Stepping Out starring Amanda Holden confirms West End transfer

It has been confirmed that Stepping Out by Richard Harris will transfer to the West End following its UK tour.

Starring Amanda Holden, the play will open at the Vaudeville Theatre on 14th March 2017 (previews from 1st March). The cast is completed by Angela Griffin, Tracy-Ann Oberman, Tamzin Outhwaite and Nicola Stephenson.

Amanda Holden to star as Fairy Godmother in Cinderella at the London Palladium

Amanda Holden will star as the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella at the London Palladium this Christmas. 

She joins Paul O’Grady as The Wicked Stepmother, Julian Clary as Dandini, Lee Mead as Prince Charming, Paul Zerdin as Buttons, Nigel Havers as Lord Chamberlain and Count Arthur Strong as Baron Hardup. 

Cinderella opens at the London Palladium on 14th December 2016 (previews from 9th December) and runs until 15th January 2017.

Holden said: “I cannot wait to spread my Fairy Godmother dust over the festive season in this huge production at one of the most iconic theatres in the world. It's an absolute honour to have been asked. I'm very excited but nothing like my two girls who can't wait to watch their Mama fly!”

Amanda Holden to star in revival of Stepping Out

It has been officially confirmed that Amanda Holden will star in a revival of Stepping Out by Richard Harris.

Maria Friedman (Merrily We Roll Along/High Society) will direct the production which runs at the Theatre Royal Bath between 12th and 22nd October 2016 before touring to the Richmond Theatre and Cambridge Arts Theatre.

Holden's theatre credits include Princess Fiona in Shrek The Musical and the title role Thoroughly Modern Millie. The cast will also include Angela Griffin (One Man, Two Guvnors/Breeders) and Nicola Stephenson (A Patriot for Me/War Horse) with further casting to be announced.

Photo Feature: The cast of One Man, Two Guvnors celebrate gala performance with VIP Guests at after-party

After a special gala performance of One Man, Two Guvnors last night (17th October), the cast and VIP Guests enjoyed a post show party at Mint Leaf. Take a look at pictures taken at the party below (click on an image to enlarge).

Attendees were treated to The Gunvors’ cocktails and array of canapés including Potato and Chick Pea Chaat on Wheat Crisp served with Yogurt and Tamarind, Chili and Garlic Marinated Tandoori Paneer, Kadhai Spiced Tempura Asparagus served with Tomato and Mustard Relish and Garlic and Thyme Marinated Chicken Tikka followed by Chocolate Dipped Strawberries.

VIP Guests included: Amanda Holden, Nigel Harman, Myleene Klass, Gok Wan, Sarah Parish, Jill Halfpenny, Kayvan Novak , Daisy Lewis, Lisa Faulkner, Charlie Condou, John Torode, Cherie Blair, Jenny Eclair, Joe Lycett, Jeremy Edwards, Bernard Cribbins , Nicholas Parsons, Lucy Porter, Gaby Roslin, Simon and Yasmin Le Bon, John Taylor & Gela Nash Taylor, Joe Wilkinson, Steve Pemberton and Emma Barton. Take a look at pictures of the guests arriving for the performance here.

'Superstar' - the search to find Jesus begins 7th July on ITV

Andrew Lloyd Webber's hunt to find an actor to play Jesus in his forthcoming stadium tour of Jesus Christ Superstar, will begin broadcasting Saturday 7th July 2012 on ITV1. The new reality show is named 'Superstar'.

The judging panel includes Dawn French, Jason Donovan and of course the one and only Andrew Lloyd Webber. To make the programme a little more stagey, Amanda Holden will present the live shows.

The tour kicks off at London’s O2 Arena on 21/22 September, before visiting: Glasgow SECC (25 September), Newcastle Metro Radio Arena (28 September), Manchester Arena (30 September), Cardiff Motorpoint (2 October), Birmingham NIA (4 October), Belfast Odyssey (9 October), Dublin O2 (12 October), Liverpool Echo Arena (16 October) and Sheffield Motorpoint (21 October).

Initial auditions took place across the country from February to March in London, Dublin, Belfast, Manchester, Glasgow and Cardiff. Applicants performed on stage in the hope of impressing the casting panel for a place in the final live shows.

The first episode of Superstar will air on 7 July at 7:25pm on ITV1.

What's On Stage Awards 2012 - My Views

So, as many of you west end theatre fans will know, a week ago today (Sunday 19 February 2012) the 'Whats On Stage' Awards 2012 took place at the Prince of Wales Theatre. This was the first year that the show was broadcast online so, throughout the evening I dipped in and out of the broadcast. I thought that it was excellent that you could watch it online, this follows in the footsteps of the Laurence Olivier Awards which last year could be seen by pressing the red button. However I did feel the coverage wasn't brilliant and the presenter (not quite sure who he has) seemed a little bit lost throughout the interviews however I did feel sorry as nobody seemed to actually answer the questions being asked.

Anyway, the voting statistics and acceptance speeches have been published on Whats On Stage and can be viewed by clicking here. 

Cassie Levy with Richard Fleeshman
(winner of 'Best Actor In A Musical')

I was very happy at Ghost picking up more technical awards for Set Design and Lighting Design as technically  I think it is the bets show I have ever seen. However thing I loved most about Ghost is the way one seconds all these special effects would be used and you would be sitting there going 'wow this looks amazing' and then suddenly the next Cassie Levy just sat on the floor, leaning on a sofa and sung arguably one of the most beautiful songs of a new musical. For that reason I think it was a great shame she was overlooked in the Best Actress In A Musical award. I saw Cassie in her last performance in the west end, before leaving to Broadway and there is something about her voice, when you here it live that is just amazing. In Rain/Hold on she hit the most incredible notes and I am sure she will do amazing in Broadway and I'm sure she will pick up more awards. Richard Fleeshman must have been happy to get his hard eared award for best actor in a play, especially as he flew back from Broadway, especially for the awards! Also do not be mistaken and think I am saying Amanda Holden didn't deserve her award as despite what some critics and theatre fans said i thought she actually was very good in Shrek. She owned the stage and led the cast which is something missing from the show now that she has gone, like when Sheridan Smith left Legally Blonde.

Andrew Lloyd Webber's
reaction to his award...

I thought it was great Hannah Waddingham won best supporting actress for a musical as I thought she was great in the wizard of oz. I really like what Andrew Lloyd Webber did with the show and I think it transformed the Wicked Witch into a much better, more exciting part so she has much to thank Webber for! For that reason I also think it was right The Wizard Of Oz won best revival. 

Nigel Harmen finishes in Shrek The Musical tomorrow night, Neil McDermott must be feeling very nervous today as he has a very tough act to follow! Nigel is hilarious as Lord Farquaad and rightly won Best Supporting Actor In A Musical. Another show winning three awards was Matilda, this only makes me want to see it more as I have only heard amazing things about it! I've got the soundtrack which is slowly growing on me and I will be sure to write a full review after I see it in the coming months. Another show that I have yet to see that did well was One Man, Two Guvnors, I think I am going to wait until it is at The Royal Haymarket as it is my favourite theatre.

Susan McFadden with the
cast of Legally Blonde

...and finally Best Takeover Of A Role must have been one of the toughest categories at this years awards  with, in my opinion, all nominees deserving to win. Although I did think it was a shame Susan McFadden didn't win as she is one of the most underrated actresses in the West End and had one of the hardest jobs in the world, taking over from Sheridan Smith as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde - I wouldn't want to have been in her shoes! Despite having a short run I thought, vocally, she is the strongest Elle there has been and it is a shame she didn't get any recognition for her hard work and talent.


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So - that is my first review done!! I'm exhausted! Hope you didn't find that boring and completely pointless. I have begun work on a review of Legally Blonde and I have written a mini article for the cast members leaving Shrek The Musical to be posted tomorrow... until then... thanks for reading!