Stagey Catch Up: Samantha Barks reveals support act, Alex Gaumond's new role & Christina Bianco's tour dates

Here are some stagey stories to keep you up to date with theatreland!

Alex James Ellison to support Samantha Barks

Renowned singer-songwriter and theatre performer Alex James Ellison will support Samantha Barks on her upcoming UK tour. James Ellison, whose credits include Aliens Love Underpants and Aparment 40C, previously released his EP Duvet Days and single 'Chocolate Bar'. Barks' solo tour begins on 8th June at the Theatre Royal Norwich before visiting Bromley, Swansea, Horsham, Liverpool, Shoreditch, Guildford, Richmond, Lancaster Grand and St Andrews.

Alex Gaumond to star in The Trial of Jane Fonda

West End regular Alex Gaumond will star as Larry Bonk in The Trial of Jane Fonda at the Park Theatre. Directed by Joe Harmston, performances begin at Park200 on 13th July. As previously announced, Anne Archer returns to the UK to star as Jane Fonda, with the cast also including Christien Anholt  as Buzzy Banks, Martin Fisher as Reverend John Clarke, Paul Herzberg as Joe Celano, Ako Mitchell as Reggie Wells and Mark Rose as Tommy Lee Cook.

EdFringe Review: Christina Bianco - Party of One at Assembly George Square Gardens

Christina Bianco: Party of One 
Assembly George Square Gardens (Venue 3)
19:20 / 1 hour
Reviewed on Friday 7th August 2015
★★★★★

There's no stopping Christina Bianco who is back at the fringe with her new one-woman cabaret Party of One. The vocal impressionist offers an insight into her childhood, explaining how she honed her craft from a young age. 

Christina Bianco to play London & Edinburgh with new solo show

Acclaimed singer, actor and impressionist Christina Bianco is returning to the UK with seven performances of her new solo show Party of One at the Hippodrome in London, before taking it to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August. 

Bianco became a YouTube sensation with her diva impression videos which have attracted over 20 million views worldwide. Last year she made her West End debut in the musical theatre satire Forbidden Broadway at the Vaudeville Theatre and she can be seen currently on screen in US sitcom Impress Me. 

Party of One will run for seven performances between 14th - 24th May at the Hippodrome before it heads to the Edinburgh between 6th - 16th August.

In her new one-woman show, Bianco shares her eclectic musical and artistic influences. From her New York roots, to global travels, to her love of celebrity divas, she will take you on a hilarious musical comedy journey, showing you what has led her to become a multi-faceted, multi-voiced party of one.

Christina Bianco stars in new off-Broadway musical

Fresh from making her West End debut in Forbidden Broadway, it has been announced that Christina Bianco is returning to New York to star in the world premiere of an off-Broadway musical called Application Pending.

Greg Edwards and Andy Sandberg's new comedy is about the hilariously cutthroat world of kindergarten admissions at New York private schools. YouTube sensation Bianco will portray rookie admissions office Christine Evans as well as forty other roles (it sounds right up her street!).

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.

Editor's Blog: New openings, career defining performances & a trip to Chichester

Michael Flatley, Christina Bianco, Jacqueline Hughes, Cynthia Erivo, Drew McOnie & Sophie Thompson take centre stage...

August is always a strange month in theatreland. As the focus moved to Edinburgh, few shows opened in London, but suddenly September has crept up on us and the West End is kicking into action. Two of this month's biggest openings include the West End transfers of Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games and Forbidden Broadway.

Edinburgh Review: Divallusion with Christina Bianco and Velma Celli at Assembly Checkpoint

Divallusion with Christina Bianco and Velma Celli 
Assembly Checkpoint (Venue 322) ​
19:25 / 1 hour
Reviewed on Thursday 7th August 2014
★★★★★

Both YouTube sensation Christina Bianco and cabaret star Velma Celli could have easily put on spectacular solo shows at this year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival, but instead they have come together to celebrate the world's greatest diva's - and they are a force to be reckoned with!

From duets to solo numbers and from quick costume changes to high kicks and splits, Divallusion showcases two sensational performers at the height of their game.

Best known in theatreland for her hysterically impressive 'Let It Go' impression video, Bianco whips out all her best impressions to huge rounds of applause; her voice is insane. Celli provides one of the highlights of the evening with an exceptional stripped back rendition of Jessie J's 'Nobody's Perfect'.

Forbidden Broadway transfers to West End; Christina Bianco joins cast

It has been announced that Forbidden Broadway will transfer to the West End following its successful run at the Menier Chocolate Factory.

The production will open at the Vaudeville Theatre on Tuesday 9th September for a limited eleven week run ending on Saturday 22nd November 2014.

Current cast members Damian Humbley, Anna-Jane Casey and Ben Lewis will star in the transfer alongside Christina Bianco. As well as being a YouTube sensation, Bianco has appeared in the New York production of Forbidden Broadway.