Daniel Boys & Jack Derges join Mark Gatiss in The Boys in the Band

Casting has been announced for the upcoming revival of Mart Crowley's play The Boys in the Band.

Directed by Adam Penford, the production opens at the Park Theatre on 4th October (previews from 28th September) and runs until 30th October 2016. 

Daniel Boys, David Burt, Eve Polycarpou & Gina Beck star in Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris

It has been announced that Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris will open at the Charing Cross Theatre for a strictly limited six-week run next month.

Andrew Keates will direct Daniel Boys (Avenue Q/Spamalot), David Burt (The Merchant of Venice/ The Beggars People), Eve Polycarpou (In The Heights/Mother Courage) and Gina Beck (Wicked/ Phantom of the Opera).

Annalene Beechey, Daniel Boys, James Gillan & Lauren Samuels star in workshop presentation of Stiles and Drewe's Anything Can Happen

Casting has been announced for the exclusive workshop presentation of Stiles and Drewe's Anything Can Happen.

The cast includes: Annalene Beechey (Marguerite/Wicked), Daniel Boys (Spamalot/Avenue Q, pictured right), James Gillan (Peter Pan/Little Shop of Horrors) and Lauren Samuels (Water Babies/We Will Rock You).

SimG Productions will present the workshop performance on Friday 25th July at 1.30pm at the St James Theatre. Simon Greiff has specifically created the show to celebrate the diverse repertoire of Olivier award-winning British writing team George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. 

Danielle Hope, Joanna Riding & Daniel Boys headline 'Live in the Delfont Room' summer season

Live in the Delfont Room: An Evening With… returns for a limited summer season of evening cabaret from June to September 2014.

One evening every month the stunning Delfont Room in the Prince of Wales Theatre will play host to a late night soiree of intimate cabaret featuring some of the West End’s best loved stars and their special guests. 

The line-up includes:

26th June - Danielle Hope 

31st July - Joanna Riding

28th August - Daniel Boys

Daniel Boys & Lauren Samuels to star in Love Story at the Octagon Theatre

It has been announced that Daniel Boys and Lauren Samuels will star in Love Story at the Octagon Theatre. The production runs from 19th June until 12th July.

Inspired by Erich Segal's novel (which was adapted into a 1970's film), Love Story has book and lyrics by Stephen Clark and music and additional lyrics by Howard Goodall. Elizabeth Newman directs.

Two worlds collide when spirited Italian-American Jennifer Cavilleri and wealthy, privileged Harvard Alumni Oliver Barrett IV fall in love. The pair, whose backgrounds could not be more different, are united by love. It is a love that endures in the face of adversity, through family opposition to their marriage and devastating personal tragedy.

Interview: Daniel Boys

Daniel Boys recently joined the West End production of Spamalot at the Playhouse Theatre as Sir Lancelot. 

Lovingly ripped off from the 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Spamalot follows King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table in their quest to find the Holy Grail. Spamalot originally ran in the West End at the Palace Theatre between 2006 and 2009. Following a UK Tour a new production of the musical opened at the West End’s Harold Pinter Theatre in July 2012 before transferring to the Playhouse Theatre from November 2012.

Daniel Boys is best known for coming sixth place on Any Dream Will Do and for starring as Princeton and Rod in the West End production of Avenue Q for over two years at the Noel Coward and Gielgud Theatres.

His theatre credits also include: The Opinion Makers (Mercury Colchester/Derby), High Society (Tour), Tommy (Prince Edward), Godspell (Palace Manchester), The Importance of Being Earnest (Theatre Royal, Windsor), Ordinary Days, Wolfboy (both at Trafalgar Studios), Sweeney Todd (Royal Festival Hall), Rent (Prince of Wales/Tour), The War of the Worlds (Tour), Grease (Victoria Palace/Tour), West Side Story (Tour) and Sunset Boulevard (Tour). 

Daniel is the international voice of the Neighbours theme tune for Channel Five / Network 10. He released his debut solo album, So Close, in 2009 which led to him performing in LA, Adelaide and Sydney. Recently I spoke to Daniel about why he was so nervous about joining Spamalot, how it feels to be back in the West End and why the novelty of singing the Neighbours theme tune will never wear off… 

How did you feel about joining Spamalot?

I was actually really nervous – the most nervous I’ve ever felt being in a show for some reason. It’s going ok and I seem to get nice feedback from people. I’m relieved the first few shows are out the way and I can now try to enjoy it. It’s such a fun show and a joy to be in!

Daniel Boys joins Spamalot

It has been confirmed that Bonnie Langford will return to the West End production of Spamalot as The Lady of the Lake from Monday 24th February 2014. The production has extended to 12th April 2014.

Also joining the cast is Daniel Boys, star of BBC1’s Any Dream Will Do, and stage shows including Rent, War Of The Worlds and Avenue Q, who takes on the role of Sir Lancelot from 24th February. As well as having released his solo album So Close in 2009, Daniel performed I Know Him So Well with John Barrowman on his album Music, Music, Music, and he also sings the theme tune on the TV show, Neighbours.

Fresh from her appearance on the current series of ITV1’s Dancing on Ice, where Bonnie Langford yet again proved to the nation that she’s a natural born entertainer, she brings her own brand of showbiz glamour back to the stage as she is reunited with Joe Pasquale who returned to the role of King Arthur last month. Bonnie and Joe starred together in Spamalot last summer after Bonnie contacted Joe on Twitter, invited him to see her in the show and then suggested to the producers that he’d be a great King Arthur.

Gareth Gates, Jonathan Ansell, Daniel Boys, Emma Williams & Rachael Wooding for Momentous Musicals Live Album

Pop Idol and West End favourite Gareth Gates (Joseph, Les Misérables, Legally Blonde) will star on the upcoming live album release of Momentous Musicals, alongside Jonathan Ansell (G4, Whistle Down the Wind), Daniel Boys (Any Dream Will Do, Avenue Q), Emma Williams (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Love Story) and Rachael Wooding (Jersey Boys, Hairspray). 

This sophisticated celebration of musical theatre, showcasing soaring ballads and fondly remembered songs from the most significant musicals of our generation, premièred at New Wimbledon Theatre earlier this year, and is released as a 16 track live recording on Monday 7th January 2013 by Speckulation Entertainment, which produced the live stage show. 

Gareth Gates, Jonathan Ansell, Daniel Boys, Emma Williams and Rachael Wooding to star in Momentous Musicals at the New Wimbledon Theatre

Gareth Gates (Joseph, Les Misérables); Jonathan Ansell (G4, Whistle Down the Wind); Daniel Boys (Any Dream Will Do, Avenue Q); Emma Williams (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Love Story) and Rachael Wooding (Jersey Boys, Hairspray) along with  ten up and coming performers will perform in Momentous Musicals at New Wimbledon Theatre on Thursday 19th July 2012.

2012 ArtsEd graduates Luke Alexander, Ashley Cooper, Gabriela García, Sinead Kenny, Felicity Kirwin and Sam Lathwood will join young professionals Stef Booth (After the Turn), Matthew John Gregory (Guys and Dolls), Christopher Mitchell (12 Irish Tenors) and Hayley Ellen Scott (High School Musical) as the featured ensemble of this gala concert.

Momentous Musicals is a brand new concert celebration showcasing soaring ballads and fondly remembered songs from the most significant musicals of our generation. Pop Idol favourite Gareth Gates (Joseph, Les Misérables) leads this sophisticated homage to musical theatre, featuring the songs ‘Empty Chairs at Empty Tables’ (Les Misérables), ‘For Good’ (Wicked) ‘Why, God, Why?’ (Miss Saigon), ‘Seasons of Love’ (Rent) and many more.

Momentous Musicals is produced by Neil Eckersley for Speckulation Entertainment (Alan Cumming: I Bought a Blue Car Today, Megan Mullally & Supreme Music Program, Christmas in New Yorkand Idina Menzel at the Royal Albert Halll). It is directed by John Garfield-Roberts, with musical direction by George Dyer and choreography by Racky Plews.

The Details...

Thursday 19th July 2012 

7.30pm

New Wimbledon Theatre, 

93 The Broadway, London SW19 1QG

Tickets: £22.00 (concessions available)

Box Office: 0844 871 7646

www.momentousmusicals.com

Review: The In-Between Concept Album

 

The In-Between Concept Album
Music, Lyrics & Book by Laura Tisdall

http://www.theinbetweenmusical.com/

I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I sat down to listen to The In-Between Concept Album for the first time. Obviously I was excited by who was involved - stars from musicals including Wicked, Les Misérables and We Will Rock You. However the true star of The In-Between is its composer, Laura Tisdall. Her music is enchanting.

The first song on the concept album, 'She's My Sister' is one of my favourites. It introduces us to clashing sisters Alice and Flick who consider their love-hate relationship during the song. It is sung by Dianne Pilkington & Cassandra Compton who don't just sing the song - they act every single word. This enables you to picture exactly what is going on the whole time, as if you are watching it being performed. Their voices compliment each other perfectly and trust me, after listening to this song once you will never be able to get it out of your head! It is extremely catchy.

'Never Expect' is the second song on the concept album, during the song Flick extols the virtues of being average. This song shows how incredible Sabrina Aloueche's voice is. She sings with such power and emotion. This song demonstrates how inspiration has come from other musicals although it also brings something new to the table. The In-Between has a distinct sound which is consistent throughout the concept album. While each song is different you could hear the song somewhere and straight away identify the song as being from The In-Between. This shows how clever Laura Tisdall's writing really is.

'Out Of Your World' is another extremely catchy song, sung by Daniel Boys. This song introduces us to Calicus. The song is about him offering Flick the chance to travel another word. Daniel's voice really draws you into the world of the In-Between, making you forget about about the real world for 2 minutes and 26 seconds. It is one of those songs that you realise you are humming around the house and think 'hang on - what is this song'. The In-Between would be one of those musicals that you leave singing all the songs on the train because after just one listen you remember them.

'When I Was Nineteen' is sung by Julie Atherton. The sons is about Alice, Flick's sister, looking back on her family's troubled past. You don't just listen to this song - you live it. When I listen to this song it touches something inside of me, enabling me to feel each and every emotion of the song. It is refreshing to hear such a simple song being so powerful. This song is extremely moving and it was not until the silence after the song finished that I realised how much it had touched me. When I Was Nineteen is simply stunning.

One of the most popular songs on the album is 'Beyond The Door'. Hadley Fraser was the perfect choice for this song! The song has so much depth. It is about Calicus, who is unable to forget Flick, wondering what life is like outside of the In-Between and how finds himself tempted to look through one of the exit doors into the worlds. You can take the song metaphorically enabling the song to mean something different to each and every person who listens to it. The song builds tremendously and like 'When I Was Nineteen' has a long lasting effect once the song is over. As Hadley Fraser sings  with such intensity, while listening to him I freeze and can do nothing but concentrate on what he is singing. This is something not all singers can accomplish. 

I love 'Someone You'd Be Proud Of' because anyone can relate to it. Everyone can think of a moment in their life which is similar to the situation Flick finds herself in. This song is the one I connected to the most. I also think Lauren Samuels' voice is breath taking. She starts off singing so soft and beautifully before slowly building up and belting out the most heart wrenching notes, once again showing us how versatile she is. If this show was to be performed on stage I would love to see Lauren portraying role of Flick. 

The final song on the concept album, 'Not Alone' really does leave you wanting to know how the story ends. While Laura Tisdall is keeping what happens to conclude the story a closely guarded secret this song definitely leaves you wanting more. Alexia Khadime & Liam Tamne's voices together create magic.

The In-Between concept album opens your eyes to the next generation of theatre. It comforting getting to know new characters, new music and a brand new composer. As The In-Between has proven to be incredibly popular among theatre fans on social networks and at West End Live I am confident it won't be to long before we can buy tickets to see the show in the West End...

The concept album is available to buy from www.dresscircle.co.uk or can be bought on iTunes
The music can be heard online at www.theinbetweenmusical.com
Like The In-Between on Facebook www.facebook.com/theinbetweemusical
Follow The In-Between on Twitterhttp://twitter.com/TIB_Musical

Wicked stars in Little Women Charity Concert along with Helena Blackman, Daniel Boys, Sarah Lark and Samantha Barks

After West End Live on Sunday 24th June 2012 (this Sunday) there will be a special, one off Charity Concert of Little Women at the Playhouse Theatre at 7.30pm. The special adaptation will star Gina Beck, Shona Lindsay, Helena Blackman, Norma Bowman, Daniel Boys, Nikki Davis-Jones, Sarah Lark, Jon Robynsand and Lisa-Anne Wood. The concert will also include a guest appearance from Samantha Barks who recently completed filming the Les Miserables film.

Little Women was written by Louisa-May Allcott in 1868 and has stood the test of time, still being a popular story with today's teenagers. It tells the story of four sisters, Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy, who through a series of happy, and sad, events, grow up into 'little women'. It is said that the story is loosely based on the childhood of the author, Louisa-May Alcott and her experiences with her three sisters. The story follows the sisters through love, marriage, illness, death, and the inevitable move away from the childhood home

.
The full cast is:
Gina Beck - Meg
Helena Blackman - Belle Gardner
Norman Bowman - Professor Bhaer
Daniel Boys - Laurie
Nikki Davis-Jones - Jo
Sarah Lark - Beth
Shona Lindsay - Marmee
Jon Robyns - John Brooke
Lisa-Anne Wood - Amy
Guest performance by Samantha Barks
Supported by a specially formed GSA ensemble.
Hosted by Mark Shento

Little Woman is an incredibly moving musical which is beautifully written. The cast list of this special one off charity concert is mind blowing. What a fantastic opportunity to see such a inspirational group of performers on the same stage performing such a heart wrenching show.

Daniel Boys, Dianne Pilkington and Lauren Samuels to attend 'The In-Between' album signing at Dress Circle

A CD version of the concept album for new musical The In-Between is being released by Dress Circle on Saturday 23 June 2012.The album will be launched with an in-store signing at Dress Circle to be attended by three of West End Stars who feature on the album -  Daniel Boys,  Dianne Pilkington and Lauren Samuels. The singing will run from 11am to 12 noon.

Initially released solely online in mid February, the album has since received over 35,000 views on YouTube, despite having no commercial backing.The recording’s line-up is completed by other leading performers Sabrina Aloueche, Julie Atherton, Cassandra Compton, Hadley Fraser, Alexia Khadime and Liam Tamne.

A quirky tale of love, friendship and letting go, The In-Between is a fantasy musical telling the story of nineteen-year-old misfit, Flick Wimple, a perpetual underachiever who stumbles through the wrong doorway and finds herself trapped in between parallel worlds.Desperately searching for a way home, Flick must overcome new challenges as she finds help in unexpected places and is forced to confront her troubled past…

The In-Between has music, lyrics and book by Laura Tisdall, whose previous credits include Bill Kenwright’s UK tour of The Haunting and Kerry Ellis and Brian May’s Anthems: The Concert.

Daniel Boys was a finalist on the BBC programme Any Dream Will Do and was in the West End Cast Of Avenue Q. Diana Pilkington has had an amazing career in the West End. Her more recent credits include Master Class, The 39 Steps & Wicked. Lauren Samuels was a finalist in the BBC programme Over The Rainbow, coming third. She has since led the casts of We Will Rock You and Grease in the West End and recently came second place in our 'Best Performance Of A Song In A Musical' poll for her performance of Somebody To Love in We Will Rock You at the Dominion Theatre. Sabrina Aloueche was also meant to be present at the signing but can no longer attend due to commitments with David King's Bohemian Rhapsody which will be touring the UK this spring.

I have been listening to the music from the album and have to say I cannot get the song's out of my head!. I can't wait to write my review of the album next Month. I thoroughly you recommend you have a listen. All the details you need are as follows:

The concept album is available to pre-order from www.dresscircle.co.uk
The music can be heard online at www.theinbetweenmusical.com
Like The In-Between on Facebook www.facebook.com/theinbetweemusical
Follow The In-Between on Twitterhttp://twitter.com/TIB_Musical
All artists appear subject to professional engagements.
Update: The In-Between will also be performing at West End Live on Saturday 23 June and Sunday 24 June. Click here to find out more