Emma Kingston returns to In The Heights as emergency cover Vanessa

Tonight Emma Kingston is returning to In The Heights to play Vanessa due to a shortage of cast members. 

Kingston originated the role in the musical's UK premiere at the Southwark Playhouse in 2014. This will be the first time she's played Vanessa at the King's Cross Theatre. 

Kingston recently left the West End production of Les Miserables where she understudied Éponine. Christine Allado currently plays Vanessa.

In The Heights is currently booking at the King's Cross Theatre to 30th October 2016. The musical has music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda. 

The London production, which premiered at the Southwark Playhouse in 2014 before transferring to the King's Cross Theatre the following year, is directed by Luke Sheppard with choreography by Drew McOnie and musical supervision by Tom Deering. 

Review: Kings Of Broadway at the Palace Theatre

Kings Of Broadway 
Palace Theatre
Reviewed on Sunday 29th November 2015
★★★★★

On Sunday evening musical director Alex Parker and director Alastair Knights (aka the dream team) returned to the Palace Theatre with their latest concert Kings Of Broadway. The show celebrated music by three Broadway Gods: Jerry Herman, Stephen Sondheim and Jule Styne.

Editor's Blog: "Keep supporting theatre, it's where we still have magic!"

Michael Xavier & Joanna Riding
Photo Credit:  Tristram Kenton

The last few weeks have been a little quieter in terms of openings so I've had the chance to catch up with some new faces in familiar shows.

Last week I saw Gary Wilmot in The Pajama Game at the Shaftesbury Theatre who has taken over from Peter Polycarpou as Vernon Hines. It was fantastic to see how Wilmot has put his own stamp on the role, performing with great charm and striking stage presence. The Pajama Game is such a fun show and I enjoyed it even more second time round.

Joanna Riding continues to shine as Babe whilst relishing every moment. Michael Xavier was unwell meaning Understudy of the Year nominee Dan Burton stepped into the role of Sid. Burton played the part very differently but is equally as strong as Xavier. He really stood out for being an incredible dancer and belted out a tremendous rendition of 'Hey There'.

Those thinking of booking a trip to see The Pajama Game must sort out their tickets soon as the musical's limited run ends on Saturday 13th September 2014 to make way for the West End premiere of Memphis starring Beverley Knight (more on her shortly!).

Last week I finally caught up with Imelda Staunton's phenomenal performance in Good People at the Noel Coward Theatre. The play, which transferred to the West End from the Hampstead Theatre and closes tomorrow, gets off to a slow start. The first act is good, whilst the second half is hysterically funny yet also very moving. Staunton doesn't leave the stage at all throughout the play's entirety but showed no sign of tiredness; she gives the performance of a lifetime! I'm now even more excited to see her star in Chichester’s production of Gypsy later this year!