PICS: Rehearsals for Crazy For You starring Caroline Sheen & Tom Chambers

Rehearsal images have been released for Crazy For You at the Watermill Theatre. The musical opens on 3rd August (previews from 28th July) and runs until 17th September 2016. Check out the pictures below (click picture to enlarge). 

Crazy For You stars Caroline Sheen as Polly and Tom Chambers as Bobby with Matt Bateman (Eugene Fodor); Kit Benjamin (Everett Baker); Hollie Cassar (Tess); Peter Dukes (Bela Zangler); Lindsay Goodhand (Lottie Child / Patricia Fodor); Katrina Kleve (Mitzi); Jeremy Legat (Lank Hawkins); Emile Ruddock (Custus); Ned Rudkins-Stow (Moose); Seren Sandham-Davies (Patsy); Lucy Thatcher (Irene Roth) and Anne White (Margie).

Caroline Sheen joins Tom Chambers in Crazy For You

Full casting has been announced for Crazy For You at the Watermill Theatre.

The musical opens on 3rd August (previews from 28th July) and runs until 17th September 2016. Caroline Sheen will star as Polly, joining the previously announced Tom Chambers as Bobby.

Directed by The Watermill’s Artistic and Executive Director Paul Hart this brand new production will be reimagined for The Watermill’s stage, with musical arrangements by Catherine Jayes.

Big Interview: Caroline Sheen

Caroline Sheen is currently preparing to play Joy in Matthew Brind, Steve Marmion and Rachel Wagstaff's musical Only The Brave at the Wales Millennium Centre.

Directed by Steve Marmion with the cast also including Emilie Fleming, David Thaxton and Neil McDermott, Only The Brave runs between 28th March and 2nd April marking the theatre's first full-scale original musical.

Caroline famously starred as the title role in the 2008 UK tour of Mary Poppins to tremendous acclaim. She later recreated the role for the musical’s first ever U.S. tour. Caroline most recently stepped in for Katherine Kelly and played Alaura/Carla in City of Angels at the Donmar Warehouse with only a day’s rehearsal.

She made her West End debut as Marty/understudy Rizzo and Sandy in Grease at the Cambridge Theatre, later returning to the show five years later at the Victoria Palace to star as Sandy. Her theatre credits also include: Jennifer Gabriel in The Witches of Eastwick (Theatre Royal Drury Lane), Eponine in Les Misérables (Palace), Truly Scrumptious in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (London Palladium), Philia in A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum & Susan Walker in Once In A Lifetime (both National), Fantine in Les Misérables (Queens), Florinda in Into The Woods (Donmar), understudy Sophie Sheridan in the original West End cast of Mamma Mia! (Prince Edward), Putting It Together (St James) and Myths and Hymns & Three Sides (both Finborough). Caroline also appeared in Tom Hooper’s film adaptation of Les Misérables.

I recently spoke to Caroline about why people are going to want to see Only The Brave more than once, what made performing City Of Angels with 28 hours rehearsal one of the most enjoyable moments of her career and why Mary Poppins feels like a lifetime ago...

There was so much excitement when this production of Only The Brave was announced – people are still raving about the album and Edinburgh production. When did the show first come onto your radar?

I saw it even before the Edinburgh try-out! I saw it in its very original form back in Cardiff in about 2004. Matt (Matthew Brind, music) and Steve (Marmion, lyrics) had written their first version and a lot of the music has been refined since then. The music has stayed with it but the story has changed around it. Even from the Edinburgh production, the story is now entirely different. Just a few things remain. We’re now basing the whole show on real characters and truthful events.

PICS: Rehearsals for Only The Brave

Rehearsal images have been released for Only The Brave which runs at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff between  28th March and 2nd April 2016. Check out the images below (click picture to enlarge).

Based on the real lives of men and women caught up in the D-Day landings, the show is directed by the Soho Theatre's artistic director Steve Marmion.  The show stars Emilie Fleming, David Thaxton, Caroline Sheen and Neil McDermott.

Georgia Stitt makes West End debut with new concert

US composer and lyricist Georgia Stitt is set to make her West End debut in a welcome return to London following her sell-out concerts at St Paul’s Church in 2007 and The Hippodrome in 2012.

In her new show, My Lifelong Love, she will perform some of her best known songs from her albums This Ordinary Thursday, Alphabet City Cycle and, of course, My Lifelong Love, as well as from her shows Big Red Sun, The Danger Year, Mosaic and Samantha Spade: Ace Detective. 

The evening will feature performances from Simon Bailey (I Can’t Sing!), Norman Bowman (Mack & Mabel), Cynthia Erivo (The Color Purple), Jamie Muscato (Dogfight), Eva Noblezada (Miss Saigon) and Caroline Sheen (Putting It Together).

Hadley Fraser & Caroline Sheen star in world premiere of Before After

It has been announced that Hadley Fraser and Caroline Sheen will star in the world premiere of Stuart Matthew Price and Timothy Knapman’s new romantic musical Before After at the St. James Studio.

Backed by the Arts Council, Before After will be workshopped for two weeks then will be performed to the paying public on Sunday 28th September at 3.00pm at St. James Studio. Industry insiders will be invited to see the show on Friday 26th September at 2.30pm.

Maureen Lipman joins Caroline Sheen in Rags The Musical

Maureen Lipman has joined the cast of Rags The Musical as the Narrator. 

Lipman is well-known for playing Joyce Grenfell in the biographical show Re: Joyce!, which she co-wrote, and for Beattie a series of award-winning television commercials for British Telecom. Her theatre credits include the National Theatre's production of Oklahoma, Glorious and Trevor Nunn’s production of A Little Night Music. 

She appeared in the films Up The Junction, Educating Rita and played the mother in Polanski's award-winning film The Pianist. She has also made appearances in Doctor Who, Coronation Street, and Holby City. 

Casting announced for Rags The Musical

Casting has been announced for Rags The Musical which is receiving a West End concert staging for one night only later this month at the Lyric Theatre. The performance, which takes place on Monday 28th April, is in aid of Centrepoint, the UK's leading charity for homeless young people.

The production will star: Caroline Sheen (Les Misérables/Putting It Together, pictured right) as Rebecca, Graham MacDuff (Spamalot) as Nathan, Matt Zimmerman (voice of Alan Tracy in Thunderbirds) as Avram, Leila Benn Harris (The Phantom of the Opera) as Bella, James Yeoburn (Payback) as Ben, Jenny Logan (Chicago) as Rachel, Tim Rogers (Whistle down the Wind/Aspects of Love) as Saul and Bash Croft (Oliver/Matilda) as David. 

Review: Putting It Together at the St James Theatre

Putting It Together

St James Theatre

Reviewed on Tuesday 21st January 2014

Question: What do you get when you cast five of the most renowned performers in musical theatre, give them the music of one of the greatest theatrical composers of all time, gather a young and fresh group of musicians and hire the shiniest new theatre in London?

Answer: A classy, must-see production.

Alistair Brammer, Killian Donnelly, Fra Fee, Samantha Spiro & more for Jule, Jerry & Steve concert

Following the success of A Little Night Music in Concert, Alex Parker is staging 'Jule, Jerry & Steve' at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre for one night only on Sunday 16th February, showcasing the music of three of Broadway’s greatest composers. 

Alistair Brammer, Killian Donnelly, Fra Fee & Samantha Spiro

Some of the musicals represented in the evening include: La Cage Aux Folles, Hello Dolly, Mame, Dear World, Mack & Mabel, Funny Girl, Gypsy, Follies, Company, Sunday In The Park With George and Road Show. The evening is in aid of the charity MENCAP, and is the premier performance of the 42‐ piece Alex Parker Orchestra. 

David Bedella, Daniel Crossley, Janie Dee, Damian Humbley and Caroline Sheen to star in London premiere of Sondheim’s Putting It Together

It has been announced that the St James Theatre will host the London premiere of Stephen Sondheim’s Putting it Together next year. The production will run between 14th January and 1st February 2014 before Urinetown opens at the theatre.

First produced by Cameron Mackintosh in New York with Julie Andrews over 20 years ago, the London premiere (which is being produced by Robert Mackintosh, the St. James Theatre and Hilary A Williams) will star West End regulars David Bedella, Daniel Crossley, Janie Dee, Damian Humbley and Caroline Sheen. The production will be directed by Alastair Knights, choreographed by Matthew Rowland with Musical Supervision by Alex Parker.

Poll Result: Rachel Tucker wins 'Best Performance Of A Song In A Musical' for her performance of 'Defying Gravity'

Hundreds of you have voted and decided that Rachel Tucker is the winner of our 'Best Performance Of A Song In A Musical' poll. She won for her performance of the incredible song 'Defying Gravity' in long running West End Show Wicked!!

Below is a countdown of the result:

8th Place 

Joanna Monro 

Take A Chance On Me

Mamma Mia

Votes - 1%

7th Place 

Sharon D Clarke

Believer

Ghost The Musical 

Votes - 2%

6th Place 

Carley Stenson

So Much Better

Legally Blonde The Musical 

Votes - 4%

5th Place 

Dean Chisnall

Who I'd Be

Shrek The Musical 

Votes - 9%

4th Place 

Caroline Sheen

I Dreamed A Dream

Les Misérables

 Votes -10%

click here to find out who the top 3 are...

Poll: Best Performance Of A Song In A Musical

In shows actors come and go all the time. The best thing about theatre is that you will never see the same thing twice. We have some outstanding performers in the West End. All people in this poll are extemely talented people. You watch shows like X Factor and then go and see a West End Show and to me it is pretty obvious where this country's best singers can be found...

Vote below for which performer you think gives the best performance of a song, think about they way ther indervidual performs it. Will give this poll longer before anouncing the results! Thanks guys!

Best Performance Of A Song In A Musical
	Rachel Tucker - Defying Gravity - Wicked
	Carley Stenson - So Much Better - Legally Blonde
	Lauren Samuals - Somebody To Love - WWRY
	Oliver Tompsett - I Wanna Rock - Rock Of Ages
	Sharon D Clarke - Believer - Ghost
	Joanna Monro - Chance On Me - Mamma Mia
	Caroline Sheen - I Dreamed A Dream - Les Mis
	Dean Chisnall - Who I'd Be - Shrek