motion picture featuring the talented Will Ferrell, the worldwide sensation and holiday classic, Elf, is set to grace London's Dominion Theatre once again. Following its overwhelming success last year, the smash-hit musical adaptation returns for a second consecutive year, delighting audiences from 15 November 2023 until 6 January 2024.
Returning to reprise their memorable roles are the talented Georgina Castle, known for her performances in Dirty Dancing and Mamma Mia, as Jovie, and Rebecca Lock, renowned for her roles in The Phantom of the Opera and Avenue Q, as Emily Hobbs. Nicholas Pound, recognised for his appearances in Cats and The Rocky Horror Show, brings Santa to life once again, while the multi-talented Kim Ismay, known for her roles in Wicked and Saturday Night Fever, takes on the character of Debs. Dermot Canavan, celebrated for his performances in Hairspray and Oklahoma!, embodies the Store Manager. Stay tuned for further casting announcements, including new actors who will portray the roles of Buddy and Walter Hobbs.
Based on the beloved 2003 New Line Cinema hit, Elf features a captivating book by Tony Award-winners Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers, Hairspray) and Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone), accompanied by enchanting songs composed by Tony Award nominees Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin (The Wedding Singer).
This production will once again be brought to life under the expert direction of Philip Wm. McKinley, with choreography by Liam Steel. The original set and costume designs by Tim Goodchild, along with lighting design by Patrick Woodroffe, immersive sound by Gareth Owen, and video design by Ian William Galloway, will transport the audience into Buddy's world. The casting process will be overseen by Grindrod Burton Casting.
Elf tells the heartwarming and humorous tale of Buddy, a baby who accidentally finds himself in Santa's gift bag and is whisked away to the North Pole. Raised as an elf, Buddy remains unaware of his human origins, but his size and toy-making struggles eventually lead him to discover the truth—he's not an elf and will never truly fit in at the North Pole. With Santa's blessing, Buddy embarks on an extraordinary journey to New York, in search of his birth father, to uncover his true identity, and to remind the city of the genuine spirit of Christmas.
photo credit: Mark Senior
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
Friday, 5 August 2022
Sierra Boggess to Appear Live in Concert in Christmas at Cadogan Hall
Fourth Wall Live is delighted to announce that Olivier Award nominated Broadway and West End star Sierra Boggess will appear live in concert in ‘Christmas At The Cadogan Hall’ on Sunday 11 December 2022 at 2.30pm and 6.30pm. Tickets are on sale now www.fw-live.com/sierra
Sierra said today, “I’m thrilled to be returning to London to make music together at Cadogan Hall! The concert will feature songs that I love to perform, as well as some holiday music to celebrate the season!”
Sierra Boggess has been seen on Broadway in the Tony nominated musical School Of Rock, It Shoulda Been You directed by David Hyde Pierce, the Broadway production of The Phantom of the Opera, the revival of Master Class and The Little Mermaid, for which she received Drama Desk and Drama League nominations and a Broadway.com Audience Choice Award.
In the West End, Sierra’s theatre credits include Les Misérables, the 25th Anniversary concerts of The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall and her Olivier Award nominated performance as Christine Daae in Love Never Dies.
Other New York theatre credits include the recent off-Broadway production of Barry Manilow’s Harmony, Manhattan Concert Productions’ The Secret Garden at Lincoln Center; the one-night-only concert of Guys & Dolls at Carnegie Hall opposite Nathan Lane, Patrick Wilson and Megan Mullally; the final Off-Broadway cast of Love, Loss, and What I Wore; and Music in the Air for City Center’s Encores! series. She also starred as Christine Daae in the Las Vegas production of The Phantom of the Opera. Across the United States she has been seen in Into The Woods, A Little Night Music, Ever After, Age of Innocence, Princesses, and the national tour of Les Misérables. Her Film and Television credits include Vulture Club with Susan Sarandon and the web series What’s Your Emergency, directed by Michael Urie.
Sierra’s recordings include School Of Rock, It Shoulda Been You, the 25th-anniversary concert of The Phantom of the Opera, the symphonic recording of Love Never Dies, The Little Mermaid, and Andrew Lippa’s A Little Princess. Concert appearances include the BBC Proms at Royal Albert Hall, Lincoln Center’s American Songbook series The Lyrics of David Zippel, The New York Pops at Carnegie Hall, and Broadway by the Year at Town Hall. Sierra has toured all over the world across Australia, Japan, Paris, and London with her concert show, which has been preserved live and released on CD, Awakening: Live at 54 Below. She recently released an album of duets with Julian Ovenden made during the pandemic entitled Together At A Distance. www.sierraboggess.com
Fourth Wall Live is an entertainment company that produces events, concerts and on-stage shows. In January 2022 FWL presented Bonnie and Clyde The Musical In Concert for two nights to a sold-out audience at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, starring Broadway favourite Jeremy Jordan. The concert broke Drury Lane box office records selling out a two-night run in less than six minutes. The concert was live captured for cinematic/streaming distribution, with its release to be announced in due course.
In 2022 Fourth Wall Live is delighted to be presenting Audra McDonald at the London Palladium, and Jeremy Jordan at Theatre Royal Drury Lane. FWL regularly presents concerts featuring stars of the West End and Broadway including Keala Settle, Jeremy Jordan, Matthew Morrison and Hannah Waddingham among others.
Fourth Wall Live was also a producer of Bonnie & Clyde the Musical which ran at The Arts Theatre in the West End for 13 weeks during 2022.
Wednesday, 25 May 2022
Line-Up for West End LIVE is Unveiled
A packed line-up of 34 hit West End shows has been unveiled so far ahead of this year’s West End LIVE, a free and unticketed celebration of London’s world-leading theatre scene which comes to Trafalgar Square on the weekend of 25 and 26 June. More acts are due to be announced in the next few weeks, as London gears up for the biggest ever West End LIVE.
Tens of thousands of theatre fans are expected to flock to the capital for this year’s musical theatre spectacular, enjoying free performances from dozens of top shows - from long-running favourites Hamilton, Les Misérables, Wicked, Six, The Book Of Mormon, Disney’s The Lion King and Matilda The Musical, to new shows making their West End LIVE debut, such as Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Legally Blonde, My Fair Lady, Disney’s Beauty And The Beast, Back To The Future - The Musical and Get Up Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical.
This unique event, a joint production by Westminster City Council and the Society of London Theatre (SOLT), unites London’s theatre industry every year and brings people of all ages into central London to experience the best of the West End - from the city’s unparalleled culture scene to food, drink, fashion, nightlife, retail and more.
As excitement builds for West End LIVE, anyone visiting central London in the next couple of weeks - and who happens to look up - might catch one of a series of surprise, pop-up performances by West End shows on iconic London rooftops, an opportunity to get a feel for things to come from one of the world’s most spectacular outdoor theatre events. Details for these ‘Sing it from the Rooftops’ events will be teased before each appearance on the West End LIVE and Official London Theatre social channels, and anyone lucky enough to witness one will be in with a chance of winning a West End LIVE queue jump. The first pop-up performance will take place today (Wednesday 25 June) at 4pm, in Covent Garden’s famous piazza on the SUSHISAMBA balcony.
Sky VIP are welcomed back as sponsor for West End LIVE 2022, having also supported last year’s event. Once again, they will be offering their customers the chance to watch from the exclusive Sky VIP viewing area onsite, plus win some fabulous prizes.
They join returning partners The Northbank and Edwardian Hotels and sponsors Art of London, Capco Covent Garden, The Crown Estate, Derwent London, Great Western Railway, Heart of London Business Alliance, New West End Company, The Portman Estate, Regent Street & St James’s, Shaftesbury, Veolia, Victoria Business Improvement District, Victoria Westminster Business Improvement District and Whitehall Business Improvement District.
Eleanor Lloyd, President of SOLT, said:
‘London’s theatres are the envy of the world, and West End LIVE is a highlight of the theatrical calendar for so many - not just the countless fans who converge on Trafalgar Square to enjoy a wealth of incredible live entertainment, but also the hundreds of performers and crew involved in putting on what is always an unforgettable weekend. We are delighted to continue to work so closely with Westminster to deliver West End LIVE, and hugely grateful for the support of Sky, who have a long history as champions of theatre and the arts.’
Cllr Tim Roca, Deputy Leader at Westminster City Council, said:
‘West End LIVE is a much-loved annual event that brings together the musical theatre community in celebration of the world-class theatre we have right on our doorstep. One of the main aims the new administration has for the council is to make culture, arts and leisure accessible to everyone living in Westminster, not just the few. We want to encourage all residents, especially those in disadvantaged communities, to participate and join in cultural opportunities and big, fun events such as West End LIVE so we can bring all our communities in Westminster together.’
Joel Keoghan, Head of Brand Partnerships at Sky said:
Sky is delighted to be part of West End LIVE again. This annual celebration of London’s world class theatre is a fantastic event and a highlight in the arts calendar. It’s a great opportunity for us to host and thank our customers, getting them closer to the entertainment they love through Sky VIP.
Official London Theatre will be backstage throughout the West End LIVE weekend sharing exclusive behind-the-scenes content across our social channels.
West End LIVE remains free and unticketed as in previous years. The event will be BSL interpreted by Sue MacLaine, Marco Nardi and Caroline Richardson.
List of shows appearing at West End LIVE 2022
More shows and acts will be announced in the lead-up to the event
& Juliet
Back To The Future - The Musical
Disney's Beauty And The Beast
Bonnie And Clyde The Musical
The Book Of Mormon
Chess, Kinky Boots and Treason at Drury Lane
The Choir Of Man
Come From Away
Dear Evan Hansen
The Drifters Girl
Fantastically Great Women Who Changed The World The Musical
Disney's Frozen
Get Up Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical
Grease The Musical
The Great Gatsby
Hamilton
Heathers The Musical
Jersey Boys
Legally Blonde The Musical
Disney's The Lion King
Magic Mike Live
Mamma Mia!
Mary Poppins
The RSC’s Matilda The Musical
Les Misérables
Moulin Rouge! The Musical
My Fair Lady
Only Fools And Horses The Musical
The Phantom Of The Opera
Pretty Woman: The Musical
Six
South Pacific
Tina - The Tina Turner Musical
Wicked
photo credit: Pamela Raith
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