*Which new shows are coming to the West End?
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*Who is leaving the cast and who is replacing them
*What might close and what has been extended
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Chicago - Who’s the next Roxie? July 30, 2008
Posted by Linda in : cast changes, chicago , add a commentKelly Price will be the next Roxie Hart in Chicago for an 8 week run from September 1 until October 25.
Kelly Price’s West End Credits
No newcomer Kelly has been in two major West End productions already:
Guys and Dolls - Sarah Brown
Mamma Mia! - Sophie
Come Dancing - Ray Davies new musical July 16, 2008
Posted by Linda in : Musicals, Theatre Royal Stratford East, come dancing, dates , 6commentsCome Dancing with the Kinks
Come Dancing, is a new musical written by former Kinks singer-songwriter Ray Davies. It will open at the Theatre Royal Stratford East for a short run (13 September to 25 October 2008) before a possible West End transfer. Although the title comes from a song written by Davies in 1983 the show is not a jukebox musical. Original music and lyrics have been written by Davies. The multi-talented Davies (no mean poet as well as song writer) originated the story and co-wrote the book with Paul Sirett, there’s also additional material by Terry Johnson.The show will be directed by Theatre Royal Stratford East’s artistic director Kerry Michael.
The Story
Come Dancing is set in the Ilford Palais in the 1950s. According to the web site it:
“takes us back to a time when Saturday night dancing at the local palais was the magical, not-to-be-missed highlight of every young person’s week”.
Back in 2000 in an interview with Rolling Stone Davies said:
“‘Come Dancing’ is a musical with lots of actors and actresses. It’s about my sisters and how they lived through that time in post-war Britain.”
Ray Davies
Londoner Ray Davies was the frontman and main song writer for The Kinks from the early days (1963) to the end of the band in mid-1990s. He wrote classic hits such as “You Really Got Me”, “All Day and All of the Night”, “Lola”, “Waterloo Sunset”, “Do It Again” and one of my particular favourites “Muswell Hillbilly Boy”. As I mentioned he’s also a published author of both fiction and poetry.
My thoughts on Come Dancing
It’s been a long time coming but it might just be worth the wait. It had a pretty good eight week workshop at the National way back in 2000 and has been promised for further development ever since. Now I’m a Kinks fan of old and I think Ray Davies is a brilliant song writer so I will definitely be hoping to see this at the Theatre Royal Stratford East. I just wonder if Come Dancing will finally make it to the West End, we shall see….
Come Dancing Kinks Video
Meanwhile here’s a video taster of Come Dancing
Where are they now - quick update July 14, 2008
Posted by Linda in : news , add a commentSouth Pacific
After my round up yesterday of the fate of various TV audition show contestants I noticed that Helena Blackman (How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria 2007) is in the touring production of South Pacific. Helena has been playing the lead role of Nellie Forbush.
In an interview in the Western Mail she says:
I knew that Nellie was meant to be a great part because she constantly on stage and singing, but that’s about it. But this is also my first experience of touring and it is tough because you have to work hard but you also have to pack your suitcase every week
The role seems ideal for Blackman who has made no secret of her dislike of poppy or jukebox musicals.
“I’m not a very poppy performer, I couldn’t do High School Musical or Joseph, I’m very much a classical stage musical performer.”
South Pacific seems possible but perhaps unlikely for a West End return after the current tour. Still there are other classic musicals around that could do a lot worse than hire Helena Blackman 
We Will Rock You gets a surprise new cast member July 10, 2008
Posted by Linda in : I'd do anything, cast changes, dates, wewillrockyou , add a commentClue - “Rachel, you are not Nancy”
We Will Rock You has a new leading lady - Rachel Tucker! Rachel will take over as Meat at London’s Dominion Theatre from September 22nd.
Rachel said:
“It is a dream part. We Will Rock You is one of my favourite shows.
“I first saw it when I was a student at the Royal Academy and loved it.
“I am beside myself with excitement. I just can’t believe it.”
Belfast born and bred, Rachel almost made it to the final of the BBC1 show I’d Do Anything before she heard those fateful words. Despite a fabulous performance of Cabaret, she lost her chance to star as Nancy in the West End production of musical Oliver!
Now she has her chance on the West End stage after all and in one of the most popular and well established shows in town. Let’s not forget Kerry Ellis once played this role and look at her now!
We Will Rock You
We Will Rock You has been has been running at the Dominion Theatre for six years. The musical is based on the songs of Queen and a book by Ben Elton.
Other New Cast Members
Ian Carlyle - (Porgy and Bess and Miss Saigon) will play Meat’s partner Britney.
Garry Lake - (ex We Will Rock You ensemble) will play Pop.
Carousel - dates confirmed July 10, 2008
Posted by Linda in : Carousel, dates , add a comment
Carousel will play at the Savoy Theatre. Previews 22nd November. Opens 2 Dec 2008, booking to 25 July 2009, Starring:
Jeremiah James (Billy Bigelow)
Lesley Garrett (Nettie),
Alexandra Silber (Julie Jordan).
** Book Carousel Theatre Breaks **
Carousel – November 2008 July 9, 2008
Posted by Linda in : Carousel, news , add a commentCarousel tour then West End
After a short UK tour, 1945 Rodgers and Hammerstein classic Carousel is coming to London’s West End. The show is to start a short UK tour in September prior to a London transfer (venue and exact dates to be confirmed) in November. Possible venues include the Savoy, if Never Forget transfers.
** Book Carousel Theatre Breaks **
Lesley Garrett
Lesley Garrett, well known for both for her TV and stage appearances, will play Julie’s cousin Nettie Fowler . She came to prominence on the West End stage with her portrayal of the Abbess in that other Rogers and Hammerstien classic, The Sound of Music. Carousel will give Ms Garrett the opportunity to sing another Rogers and Hammerstien show stopping anthem, “You’ll Never Walk Alone”.
The story of Carousel
Carousel mixes fantasy and reality . The story is set in New England and tells the tragic tale of carousel barker Billy Bigelow and mill worker Julie Jordan. The story follows the fate of the two main couples, one working class (Billy and Julie) and one mostly middle class (Enoch and Carrie) and and their children.
Billy spends much of the second half of the show as an invisible ghost, watching over his daughter as she goes through her painful teenage years.
Premiered on Broadway in 1945, Carousel was made into a Hollywood film, starring Shirley Jones and Gordon McRae, in 1956. (On a personal note I watched this several times on TV as a teenager and cried buckets!)
Its last major London production was at the National Theatre in 1992
Songs from Carousel
Full of classic songs Carousel has many good tunes that we all know and love including:
You’re a Queer One, Julie Jordan
Mister Snow
June Is Bustin’ Out All Over
When the Children Are Asleep
If I loved You
And of course:
You’ll Never Walk Alone
** Book Carousel Theatre Breaks **
High School Musical - “It’s like Beatlemania!” July 5, 2008
Posted by Linda in : High School Musical, dates, news , 1 comment so farDisney’s High School Musical opened in London on June 30th for six weeks at the Hammersmith Apollo after a hugely successful tour which has proved wildly popular with the target pre-teen audience. During the previews the management had to erect barriers at the stage door to protect the cast from over-excited pre-teens.
** book High School Musical theatre breaks **
A spokesman for the production said:
“We always knew the show would be popular but the fan reaction has to be seen to be believed. It is like mini-Beatlemania.
He went on to explain that the end of the show cannons fire sparkly confetti over the auditorium. They had planned special arrangements to clean it up but these haven’t been needed as:
within two minutes it has completely disappeared because children are stashing it away in their pockets as a souvenir.
Cast
Mark Henry-Evans : Troy
Claire-Marie Hall : Gabriella
Letitia Dean : Mrs Darbus.
Dates
June 30th - August 2nd
High School Musical with microphone (Wii)
** book High School Musical theatre breaks **
Zorro - opening delayed July 1, 2008
Posted by Linda in : dates, zorro , 1 comment so farZorro – The Musical, should have started previews on June 30 at the Garrick Theatre. The opening of the show has now been delayed until July 2.
According to The Stage the producers said they are:
“disappointed to delay the first preview but the safety of the cast and crew is their priority.”
As Zorro involves lots of stage trickery, sword fighting and high energy aerial acrobatics, the staging has to be perfect. It seems likely that the staging will be even more dramatic than it was for the tour so health and safety need to be a priority.
Personally I can’t wait! This is one I really want to see
Billy Elliot - new Billy played by London boy June 23, 2008
Posted by Linda in : billy elliot, cast changes , add a commentBilly Elliot the Musical will have a new star tonight, Monday June 23 rd 2008. Fox Jackson-Keen will make his West End Stage debut in the title roll. Fox, who is from Hornsey, is the first Londoner to play Billy Elliot.
Fox is the sixteenth boy have to perform the role in the London production. He joins current Billy Elliot’s Layton Williams (14, Manchester), Hogan Fulton (13, California) and Joshua Fedrick (14, Cornwall). Other current cast members include Jackie Clune (Mrs Wilkinson), Phil Whitchurch (Dad), Chris Lennon (Tony), Ann Emery (Grandma), Trevor Fox (George), Alex Delamere (Mr Braithwaite), Sara Poyzer (Mum) and Barnaby Meredith (Older Billy).
Billy Elliot is booking until 11 April 2009: book Billy Elliot theatre breaks
West End Live 2008 - running order June 21, 2008
Posted by Linda in : news, westendlive , add a commentWest End LIVE 2008 is a free family event taking place outdoors in Leicester Square, London on Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd June. The entertainment kicks off at 11am on Saturday morning and again at 12noon on the Sunday with plenty of top acts packed in to the line up on the huge main stage. Most of the West End’s top shows will be presenting full cast excerpts from the shows with several songs and dances from each during the day.
Here is the running order, which is likely to stick pretty closely to the following schedule. If you are able to make it, have a great day out and do please share any photos and short videos taken in the London Theatre Flickr group or similar, posting links in the comments below. Cheers.
Saturday 21st June |
|
| 11.00 | Jersey Boys |
| 11.15 | Into The Hoods |
| 11.30 | Wicked |
| 11.45 | Lord of the Rings |
| 12.00 | Dirty Dancing |
| 12.20 | The Players Theatre |
| 12.45 | We Will Rock You |
| 13.00 | Never Forget |
| 13.15 | Grease |
| 13.30 | Chicago |
| 13.45 | Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat |
| 14.00 | Mamma Mia |
| 14.20 | Bar Rumba present Salsateca |
| 14.35 | Buddy |
| 14.55 | Royal Albert Hall Ignite Series present King Pleasure & the Biscuit Boys |
| 15.35 | Avenue Q |
| 16.00 | ‘Stars of the Future’ – The Sylvia Young Theatre School |
| 16.20 | High School Musical |
| 16.35 | Pride London event showcase - The London Gay Men’s Chorus |
| 16.55 | Smollenskys Restaurant and Jazz Bar presents The KB Fusionnaires |
| 17.45 | Stomp! |
Sunday 22nd June |
|
| 12.00 | 39 Steps present … |
| 12.00 | Stomp |
| 12.20 | Betwixt |
| 12.35 | The Jersey Boys |
| 12.45 | Justin Fletcher and Friends |
| 13.05 | ‘Stars of the Future’ - National Youth Music Theatre |
| 13.20 | Mamma Mia! |
| 13.40 | All Bob’s Women |
| 13.55 | Brief Encounter |
| 14.10 | Dickens Unplugged |
| 14.25 | London Notting Hill Carnival event showcase - Flamboyan |
| 14.45 | Divas |
| 15.05 | The Sound of Music |
| 15:20 | ‘Stars of the Future’ - West End Kids |
| 15.40 | The Big Dance event showcase |
| 16.05 | Covent Garden London Showcase |
| 16:25 | Lord Mayor’s WEL presentations |
| 16.40 | Shakespeare’s Globe presents The King Lear Band |
| 16.55 | The Dover Street Restaurant and Jazz Bar presents The Blues Engineers |
| 17.35 | Ain’t Nothin But Blues Bar presents Big Joe Louis and His Blues Kings |
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