Daniel Buckley, Murray Taylor & Jake Curran to star in Christie in Love

Mary Franklin is directing a production of Howard Brenton’s early play Christie in Love.

Christie in Love is set to open at the King's Head Theatre on 31st May (previews from 25th May) for a limited run to 28th June 2016.

The cast includes Murray Taylor as Christie, Jake Curran as Inspector and West End Frame Award winner Daniel Buckley as Constable.

Design is by Christopher Hone with lighting by Seth Rook Williams, sound by Jordan Mallory-Skinner and movement by Lucie Pankhurst.

Review: The Three Little Pigs at the Palace Theatre

The Three Little Pigs
Palace Theatre
Reviewed on Thursday 13th August 2015
★★★★

George Stiles and Anthony Drewe's musical adaptation of The Three Little Pigs provides bucket loads of fun for all the family. 

It's so nice to see a children's musical with a commendable original score featuring melodies that you will find yourself humming on your way home (days later I'm still singing the Huff and Puff song).

It's also remarkable to see a cast of such high calibre performing the piece. Fresh from reaching the semi-finals of Britain's Got Talent, Alison Jiear showcases some powerhouse vocals. Olivier Award-winner Leanne Jones shines throughout whilst West End Frame Award-winner Daniel Buckley is always on point and giving his all. 

Musical theatre performer Taofique Folarin takes to the stage with great charm whilst Blue singer Simon Webbe seems to be having the time of his life as the Big Bad Wolf - the kids certainly loved his mischievously over the top portrayal.

Daniel Buckley joins West End cast of Stiles & Drewe’s The Three Little Pigs

Daniel Buckley has joined the West End cast of George Stiles and Anthony Drewe’s musical adaptation of The Three Little Pigs.

The West End Frame Award winner replaces the previously announced Gareth Gates as Q. He joins a stellar cast including Alison Jiear, Simon Webbe, Leanne Jones and Taofique Folarin.

Gates suffered a vocal injury last summer and although he is getting better, on the advice of his doctors he is taking some time off from singing this summer and working with Doctors and singing coaches to put these problems behind him for good.

Daniel Buckley to star in Lardo by Mike Stone

It has been announced that the West End Frame Award winning Daniel Buckley will star in Lardo by Mike Stone. Directed by Finn Caldwell, the play runs at the Old Red Lion Theatre between 3rd and 28th March 2015.

Obese, girlfriendless and struggling to make his way, Lardo (Daniel Buckley) is determined to join Tartan Wrestling Madness - the glamorous bad boys of the Scottish wrestling scene. When his dream finally comes true Lardo surprisingly becomes an overnight sensation, but the massive highs and crippling lows of being a professional wrestler soon threaten to overwhelm this unlikely hero.

As his real life descends into something reminiscent of a wrestling storyline, Lardo has to decide what his priorities are, who he can trust, and whether he can retain his love for the sport that made him great. As always in professional wrestling, accounts must be settled in the ring...

Big Interview: Daniel Buckley

Daniel Buckley is currently starring in Ushers: The Front of House Musical which concludes its run at the Charing Cross Theatre on Saturday (7th June 2014). 

The new musical was originally entered into @WestEndProducer’s Search For A Twitter Composer competition ahead of its premiere at the Hope Theatre last year. The production then transferred to the Charing Cross Theatre as the venue’s late-night show in March and, following a successful run, was recently promoted to the theatre’s main show spot. 

Daniel created the role of Marvin Camden in the West End premiere of Loserville at the Garrick Theatre, having also played the role during the musical’s run at the West Yorkshire Playhouse. For his performance in Loserville, Daniel won the 2012 West End Frame Award for Funniest Performance in a West End show. 

He went on to be standby Elder Cunningham in the original West End production of The Book of Mormon at the Prince of Wales Theatre and recently performed in one of Scott Alan’s sell-out concerts at the London Hippodrome. 

Daniel’s theatre credits also include playing: Piggy in Lord of the Flies (UK Tour), Fresher – The Musical (Edinburgh Fringe) and Otto in Spring Awakening (UK Tour). 

I recently caught up with the West End Frame Award winner to discuss all things Ushers, Scott Alan and desert island musical theatre song choices before he answered some of your questions! 

How’s life in Ushers?

Great! I’m really enjoying it!

Do you enjoy being part of a completely new show?

Yes! When people say, “What’s a dream job?” I think it’s something where you can create. I think a lot of actors would say that. Of course I would love to go into a show which lots of generations of performers have already done, but I think being able to create is really exciting.

Photo Feature: Scott Alan plays four shows at the Hippodrome

Last week composer Scott Alan played four sold out shows at the Hippodrome. 

Stars of the West End, including Nathan Amzi, Jodie Jacobs, Danielle Hope, Luke Bayer, Katie Paine, Cynthia Erivo, Oliver Tompsett, Savannah Stevenson, Ian Stroughair, Dan Buckley, John Owen-Jones, David Ribi, Laura Pitt-Pulford, Stewart Clarke and Lucie Jones, took to the stage to perform Alan's incredible music.

Ushers - The Front of House Musical promoted to main show at Charing Cross Theatre

Following its run as the Charing Cross Theatre's late-night show, Ushers - The Front of House Musical has been promoted to the main show at the Charing Cross Theatre.

The musical will re-open on Wednesday 14th May (previews from 13th May) and run until Saturday 7th June 2014.

Album Review: Ushers - The Front of House Musical

Ushers - The Front of House Musical
SimG Records
Released Monday 10th March 2014

Ushers - The Front of House Musical is a new show which premiered last year at the Hope Theatre. The musical is currently in previews at the Charing Cross Theatre featuring a new cast who have recorded a cast album. I saw the musical last year and while it was clear improvements were needed, Ushers was bursting with potential. I am yet to see the updated version of the show at the Charing Cross.

Daniel Buckley to star in USHERS: The Front of House Musical; Full casting announced

It has been announced that Daniel Buckley, Ceris Hine and Carly Thoms will star in USHERS: The Front of House Musical. They join original cast members Ralph Bogard, Ross Mcneill and Liam Ross-Mills.

USHERS: The Front of House Musical is transfering to Charing Cross Theatre for a six-week season following its premiere at The Hope Theatre in Islington last December. It will play at 10.15pm on Thursdays - Saturdays from Friday 7th March to Saturday 19th April.

The company are currently recording a cast album to be released in March by SimG Productions.

Editor's Blog: A West End Theatre Holiday (Part 1)

As West End Frame's Editor my diary fills up ridiculously quickly with various press nights. Whilst I love spending most of my time reviewing new openings in theatreland, sometimes I neglect London's long-running shows. In conversations people often say things like "Why have you never seen The Lion King?" or "You must see Dianne Pilkington in Mamma Mia" but when reviewing five nights a week I can't always squeeze these things in.

However, last year I looked at my diary for 2014 and decided that in the first full week of January I would delegate my press night commitments and go and see what I wanted to see when I wanted to see it. So with a little bit of help from SOLT's Get Into London Theatre and my 'limited view' knowledge I booked to see two shows on the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and one show on the Friday (I actually also booked to see Curious Incident on the Monday but we all know what happened there).

Interview: Daniel Buckley, currently in The Book of Mormon

Daniel Buckley is currently in the West End production of The Book of Mormon at the Prince of Wales Theatre as stand-by Elder Cunningham. 

His theatre credits include playing Marvin Camden and 1st cover Lucas in Loserville (Garrick & West Yorkshire Playhouse), Piggy in Lord of the Flies (UK tour), Fresher – The Musical (Edinburgh Fringe) and Otto in Spring Awakening (UK tour). 

Last year Daniel won the West End Frame Award for Funniest Performance in a West End Show for his portrayal of Marvin Camden in Loserville. Recently I went backstage at The Book of Mormon to chat to Daniel about his upcoming gig, why he thinks The Book of Mormon has been so successful and what it was like winning the West End Frame Award last year... 

Are you enjoying your time in The Book of Mormon so far? 

I’m really enjoying it! It’s an amazing show to be part of and I’m having such a good time, I get to work with lots of really fun people! I haven’t actually been on yet (for Elder Cunningham). I have a week in July and maybe some more dates later in the year. 

West End Frame Awards 2012: Full Winners List

Throughout 2012 West End Frame readers have voted in the West End Frame Awards. Unlike other theatre awards we only open voting for one category at a time. We would like to thank everyone who voted and supported the awards, your support has been incredible! We received thousands of votes and can't wait to open our 2013 awards!

Scroll through the list below to see who won the seven 2012 West End Frame Awards.

Funniest Performance in a West End Show: 1st - 5th Place

1st Place

Daniel Buckley

Marvin Camden

Loserville

28%

Daniel's theatre credits include Loserville (West Yorkshire Playhouse), Lord of the Flies (UK tour), Fresher – The Musical (Edinburgh Fringe) and Spring Awakening (UK tour). Next year he will join the original London cast of The Book Of Mormon as Stand-By Elder Cunningham. Daniel is outstanding as Marvin Camden in Loserville at the Garrick Theatre. He is one of those performers who demands an audience's attention. Daniel thoroughly deserves the 2012 West End Frame Award for Funniest Performance in a West End Show. Click here to read our recent four star review of Loserville.

Daniel Buckley wins West End Frame Award for Funniest Performance in a West End Show

All of this month West End Frame readers have been voting in the West End Frame award for Funniest Performance in a West End Show. We can now exclusively reveal that you have crowned Loserville's Daniel Buckley as your winner!

Runners up for Funniest Performance in a West End Show are Linzi Hateley, Gina Beck, Simon Lipkin and Jodie Prenger. Other nominees included Andrew Alexander, Brenda Edwards, Kim Ismay, Michael Simkins, Rob Brydon and Tom Chambers.

Daniel Buckley is currently playing Marvin Camden in Loserville at the Garrick Theatre. Loserville is a new British musical by Elliot Davis and James Bourne. The show recently received its London premiere at the Garrick Theatre following the show's successful run at the West Yorkshire Playhouse.

Review: Loserville at the Garrick Theatre "different to anything else you will have ever seen before"

Loserville
Garrick Theatre
Performance: Tuesday 30th October 2012

Loserville is a new British musical by Elliot Davis and James Bourne. The show recently received its London premiere at the Garrick Theatre following the show's successful run at the West Yorkshire Playhouse.

Loserville is set in 1971 and follows computer geek Michael Dork and his misfit friends Lucas, Marvin and Francis who are about to change the world... it's just that no-one knows it yet. But, when new girl Holly arrives in town, all of Michael’s dreams seem to be coming true – at last a girl with looks and brains that actually notices him. But when rich kid Eddie discovers Holly’s dark secret, he turns his back on girlfriend Leia and sets out to ruin Michael’s future dreams.

Loserville is a fantastic new show which breaks all the rules. I love how Loserville takes risks which certainly pay off.  Francis O'Connor's design is incredibly unique making Loserville different to anything else you will have ever seen before.