Emma Hatton prepares for Eva Cassidy concert

There's no rest for the Wicked! After defying gravity one final time on 3rd September, Emma Hatton will will prepare to perform Songbird at Live at Zedel on 28th October 2016.

The show will be a celebration of Eva Cassidy; Hatton will perform "stunning arrangements of Eva's songbook, including 'Fields of Gold' and 'Over the Rainbow'". 

Hatton says: "I have loved Eva Cassidy since I first heard her sing. She has the most wonderfully emotive sound that is unique to her – you only need to hear a word or a note to know it’s Eva. As a vocalist, that’s incredibly special and what we all seek to achieve. It’s truly an honour to be able to combine my own sound with Eva’s genius."

Review: Emma Hatton Live at The Pheasantry

Emma Hatton Live 
The Pheasantry
Reviewed on Sunday 1st May 2016
★★★★★

On her day off from playing the most demanding female role in the West End, last night Emma Hatton showed off a whole different side to her talents at the Pheasantry. The show was constructed around singer-songwriters that have heavily influenced her over the years; she put her own spin on everything and had clearly put the set list together carefully because nothing felt out of place.

PICS: Beau Dermot visits West End production of Wicked

On Friday (15th April), Beau Dermot went to see Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre after wowing the judges with her performance of 'Defying Gravity' on ITV's Britain’s Got Talent.

Dermot, who attended the show with her family, met the cast after the performance and had her photo taken with Emma Hatton (Elphaba) and Helen Woolf (understudy Glinda). See below for pictures (click image to enlarge).

Telling the untold story of the Witches of Oz, Wicked has now been seen by over 7 million people in London alone and is the 19th longest-running show in West End theatre history.

Wicked to celebrate 4,000th West End performance

Rejoycify! The West End production of Wicked will celebrate its 4,000th performance at the Apollo Victoria Theatre this afternoon (30th March).

Telling the untold story of the Witches of Oz, Wicked is currently the 9th longest-running show in the West End and the 19th longest-running show in West End theatre history. Wicked has now been seen by over 7 million people in London alone and 50 million people around the world. 

The West End cast is currently led by: Emma Hatton (Elphaba), Savannah Stevenson (Glinda), Oliver Savile (Fiyero), Liza Sadovy (Madame Morrible), Mark Curry (The Wizard), Sean Kearns (Doctor Dillamond), Daniel Hope (Boq), Katie Rowley Jones (Nessarose), Natalie Andreou (Standby for Elphaba) and Carina Gillespie (Standby for Glinda). Please note, cast subject to change from 5th September 2016.

Emma Hatton to play The Pheasantry

Following her sell out show at Kettner’s, it has been announced that West End star Emma Hatton will play The Pheasantry in Chelsea on 1st May 2016 as part of the London Festival of Cabaret.

UPDATE (13/04/16): Hattton's first guest will be Shona White who is currently alternate Donna in the West End production of Mamma Mia! and was previously standby Elphaba in Wicked.

UPDATE (20/04/16): Hattton's second guest will be Andy Coxon whose West End credits include Beautiful and Les Miserables.

Hatton is currently starring as Elphaba in Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre. At Christmas her debut EP Merry Christmas, Darling topped the iTunes jazz chart. Hatton features on the London Gay Big Band's album Brave singing the most downloaded track ‘Mad About the Boy’.

Big Interview: Emma Hatton, starring as Elphaba in Wicked

Emma Hatton is currently defying gravity eight times a week as Elphaba in the West End production of Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre.

Emma originally joined the West End production of Wicked in 2013 as the standby for Elphaba before taking over the role full time in February this year. Whilst playing the role she represented Wicked at the 2015 Oliviers, accepting the audience award and performing ‘The Wizard and I’ as part of the ceremony which was broadcast on ITV. 

Outside of Wicked, Emma recently recorded her debut EP and is currently preparing to perform a solo concert, both of which are entitled ‘Merry Christmas, Darling’. The show takes place on Sunday 13th December at Kettner’s Soho on Romilly Street whilst the EP will be available to download soon.

Before joining Wicked, Emma understudied both Scaramouche and Meat in We Will Rock You (Dominion) and created the role of Donna in Dreamboats & Petticoats (Savoy/Playhouse/UK tour). Her extensive theatre credits also include: A Comedy of Eric's (New Vic, Stoke), When Midnight Strikes (Finborough) and Christmas in New York (Apollo Theatre). She has performed regularly at Ronnie Scott’s and the Savoy Hotel. Emma recently recorded a version of 'Mad About the Boy' at Abbey Road which features on the London Gay Big Band’s album ‘Brave’. 

Emma has been nominated for more West End Frame Awards than any other performer. Earlier this year she finished as a runner-up in our Best Performance of a Song Award, having been nominated for Understudy of the Year in 2014 and 2013 for Wicked and We Will Rock You respectively.

I recently spoke to Emma about starting out in music, her passion for Jazz and Blues and what people can expect from Merry Christmas, Darling. We also discussed her whirlwind journey with Wicked, the huge responsibility and physical demands which come with playing a role like Elphaba and what goes through her mind before she defies gravity each night...

Merry Christmas, Darling marks your first solo concert since taking over as Elphaba and your first ever EP! How did the idea for the project come about? 

I’ve always liked the idea of releasing an EP, I think it’s quite a fun project to work on. My background is in Jazz and Blues music – I know that previously a lot of Elphabas have, very wisely, utilised the platform and released EPs as well as albums featuring stuff which is slightly more musical theatre based. I thought Merry Christmas, Darling would be a nice little exercise outside of Wicked to keep me singing the kind of music I’ve always sung to keep my voice in shape in that area. I didn’t want to do a full album or a really expensive project, I just want to introduce people who are fans of me through Wicked to the other side of what I do. I also love Christmas so this is really a project about passion!

Emma Hatton announces solo concert

It has been announced that West End star Emma Hatton will play a one-night-only solo concert next month.

Entitled Merry Christmas, Darling, the concert takes place on Sunday 13th December at 7.30pm at Kettner’s Soho on Romilly Street. 

Described as a "celebration of all things Christmas", Hatton will be joined by some special guests and backed up by a trio of professional musicians. 

Hatton, who is currently starring as Elphaba in Wicked, said: "I’m incredibly excited to be performing my solo show at Kettner’s. I’ve always had an absolute passion for jazz, blues and soul and to perform the music of my inspirations, Ella Fitzgerald, Irving Berlin and so many more, is an absolute honour. 

Review: Emma Hatton, Savannah Stevenson & Oliver Savile star in Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre

Wicked
Apollo Victoria Theatre
Reviewed on Thursday 22nd October 2015
★★★★★

As the West End production of Wicked enters its tenth year at the Apollo Victoria Theatre, several new cast members have joined Emma Hatton and Savannah Stevenson who lead the cast as Elphaba and Glinda. Set in the mystical world of Oz, Wicked continues to cast audiences under its spell. 

Album Review: To Do. To Be. by Tim Prottey-Jones

To Do. To Be. 
Tim Prottey-Jones
Released 7th September 2015
★★★★★

As if opening in a major West End musical wasn't enough to keep someone busy, Tim Prottey-Jones (who is currently appearing in Kinky Boots) has returned to writing with the release of his new album To Do. To Be. The past year has been tough for new British writing, but Prottey-Jones has fully restored my faith.

Sweet Oz! Sneak peek at Wicked's new West End cast

Sweet Oz! Wicked have released the first images of its swankified new cast who join the show next Monday (21st September). Oliver Savile takes over as Fiyero, joining Emma Hatton and Savannah Stevenson who continue as Elphaba and Glinda. Check out the images below (click picture to enlarge).

From next week the full cast will also include: Tom McGowan (The Wizard) Liza Sadovy (Madame Morrible), Sean Kearns (Doctor Dillamond), Daniel Hope (Boq), Katie Rowley Jones (Nessarose), Natalie Andreou (Standby for Elphaba) and Carina Gillespie (Standby for Glinda).

Wicked announces new West End cast!

Wicked has announced its new West End cast. The show's current stars Emma Hatton and Savannah Stevenson have both extended their contacts and will continue playing Elphaba and Glinda into 2016.

Joining them from Monday 21st September 2015 will be: West End Frame Understudy of the Year nominee Oliver Savile (current understudy Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera) as Fiyero and Sean Kearns (The Commitments/The 39 Steps) as Doctor Dillamond.

Current ensemble member Daniel Hope is taking over as Boq full-time whilst Carina Gillespie, who plays Nessarose and understudies Glinda in Wicked's UK tour, is joining the London cast as Standby Glinda.

Winners announced for Wicked Young Writers' Award

The 2015 Wicked Young Writers’ Award today announced its winners during a ceremony involving 120 shortlisted finalists at London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre, home of Wicked.

Now in its 5th year, the Award, encourages young people aged 5-25 years old to use writing as a means of expressing themselves, celebrating the production’s themes and values of looking at life in a different way.

Each year, thousands of entries are received across five age categories, with the addition in 2015 of the Sugarscape Fan Fiction Award, a brand new category created by the entertainment website to celebrate the growing genre of fan fiction amongst young people.

Elegies For Angels, Punks and Raging Queens to be staged in the West End for one night only

Emma Hatton

It has been announced that song cycle Elegies For Angels, Punks and Raging Queens will be staged at the Criterion Theatre on Sunday 31st May 2015. 

More than 30 of the West End’s most talented performers will take to the stage for the special “one night only” performance in aid of The Make A Difference Trust, with direction by Stephen Whitson and musical direction by Dean Austin. 

The cast includes Simon Bailey (I Can't Sing/Marry Me A Little), Fra Fee (Candide/Les Miserables) and Emma Hatton (currently playing Elphaba in Wicked).

Wicked extends West End booking to April 2016

The West End production of Wicked has announced the opening of its 19th new booking period.

From Monday 2nd February 2015 at 10am, 500,000 new tickets will be going on sale for performances until Saturday 30th April 2016.

Wicked is now the 10th longest-running show in the West End, has been seen by more than 6 million people in London alone and recently played its landmark 3,500th performance.

Around the world, Wicked has been seen by 45 million people in 13 countries and won 100 international awards.

While continuing its open-ended West End run, the show's UK & Ireland Tour has already sold over 1 million tickets since its premiere in Manchester in September 2013. The tour will conclude in July 2015, with a return to the Greater Manchester area (to The Lowry in Salford), following engagements in Plymouth (where it is currently playing), Bristol, Sunderland and Aberdeen. 

Sneak peek at... Emma Hatton as Elphaba in Wicked

Producers of Wicked have released brand new images of Emma Hatton as Elphaba. Following her time as the production's Standby Elphaba, Hatton assumes the role full time from Monday 2nd February 2015. Check out the images below (click picture to enlarge).

Hatton joins Savannah Stevenson as Glinda (also pictured below), Jeremy Taylor as Fiyero, Martyn Ellis as The Wizard, Liza Sadovy as Madame Morrible, Philip Childs as Doctor Dillamond, Katie Rowley Jones as Nessarose and Sam Lupton as Boq.

Hatton previously understudied Meat and Scaramouche in We Will Rock You and starred in Dreamboats and Petticoats. Jennifer DiNoia plays her final performance as Elphaba on Saturday 31st January 2015.

Emma Hatton & Liam Doyle star in Drew Gasparini concert

Emma Hatton

Award winning musical theatre composer Drew Gasparini is flying in from NYC for two London concerts following his sold out debut earlier this year.

Gasparini is an accomplished composer and singer/songwriter whose music was featured on the second season of NBC’s Smash. He was named as one of Playbill’s Contemporary Musical Theatre Songwriters You Should Know in 2012. 

Gasparini's other musicals include Above My Pay Grade, Inappropriate Stories Told at a Bar and Crazy, Just Like Me. His new show, Make Me Bad, is currently in development and has received a great reception throughout recent industry readings. Gasparini's work has been performed to sold out houses in New York and his album I Could Use A Drink features some of Broadway’s biggest voices, including Jeremy Jordan, Caissie Levy and Lindsay Mendez. 

Emma Hatton takes over as Elphaba in Wicked London

It has been announced that Emma Hatton will take over as Elphaba in the West End production of Wicked from Monday 2nd February 2015. She has been Standby Elphaba for the past year.

Hatton joins Savannah Stevenson as Glinda, Jeremy Taylor as Fiyero, Martyn Ellis as The Wizard, Liza Sadovy as Madame Morrible, Philip Childs as Doctor Dillamond, Katie Rowley Jones as Nessarose and Sam Lupton as Boq.

Wicked cast member Emma Hatton running the London Marathon

West End star Emma Hatton is running the London Marathon tomorrow (Sunday 13th April 2014) to raise money for the British Heart Foundation. The performer is currently Willemijn Verkaik's standby in Wicked. She will run the marathon tomorrow following two shows as Elphaba today!

Emma made her West End debut as 'Donna' in Dreamboats and Petticoats (Savoy/Playhouse/UK tour) and was nominated for West End Frame's Understudy of the Year Award in 2013 for understudying 'Scaramouche' and 'Meatloaf' in We Will Rock You (Dominion).

Rebecca Trehearn & Simon Bailey join West End Switched Off album launch

It has been announced that Rebecca Trehearn (Ghost, pictured right) and Simon Bailey (I Can't Sing) will perform at the album launch of West End Switched Off at the St James Studio on Sunday 27th April at 6.30pm.

Press material states that audiences will be given "the chance to have an up-close and personal experience of some of the never before heard tracks on the album before the official release." 

Trehearn and Bailey join Alice Fearn (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), Sophie Linder-Lee (Wicked), Emma Hatton (We Will Rock You), Chlöe Hart (Hairspray), Adrian Hansel (Hairspray), Dean John-Wilson (Sister Act) and Dale Evans (From Here To Eternity), as well as Jordan Lee Davies (Molly Wobbly), Tori Allen-Martin (Hair), Thomas Sutcliffe (Wicked) and Ambra Caserotti (Streets). 

Line-up announced for Songbirds... ‘Heart And Soul’

The full line-up has been announced for the second Songbirds... ‘Heart And Soul’ charity concert. The event takes place on-board Battersea Barge on Sunday 23rd February 2014 at 7.30pm (doors open at 6.45pm). 

 

Emma Hatton, Jodie Jacobs & Katie Paine

The all female line-up, featuring the West End’s most exciting female vocal talent, will deliver a night of soul with proceeds being donated to the British Heart Foundation. Songbirds star and organiser, Emma Hatton (current Standby Elphaba in Wicked), is also running the London Marathon for the charity in April.