Review: Kings Of Broadway at the Palace Theatre

Kings Of Broadway 
Palace Theatre
Reviewed on Sunday 29th November 2015
★★★★★

On Sunday evening musical director Alex Parker and director Alastair Knights (aka the dream team) returned to the Palace Theatre with their latest concert Kings Of Broadway. The show celebrated music by three Broadway Gods: Jerry Herman, Stephen Sondheim and Jule Styne.

Big Interview: Alistair Brammer

Alistair Brammer is currently preparing to star in Kings Of Broadway at the Palace Theatre.

The one-night-only show, which takes place on 29th November 2015, celebrates the music of legendary Broadway composers Jerry Herman, Stephen Sondheim and Jule Styne.

Marking the inaugural production from the newly formed Alex Parker Theatre Company, Alastair Knights directs with musical direction from the formidable Alex Parker. The line-up also features Janie Dee, Richard Fleeshman, Jamie Parker, Bradley Jaden, Celinde Schoenmaker, Fra Fee, Laura Pitt-Pulford and Anne Reid.

Marking his first major television role, Alistair is currently in Cardiff filming for BBC1’s Casualty. He is playing Jack Diamond, a receptionist who makes his first appearance in December and will be on screen for a six-month stint.

Alistair recently recreated the role of Chris in the first West End revival of Miss Saigon at the Prince Edward Theatre. His credits also include: Billy in War Horse (New London), Marius in Les Misérables (Queen’s Theatre), Young Benjamin Stone in Follies In Concert (Royal Albert Hall), Billy in Taboo (Brixton Club House), Jean Prouvaire in Les Misérables 25th Anniversary Concert (O2 Arena), alternate Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (UK tour) and Walter/understudy Claude in Hair (European tour). 

On screen Brammer played Eric in Episodes (BBC) and Jean Prouvaire in Tom Hooper's film adaptation of Les Miserables (Working Title).

I recently spoke to Alistair about why he wanted to be a part of Kings Of Broadway, the beauty of Herman, Sondheim and Styne’s work and why he loves working with Alex Parker. We also discussed his new role in Casualty, the pressure surrounding Miss Saigon and the Les Mis movie's hardcore fans... 

Why did you want to be involved in Kings Of Broadway?

[jokingly] Money [laughs] – I’m joking – I have done a concert for Alex (Parker) before in Guildford. I had such a good time working on it; I got to hang out with some of my best mates and sing some beautiful music with a fantastic orchestra. So when he asked me if I wanted to do another one I just said, “yes”.

Alistair Brammer joins BBC1's Casualty

West End actor Alistair Brammer is joining the cast of BBC One's Casualty. 

Brammer will play the role of receptionist Jack who makes his first appearance in December and will be on screen for a six month stint.

UPDATE: Brammer will make his first appearance in the episode broadcast on Saturday 5th December 2015 at 21.05.

Read our interview with Alistair Brammer about joining Casualty.

Speaking to Radio Times, Oliver Kent (producer) said: "West End star Alistair Brammer has really hit the ground running. He’s hilariously funny. The funny thing is that Alistair is not at all like his character. A lot of our actors are a bit like the people they play. Alistair is nothing like that – he’s quiet and sensible and Jack is flamboyant and outrageous and waspish. He’s great!"

Album Review: To Do. To Be. by Tim Prottey-Jones

To Do. To Be. 
Tim Prottey-Jones
Released 7th September 2015
★★★★★

As if opening in a major West End musical wasn't enough to keep someone busy, Tim Prottey-Jones (who is currently appearing in Kinky Boots) has returned to writing with the release of his new album To Do. To Be. The past year has been tough for new British writing, but Prottey-Jones has fully restored my faith.

Jennifer Coolidge, Laura Pitt-Pulford, Alistair Brammer & Alex Hanson join all-star Follies cast

Further casting has been confirmed for the upcoming concert staging of Follies at the Royal Albert Hall on 28th April, coinciding with Sondheim's 85th birthday.

Joining the all-star cast are Jennifer Coolidge, Laura Pitt-Pulford, Alistair Brammer (pictured right), Alex Hanson and Stefanie Powers. They join the previously announced Christine Baranski, Ruthie Henshall, Anita Dobson, Anita Harris, Roy Hudd and Russell Watson.

Craig Revel Horwood directs with choreography by Andrew Wright. The production will be supported by the City of London Philharmonic Orchestra.

Listen to Alistair Brammer's Stage Door radio show

Earlier this month Stage Door - a global on-demand radio service for fans of musical theatre - was launched online. So far some of the West End's biggest stars, including Louise Dearman (Wicked), Richard Fleeshman (Urinetown) and Killian Donnelly (Memphis), have hosted exclusive shows.

The latest presenter is Alistair Brammer who is currently playing Chris in the West End revival of Miss Saigon at the Prince Edward Theatre. Listen to his show below:

Review: Miss Saigon at the Prince Edward Theatre

Miss Saigon
Prince Edward Theatre
Reviewed on Thursday 22nd May 2014

Miss Saigon is quite simply musical theatre perfection. It's not often I sit in a theatre and physically feel as if I am watching a classic piece of theatre. I've heard various comparisons between this new revival and the original West End production, but you don’t miss what you don't know.

Sneak peek at... the West End return of Miss Saigon

Production images have been released for the West End revival of Miss Saigon which is currently in previews at the Prince Edward Theatre. Check out the pictures of the cast in action below (click on an image to enlarge).

The production stars Jon Jon Briones as ‘The Engineer’, Eva Noblezada as ‘Kim’, Alistair Brammer as ‘Chris’, Tamsin Carroll as ‘Ellen’, Hugh Maynard as ‘John’, Rachelle Ann Go as ‘Gigi’ and Kwang-Ho Hong as ‘Thuy’.

Alistair Brammer, Killian Donnelly, Fra Fee, Samantha Spiro & more for Jule, Jerry & Steve concert

Following the success of A Little Night Music in Concert, Alex Parker is staging 'Jule, Jerry & Steve' at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre for one night only on Sunday 16th February, showcasing the music of three of Broadway’s greatest composers. 

Alistair Brammer, Killian Donnelly, Fra Fee & Samantha Spiro

Some of the musicals represented in the evening include: La Cage Aux Folles, Hello Dolly, Mame, Dear World, Mack & Mabel, Funny Girl, Gypsy, Follies, Company, Sunday In The Park With George and Road Show. The evening is in aid of the charity MENCAP, and is the premier performance of the 42‐ piece Alex Parker Orchestra. 

Casting announced for West End revival of Miss Saigon

Baz Bamigboye has revealed that Eva Noblezada will star as Kim in Cameron Mackintosh's West End revival of Miss Saigon. The 17 year old was spotted by Broadway casting director Tara Rubin when she attended an awards show in New York for U.S. high school singers, she has never appeared in a professional musical before.

The Daily Mail has claimed that Mackintosh is helping to ensure she continues her studies in London. Noblezada will do four performances a week, and two understudies will cover the remaining shows.

The production will also star: Jon Jon Briones as the Engineer, Alistair Brammer as Chris, Hugh Maynard as John, and Tamsin Carroll as Ellen. Rachelle Ann Go will play GiGi.

Full casting and information announced for the revival of the Boy George musical 'Taboo'

Full casting has been announced for the forthcoming revival of the Boy George musical Taboo. The production will run at Brixton Club House from 6th September until 23rd December 2012.