Lauren Samuels, Ashleigh Gray & Lizzy Connolly star in European premiere of Vanities

WhatsOnStage have announced that Lauren Samuels (Buskers Opera/Bend It Like Beckham), Ashleigh Gray (Wicked/Grease) and Lizzy Connolly (Mrs Henderson Presents/Xanadu) will star in the European premiere of Vanities.

Directed and choreographed by Racky Plews, the musical will open at Trafalgar Studios 2 on 6th September (previews from 1st September) for a limited run to 1st October 2016. 

Review: Muted Rehearsed Reading at the Actors' Church

Muted: Rehearsed Reading
Actors' Church
Reviewed on Thursday 4th February 2016
★★★

Having premiered at the Courtyard Theatre four years ago (under its previous title 'After The Turn'), last week Interval Productions staged an updated version of Muted. A raw and honest new musical about family, love, loss, guilt and moving forward, Muted tells its story with great humanity.

Ramin Karimloo announces second London concert

Ramin Karimloo has announced a second London concert after his first show sold out.

Karimloo will play Assembly Hall in Islington on Wednesday 20th January 2016 at 7pm with special guest Hadley Fraser. Click here for tickets.

The first sold out concert takes place on 19th January 2016 at London's Union Chapel where Karimloo will be joined by Ashleigh Gray. 

Karimloo is currently in Japan starring in The Prince of Broadway. He recently received tremendous acclaim for starring as Jean Valjean in Les Miserables on Broadway, a role he has also played in the West End and in Toronto. 

Album Review: Cool Rider Cast Recording

Cool Rider Cast Recording

Released on Monday 29th June 2015
★★★★

Last year Cool Rider (known to many as Grease 2) began its theatrical journey with a one-night-only concert staging at the Lyric Theatre. The production then returned for a week-long West End residency at the Duchess Theatre and now, due to popular demand, the company have reunited for a cast recording. 

Release date confirmed for Cool Rider cast album

It has been confirmed that the Cool Rider cast album will be released on 29th June 2015. 

Based on the 1982 cult movie (which is the sequel to Grease), Cool Rider was staged in the West End at the Lyric and Duchess Theatres last year. 

The score features celebrated songs such as Who’s That Guy?, Score Tonight, Cool Rider, Reproduction, Girl for all Seasons and the haunting melody of Rock-a-Hula Luau (Summer Is Coming).

The album sees Ashleigh Gray (Wicked) and Aaron Sidwell (Loserville) returning to lead the cast alongside Reece Shearsmith (The League of Gentlemen).

The rest of the principal cast includes: Niki Evans (Legally Blonde), Mark Anderson (Book of Mormon), Bronté Barbé (Shrek), Daniel Buckley (Loserville), Joshua Dowen (Dogfight), Lucinda Lawrence (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), Hannah Levane (Sister Act) and Niall Sheehy (Miss Saigon).

Scott Alan announces September residency at the Hippodrome

Following his recent residency at the St James Theatre, it has been announced that US composer Scott Alan will return to London later this year.

Alan will play a two week residency at the London Hippodrome between 7th and 17th September 2015. 

He will be joined by some of the West End's biggest stars, including Ashleigh Gray, Dean John-Wilson, Rachelle Ann Go, Eva Noblezada and Oliver Tompsett. Newcomer Jennifer Owens, who performed 'Anything Worth Holding Onto' during one of Alan's shows at the St James Studio, will also take to the stage for a special concert whilst a special birthday concert will celebrate theatre critic Mark Shenton. 

Sneak peek at... the new cast of Wicked's UK Tour!

New picture of Ashleigh Gray as Elphaba

Producers of Wicked have released the first production images of the new UK Tour cast in action. Check out the pictures below (click image to enlarge).

The new cast join the touring production from Tuesday 16th September 2014 at the Liverpool Empire Theatre. Former West End standby Ashleigh Gray takes over as Elphaba and will star alongside Emily Tierney (Glinda).

The cast will also include: Samuel Edwards (Fiyero), Marilyn Cutts (Madame Morrible), Steven Pinder (The Wizard and Doctor Dillamond), Carina Gillespie (Nessarose), Richard Vincent (Boq) and Jacqueline Hughes (Standby Elphaba).

The tour is currently at Birmingham Hippodrome (until Saturday 6th September 2014) and continues to the Liverpool Empire Theatre (16th September to 11th October 2014); Southampton Mayflower Theatre (21st October to 15th November 2014); Edinburgh Playhouse (19th November 2014 to 10th January 2015); Plymouth Theatre Royal (20th January to 14th February 2015); Bristol Hippodrome (18th February to 21st March 2015); Sunderland Empire Theatre (31st March to 25th April 2015); Aberdeen His Majesty's Theatre (5th to 30th May 2015) and concludes at The Lowry in Salford (3rd June to 25th July 2015).

Wicked confirms new UK Tour cast!

Wicked has confirmed its new UK Touring cast.

From Tuesday 16th September the production will star: Ashleigh Gray (Elphaba), Samuel Edwards (Fiyero), Steven Pinder (The Wizard and Doctor Dillamond), Richard Vincent (Boq) and Jacqueline Hughes (Standby Elphaba).

Ashleigh Gray & Emily Tierney

Current cast members Nikki Davis-Jones (Elphaba), Liam Doyle (Fiyero), Dale Rapley (The Wizard and Doctor Dillamond), George Ure (Boq) and Jemma Alexander (Standby Elphaba) will all play their final performances on Saturday 6th September 2014 at Birmingham Hippodrome.

Ashleigh Gray takes over as Elphaba during Wicked's run in Edinburgh

According to the Edinburgh  News, Ashleigh Gray is returning to Wicked. The star will play Elphaba during the UK touring production's stint in Edinburgh.

UPDATE: Further Wicked UK Tour casting has now been confirmed. Click here for further information.

Speaking to the website, Ashleigh said: I grew up watching all the big touring productions and used to dream I might be up on that stage one day. I’ve been lucky enough to play Edinburgh several times with other shows, but to finally be at the Playhouse, with Wicked, is quite something.”

Review: Cool Rider at the Duchess Theatre

Cool Rider
Duchess Theatre
Reviewed on Wednesday 16th April 2014

I woke up this morning thinking 'did that really happen?' Following the overwhelming sell-out success of the one-night-only staging of Cool Rider (known to some as Grease 2) at the Lyric Theatre earlier this year, the show has returned to the West End, running at the Duchess Theatre for just seven performances.

Editor's Blog: Greetings from Broadway!

Schoenfeld Theatre, home of Bridges

Greetings from Broadway! 

I've been in NYC for four days now and I'm nearly half way through my busy theatre schedule! The best thing I've seen so far is The Bridges Of Madison County which is one of the best pieces of theatre I've ever seen. I had absolutely no idea what to expect, but quickly fell in love with Jason Robert Brown's stunning score, the beautiful staging and tremendous cast.

Aladdin was good, although I'm not sure whether it lives up to its hype - it's very predictable and takes few risks. However, the magic carpet was breathtaking and the Genie's big number 'Friend Like Me' was insanely brilliant, with both moments concluding with mid-show standing ovations. Pippin was spectacular and thought provoking while Newsies features some of the best choreography I've ever seen on stage.

Cool Rider returns for week-long run at the Duchess Theatre

Ashleigh Gray in Cool Rider

Following its one night success at the Lyric Theatre earlier this year, Cool Rider (the cult musical sequel to Grease) will return to the West End for one week only. 

The production will open at the Duchess Theatre on Wednesday 16th April 2014 (previews from 15th April) and run until Saturday 19th April 2014.

Ashleigh Gray and Aaron Sidwell will once again sing the roles of Stephanie and Michael which were played by Michelle Pfeiffer and Maxwell Caulfield in the movie.

Ashleigh Gray’s recently returned to the West End production of Wicked as standby Elphaba. Her credits include: Martha in the UK Tour of The Secret Garden, Lorraine in the UK Tour of I Dreamed A Dream, Kim in the UK Tour of Taboo, Miss Lynch in the UK Tour of Grease, Emily in Myths and Hymns at the Finborough Theatre and Miranda in Betwixt at Trafalgar Studios. Ashleigh has also made guest appearances in Momentous Musicals, Susan Boyle in Concert, Lee Mead at The Pheasantry and West End Men.

Interview: Ashleigh Gray

Ashleigh Gray has one of the most incredibly powerful voices in musical theatre. She is currently preparing to star as Stephanie for one night only alongside Reece Shearsmith, Aaron Sidwell, Hannah Levane and Niall Sheehy in the West End premiere of Cool Rider (aka Grease 2) at the Lyric Theatre.

Ashleigh is best known for her long association with the West End production of Wicked. She originally joined the show in 2007 as part of the ensemble whilst understudying Elphaba. She then took over as Standby Elphaba in June 2008 and stayed with the show until March 2010. Ashleigh briefly returned to Wicked as emergency cover in October 2010 and in February 2011. Recently Ashleigh returned to Wicked once again as Standby Elphaba between October and December 2013 proving popular with the hit musical’s loyal fan base.

The performer’s UK Touring credits include: Martha in The Secret Garden, Lorraine in I Dreamed A Dream – The Susan Boyle Musical, Kim in Taboo and Miss Lynch in Grease. She has also starred as Emily in Myths and Hymns at the Finborough Theatre and as Miranda in Betwixt at Trafalgar Studios. Just a few of her concert appearances include: Momentous Musicals, Susan Boyle in Concert, Lee Mead at The Pheasantry and West End Men.

Recently I spoke to Ashleigh about why she’s so excited to be starring in Cool Rider, what it’s like to take on one of the most iconic and sought after roles in musical theatre and which three songs she would take with her to a desert island…

Cool Rider has such a cult following. How much did you know about it prior to auditioning?

When I was growing up I was a huge fan of the first Grease and then I just loved the sequel, so when I found out they were doing it in the West End I thought ‘How do I get tickets for this?’ but then obviously the casting started and I was even more excited to be a part of it!

Ashleigh Gray, Aaron Sidwell, Hannah Levane and Niall Sheehy join cast of Cool Rider

Further casting has been announced for Cool Ruder (aka Grease 2) which will play two performances only on Monday 27th January 2014 at the West End’s Lyric Theatre. 

Joining the previously announced Reece Shearsmith as biology teacher Mr Stuart are Ashleigh Gray as Stephanie, Aaron Sidwell as Michael, Hannah Levane as Paulette and Niall Sheehy as Johnny.

Liam Doyle, Steven Webb, Sabrina Aloueche and more for Interval So Far

To celebrate their huge success since launching in 2009, Interval Productions are staging 'Interval So Far' which will feature exerts from their four acclaimed productions. Several original cast members are returning for the two performances whilst new talent will also be showcased. Interval So Far takes place at The Cockpit Theatre on Sunday 9th February at 4pm and 7.30pm.

Tori Allen-Martin & Liam Doyle in After The Turn

Interval's founder, Tori Allen-Martin, said: "Theatre that represents our generation. With characters that we recognise, in ourselves or in those around us, who speak our language, talk like we do and face issues we face, with songs that sound like the music we download. ‘Musical Theatre’ makes some people switch off, they think it’s dated and that it doesn’t represent them and we want to change that. We’re not about alienating theatre lovers, we’re theatre lovers, but we believe there is space for change, and we want to bring a new audience into the theatre."