Review: Sweet Charity at Cadogan Hall starring Denise Van Outen, Kerry Ellis & Kimberley Walsh

Sweet Charity In Concert 
Cadogan Hall
Reviewed on Thursday 20th August 2015
★★★★

Denise Van Outen returns to musical theatre in Paul Foster's concert staging of Sweet Charity by Cy Coleman, Dorothy Fields and Neil Simon.

Featuring some classic songs such as 'Big Spender', 'There’s Gotta Be Something Better Than This' and 'Rhythm Of Life', the cast are joined onstage by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra who sound absolutely glorious under the direction of Richard Balcombe.

Denise Van Outen becomes latest theatre star to join EastEnders

Denise Van Outen has become the latest theatre star to land a role in BBC1's EastEnders.

Van Outen will join the cast for a guest stint in the spring; however, details about her character are yet to be revealed by soap bosses.

Van Outen said: "I'm really excited to be joining EastEnders, as I've been a fan of the series for years. 2015 marks the show's 30th anniversary, so it feels even more special to be part of this year's celebration."

Executive Producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins said: "It was only a matter of time before Denise Van Outen walked onto the Square. We cannot wait to have Denise join us for a few episodes, where she will definitely make her presence felt."

Denise Van Outen’s Some Girl I Used To Know announces West End transfer

Denise Van Outen’s new one-woman musical, Some Girl I Used To Know, is set to transfer to the West End's Arts Theatre for 24 performances between Friday 22nd August and Saturday 13th September 2014.

The show, which Denise co-wrote with Terry Ronald, toured the UK earlier this year. Click here to read West End Frame's 4* review of the production.

Stephanie Canworth has it all; a successful career, supportive husband and she’s a media darling. But it takes just one Facebook poke from a former love and the memories come flooding back. Is this really the life she wants? 

Review: Some Girl I Used To Know (UK Tour) starring Denise Van Outen at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

Some Girl I Used To Know (UK Tour)

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

Reviewed on Monday 17th February 2014

Not only does actress/presenter/Strictly Come Dancing runner-up Denise Van Outen star in new one-woman show Some Girl I Used To Know, but she has also co-written it with Terry Ronald.

Denise plays Stephanie Canworth in the musical which is set in Stephanie's hotel room. She is away from home (and her unhappy marriage) on a business trip. One Facebook poke from her first love who she hasn't seen for 17 years turns Stephanie's world upside down. After inviting him to her hotel room, Stephanie begins to reminisce about the past and begins to have doubts about the reconciliation.

Denise wrote Some Girl I Used To Know because she felt nobody else was writing for ladies in their late 30s/early 40s. The production provides a very different theatrical experience, whilst watching the show it almost feels as if you've popped round to your best friend’s house for a good natter. Unlike big blockbuster shows such as Wicked, Les Miserables and The Phantom of the Opera, Some Girl I Used To Know doesn't transport the audience to another world or another time - that's not the point. It is real, relatable and relevant. Ten years ago it wouldn’t have made any sense and in ten years’ time it will probably be dated.

Denise Van Outen to star in UK Tour of new one -woman show 'Some Girl I Used To Know'

It has been announced that Denise Van Outen will star in a new one-woman play with music, Some Girl I Used To Know, which she has co-written with Terry Ronald. 

The UK Tour will open at West Yorkshire Playhouse, with a national press night on Wednesday 5th February 2014, before visiting: Birmingham, Hull, Aylesbury, Wolverhampton, Swindon, High Wycombe, Rhyl, Edinburgh, Southend, and finishing in Dartford. This is the first time Denise has ever toured the UK.

Stephanie Canworth has it all; a successful career, supportive husband and she’s a media darling. But a Facebook poke from a former love and the memories come flooding back. Is this really the life she wants? Songs from the 80s and 90s accompany Stephanie’s journey down memory lane.

Denise Van Outen’s Broadway and West End performances include Tell Me on a Sunday, Chicago, Rent: Remixed and Legally Blonde. Her television roles include Mary in Hotel Babylon, Michaela in The Empress’ New Clothes, Leigh Jackson in two series of Babes in the Wood and Kim Blakeney in two series of Where the Heart Is. Last year, she was runner-up in Strictly Come Dancing. She currently presents her own Saturday lunchtime show on Magic 105.4.

Chicago to close at the Garrick Theatre on 1st September 2012

After a record run for a musical revival, producers announced that Chicago will take its final bow at the Garrick Theatre on Saturday, September 1. The final Billy Flynn will be British Olympic ice-skating champion Robin Cousins, who joins the show next week. Sarah Soetaert plays Roxie Hart and Rachel McDowall is Velma Kelly.

Review: Legally Blonde The Musical - A Must See Before 7 April 2012

Legally Blonde The Musical
The Savoy Theatre

In August 2010 I was practically bullied into going by a friend. Arriving at the incredible Savoy Theatre I was planning to sit there and make it clear I was not enjoying it, however from beginning to end I sat there with the biggest smile on my face and left walking down the stand singing 'oh my god, oh my god you guys' (I would have said I was holding it in but that would be a lie). It has to be said though that for me, the reason it was so amazing was because of the incredibly talented Sheridan Smith. Not because of her strong voice or comic timing but because of that relationship she created with the audience and the way she completely understood the character she was playing. The best thing about her portrayal of Elle was that because she is nothing like her in real life, she played her in a way, where it was like she was almost taking the mickey out of her. This is why I think British people loved her because they related with her and were almost laughing at the Americans. Also other actors in the show did this and it was as if they were taking the mickey out of there own characters.

Susan McFadden as Elle

Once Susan McFadden took over the role, that extra omph Sheridan brought left the show. Susan was the best vocalist to ever play Elle in my opinion and her acting was also good, I loved her sarcasm, however she didn't lead the show and didn't create that relationship with the audience. However I do think Carley has started to bring this back to the show. Also I think Tamara Wall and  Denise Van Outen were also good at creating that relationship with the audience.

I also love the three friends who follow Elle round in the show. I once saw, Pilar, Lucy & Emma together and they were soooo funny together, adding lots of bits in. Legally Blonde also has tones of great songs across all different genres! I thought it would just be poppy music and when 'oh-my-god' started I feared the whole show would be like that however I love how funny 'Serious' is. 'What You Want' is also great and I love how so much time passes during that song. It also includes a bit of rap. The 'Gay Or European' is so so funny and is just like Old British Theatre.

Something else that shows that Legally Blonde is so great is that all three Elle's have gone on to do great things. Since leaving Legally Blonde Sheridan smith has filmed 6 films and is Currently filming a new ITV drama in which she plays the title role 'Mrs Biggs'. Susan McFadden is currently touring America having joined 'Celtic Woman'. And as I previously wrote about on the blog Carley Stenson is joining the cast of Shrek and is to perform in her first cabaret. Also I'm pleased for Swing Ruthie Stephenson who is to be the Dance Captain on the new Starlight Express UK Tour!

If you haven't seen Legally Blonde you must see it before it closes in a few weeks! The whole cast always put all their effort into every performance and I grantee you will leave feeling uplifted!

Ben Freeman & Carley Stenson will star as 
Warner & Elle until the end of the current west end run