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.
Muriel’s Wedding The Musical Original Australian Cast Recording Now Available in the UK
Muriel’s Wedding The Musical original Australian cast recording has been released in the UK for the first time across all major streaming platforms, announced by Global Creatures. Fans of the beloved cult classic film can now enjoy the musical’s 19-track album on platforms like Spotify, Apple, Amazon, Tidal, Deezer, YouTube Music, and more, with selected tracks also available on Meta and TikTok. Created by award-winning artists Kate Miller-Heidke and Keir Nuttall, the soundtrack also includes beloved ABBA songs by Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus, and Stig Anderson.
This UK album release builds excitement for Muriel’s Wedding The Musical’s upcoming UK premiere at Leicester’s Curve Theatre from 10 April to 10 May 2025. Starring Megan Ellis as Muriel and Annabel Marlow as Rhonda, the Made at Curve and Global Creatures co-production brings Muriel’s story to UK audiences in association with the Sydney Theatre Company. Curve recently previewed the cast’s performances of “Amazing” and “The Bouquet,” which will be released through Curve’s channels soon.
Carmen Pavlovic of Global Creatures shared her enthusiasm:
We are thrilled to release the original Australian cast recording of Muriel’s Wedding The Musical® in the UK... This soundtrack showcases the ingenious music and lyrics by Kate Miller-Heidke and Keir Nuttal sung by the talented original Australian cast. We can’t wait for UK audiences to experience this music in person at Leicester’s Curve in April next year.”
Songwriters Miller-Heidke and Nuttall added:
We are positively stoked that UK audiences will soon get to hear and experience Muriel's Wedding The Musical. It's a show full of humour, colour, and pathos... Bringing these iconic characters to life through song was a true honour... We hope UK audiences fall in love with them as much as we have.”
Adapted from the iconic 1994 film by PJ Hogan, Muriel’s Wedding The Musical brings a fresh theatrical experience to the classic story, directed by Simon Phillips with PJ Hogan updating his original screenplay for the stage. The production’s creative team includes renowned talents like choreographer Andrew Hallsworth, set designer Matthew Kinley, costume designer Gabriela Tylesova, and musical supervisor Isaac Hayward, among others. The original production earned numerous awards, including five Helpmann Awards and seven Sydney Theatre Awards, further cementing its place as a celebrated theatrical adaptation.
Get Ready for the UK's First Musical Theatre Market!
Exciting news, theatre lovers! The countdown is on for the very first Musical Theatre Market on November 9th at the Custard Factory in Birmingham. This is a one-of-a-kind event- the UK’s first-ever “stagey” craft market- and it’s shaping up to be a dream come true for musical theatre fans and craft lovers alike. With just two weeks to go until the big day, here’s everything you need to know to get ready for a day full of show-stopping finds and handmade magic!
🎨 Meet the Makers: 40+ Talented Vendors and Crafters
Musical Theatre Market are bringing together an incredible lineup of over 40 talented small businesses, each with their own special touch of musical theatre magic! Among our vendors, you’ll find some familiar names, like:
Amelia Stitches- beautiful intricate embroidery and embroidery kits
LettersToJuly- beautiful, show-inspired stationary including washi tape and post its
Handmade Broadway- theatrical artwork, a staple for any theatre fan’s home decor
Eve Leoni Art- stunning, theatre-inspired illustrations and products
Musical Theatre Pins- the ultimate stop for unique, collectible pins to rep your favourite shows!
And that’s not all! They'll also be welcoming some fresh, exciting faces you may not have heard of (yet!)- like Stagey Stitches, who makes one-of-a-kind scrunchies from actual West End show fabrics (talk about authentic theatre merch!), and Musical Merch Shop, run by 12-year-old Willow, whose passion for musical theatre shines through every piece she makes.
🌟 What Makes Musical Theatre Market Special?
Musical Theatre Market isn’t just a shopping experience- it’s a celebration of the creativity and the community that make theatre so special! Whether you’re looking for show-themed gifts, personalised art, or just something that reminds you of your favourite show tunes, there’s something here for everyone.
Plus, the event is extra-special with:
-Exclusive market-only merchandise you won’t find anywhere else
-A friendly, welcoming vibe that’s all about bringing the theatre community together
-The chance to meet and chat with the talented artists and makers behind your new favorite items
📅 Save the Date & Spread the Word!
Mark your calendars, set your reminders, and make sure you’re ready to be there on November 9th at the Custard Factory in Birmingham. Grab your friends, your family, and any theatre fan in your life- they won’t want to miss it either!
For full details, visit the website musicaltheatremarket.co.uk. Pop along to make history with you at the UK's very first Musical Theatre Market and enjoy a show-stopping day!
Critically Acclaimed Production The Years Transfers to the West End’s Harold Pinter Theatre
Sonia Friedman Productions has announced the West End transfer of The Years, a critically acclaimed adaptation of Nobel Prize winner Annie Ernaux’s semi-autobiographical novel Les Années. Directed and adapted by Eline Arbo with an English version by Stephanie Bain, this production captivated audiences in its sold-out run at the Almeida Theatre, following a successful premiere at Internationaal Theater Amsterdam. The Years will run at the Harold Pinter Theatre from 24 January to 19 April 2025.
Critics have praised The Years as a “masterpiece” (The Guardian) and an experience that “moves in ways theatre often tries to but rarely achieves” (The Independent). The production features powerful performances from Deborah Findlay, Romola Garai*, Gina McKee, Anjli Mohindra, and Harmony Rose-Bremner, who collectively portray the life of one woman, capturing her experiences against the evolving landscape of the 20th and 21st centuries.
With each “click” of memory, Ernaux’s story unfolds: a child growing up amidst post-war ruins, a student exploring new freedoms, an activist championing rights, a wife, mother, lover, and grandmother – each phase of life layered with personal and political significance. This staging captures Ernaux’s meditation on memory with depth, surprise, and theatrical virtuosity, leading audiences through a journey that pairs “the dead with the living, real with imaginary beings, dreams with history.”
The creative team includes Music Supervisor and Sound Designer Thijs van Vuure, Set Designer Juul Dekker, Costume Designer Rebekka Wörmann, Lighting Designer Varja Klosse, and Casting Director Amy Ball CDG. Associate direction is by Yasmin Hafesji. Originally produced by Het Nationale Theater as De Jaren in 2022, The Years has gained acclaim across Europe and is poised to offer a poignant theatrical experience in its West End debut.
Note: Romola Garai will perform until 8 March, with additional casting to be announced.
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