Matt Cardle, Lee Mead, Ben Forster & Kerry Ellis to star in Broadway in Concert at the London Palladium

It has been announced that West End Frame Award winners Matt Cardle (Memphis) and Lee Mead (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) will star alongside Ben Forster (Phantom of the Opera), Kerry Ellis (Murder Ballad) and Sophie Evans (Wizard of Oz) in Broadway in Concert.

The show will feature music from shows including Wicked, Les Miserables, Chicago and The Phantom of the Opera.

First look at Ben Forster as The Phantom of the Opera

The first image of Ben Forster as the title character in The Phantom of the Opera has been released (see below). Forster takes over the role from John Owen-Jones in the West End production of the musical at Her Majesty's Theatre from 1st February 2016.

Discussing his new role during a recent interview with West End Frame, Forster said: "I’m really excited! I’m looking forward to bringing my vision forward and I think Andrew (Lloyd Webber) and Cameron (Mackintosh) are quite excited about that too."

Having recently played Buddy in Elf The Musical at the Dominion Theatre, Forster's theatre credits include: Brad in The Rocky Horror Show (West End/UK tour), El Haj in La Cava (West End), Doody in Grease (West End/ international tour), lead vocalist in Thriller Live (West End/international tour) and Magaldi in Evita (West End). 

Review: Elf The Musical at the Dominion Theatre

Elf The Musical
Dominion Theatre
Reviewed on Thursday 5th November 2015
★★

Having premiered on Broadway in 2010, Elf The Musical has found its way to London with an all-new production directed and choreographed by Morgan Young. Based on the 2003 movie, the musical follows a thirty-year-old elf named Buddy who - after discovering he is actually human - leaves Santa and the North Pole behind to travel to New York in search of his family.

Production Pics: Elf The Musical at the Dominion Theatre starring Ben Forster & Kimberley Walsh

Production images have been released for the West End production of Elf The Musical which runs at the Dominion Theatre. Check out the images below (click picture to enlarge). 

Directed by Morgan Young, the show is currently in previews ahead of press night on 5th November. The show runs until 2nd January 2016. The cast is led by Ben Forster, Kimberley Walsh, Joe McGann and Jessica Martin. The show has has a book by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin, music by Matthew Sklar and lyrics by Chad Beguelin.

Big Interview: Ben Forster

Ben Forster is starring as Buddy in Elf The Musical at the Dominion Theatre between 24th October 2015 and 2nd January 2016. 

Ben returns to the show having played Buddy during Elf’s runs in Plymouth and Dublin last year. Based on the beloved 2003 New Line Cinema hit starring Will Ferrell, Elf The Musical will also star Kimberley Walsh as Jovie.

After completing his run in Elf, Ben will take over as the title character in the West End production of The Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty’s Theatre from 1st February 2016.

Ben recently reprised his performance as Brad in a limited West End run of The Rocky Horror Show at the Playhouse, starring alongside the show’s creator Richard O'Brien. A special gala performance was broadcast to cinemas around the world.

In 2012 Ben entered Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ITV reality series ‘Superstar’ and won the title role in the UK arena tour of Jesus Christ Superstar. He later reprised his performance for the production’s Australian tour and for a second tour of the UK.

Ben’s theatre credits also include: El Haj in La Cava (West End), Doody in Grease (West End/ international tour), lead vocalist in Thriller Live (West End/international tour), Brad in The Rocky Horror Show (40th anniversary UK tour) and Magaldi in Evita (West End). Ben has also produced two acoustic albums and is currently working on original material for a third album.

I recently spoke to Ben during a break from Elf rehearsals about feeling festive, falling in love with Buddy and why he’s thrilled to be starring opposite Kimberley Walsh. We also discussed why reprising his performance in The Rocky Horror Show was a mad experience, how it feels to be taking over as one of the most iconic roles in musical theatre and the incredible support he receives from fans…

The last few months have been crazy for you with three West End shows lined up at the same time! Have you had the chance to take it in or has it all been a bit of a blur?

It has been amazing! As an actor I couldn’t ask for more. It’s so amazing to have stuff lined up like that, I’m incredibly lucky! I was doing the music rehearsals for Phantom, then the next week I was rehearsing for Rocky Horror, then we did Rocky Horror, I finished it on the Saturday and I started rehearsals for Elf on the Monday. It has been absolutely manic, but so rewarding! In an ideal world this is exactly what I would want to happen.

Rehearsal Pics: Elf The Musical starring Ben Forster & Kimberley Walsh

Rehearsal images have been released for the West End production of Elf The Musical. Check out the images below (click picture to enlarge).

Directed by Morgan Young, the show opens at the Dominion Theatre on 24th October 2015 and runs until 2nd January 2016. The cast is led by Ben Forster, Kimberley Walsh, Joe McGann and Jessica Martin. The show has has a book by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin, music by Matthew Sklar and lyrics by Chad Beguelin.

Review: West End Heroes at the Dominion Theatre

West End Heroes
Dominion Theatre
Reviewed on Sunday 4th October 2015
★★★★

Returning to the Dominion Theatre for its third year, West End Heroes unites military musicians with West End performers to raise money and awareness for Help For Heroes. 

Casting announced for West End return of The Rocky Horror Show

Further casting has been announced for the West End return of The Rocky Horror Show.

The musical runs at the Playhouse Theatre between 11th and 19th September 2015.

Joining the previously announced David Bedella as Frank ‘n’ Furter and Richard O’Brien at The Narrator are Ben Forster as Brad, Haley Flaherty as Janet.

The cast also includes Kristian Lavercombe as Riff Raff, Jayde Westaby as Magenta, Sophie Linder-Lee as Columbia and Richard Meek as Eddie/Dr. Scott.

UPDATE: Completing the cast are: Dominic Anderson as Rocky as well as Will Knights, Ben Kerr,  Hannah Malekzad and Rachel Grundy as Phantoms and Andrew Ahern (swing).

The show will be directed by Christopher Luscombe and produced by Howard Panter for Ambassador Theatre Group. These special London performances precede a nationwide UK tour of The Rocky Horror Show, which opens at the Theatre Royal Brighton on 17th December 2015 starring Paul Cattermole as Eddie/Dr. Scott, Ben Freeman as Brad and Diana Vickers as Janet as well as Lavercombe as Riff Raff.

Stephen Fry, Great British Bake Off host Mel Giedroyc and Spice Girl Emma Bunton are the first celebrities to be announced as special guest stars in the Gala Charity Performance of The Rocky Horror Show at thr Playhouse Theatre on 17th September. The special performance will be broadcast live to cinemas across the UK and Europe. 

The Phantom of the Opera announces new West End cast

The West End production of The Phantom of the Opera will welcome a new cast at Her Majesty’s Theatre from Monday 7th September 2015, 

John Owen-Jones is returning as The Phantom for a limited run from Monday 7th September 2015 until Saturday 30th January 2016, having most recently played the part in the show's UK tour. He has played the role more times than any other actor in the West End production’s history.

Owen-Jones has also played the role of Jean Valjean in Les Misérables in the West End, on the 25th anniversary tour and on Broadway. He was the first British actor to play the role in the West End and on Broadway. He most recently appeared as Pirelli in the English National Opera production of Sweeney Todd. 

Elf The Musical announces Alzheimer’s Society gala

Producers of Elf The Musical have announced that they will be donating all ticket sales from their opening night gala on 5th November 2015 to the Alzheimer’s Society.

Starring Ben Forster and Kimberley Walsh, the musical runs at the Dominion Theatre between 24th October 2015 and 2nd January 2016. The cast also includes Joe McGann and Jessica Martin.

Last night, The Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye revealed that the production has already sold £3 million worth of tickets. 

Alzheimer’s Society is the UK's leading dementia support and research charity, here for anyone affected by any form of dementia in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. 

Alzheimer’s Society provides information and practical and emotional support to help people live well with dementia, and the charity invests in world-class research with the ultimate goal of defeating it. Dementia can happen to anyone and there is currently no cure. There are 850,000 people with dementia in the UK and the number is set to rise to 1 million by 2021.

Jesus Christ Superstar starring Ben Forster cancels run in Athens

A production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Jesus Christ Superstar at the Odeon Of Herodes Atticus in Athens has been cancelled due to the current economic crisis in Greece.

ITV Superstar winner Ben Forster was supposed to reprise his performance alongside Tim Prottey-Jones and Niall Sheehy on 3rd and 4th July in the show.

Kimberley Walsh & Ben Forster to star in West End premiere of Elf The Musical!

It has been confirmed that Kimberley Walsh and Ben Forster will star in the West End premiere of Elf The Musical! 

The production opens at the Dominion Theatre on Thursday 5th November 2015 (previews from 24th October) and runs for a strictly limited 10-week season until 2nd January 2016.

ITV's Superstar winner Forster (Buddy), who recently starred in the West End revival of Evita, reprises his performance from Elf's runs in Plymouth and Dublin last December.

Louise Dearman hosts Let’s Hear It For The Boys starring Killian Donnelly, Ben Forster & Hugh Maynard + more!

The line-up has been announced for Let’s Hear It For The Boys which takes place at the Grove Theatre on Sunday 10th May at 7pm.

Hosted by Louise Dearman, performers include: Daniel Boys (Spamalot), Killian Donnelly (Memphis), Ben Forster (Evita), Alex Gaumond (Legally Blonde), Dan Koek (Les Mis), Tom Lister (Water Babies), Hugh Maynard (Miss Saigon), Lee Mead (Wicked), John Owen-Jones (Phantom of the Opera), Ben Richards (Rock Of Ages), Jon Robyns (Avenue Q), Oliver Tompsett (Wicked), Niall Sheehy (Miss Saigon) and Michael Xavier (The Pajama Game).

Ben Forster & Aoibhínn McGinnity star Elf: The Broadway Musical

Ben Forster has announced that he will star as Buddy in Elf: The Broadway Musical this Christmas. The production will also star Aoibhínn McGinnity as Jovie. 

The production will preview at the Theatre Royal Plymouth (6th-13th December) ahead of a festive run at the Bord Gais Energy in Dublin (16th December - 10th January). 

Elf famously ran on Broadway in 2010-11 and 2012-13. It has also toured the US. It features songs by Tony Award nominees Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin and a book by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin. The musical is based on the 2003 movie starring Will Ferrell.

Review: Evita at the Dominion Theatre

Evita 

Dominion Theatre

Reviewed on Monday 22nd September 2014

★★★

Back for its third West End run, this time it is Bill Kenwright who is behind Evita's West End return. I only saw Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's iconic musical for the first time several months ago during its recent UK tour which starred Madalena Alberto as Eva and Marti Pellow as Che, both of whom have reprised their performances for this limited West End engagement.

Sneak peek at... Marti Pellow, Madalena Alberto & Ben Forster in Evita at the Dominion Theatre

Production images have been released of Marti Pellow, Madalena Alberto and Ben Forster in Evita.

The show officially opens at the newly refurbished Dominion Theatre tomorrow evening (22nd September) for a limited run until Saturday 1st November. Pellow, Alberto and Forster star as Che, Eva and Magaldi alongside Matthew Cammelle as Peron. Take a look at the images below (click image to enlarge). 

The West End cast of Evita is completed by: Sarah McNicholas, Michelle Pentecost, Amira Matthews, Olive Robinson, Verity Burgess, Gemma Atkins, Lizzie Ottley, Joe McCourt, Joe Maxwell, Joel Elferink, Ryan Pidgen, Anthony Ray, Chris Stoddart, Callum Fitzgerald, David Burilin, Stuart MacIver, Peter McPherson, Joseph Connor, Jamie Tyler and Christopher Palmer.

Evita features the numbers ‘Don’t Cry For Me Argentina’, ‘On This Night of a Thousand Stars’, ‘You Must Love Me’, and ‘Another Suitcase in Another Hall’. The show charts the story of Eva Peron, wife of former Argentine dictator Juan Peron, from her humble beginnings through to the extraordinary wealth, power and iconic status which ultimately led her to be heralded as the ‘spiritual leader of the nation’. It has music by Andrew Lloyd Webber with lyrics Tim Rice

Ben Forster joins cast of Evita!

It has been announced that Ben Forster will star as Agustin Magaldi (Eva Peron’s first love) in the West End revival of Evita which opens at the Dominion Theatre later this month.

He joins the previously announced Marti Pellow as Che and Madalena Alberto as Eva. Opening on Monday 22nd September (previews from 16th September), the production will run for 55 performances only until Saturday 1st November.

Evita will be the first show to run at the Dominion following its renovation work and the closure of We Will Rock You. White Christmas opens at the theatre on 12th November starring Aled Jones and Tom Chambers.

Jesus Christ Superstar cancels US Arena Tour

According to Twitter reports, Jesus Christ Superstar has cancelled its upcoming US Tour. The cast were due to fly out in just four days.

Writing on Twitter, the musical's star Ben Forster (who won ITV's Superstar competition) said: "My heart is broken. My beautiful talented cast and company I adore. This wonderful show & opportunity is over. I'm so sorry I am devastated.

"I am in New Orleans.I was mid rehearsal with JC Chasez on the floor. Going they the end of the show. You guys must know we were ready for this. I am so devastated. I'm sorry to everyone who got tickets and flights..Who ever f****d it up I hate you."

An official statement from producers doesn't give an explanation for the cancellation. It reads:

Jesus Christ Superstar arena tour to return in 2013

The UK arena tour of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s legendary rock classic Jesus Christ Superstar will return next year. The show returns to the UK by popular demand, after receiving overwhelming praise during its initial UK run from both audiences and critics alike. The run was seen by over 150,000 thousand people, breaking previous audience records with 74,000 fans seeing the show its opening weekend.

Award-winning Tim Minchin as ‘Judas Iscariot’, Spice Girl Melanie C as ‘Mary Magdalene’ and Chris Moyles as ‘King Herod’. Winner of ITV’s Superstar, Ben Forster, also returns in the title role of ‘Jesus’.

Oliver Thornton, Rhydian, Roxanne Pallett and Superstar Winner Ben Forster cast in The Rocky Horror Show UK Tour

Oliver Thornton, Rhydian, Roxanne Pallett and Superstar Winner Ben Forster will star in the forthcoming 10th anniversary tour of Richard O'Brien's cult musical The Rocky Horror Show. The Rocky Horror Show tells the story of two squeaky clean college kids Brad and his fiancée Janet, who meet Dr Frank’n’Furter by chance when their car breaks down outside his house whilst on their way to visit a college professor.