Emma Williams & Ian Bartholomew to star in Half A Sixpence

First casting has been announced for Half A Sixpence at the Chichester Festival Theatre.

Half A Sixpence opens on 26th July 2016 (previews from 14th July) and runs until 3rd September 2016.

The show will star Ian Bartholomew as Chitterlow, Vivien Parry as Mrs Walsingham, Emma Williams as Helen Walsingham, Devon-Elise Johnson as Ann Pornick and Charlie Stemp as Arthur Kipps.

Stiles and Drewe have written new songs for Half A Sixpence which will feature alongside a few famous numbers from David Heneker's score. Half A Sixpence is co-created and co-produced by Cameron Mackintosh with book by Julian Fellowes.

February's theatrical round-up

Star of the Month Emma Williams It is an utter joy to see Emma Williams back in the West End, starring in charming new British musical Mrs Henderson Presents. Williams' performance is endearing, feisty and incredibly brave. Her voice is stronger than ever - in the second act Williams' vocals gloriously soar as she belts out 'If Mountains Were Easy To Climb'. Mrs Henderson Presents is Williams' show, and as far as I'm concerned she should be nominated in the Leading Actress in a Musical category for this year's Olivier Awards. Read our previous interview with Emma Williams.

Show of the Month Nell Gwynn Jessica Swale’s new play Nell Gwynn, which has transferred to the West End following a short season at the Globe, is an absolute must see - I had the most joyously incredible evening seeing the piece for the first time. Telling an interesting part of forgotten theatrical history, Gemma Arterton is perfectly cast in the title role and is joined by a stellar ensemble - all of whom give stand out performances. Director Christopher Luscombe and Swale have worked together impeccably well. Nell Gwynn is outstanding. Read our ★★★★★ review of Nell Gwynn.

Review: Mrs Henderson Presents at the Noel Coward Theatre

Mrs Henderson Presents
Noel Coward Theatre
Reviewed on Friday 12th February 2016
★★★★

Mrs Henderson Presents is a charming new British musical. Adapted from the 2005 film starring Judi Dench, the show - which is written by Terry Johnson, Don Black, George Fenton and Simon Chamberlain - oozes with heart. 

Tracie Bennett stars as widowed Laura Henderson who takes on an old cinema on Great Windmill Street and turns it into a variety club during the thirties. With war looming and box office sales falling, Mrs Henderson decides that (as the poster says) "for the show to go on, the clothes must come off".

The opening scenes are brilliant; the small ensemble immediately bring life and soul to the stage whilst Bennett's presence, along with Andrew Wright's choreography, provides some old school pizazz. Interestingly I took my seat knowing absolutely nothing about the story which sees four women being persuaded to become 'The Windmill Girls' who pose as nude statues for sold out crowds. Director Terry Johnson has fun teasing his audience, the first scene involving nudity (male as well as female) is superbly staged and received an uproarious response.

Line-up confirmed for 2016 WhatsOnStage Awards

The line-up has been confirmed for the 2016 WhatsOnStage Awards which take place on 21st February at the Prince of Wales Theatre.

Hosts Mel Giedroyc and Steve Furst will kick off the evening by performing an original song called 'The Greatest Show of All'.

Later in the evening Pixie Lott will sing 'Moon River' ahead of starring in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. 

The line-up also includes Jenna Russell who will perform a number from Grey Gardens whilst Emma Williams and Tracie Bennett will treat the audience to a duet from Mrs Henderson Presents.

Full casting announced for Mrs Henderson Presents

Full casting has been announced for the West End transfer of new British musical Mrs Henderson Presents.

The show opens at the Noel Coward Theatre on 16th February 2016 (previews from 9th February).

Joining the previously announced Tracie Bennett as ‘Laura Henderson’, Ian Bartholomew as ‘Vivian Van Damm’ and Emma Williams as ‘Maureen’ will be Jamie Foreman as ‘Arthur’, Robert Hands as ‘Cromer’, Matthew Malthouse as ‘Eddie’, Samuel Holmes as ‘Bertie’, Katie Bernstein as ‘Peggy’, Lizzy Connolly as ‘Doris’, Lauren Hood as ‘Vera’ and Liz Ewing as Lady Conway. 

GOSSIP: Emma Williams joins cast of White Christmas at the West Yorkshire Playhouse

According to the Daily Mail, Emma Williams has joined the cast of Nikolai Foster's production of White Christmas at the West Yorkshire Playhouse. (Please note this is not the West End production at the Dominion Theatre). 

She joins Darren Day and Oliver Tompsett as Bob Wallace and Phil Davis alongside Helen Anker and Holly Dale Spencer. 

Annie Get Your Gun cancels final tour venues

According to The Stage, the current touring production of Annie Get Your Gun starring Jason Donovan and Emma Williams (pictured right) has cancelled its final two venues.

The newspaper suggests the musical's final week of performances at the Princess Theatre in Torquay have been cancelled and that the show’s run at His Majesty’s Theatre in Aberdeen has also been cancelled.

According to reporter Nicola Merrifield, Annie Get Your Gun will now finish its tour at the New Wimbledon Theatre on Saturday 13th September 2014. 

Review: Annie Get Your Gun (UK Tour) at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

Annie Get Your Gun (UK Tour) 
Aylesbury Waterside Theatre
Reviewed on Tuesday 22nd July 2014
★★★★

Sixty-eight years after it was first performed on Broadway, Irving Berlin’s musical Annie Get Your Gun still provides an evening of joyous fun. Ian Talbot's brand new touring production is bursting with old-school wit and charm.

Big Interview: Emma Williams

Emma Williams is currently starring as Annie Oakley in the UK Tour of Irving Berlin’s classic musical Annie Get Your Gun. 

Ian Talbot’s production also stars Jason Donovan as Frank Butler and Norman Pace as Buffalo Bill.

With timeless classic songs including ‘There’s No Business Like Show Business’ and ‘Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better’, Annie Get Your Gun tells the legendary story of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West female sharpshooter, Annie Oakley, and her romance with fellow sharpshooter, Frank Butler. 

Emma made her stage debut aged 18 as Truly Scrumptious in the original cast of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the London Palladium opposite Michael Ball. She has been nominated for two Olivier Awards for Best Actress in a Musical for her performances as Jenny in Love Story (Chichester/Duchess) and Luisa in Zorro (Garrick).

Just a few of Emma’s other countless theatre credits include playing: Johanna in Sweeney Todd (Royal Festival Hall), Susan in Desperately Seeking Susan (Novello), Melinda in The Recruiting Officer (Salisbury Playhouse) and Shelley Parker in Bat Boy: The Musical (West Yorkshire Playhouse/Shaftesbury).

I recently spoke to Emma about how it feels to be playing such an iconic role, her first impressions of touring life and her incredible journey to the West End stage… 

Annie Oakley is such an iconic role, but was it a part you have always had your eye on?

I saw the show as a kid when it was done by a local amateur society and I loved it. She’s one of those incredible female roles in musical theatre because she’s strong and she’s feisty! So often I think leading ladies, particularly the roles I sometimes play, are a little weak or drippy. She’s a role I thought I would love to play one day but, as an actor, the problem is you’re relying on other people to put on the production and to give you the job! You hope that at some point in your career the role will turn up and you’ll still be the right age to play it, and I’m just grateful it did and that the producers thought I was the right choice! She’s pretty far removed from the sort of stuff I usually do so I was absolutely thrilled when the phone call came through! It was absolutely amazing [laughs]! I’m loving every minute of it! 

Annie Get Your Gun starring Emma Williams & Jason Donovan confirms tour dates

As previously reported by West End Fame, a major new production of Annie Get Your Gun will embark on a UK Tour later this year starring Emma Williams as Annie Oakley, Jason Donovan as Frank Butler and Norman Pace as Buffalo Bill.

As part of The Ambassador Theatre Group’s ‘Manchester Gets It First’ initiative, this production will receive its premiere at Manchester Opera House on 12th May 2014 prior to a National Tour, ending on 4th October at Torquay's Princess Theatre.

A star of stage and screen, and having performed on the musical theatre stage across the globe, Jason Donovan has appeared in hit musicals including Priscilla Queen of the Desert, The Sound of Music, War of the Worlds and Joseph and The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. 

Jason Donovan & Emma Williams to star in Annie Get Your Gun UK Tour

Jason Donovan and Emma Williams will star in a major new touring production of the Tony award-winning version of Irving Berlin’s musical Annie Get Your Gun. 

Jason Donovan, who is currently starring in Priscilla Queen of the Desert, will play as Frank Butler opposite West End regular Emma Williams as Annie Oakley. Norman Pace will play Buffalo Bill until September when he joins the cast of One Man Two Guvnors.

When Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show comes to town, it only takes one glance for sharp-shooting country girl Annie Oakley to fall head over heels for its star marksman, Frank Butler. Both have truly met their match, revealing their competitive natures as they vie for best shot - and each other’s hearts.

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