Russell Grant to celebrate Ivor Novello in special concert at the St. James Studio

Russell Grant is set to host a special concert to celebrate the work of Ivor Novello at the St. James Studio. Ivor Novello is the the most successful British musical theatre composer of the first half of the 20th century. Russel will be joined by Musical Director and former member of Only Men Aloud, Ross Leadbeater and West End Frame Award winner Katy Treharne.

2013 marks the 120th anniversary of the birth of the Welsh-born composer, who gives his name to both a West End theatre and the internationally respected Ivor Novello Awards. Inspired by his legacy, this is a not-to-be-missed opportunity to enjoy an intimate evening in the company of Russell, Ross and a host of leading singers from the West End and the world of opera.

The evening also features other British theatre composers such as Noël Coward, Lionel Bart and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Russell Grant hosts the concert, his love of Novello began when he toured in the last major production of Novello’s King’s Rhapsody.

Russell’s dream came true when given the chance to dance on BBC 1’s Strictly Come Dancing. Russell was invited by Andrew Lloyd Webber to star in The Wizard of Oz (Palladium): he returned to the Palladium after 34 years, the last time with Tommy Steele in Hans Andersen. West End credits: Slogger Williams in Tom Brown’s Schooldays (Cambridge), the Snake in  Children of Eden (Prince of Wales) and Carlos in Midnight Tango (Phoenix Theatre). Last year Russell won plaudits galore with his glitzy Teen Angel in the 20th Anniversary production of Grease with a unique Latin dance mega-mix choreographed by Arlene Phillips.

Ross Leadbeater has a varied career as a musical director, pianist, singer and vocal coach. He was recently Musical Supervisor for Novello’s last musical Gay’s the Word which enjoyed a sell-out run at Jermyn Street Theatre. West End credits as Musical Director: Talent 2012 (Garrick Theatre), West-End Eurovision 2012: Phantom of the Opera (Dominion Theatre) and Betwixt! (Trafalgar Studios). Ross was rehearsal pianist for South Pacific (Barbican Centre) and répétiteur for The Mikado and HMS Pinafore (Buxton Opera House). Television include: Last Choir Standing, The Classical Brit Awards, The Royal Variety Show 2008 and Proms in the Park. 

Katy Treharne played Nina in the UK Premiere of Dear World and Alternate Christine in Phantom of the Opera. She toured Sweden with West End star Peter Jöback in I Love Musicals and will feature on the CD release this autumn. Last year she won West End Frame's Understudy of the Year Award.

The concert will also feature Rhidian Marc, Annatt Bass and Martin Milnes.

Ivor Novello and the Great British Musical takes place at the St. James Studio on Sunday 23rd June at 7:30pm.

Box Office: 0844 264 2140 / boxoffice@stjamestheatre.co.uk

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