Review: [title of show] at the Landor Theatre

[title of show]

Landor Theatre

Reviewed on Monday 12th August 2013

It was a very brave decision for the Landor Theatre to stage the London premiere of [title of show] at the same time as the musical is receiving its UK premiere at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Having seen the show in Edinburgh just two days earlier, it felt a little strange to be reviewing another production of [title of show] so soon. Of course it would be impossible not to compare the two productions. 

Edinburgh Review: [title of show] at Assembly Checkpoint

[title of show]

Edinburgh Fringe Festival

Assembly Checkpoint 

Reviewed on Saturday 10th August 2013

Before you complain I have not made an error, this show's name is [title of show]. There is no simple way to describe [title of show], it is a musical about two guys writing a musical about two guys writing a musical. This may sound hugely complicated but don't let it put you off because, due to clever writing, [title of show] is very easy to follow. 

Interview: Sarah Galbraith, starring in [title of show] at the Landor Theatre

Sarah Galbraith is currently starring as Susan in the London premiere of [title of show] at the Landor Theatre. She most recently starred as Florence in the London revival of Chess which enjoyed a sold out run at the Union Theatre. 

Originally from the USA, Sarah has performed in all three US productions of The Phantom of the Opera. She was a Swing in the Broadway Production, understudied Madame Giry in the US National Tour and understudied Christine in the Las Vegas Production.

Sarah’s other theatre credits include Rita in Steel Pier at the Union Theatre, Johanna in Sweeney Todd at the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle, Carrie in the US Tour of Carousel and Ariel in a Japanese concert tour of The Little Mermaid. She recently performed in The Night of 1000 Voices at the Royal Albert Hall.

I recently spoke to Sarah about what audiences can expect from [title of show], her time in Chess and what roles she has her eye on...

How does it feel to be starring in the London premiere of [title of show]?
Amazing! All we’ve done is laugh, so far the whole experience has been so much fun! We started rehearsals by working on the music because the score sounds simpler than it actually is. It’s quite intricate music and harmonies so we had to buckle down and really work on it.

Sneak Peek at... the London premiere of [title of show]

Production images have been released for the London premiere of [title of show] which begins previews at the Landor Theatre tonight (7th August). The show officially opens next Monday (12th August) and runs until 14th September 2013. The cast features Simon Bailey as ‘Jeff’, Scott Garnham as ‘Hunter’, Sarah Galbraith as ‘Susan’ and Sophia Ragavelas as ‘Heidi’. Have a sneak peek at the cast in action below (click on an image to enlarge)!

Three Weeks. Two friends. One original musical. [title of show] is described as a "wickedly hilarious musical comedy" about Hunter and Jeff, two struggling writers who decide to create a new musical for the inaugural New York Musical Theatre Festival. With a three week deadline looming but nothing to lose, they decide to try and create the show of their dreams, but soon realise that their mad dash to put pen to paper is infinitely more entertaining than the show they are writing.

Interview: Carley Stenson

Following a ten year stint playing Steph Cunningham in Hollyoaks, Carley Stenson has become an established West End star. 

After leaving Hollyoaks she joined the West End production of Legally Blonde The Musical at the Savoy Theatre, playing Elle Wood’s ditzy friend Margot. Carley then took over the lead role when Susan McFadden left the show, playing Elle until the production closed in April 2012. 

She then went straight into the West End production of Shrek The Musical at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane to play Princess Fiona, taking over from Kimberley Walsh. Most recently Carley starred in The West End Men at the Vaudeville Theatre.

Carley is currently starring in the UK premiere of [title of show] at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Carley plays Susan in the hilarious multi award-winning Broadway musical which is about two guys writing a musical about two guys writing a musical.

I recently spoke to Carley about what attracted her to the project, her time in Legally Blonde and what she would like to do next…

How are rehearsals going for [title of show]?
They're going really well! We have done a lot of laughing and had some nice bonding sessions!

You are starring in the UK premiere of the show, is it nice to have the opportunity to create a role instead of joining an established show?
Oh definitely! It’s something that I've never had the chance to do on stage before so this is a step in the right direction for me. Although I must admit, it is a little bit more nerve wracking!

Interview: Scott Garnham

It was recently announced that West End star Scott Garnham will play Hunter in the London premiere of [title of show] at the Landor Theatre alongside Simon Bailey as Jeff, Sarah Galbraith as Susan and Sophia Ragavelas as Heidi.

Scott most recently appeared as Mr Lindquist in “A Little Night Music - in Concert” at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre. Prior to this he played Feuilly and covered the roles of Marius and Enjolras in “Les Misérables” at the Queens Theatre. 

His other theatre credits include the “Les Misérables 25th Anniversary Concert at The O2”, Ronan Corr in the West End and UK touring productions of “Eurobeat” and Jose Reize in the UK tour of “Never Forget”.

Last week I spoke to Scott about what people can expect from [title of show], when he first found out about the musical and his time in Les Mis…

How are rehearsals for [title of show] going?

It’s been amazing so far! It’s such a brilliant piece and the most original show that I’ve ever had the pleasure of working on.

Have you always wanted to create a role in an original production?

Absolutely, I think it’s something every actor wants to do and it’s great that the Landor Theatre provides that platform for so many people. When I found out about the project I jumped at the chance to be part of it.

Simon Bailey, Scott Garnham, Sarah Galbraith & Sophia Ragavelas to star in [title of show] at the Landor Theatre

Full casting has been announced for the London premiere of Broadway musical [title of show], which will open at the Landor Theatre on Monday 12th August (previews from 7th August), running until Saturday 14th September 2013.

The cast (pictured right) will feature Simon Bailey as ‘Jeff’, Scott Garnham as ‘Hunter’, Sarah Galbraith as ‘Susan’ and Sophia Ragavelas as ‘Heidi’.

Simon Bailey was most recently seen touring the UK as ‘Raoul’ in Cameron Mackintosh’s new production of “The Phantom of the Opera”. West End credits include ‘Lieutenant Torrasso/Count Ludovic’ in “Passion” at the Donmar Warehouse, ‘Raoul’ in “The Phantom of the Opera” at Her Majesty's Theatre, ‘Enjolras’ in “Les Miserables” at the Queen's Theatre, ‘Britney’ in “We Will Rock You” at the Dominion Theatre and ‘Pharaoh’ in“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” at the New London Theatre. 

Scott Garnham played ‘Feuilly’ and covered the roles of ‘Marius’ and ‘Enjolras’ in “Les Misérables” at the Queens Theatre. Other theatre credits include the “Les Misérables 25th Anniversary Concert at The O2”, ‘Ronan Corr’ in the West End and UK touring productions of “Eurobeat” and ‘Jose Reize’ in the UK tour of “Never Forget”.

Carley Stenson to star in [title of show] at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival

It has been announced that West End and Hollyoaks star, Carley Stenson will appear as Susan in the UK professional premiere of [title of show] at this years Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Three Weeks. Two friends. One original musical. [title of show] is a wickedly hilarious musical comedy about Hunter and Jeff, two struggling writers who decide to create a new musical for the inaugural New York Musical Theatre Festival. With a three week deadline looming but nothing to lose, they decide to try and create the show of their dreams, but soon realise that their mad dash to put pen to paper is infinitely more entertaining than the show they are writing. Their struggle to write a hit becomes the subject of the show, and so [title of show] is born, taking its name from the ominous space on the festival’s application form. Chronicling its own creation and the real life story of Hunter and Jeff’s journey to seeing their musical produced, [title of show] is a love letter to musical theatre, following your dreams, and daring to believe that you can actually get paid to do what you love.

Carley's West End credits include playing Princess Fiona in Shrek The Musical at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane and Elle Woods in Legally Blonde at the Savoy Theatre. She most recently starred in The West End Men at the Vaudeville Theatre and is well known for playing Steph Cunningham in Channel 4’s Hollyoaks for over ten years. 

[title of show] for London premiere at the Landor Theatre

It has been announced that Broadway musical [title of show] will make its London premiere at the Landor Theatre later this year. The production will open on Monday 12th August 2013 (previews from 7th August) and will run until 14th September 2013. 

Three Weeks. Two friends. One original musical. [title of show] is a wickedly hilarious musical comedy about Hunter and Jeff, two struggling writers who decide to create a new musical for the inaugural New York Musical Theatre Festival. With a three week deadline looming but nothing to lose, they decide to try and create the show of their dreams, but soon realise that their mad dash to put pen to paper is infinitely more entertaining than the show they are writing.