Charlotte Wakefield taking over as Truly Scrumptious in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

The Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye has announced that Charlotte Wakefield is taking over as Truly Scrumptious from Carrie Hope Fletcher in the UK tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang from 5th October in Edinburgh. 

Wakefield recently played Hester Fletcher in the UK tour of The Herbal Bed: The Secret Life Of Shakespeare’s Daughter. She famously created the role of Wendla Bergman in the UK premiere of Spring Awakening at the Lyric Hammersmith. The show transferred to the West End’s Novello Theatre and Wakefield received an Olivier nomination.

Interview: Charlotte Wakefield

Charlotte Wakefield is currently playing Hester Fletcher in the UK tour of The Herbal Bed: The Secret Life Of Shakespeare’s Daughter. Directed by James Dacre, this production marks the first major revival of Peter Whelan’s play.

Charlotte famously created the role of Wendla Bergman in the UK premiere of Spring Awakening at the Lyric Hammersmith. The show transferred to the West End’s Novello Theatre and Charlotte received an Olivier nomination.

Her subsequent theatre credits include: Sophie in Mamma Mia! (International Tour/West End), Maria in The Sound of Music (Open Air Theatre) for which she received her second Olivier nomination, Edith in Noel Coward's Christmas Spirits (St James Studio), Laurey in Oklahoma! (UK Tour) and Emma in Monsieur Popular (Theatre Royal Bath). 

On screen Charlotte has appeared in Doctors, Holby City, Waterloo Road, Occupation, The Royal, Leap Of Faith and An Angel For May.

I recently spoke to Charlotte about taking on a straight play, why she’s learning so much from her fellow cast members, missing singing and whether she’s recovered from performing Drew McOnie’s dream ballet eight times a week in Oklahoma!... 

What first drew you to The Herbal Bed? When did you know it was something you wanted to be a part of?

Initially the attraction was working with James Dacre and Royal & Derngate again – I previously worked with Royal & Derngate on Oklahoma!. And then when I looked at the script… I mean… it’s beautifully written; Peter Whelan has written an absolutely stunning script. Also it’s a story of emotional turmoil for all the characters involved. There’s no lead role, it’s an ensemble piece which is really nice. It’s an unknown story from a time we know quite a lot about because of Shakespeare and his writing, but Susanna Hall, Shakespeare’s daughter, and her story is kind of lost – we bring it to light. The play is based on truth so it’s really quite interesting to discover what happened.

Sneak peek at... The Herbal Bed starring Emma Lowndes & Charlotte Wakefield

Production images have been released for the first major revival of The Herbal Bed by Peter Whelan. Check out the pictures below (click image to enlarge). 

Starring Emma Lowndes and Charlotte Wakefield, the production is currently playing the Royal & Derngate in Northampton before touring to Cambridge, Liverpool, Exeter, Brighton, Salford, Bath, Oxford and Kingston. Completing the cast are Philip Correia, Patrick Driver Jonathan Guy Lewis, Michael Mears and Matt Whitchurch. Direction is by James Dacre.

Sneak peek at... the cast of OKLAHOMA!

First images have been released of the OKLAHOMA! 2015 UK Tour cast in action.

Pictured below are Belinda Lang as Aunt Eller, Gary Wilmot as Ali Hakim, the West End Frame Award winning Ashley Day as Curly and Charlotte Wakefield as Laurey. Click an image to enlarge.

The cast also includes Nic Greenshields as Jud Fry, Lucy May Barker as Ado Annie, James O’Connell as Will Parker, Paul Grunert as Andrew Carnes, Kara Lane as Gertie Cummings, Christopher D Hunt as Cord Elam and Barnaby Thompson as Ike Skidmore.

Simon Anthony, Christina Bennington, Robbie Boyle, Katie Marie-Carter, Lisa Dent, Emilie du Leslay, Ian Gareth-Jones, Hannah Grace, Ross Lee Fowkes, Perry O’Dea, Sasi Strallen and Gabriella Stylianou complete the cast.

Review: Noël Coward's Christmas Spirits at the St James Studio

Noël Coward's Christmas Spirits
St James Studio
Reviewed on Wednesday 10th December 2014
★★★

Noël Coward’s Christmas Spirits is a delightful little show. Written and directed by Nick Hutchison, the piece is told through song, poetry and prose. 

Set in December 1940 during the Blitz, the piece sees Noël Coward in his flat using Madam Arcati – his own creation – to summon various voices to examine the spirit of Christmas through the ages... yes - it is all a little bizarre. 

Hutchison has pieced together a variety of excellent material; however, the piece’s structure is questionable and I think it would work far better as a light-hearted musical revue. It is almost taking itself a little too seriously. The concept may be odd, but it is still very easy to watch. 

A man of many talents, Stefan Bednarczyk musically directs and stars in the piece. Opening the show with one of the evening’s highlights - Noël Coward's 'Don't Put Your Daughter on the Stage' - Bednarczyk's bursts with old-school charm throughout, proving popular with the audience. 

Photo Feature: Charlotte Wakefield, Stefan Bednarczyk & Issy Van Randwyck rehearse Noël Coward’s Christmas Spirits

Images have been released of Charlotte Wakefield, Stefan Bednarczyk and Issy Van Randwyck rehearsing for Noël Coward’s Christmas Spirits. Check out the pictures below (click image to enlarge). The show opens at the St. James Studio on Wednesday 10th December (previews from 8th December) and runs until 23rd December 2014.  

Written and directed by Nick Hutchison, with musical direction by Stefan Bednarczyk and design by Annie Gosney, Noël Coward’s Christmas Spirits will take audiences on a "bittersweet festive journey". It is told through song, poetry and prose.

Charlotte Wakefield leads cast of Noël Coward’s Christmas Spirits at the St James Studio

It has been announced that Charlotte Wakefield, Stefan Bednarczyk and Issy Van Randwyck will star in a brand new show  called Noël Coward’s Christmas Spirits at the St James Studio this December.

Opening on 10th December (previews from 8th December), the show runs until 23rd December. Written and directed by Nick Hutchison, with musical direction by Stefan Bednarczyk and designed by Annie Gosney, Noël Coward’s Christmas Spirits will take audiences on a "bittersweet festive journey". It is told through song, poetry and prose.

Interview: Helen Hobson & Charlotte Wakefield - third time lucky!

West End performers Helen Hobson (pictured right) and Charlotte Wakefield are currently preparing to star in Picture Perfect: A New Musical.

The contemporary song-cycle explores love and relationships using the songs of award-winning American composer Scott Evan Davis. Conceived and directed by Simon Greiff, it receives its London premiere at the St James Studio with four performances on Saturday 31st May and Sunday 1st June.

Over the past few years Helen and Charlotte have become famous for working together. The pair first worked together when they played mother and daughter – Donna and Sophie – in the West End production of Mamma Mia (Novello Theatre), following stints in the show’s international tour. The pair both left Mamma Mia at the same time and immediately went on to star as Mother Abbess and Maria in The Sound of Music (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre). The production won rave reviews, sold out and broke records at the Open Air Theatre.

Helen recently appeared in the sold out run of The Kinks’ musical Sunny Afternoon at the Hampstead Theatre. Her theatre credits also include: The Sunny Side of the Street (Jermyn Street), Ma in The Human Comedy (Young Vic), Mrs Johnston in Blood Brothers (Phoenix), Rita in Educating Rita (Palace Theatre, West Cliff), Cathy in Heathcliff (Hammersmith/UK Tour), Grizabella in Cats (UK Tour) and Rose Vibert in Aspects of Love (Prince of Wales).

Charlotte (pictured left) received her second Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Maria in The Sound of Music. She was previously nominated for her performance as Wendla Bergman in Spring Awakening (Lyric Hammersmith/Novello). Charlotte returns to the St James Studio fresh from starring in a successful run of A Spoonful of Sherman.

I recently spoke to Helen and Charlotte about what it’s like to be back working together, why they were attracted to Picture Perfect and what they think about the current state of new writing in London…

What’s it like to be back together, working opposite each other once again?!

[both laugh] Helen Hobson: Really, really brilliant! I saw Charlotte the other night when she came to see my show at the Hampstead Theatre and we whooped with joy in the bar afterwards, it’s very exciting – third time lucky!

Charlotte Wakefield replaces Lucie Jones in Picture Perfect

Charlotte Wakefield has joined the cast of Picture Perfect: A New Musical, replacing the previously announced Lucie Jones.

The contemporary song-cycle explores love and relationships using the songs of award-winning American composer Scott Evan Davis. Conceived and directed by Simon Greiff, it receives its London premiere at the St James Studio with four performances on Saturday 31st May and Sunday 1st June.

Jones, who appeared on X Factor in 2009 and has starred in Les Miserables, We Will Rock You and American Psycho, can no longer appear in Picture Perfect due an unforeseen scheduling clash.

Picture Perfect will see Wakefield reunite Helen Hobson. The pair first played mother and daughter in the West End production of Mamma Mia and then Maria and Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. Wakefield was nominated for an Olivier Award for her West End debut in Spring Awakening.

Review: The Sound Of Music at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre

The Sound Of Music

Regent's Park Open Air Theatre

Reviewed on Tuesday 6th August 2013

The Sound Of Music sits beautifully in the Regents Park Open Air Theatre, providing a truly magical experience. It is hard to fault a single aspect of this production which is a treat for the entire family. The Sound Of Music is a timeless piece of theatre and it would be impossible to see this production without smiling and toe tapping throughout.