Stagey Catch Up: Andrew Wright's dream show, Jason Denton saves the day & Jordan Lee Davies plays the Pheasantry

Summer is upon us and theatreland has been set alight! Catch up with some stagey stories you may have missed below.

Andrew Wright to helm Moby Dick

Earlier this year Andrew Wright spoke to West End Frame about how gutted he was when a production of Moby Dick he was working on got cancelled. Well... West End Frame makes dreams come true and it has been revealed that Wright will direct and choreograph a production of Moby Dick at the new Union Theatre, running between 12th October and 12th November 2016!

Jordan Lee Davies to play the Pheasantry

This Sunday (26th June) West End actor Jordan Lee Davies, who recently left Les Miserables, will perform his new one-man show Treat Yourself at the Pheasantry. Special guests include Phantom's Celinde Schoenmaker and recent graduate Lauren Drew. Musical direction is by the one and only Alex Parker with backing vocals by Samantha Thomas and Charlotte Kennedy.

Another West End transfer for the Menier Chocolate Factory

Photo Credit: Marc Brenner 

Pantomime to be staged at the London Palladium this Christmas!

The Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye has announced that Cinderella will be staged at the London Palladium this Christmas, marking the first pantomime the venue has hosted in thirty years.

Qdos Pantomimes are producing the show which runs between 9th December 2016 and 15th January 2017. Cinderella will be helmed by Andrew Wright and Michael Harrison.

Qdos' Chairman Nick Thomas says: "Given the rich history of the London Palladium, where a galaxy of top entertainers have appeared in traditional family pantomime, Qdos Entertainment is greatly honoured to have been invited to stage Cinderella at this iconic theatre.

Review: Mrs Henderson Presents at the Noel Coward Theatre

Mrs Henderson Presents
Noel Coward Theatre
Reviewed on Friday 12th February 2016
★★★★

Mrs Henderson Presents is a charming new British musical. Adapted from the 2005 film starring Judi Dench, the show - which is written by Terry Johnson, Don Black, George Fenton and Simon Chamberlain - oozes with heart. 

Tracie Bennett stars as widowed Laura Henderson who takes on an old cinema on Great Windmill Street and turns it into a variety club during the thirties. With war looming and box office sales falling, Mrs Henderson decides that (as the poster says) "for the show to go on, the clothes must come off".

The opening scenes are brilliant; the small ensemble immediately bring life and soul to the stage whilst Bennett's presence, along with Andrew Wright's choreography, provides some old school pizazz. Interestingly I took my seat knowing absolutely nothing about the story which sees four women being persuaded to become 'The Windmill Girls' who pose as nude statues for sold out crowds. Director Terry Johnson has fun teasing his audience, the first scene involving nudity (male as well as female) is superbly staged and received an uproarious response.

Big Interview: Andrew Wright

Andrew Wright is a leading West End choreographer. 

His latest West End show Mrs Henderson Presents officially opens at the Noel Coward Theatre tonight (16th February), having premiered at the Theatre Royal Bath last year.

Also running in the West End is Guys & Dolls; the show is currently playing the Savoy Theatre before transferring to the Phoenix Theatre and launching a UK tour. Later this year Andrew will choreograph Half A Sixpence for Cameron Mackintosh at the Chichester Festival Theatre.

One of Andrew’s most triumphant productions is Singin’ In The Rain which transferred to the West End following its premiere in Chichester, winning him the 2013 WhatsOnStage Award for Best Choreographer. The musical has since toured the UK, Japan, Asia, Russia and Australia.

Just a few of Andrew’s extensive choreography credits include: Oliver! (Curve), Barnum (Chichester/UK tour), 42nd Street (Chichester/Curve), The Showgirl Within (Garrick), Almost Like Being In Love (National), Stepping Out (Salisbury), Once Upon A Time At The Adelphi (Liverpool/Union/Trafalgar Studios), The Critic/The Real Inspector Hound (Chichester), A Little Night Music In Concert (Palace) and Follies In Concert (Royal Albert Hall) as well as the UK tours of High Society, Wonderful Town, Betty Blue Eyes and Saturday Night Fever.

In addition he directed and choreographed the UK premiere of Happy Days (UK tour) and was assistant director and co-choreographer for Chess in Concert (Royal Albert Hall) starring Josh Groban, Kerry Ellis and Idina Menzel. 

Andrew began his career as a performer, his credits include: Scrooge (Palladium), Mary Poppins (Prince Edward), Anything Goes (Drury Lane), Cats (New London), Follies (Festival Hall), Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Dominion/UK tour), La Cava (Piccadilly), Mack & Mabel (Piccadilly), Oliver! (Sadler’s Wells) and A Chorus Line (Derby Playhouse/UK tour).

I recently spoke to Andrew about bringing Mrs Henderson Presents to London, how Cameroon Mackintosh asked him to choreograph Half A Sixpence and his big break, plus much more…

You’re currently busy working on Mrs Henderson Presents which has transferred to the West End following its premiere in Bath. What initially drew you to the show?

I’ve always wanted to work with Terry Johnson (book/director) because I love his work - La Cage aux Folles was brilliant! I met with Terry, he talked about what he wanted to do with the show and I was excited by it. I loved the film and was excited to be a part of a new musical.

Review: Guys and Dolls at the Savoy Theatre

Guys and Dolls
Savoy Theatre
Reviewed on Monday 4th January 2016
★★★★

Gordon Greenberg's production of Guys and Dolls has transferred to the West End's Savoy Theatre following its 2014 run at the Chichester Festival Theatre. Regarded by many as one of the greatest musicals of all time, Guys and Dolls is a legendary show which bursts with old school charm.

Review: Singin' In The Rain (UK Tour) at the Milton Keynes Theatre

Singin' In The Rain (UK Tour)

Milton Keynes Theatre

Reviewed on Wednesday 2nd July 2014

Following its Chichester stint and West End run, Singin' In The Rain is currently delighting audiences all over the UK.

Every element of Jonathan Church's glorious production transports you back to the 1920s. The set, costumes, music and choreography are all delightfully timeless. Continuing the current trend of high quality touring shows, this production is almost identical to how the show was in London - it's like having the West End brought to your doorstep!