PICS: Rehearsals for The Wind in the Willows starring Rufus Hound, Fra Fee & Neil McDermott

Rehearsal images have been released for the major new musical adaptation of The Wind in the Willows. Check out the images below (click picture to enlarge).

The show receives its world premiere at Theatre Royal in Plymouth from 8th October 2016 followed by dates at The Lowry in Salford and the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton. Producers are then aiming to transfer to show to the West End. Based on Kenneth Grahame’s novel, The Wind in the Willows has book by Julian Fellowes and music and lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. 

The production stars Rufus Hound as Mr Toad, David Birrell as Badger, Fra Fee as Mole, Thomas Howes as Ratty, Neil McDermott as Chief Weasel and Sophia Nomvete as Mrs Otter.

Fra Fee & Madalena Alberto to star in The Fix at the new Union Theatre

Casting has been announced for The Fix which marks the first production at the Union Theatre's new venue. 

With book and lyrics by John Dempsey and music by Dana P. Rowe, The Fix will be directed by Michael Strassen. 

The Fix opens on 15th July (previews from 13th July) and runs until 6th August 2016.

The show will star Fra Fee (As You Like It/Candide) as Cal Chandler, Lucy Williamson (End Of The Rainbow/Company) as Violet Chandler, Madalena Alberto (War of the Worlds/Evita) as Tina McCoy and Ken Christiansen (Rise and Fall of Little Voice/Lord of the Flies) as Graeme Chandler.

Fra Fee & Laura Tebbutt to star in The Last Five Years at the Lyric Theatre in Belfast

It has been announced that Fra Fee and Laura Tebbutt will star in The Last Five Years by Jason Robert Brown at the Lyric Theatre in Belfast. The production runs between 24th June and 4th July 2015.  

The Last Five Years premiered at Chicago's Northlight Theatre in 2001 and was subsequently produced at off-Broadway in 2002. 

The UK premiere at the Menier Chocolate Factory in 2006 starred Lara Pulver and Damian Humbley, whilst a gala staging at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket in 2008 starred Paul Spicer and Julie Atherton. The musical has also been adapted into a movie starring Anna Kendrick and Jeremy Jordan. 

Alistair Brammer, Killian Donnelly, Fra Fee, Samantha Spiro & more for Jule, Jerry & Steve concert

Following the success of A Little Night Music in Concert, Alex Parker is staging 'Jule, Jerry & Steve' at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre for one night only on Sunday 16th February, showcasing the music of three of Broadway’s greatest composers. 

Alistair Brammer, Killian Donnelly, Fra Fee & Samantha Spiro

Some of the musicals represented in the evening include: La Cage Aux Folles, Hello Dolly, Mame, Dear World, Mack & Mabel, Funny Girl, Gypsy, Follies, Company, Sunday In The Park With George and Road Show. The evening is in aid of the charity MENCAP, and is the premier performance of the 42‐ piece Alex Parker Orchestra. 

Review: Candide at the Menier Chocolate Factory

Candide

Menier Chocolate Factory

Reviewed on Tuesday 3rd December 2013

The Menier Chocolate Factory has once again been transformed for its revival of Leonard Bernstein's 1956 Operetta Candide. Set in the round, Paul Farnsworth's inventive design allows the cast to glide around and in-between the audience, meaning at times heads have to be turned to see what is going on. This never becomes tiresome and adds to the excitable atmosphere. Usually when reviewing shows set in the round I find myself complaining about the cast favouring a particular side, but Matthew White's swift direction ensures no part of the audience is neglected.

Scarlett Strallen, Fra Fee, Cassidy Janson, Ben Lewis and David Thaxton to star in Candide at the Menier Chocolate Factory

It has been announced that Scarlett Strallen, Fra Fee, Cassidy Janson, Ben Lewis and David Thaxton will star in the Menier Chocolate Factory's Christmas musical Candide. The show features music by Leonard Bernstein, book adapted from Voltaire by Hugh Wheeler, lyrics by Richard Wilbur and additional lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, John Latouche, Lillian Hellman, Dorothy Parker and Leonard Bernstein.

Scarlett Strallen, Fra Fee & Cassidy Janson,

From Westphalia to the far reaches of the New World, Candide's journey of discovery is anything but dull. Through anguish, happiness, loss and love this is a whirlwind adventure that seeks to prove 'life is happiness indeed'. Leonard Bernstein's joyous musical comedy features a classic overture and 'Make Our Garden Grow' (both of which were performed on the Last Night of the Proms) and 'Glitter and Be Gay'.