Stuart Ward & Gemma Sutton join Michael Crawford in The Go-Between

Stuart Ward (Once) and Gemma Sutton (Gypsy) will star as Ted and Marian in The Go-Between.

They join the previously announced Michael Crawford as Leo Colston. Crawford is returning to the West End to appear in the musical version of L.P. Hartley's novel. The Go-Between opens at the Apollo Theatre on 7th June 2016 (previews from 27th May). 

The new musical has a score by Richard Taylor and will be directed by Roger Haines. Crawford famously originated the title role in Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera and was last seen as the title role in the West End revival of The Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium.

SING OUT LOUISE! Gemma Sutton taking over from Lara Pulver in Gypsy

It has been announced that Gemma Sutton is taking over as Louise in the West End production of Gypsy at the Savoy Theatre from 12th October. Lara Pulver plays her final performance on 10th October 2015.

Sutton is currently starring in the show as June (Louise's sister). Writing about her new role on Twitter, Sutton said: "Same womb…..different hair colours. So very excited to get those cow hooves on."

Sutton has previously played Julie Jordan in Carousel (Arcola), Amber in Hairspray (UK Tour), Roxie Hart in Chicago (Leicester Curve) and Ice in DRUNK (Leicester Curve/Bridewell).

Interview: Gemma Sutton

Gemma during rehearsals

Gemma Sutton is currently starring as Julie Jordan in Morphic Graffiti’s bold new interpretation of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel at the Arcola Theatre.

Gemma has had a whirlwind year; after starring as Amber in Hairspray (UK Tour) she recreated the iconic role of Roxie Hart in Paul Kerryson's new production of Chicago at the Leicester Curve Theatre to tremendous critical acclaim. 

Next Gemma created the role of Ice in Drew McOnie’s Drunk (Leicester Curve/Bridewell) and starred alongside Sharon D Clarke and Clive Rowe in Blues In The Night at the Hackney Empire.

Her theatre credits also include: Enid and first cover Elle in Legally Blonde (Savoy), Laurey in Oklahoma! (UK Tour), Careen O'Hara and understudy Melanie in Trevor Nunn's Gone with the Wind (New London), understudied and played Rebecca in the London premier of Imagine This (New London), A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Macbeth, Lady Be Good! and Fay in Sandy Wilson’s The Boy Friend (Regent’s Park Open Air), Children Will Listen (Theatre Royal, Drury Lane), Ruby in Dames at Sea and Babe Botrelle in Crimes of the Heart (Union) and Constance in The Kissing Dance (Jermyn Street).

I recently spoke to Gemma about what it’s like to recreate such iconic roles such as Julie Jordan and Roxie Hart, why she’s having a wonderful time in Carousel, her whirlwind year and Legally Blonde memories…

You have had a crazy year playing some incredible roles, have you had to digest it all?

It has been a very mad, brilliant year! I managed to get a holiday in before we started Carousel because I needed to take a little break and have some time away; I knew that Carousel was going to be intense!

Full casting announced for Carousel at the Arcola Theatre

Full casting has been announced for Morphic Graffiti's bold new interpretation of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel. The production opens at the Arcola Theatre on Monday 23rd June 2014 (previews from 18th June) and runs until Saturday 19th July 2014.

Gemma Sutton (pictured right) will star as Julie Jordan opposite Tim Rogers as Billy Bigelow.

The cast also features: Amanda Minihan as Nettie Fowler, Vicki Lee Taylor as Carrie Pipperidge, Joel Montague as Enoch Snow, Valerie Cutko as Mrs Mullin, Richard Kent as Jigger Craigin, Paul Hutton as The Starkeeper, Susanna Porter as Louise and Michael Carolan as Enoch Snow Jr.

Review: Chicago at the Leicester Curve Theatre

Chicago
Leicester Curve Theatre
Reviewed on Saturday 21st December 2013

Despite running in the West End for nearly fifteen years, I was one of the very few people who had never seen Chicago on stage, so as soon as Leicester Curve's Artistic Director Paul Kerryson announced he was directing a brand new production, with musical direction by Ben Atkinson and choreography by Drew McOnie, I knew I had to see it.

The Curve’s production uses the original 1975 script and, in the words of the show's leading lady Gemma Sutton (during a recent interview with What's On Stage), "there are no fishnets, no string vests and no black chairs.”

Chicago transported me to musical theatre heaven – the show is injected with style, flair and character, but also doesn't take itself too seriously. Chicago, which is one of the sexiest musicals ever written, revolves around scintillating sinners Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly who, as well as desiring freedom from jail, crave fame... which is where lawyer Billy Flynn comes in. Flynn manipulates the press, turning his clients into overnight stars.