Ben Lewis joins Anna-Jane Casey in Annie Get Your Gun

The Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye has announced that Ben Lewis (Love Never Dies/Candide) will star as Frank Butler in Annie Get Your Gun at the Sheffield Crucible this Christmas.

Lewis joins the previously announced Anna-Jane Casey who is taking on the title role. The duo previously starred together in Forbidden Broadway at the Menier Chocolate Factory before reprising their performances in the West End.

Directed by Paul Foster with choreography by Alistair David, Annie Get Your Gun runs between 8th December 2016 and 14th January 2017.

Big Interview: Anna-Jane Casey

Anna-Jane Casey is currently starring as Violet Butterfield/French Char Lady in Flowers for Mrs Harris at the Sheffield Crucible.

Based on the novel by Paul Gallico the new musical is by Richard Taylor and Rachel Wagstaff. The show marks the final production Daniel Evans directs as artistic director of Sheffield Theatres. With the cast also including Clare Burt, Rebecca Caine and Laura Pitt-Pulford, Flowers for Mrs Harris runs until 4th June.

Later this year Anna-Jane will return to the Sheffield Crucible to star as Annie Oakley in a revival of Irving Berlin’s Annie Get Your Gun directed by Paul Foster with choreography by Alistair David. She has worked at Sheffield Theatres many times, previously appearing as Jenny in Company, Edith Piaf in Piaf and Charity in Sweet Charity.

Anna-Jane’s West End credits include: Forbidden Broadway (also Menier Chocolate Factory), Mrs Wilkinson in Billy Elliot, Lady Of The Lake in Spamalot, Velma in Chicago, Anita in West Side Story, Buffy/Dinah in Starlight Express, understudy Rizzo in Grease, understudy Narrator in Joseph and Rumpleteazer in Cats.

Just a few of her extensive credits include: Lottie in Mack & Mabel (Chichester/UK Tour), Miss Jones in How To Succeed In Business... (Royal Festival Hall), Jerry's Girls (St James Studio), Ella Peterson in Bells Are Ringing (Union), The Courtesan in The Comedy Of Errors (Regent's Park), title role in Aladdin (Hackney Empire), Maggie Hobson in Hobsons Choice & Mabel Normand in Mack And Mabel (both Watermill) and Dot in Sunday In The Park With George (Menier Chocolate Factory).

I recently spoke to Anna-Jane about her crazy busy life, why Flowers for Mrs Harris is such a different project for her and how she reacted when she was asked to do Annie Get Your Gun...

Before going into rehearsals for Flowers for Mrs Harris you had solo shows at the Hippodrome and Charing Cross Theatre, you did the 48 hour musical as well as various other concerts… and you also have Annie Get Your Gun lined-up for the end of the year. What is going on inside your brain?! 

Well at around ten o’clock at night my brain turns to porridge [laughs], my husband and I sit in front of the telly and I can’t function anymore. I really do believe that once you’ve had children, because you have to schedule your life like a military operation, you can apply so much more. Also… just to add more drama to my life I’ve got lots of concerts to do this summer – when you do these things they’ll tell you what the programme is, they send you the music and you have to learn it yourself so you turn up on the day and are ready to go. So I have lots of songs to learn. 

Anna-Jane Casey to play solo show at the London Hippodrome

Anna-Jane Casey is the latest star to be announced to play a solo show as part of Club11 London's season at the Hippodrome.

Performing music by the likes of Bruno Mars, Jerry Herman, Stiles and Drewe, Edith Piaf and Amy Winehouse, Casey's concert will take place at 8pm on Friday 15th April 2016.

Casey will perform with her jazz trio under the musical direction of Paul Herbert with special guests to be announced. 

Last night it was announced that Casey will star in Annie Get Your Gun at the Sheffield Crucible this Christmas. Her previous credits in Sheffield include Company, Sweet Charity and Piaf. 

Anna-Jane Casey, Moyo Akandé, Rebecca Caine & Laura Pitt-Pulford to star in Flowers for Mrs Harris

Casting has been announced for the world premiere of Flowers for Mrs Harris by Richard Taylor and Rachel Wagstaff.

The show marks the final show Daniel Evans will direct as artistic director of Sheffield Theatres. Flowers for Mrs Harris opens at the Sheffield Crucible on 23rd May (previews from 18th May) and runs until 4th June 2016.

The full cast includes Moyo Akandé (Flower Girl/Juanita), Clare Burt (Mrs Harris), Anna-Jane Casey (Violet Butterfield/French Char Lady), Rebecca Caine (Lady Dant/Mme. Colbert), Luke Dale (Terry), David Durham (Major/ M. Armand/ French Waiter/ Customs Officer), Louis Maskell (Bob/ Andre), Mark Meadows (Albert Harris/ Marquis de Chassagne), Laura Pitt-Pulford (Pamela/Natasha) and Nicola Sloane (Countess/Seamstress/Sybil Sullivan).

Photo Feature: Special guests join Scott Alan for St James Theatre concert

Last Sunday (3rd May 2015) U.S. composer Scott Alan returned to London with a concert at the St James Theatre. Check out pictures from the show below (click image to enlarge).

The stellar line-up included the likes of Cynthia Erivo, Oliver Tompsett, Anna-Jane Casey, Sophie Evans, Carley Stenson, Harriet Jones, Zoë Birkett, Eva Noblezada, Emmi Christensson, Lucy Jones, Katie Paine, Oliver Savile, Danny-Boy Hatchard and Sam Bailey. 

Strallen & Casey sisters unite for concert

It has been announced that three of the Strallen sisters (Summer, Scarlett and Zizi) will team up with the Casey sisters (Anna-Jane and Natalie) for a one night only concert at the Leicester Square Theatre on 19th April.

Summer Strallen created the role of Dale Tramont in the West End premiere of Top Hat, Scarlett Strallen famously starred in the London and New York productions of Mary Poppins whilst Zizi Strallen recently took to the stage at the London Palladium in Cats.

Review: Jerry’s Girls at the St James Studio

Jerry's Girls 
St James Studio
Reviewed on Wednesday 4th March 2015
★★★★

Jerry Herman is one of theatre's most successful composers and lyricists of all-time, and I can think of no better way to celebrate his remarkable career than with Jerry's Girls which has been revived at the St James Studio thirty years after it opened on Broadway.

Sneak peek at... Jerry’s Girls at the St James Studio

Production images have been released for Jerry’s Girls which officially opens at the St James Studio tonight (4th March), 30 years after it opened on Broadway. Check out the pictures below (click image to enlarge). The musical revue stars Anna-Jane Casey, Ria Jones and Sarah-Louise Young.

Featuring songs from classic musicals including Hello Dolly!, Mame, and La Cage Aux Folles, Jerry’s Girls brings together an all-female cast to celebrate Jerry’s special gift for writing songs that capture the true spirit of the great American musical, honouring the legacy of the multi Tony Award-winning composer and lyricist of some of the greatest Broadway musicals of all time.

Anna-Jane Casey, Ria Jones & Sarah-Louise Young to star in Jerry’s Girls

Full casting has been announced for Jerry’s Girls which is being revived for a limited two-week run at the St. James Studio between 3rd and 15th March 2015, 30 years after it opened on Broadway. The cast includes Anna-Jane Casey, Ria Jones and Sarah-Louise Young.

Anna-Jane Casey was recently seen starring in Forbidden Broadway at the Menier Chocolate Factory and Vaudeville Theatre. Her West End credits include: Mrs Wilkinson in Billy Elliot, Lady of the Lake in Spamalot and Velma Kelly in Chicago, with other recent work including appearing as lead vocalist with the John Wilson Orchestra in the UK Tour of Cole Porter in Hollywood,Company at Sheffield Crucible, The Comedy of Errors at the Open Air Theatre and Sunday in the Park with George at the Menier Chocolate Factory.

Interview: Anna-Jane Casey, star of Forbidden Broadway

Anna-Jane Casey is currently starring in Forbidden Broadway which has transferred to the West End’s Vaudeville Theatre following a sell-out run at the Menier Chocolate Factory.

Forbidden Broadway is a comical musical sketch show which takes the mick of current West End shows as well as legendary West End and Broadway stars. Anna-Jane previously starred in the show’s 2009 run at the Chocolate Factory.

This updated version of the show feature special ‘tributes’ to the likes of The Book of Mormon, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Once, Matilda, Wicked and Miss Saigon as well as Idina Menzel, Robert Lindsay, Kristen Chenoweth and Elaine Paige. 

Anna-Jane recently finished starring as Mrs Wilkinson in Billy Elliot (Victoria Palace). Her other recent roles include The Lady of the Lake in Spamalot (Playhouse) and Jenny in Company (Sheffield Crucible). Just a few of Anna-Jane’s countless West End credits include: Cats, Children of Eden, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Out of the Blue, Grease, Starlight Express, West Side Story, Chicago, My One and Only and On Your Toes. 

Anna-Jane famously played the title role in Sweet Charity (Sheffield Crucible) whilst her other off-West End and regional credits include: Piaf (Sheffield Crucible), Sunday in the Park with George (Menier Chocolate Factory), Hobson’s Choice, Mack and Mabel and Radio Times (all Watermill in Newbury), Aladdin (Hackney Empire), Comedy of Errors (Regent’s Park), Bells Are Ringing (Union) and Guys and Dolls (Cadogan Hall).

I recently caught up with Anna-Jane to discuss why working with Christina Bianco makes her feel like Elle Macpherson, who taught her to swear in Czech, turning into an old stagey cow and why she’s having a fun but exhausting time in Forbidden Broadway…

You starred in Forbidden Broadway last time around so did you need any persuading to come back and do it at the Chocolate Factory again?

Well I was working at Billy Elliot and my agent said to me, “I think they’re going to do Forbidden Broadway again” and I just said, “Oh my god please let me be able to do that again!” Sophie Louise Dann and I had done the show five years previously and we were both just thrilled to be able to do it again because it is such a laugh! It is knackering, but hilarious! There’s nothing better than having people point and laugh at you and getting paid for it… well it’s better than falling over in the street and having people pointing and laughing at you [laughs].

Review: Forbidden Broadway at the Vaudeville Theatre

Forbidden Broadway

Vaudeville Theatre

Reviewed on Monday 15th September 2014

★★★★

Do you have a passion for theatre? Have you seen your fair share of musicals? Are you up for a good laugh? If so, have you booked tickets to see Forbidden Broadway?!

Following its successful run at the Menier Chocolate Factory - London's leading off-West End venue - Forbidden Broadway has once again found its way into the West End. Making fun out of London's biggest musicals, the show has been updated to ensure it is as relevant and current as possible. 

Forbidden Broadway features musical sketches based upon the likes of Miss Saigon, Book of Mormon, Once, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Les Mis, Wicked, Phantom, Jersey Boys and Mamma Mia. Shows which have been added to the line-up include Evita, Cats and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.

Phillip George's production is broken up with nods to some of theatre’s biggest stars including Liza Minnelli, Idina Menzel, Elaine Paige and Angela Lansbury. As Christina Bianco has also joined the cast, it would have been silly not to add a special Kristin Chenoweth section. Bianco's impression is tremendously spot on and provided my personal highlight of the evening.

Forbidden Broadway extends run at the Menier Chocolate Factory

It has been announced that Forbidden Broadway has extended its run at the Menier Chocolate Factory. The production, which runs for an extra two weeks, will now close on Saturday 30th August 2014.

This updated version of the show, from Broadway director Phillip George, showcases (and makes fun of) some of the best productions from both Broadway and the West End including The Book of Mormon, Once, Matilda, Wicked and Miss Saigon.

Review: Forbidden Broadway at the Menier Chocolate Factory

Forbidden Broadway
Menier Chocolate Factory
Reviewed on Thursday 3rd July 2014

Have you ever wondered what the stagiest person on earth dreams about when they fall asleep? If so, Forbidden Broadway is the show with all the answers!

Billy Elliot welcomes first French-born Billy

Bradley Perret & Anna-Jane Casey

11 year old Bradley Perret from Juan les Pins, France will become the thirty-fifth boy to play Billy Elliot in the West End tonight (13th November). Perret is also the first French-born boy to play the title role.

Bradley Perret said: "“I'm 11 years old and I live in the south of France with my mum Karen, dad Henri and my sister Lea-Rose. I started dancing at the age of five. After auditioning and training for the Billy Elliot the Musical I was delighted to be asked to come to London to play the role of Billy and make my West End debut in this amazing show. It’s a dream come true!”

Also joining the cast today is 11 year old Freddie Butterfield from West Yorkshire, as Billy’s best friend Michael.

Freddie Butterfield said: “I am 11 years old and live with my mum, dad and dog in West Yorkshire. I have been singing, dancing and acting since the age of six and I attend Stage 84 – The Yorkshire School of Performing Arts. I absolutely love being on stage and I have performed at the Alhambra Theatre in Bradford as Chip in Beauty and the Beast, Nibs in Peter Pan, Gavroche in Les Misérables and as one of the children in The King and I on tour. Being offered the opportunity to make my West End debut in the role of Michael is so exciting.”

Billy Elliot welcomes new Ballet Girls and offers fans the chance to win a walk-on part

It has been announced that this week thirty young dancers will join the cast of Billy Elliot The Musical at the Victoria Palace Theatre as Ballet Girls. Earlier this month the show announced the release of over 570,000 tickets taking booking to 16th May 2015. Billy Elliot, which premiered in 2005, will celebrate its tenth birthday during its new booking period.

From this week, the ballet girls will be played by: Niamh Ashley, Niamh Bennett, Macy Dyason, Morgan Hartley, Lauren Henson, Lydia Kalian, Darcey Littlefield, Natasha Pye, Caitlin Rosendale and Sophie Smart; Samantha Allison, Holly-Marie Davenport , Holly Duke, Ella Forman, Summer Jones, Eliza Love, Kiara-Jaide Mandoza, Emily Miles, Georgia Prentice, Lily Sitzia; and Chorlène Biron-Monnier, Samantha Delaney, Sophie Green, Esa Halil, Taila Halil, Allanah Martin Judge, Ellie Munden, Ellis O'Neill, Charlotte Ross-Gower and Brooke Wolpert.

Spamalot Week: Interview: Anna-Jane Casey, currently playing The Lady Of The Lake

Anna-Jane Casey has been performing professionally for 29 years in all areas of TV, theatre and music. Her West End credits include Cats, Children of Eden, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Out of the Blue, Grease, Starlight Express, West Side Story, Chicago, My One and Only and On Your Toes.

Most recently Anna-Jane was seen playing Jenny in Company at the Sheffield Crucible and Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls at Cadogan Hall.

Earlier this month I was asked to make a small cameo appearance in a performance of Spamalot. Before the show I caught up with Anna-Jane. 

Are you enjoying your time in Spamalot? 
I'm having a brilliant time! The production sits so beautifully in the Playhouse Theatre. Spamalot had toured all over – in big theatres and small theatres, but this one is just perfect. Everyone who’s come has said how well the shows works here. 

Why do you think Spamalot continues to be so popular with audiences? 
You arrive and literally just laugh for two hours. We get a lot of Americans in the audience who always love it and say "Oh my God, it’s so brilliant and so British!". I love the fact that such a British show can appeal to such a wide audience. 

Spamalot Week: My West End Debut... (Part 1)

Since launching West End Frame nearly a year ago I have had the opportunity to do some amazing things but back in November, when I received an email inviting me to play a walk on part in the West End production of Spamalot, I really did have to read the email a few times for it to sink in.

Time flew by and before I knew it I was arriving at the stage door of the glorious Playhouse Theatre feeling slightly terrified. As I was taken backstage I was greeted by Stephen Tompkinson, who plays King Arthur in the show. He reassured me that I had nothing to worry about. I nipped into costume for a quick fitting before being whisked onto the stage a few minutes before the cast arrived for their warm up. 

It was so strange looking out into the empty theatre which suddenly seemed huge. Last time I was there it was for Spamalot's glamorous press night and I suddenly realised how easy my job is. The cast gradually arrived for their physical and vocal warm up, I felt exhausted just watching. Everyone was so welcoming which really helped to calm my nerves.

Then I was greeted by Musical Director Gareth Weedon. Although he was busy giving the cast notes ahead of the performance he found time for a quick photoshoot in the wings (you can see all the behind the scenes photos on Friday).

Review: Spamalot at the Playhouse Theatre

Spamalot
Playhouse Theatre
Tuesday 20th November 2012 (Press Night)

"Spamalot tells the legendary tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table and features a bevy (or possibly a brace) of beautiful show girls, not to mention cows, killer rabbits and French people. The show features fantastic tunes more magical than a Camelot convention, including He Is Not Dead Yet, Knights of the Round Table, Find Your Grail and of course Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life."

Spamalot is one of the greatest musical comedies I have ever seen. At one point I thought the two ladies sitting next to me would have to be taken out of the theatre on stretchers as they literally did not stop screaming with laughter from beginning to end.