Casting announced for musical adaptation of The Railway Children

Casting has been announced for a concert staging of Alex Parker and Katie Lam's musical adaptation of E. Nesbit's The Railway Children.

The musical will receive its premiere in a concert reading at the Holy Trinity Church in Guildford on 2nd September 2016.

Gina Beck (Show Boat/Wicked) will lead the cast as Bobbie with Deborah Crowe as Mother, David Birrell as Father, Edd Campbell Bird as Peter, Lauren Morris as Phyllis, Daniel Crossley as Mr Schpansky, Paul Baker as Mr Perks, Maggie Service as Mrs Perks, Jonathan Dudley as Jim, Jack Chissick as Old Gentleman and Jack McCann as Mr Connolly.

Simon Lipkin, Gina Beck, Julie Atherton & Samuel Holmes reunite for I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change

Kirk Jameson's production of I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change is returning to the Arts Theatre.

After playing the theatre's upstairs space last summer, the musical will be staged for two performances only in the main house on Monday 15th August 2016. 

Review: Show Boat at the New London Theatre

Show Boat

New London Theatre

Reviewed on Wednesday 27th April 2016

★★★★

Fresh from its run at the Sheffield Crucible, Daniel Evans' revival of Show Boat has sailed into the West End's New London Theatre. Not only is Show Boat an important part of theatrical history, but it features a beautifully timeless score that continues to charm in 2016.

Gina Beck & Michael Xavier to star in Show Boat

It has been confirmed that Gina Beck and Michael Xavier have been cast as Magnolia Hawks and Gaylord Ravenal in a revival of Show Boat.

Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein's musical will open at the Sheffield Crucible 16th December 2015 (previews from 10th December) for a limited run until 16th January 2016*.

The cast also includes Rebecca Trehearn as Julie, Allan Corduner as Cap’n Andy, Lucy Briers as Parthy, Sandra Marvin as Queenie and Emmanuel Kojo as Joe. 

Review: I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change at Above the Arts

I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change 
Above the Arts
Reviewed on Friday 3rd July 2015
★★★★★

Jimmy Roberts and Joe DiPietro's funny musical revue delves into love; what people want from it, how people deal with it and the extent some people will go to get it. Known as the second-longest running musical in off-Broadway history, this was my first time seeing the show which is remarkably well observed and joyously fun.

Images released for I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change

First images have been released for the upcoming London revival of I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change by Joe DiPietro. Check out the images below (click picture to enlarge). The show runs for a limited season at Above The Arts between 1st and 18th July 2015. 

The cast includes Julie Atherton (Shock Treatment/Avenue Q), Simon Lipkin (Assassins/Rock Of Ages), Gina Beck (Far From the Madding Crowd/Wicked) and Samuel Holmes (Water Babies/Spamalot). Kirk Jameson directs.

Big Interview: Gina Beck, starring in Far From the Madding Crowd

Gina Beck is currently starring as Bathsheba in a new stage adaptation of Far From the Madding Crowd at the Watermill Theatre in Newbury. Based on Thomas Hardy’s novel, the show has been adapted and directed by Jessica Swale.

Gina starred as Glinda in the West End production of Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre for two years and recently reprised her performance in the musical’s first U.S. Tour. 

No stranger to playing iconic roles, she has also played Christine Daaé in The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty's) and Cosette in Les Misérables (Queens). She was also a soloist in the 25th Anniversary of Les Misérables at the O2 Arena and appeared in the Les Misérables film directed by Tom Hooper.

Gina’s off-West End, regional and international theatre credits include: Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris (Charing Cross), Letitia Hardy in The Belle's Stratagem (Southwark Playhouse), Maria Von Trapp in The Sound of Music (Plenary Hall, Kuala Lumpur), Kate Hardcastle in The Kissing Dance (Jermyn Street), Wendy Darling in Peter Pan (Birmingham Rep) and Rebecca in Imagine This (Plymouth Theatre Royal).

On screen Gina has made appearances in Doctors, The Return of Sherlock Holmes and The Crust and has performed on The Alan Titchmarsh Show, The Royal Variety Performance and The Classical Brit Awards (ITV). 

I recently caught up with Gina about why she’s loving her latest stage role, life in Newbury and who she would invite to a stagey dinner party plus much more…

Had you read Thomas Hardy’s novel before this part came up?

No, I had never read it! We did Tess of the d'Urbervilles at school so I never got to do it, when this came up I read the book. I was actually involved in the workshop back in November, just after Jacques Brel. I did a week of workshopping with Jess (Jessica Swale) the director who has also adapted the novel. I very quickly read the book… but ran out of time so ended up listening to the audio book while I was painting my house [laughs]. It’s very much easier to listen without having to look - it is a very long, long book. We had a great time in the workshop trying to help her work out the flow of the play before coming to do it properly now.

Review: Playing Our Part at Cadogan Hall

Playing Our Part 
Cadogan Hall
Reviewed on Sunday 1st March 2015
★★★★

Raising money for Comic Relief, last Sunday the West End came together for the second Playing Our Part concert which looks set to become one of the top events in the theatrical calendar. Dressed in red and black, performers from some of the West End's top shows took to the stage to perform with an incredible orchestra under the direction of Alex Parker.

Gina Beck, Louise Dearman, Simon Bailey & Killian Donnelly + more star in Playing Our Part at Cadogan Hall

Following the success of last year's concert, Playing Our Part is returning in March to raise money for Comic Relief. Directed by Nadim Naaman, Playing Our Part takes place at Cadogan Hall on Sunday 1st March 2015.

The exciting line-up of top West End talent includes: Gina Beck (Wicked), Louise Dearman (Wicked), Wendy Ferguson (Les Mis), Chloe Hart (Hairspray), Laura Jane Matthewson (Dogfight), Steph Parry (Billy Elliot), Laura Pitt-Pulford (The Sound of Music), Laura Tebbutt (The Wizard of Oz), Simon Bailey (I Can't Sing), Killian Donnelly (Memphis), Chris Howell (Made in Dagenham), Adam Linstead (Les Mis), Jamie Muscato (Dogfight), Nadim Naaman (Titanic) and Jeremy Secomb (The Phantom of the Opera).

Big Interview: Gina Beck

Gina Beck is currently preparing to star in Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris at the Charing Cross Theatre. The show opens on Saturday 18th October (previews from 16th October) and runs until Saturday 22nd November 2014. Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris is a musical revue of the greatest works by one of the most prolific Belgian singer-songwriters of all time.

Gina recently starred as Glinda in the first US national tour of Wicked, after playing the role for two years in the West End production (Apollo Victoria). No stranger to playing iconic roles, the actress has also played Christine Daaé in The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty's) and Cosette in Les Misérables (Queens). She was a soloist in the 25th Anniversary of Les Misérables at the O2 Arena and appeared in the Les Misérables film directed by Tom Hooper.

Her off-West End and international theatre credits include: Letitia Hardy in The Belle's Stratagem (Southwark Playhouse), Maria Von Trapp in The Sound of Music (Plenary Hall, Kuala Lumpur) and Kate Hardcastle in The Kissing Dance (Jermyn Street).

On screen Gina has made appearances in Doctors, The Return of Sherlock Holmes and The Crust and has performed on The Alan Titchmarsh Show, The Royal Variety Performance and The Classical Brit Awards (ITV). 

During a break from rehearsals at the Charing Cross Theatre, I recently spoke to Gina about her latest stage project, making her US stage debut in Wicked, what she missed most about being away from London and falling in love with musical theatre after listening to Miss Saigon as a child…

How much did you previously know about Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris?

Nothing! I hadn’t even heard about it! As I found out later, it was obviously quite famous off-Broadway. I think they did a production in 2006 which was really well received and that’s the version we’re doing now. It’s got new orchestrations and they put in ‘Ne Me Quitte Pas’ which wasn’t in the original version. It’s his most famous song so I think that’s made a good change because people come expecting to hear that. I think the guys who own the Charing Cross Theatre have always been desperate to do it and eventually they got the rights for this 2006 production. I think the rights were quite hard to get hold of, they didn’t want to do it if they had to do the 70s version. 

Daniel Boys, David Burt, Eve Polycarpou & Gina Beck star in Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris

It has been announced that Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris will open at the Charing Cross Theatre for a strictly limited six-week run next month.

Andrew Keates will direct Daniel Boys (Avenue Q/Spamalot), David Burt (The Merchant of Venice/ The Beggars People), Eve Polycarpou (In The Heights/Mother Courage) and Gina Beck (Wicked/ Phantom of the Opera).

Gina Beck to play Glinda in first North American tour of Wicked!

It has been announced that West End star Gina Beck will join the first North American tour of Wicked as Glinda, she recently finished a two year stint playing the role in the West End production. Gina will star opposite Alison Luff as Elphaba.

Gina will join the show on Monday 16th December in Chicago, marking her US debut. The performer's West End credits include: Christine Daaé in The Phantom of the Opera and Cosette in Les Miserables. She has also appeared in: Doctors, The Return of Sherlock Holmes, The Crust! and the Les Miserables film.

Editor's Blog: Return visits to Spamalot and Wicked, and saying goodbye to The Color Purple

As a reviewer, night after night I see brand new productions of shows that I sometimes know very little about. Therefore occasionally it’s nice to arrive at the theatre knowing exactly what to expect. 

On Tuesday evening (24th October) I attended a special gala performance of Spamalot as Life’s Too Short co-stars Les Dennis and Warwick Davis have joined the cast as King Arthur and Pasty. Their casting is utter genius and, having seen the show several times over the past twelve months, it’s interesting to see how the pair have made the roles their own.

Warwick Davis & Les Dennis

Spamalot is a show which is happy to adapt for its cast members, something which is actually quite rare in the West End. Often long running shows like new cast members to be carbon copies of their predecessors, but Spamalot is a show which embraces change therefore keeping the musical, which is ‘lovingly ripped off’ from Monty Python’s The Holy Grail, feeling fresh and relevant. 

Bonnie Langford is still just as fearless as The Lady of the Lake and it was fantastic to, once again, see her perform opposite Chris Jenkins as Sir Galahad. I could watch them perform their hysterical duet ‘A Song That Goes Like This’ all day and I would still find it hilarious.

After seeing the horrifically awful Barking In Essex at the Wyndham’s Theatre last week I found myself in some desperate need of some theatre therapy... so I booked a trip to see Wicked. I am thrilled to report that (once again) the show restored my faith in theatre and I am still buzzing after watching one of the best performances of the smash hit musical that I’ve ever seen.

Olivier Awards 2013: Theatre stars storm the red carpet

Take a look at the stars as they arrived at the Royal Opera House for the 2013 Olivier Awards. Click on image to enlarge.

 Idina Menzel (left) performed while Alex Gaumond (right) stars in Top Hat which won Best New Musical.

 Imelda Staunton (left) won Best Actress in a Musical and James McAvoy (right) was nominated for Best Actor

Review: Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre

Wicked

Apollo Victoria Theatre

Reviewed on Tuesday 22nd January 2013

"Based on the acclaimed novel by Gregory Maguire that re-imagined the stories and characters created by L. Frank Baum in ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’, Wicked tells the incredible untold story of an unlikely but profound friendship between two girls who first meet as sorcery students. Their extraordinary adventures in Oz will ultimately see them fulfill their destinies as Glinda The Good and the Wicked Witch of the West."

Although Wicked is set in the magical world of Oz, it somehow manages to be one of the most touching, relatable musicals of all time. Unfortunately there are not enough stars which I can give to this spellbinding show.

Wicked has it all - stunning costumes and tremendous sets, but what makes Wicked stand apart from the rest is its extremely clever story and its breathtaking score. You will never be able to watch The Wizard of Oz the same way again!

Funniest Performance in a West End Show: 1st - 5th Place

1st Place

Daniel Buckley

Marvin Camden

Loserville

28%

Daniel's theatre credits include Loserville (West Yorkshire Playhouse), Lord of the Flies (UK tour), Fresher – The Musical (Edinburgh Fringe) and Spring Awakening (UK tour). Next year he will join the original London cast of The Book Of Mormon as Stand-By Elder Cunningham. Daniel is outstanding as Marvin Camden in Loserville at the Garrick Theatre. He is one of those performers who demands an audience's attention. Daniel thoroughly deserves the 2012 West End Frame Award for Funniest Performance in a West End Show. Click here to read our recent four star review of Loserville.

Daniel Buckley wins West End Frame Award for Funniest Performance in a West End Show

All of this month West End Frame readers have been voting in the West End Frame award for Funniest Performance in a West End Show. We can now exclusively reveal that you have crowned Loserville's Daniel Buckley as your winner!

Runners up for Funniest Performance in a West End Show are Linzi Hateley, Gina Beck, Simon Lipkin and Jodie Prenger. Other nominees included Andrew Alexander, Brenda Edwards, Kim Ismay, Michael Simkins, Rob Brydon and Tom Chambers.

Daniel Buckley is currently playing Marvin Camden in Loserville at the Garrick Theatre. Loserville is a new British musical by Elliot Davis and James Bourne. The show recently received its London premiere at the Garrick Theatre following the show's successful run at the West Yorkshire Playhouse.

Wicked extends booking to November 2013

Wicked, the record-breaking West End musical now in its 7th smash hit year at the Apollo Victoria Theatre, is pleased to announce the opening of its 14th new booking period, on Monday 1st October 2012, with tickets going on sale until Saturday 2nd November 2013.

Wicked is now the 18th longest-running West End musical of all time and recently celebrated its landmark 2500th performance (8th September 2012) and 6th Birthday (27 September 2012). The Olivier and Evening Standard Award-winning London production of the global musical phenomenon has already been seen by almost 5 million theatregoers since its West End premiere in 2006.

New Wicked Cast Announced

At long last the new cast of Wicked has been announced! So, without further ado,  from Monday 29 October 2012, Wicked will star: Louise Dearman (Elphaba), Gina Beck (Glinda), Ben Freeman (Fiyero), Louise Plowright (Madame Morrible), Keith Bartlett (The Wizard), Christopher Howell (Doctor Dillamond), Sam Lupton (Boq), Katie Rowley Jones (Nessarose), Hayley Gallivan (Standby Elphaba), Lucy van Gasse (Standby Glinda), Florence Andrews, Gemma Atkins, William Bozier, Oliver Brenin, Lauren Brooke, Philip Catchpole, Aisling Duffy, Chlöe Hart, Jacqueline Hughes, Robert Jones, Sophie Linder Lee, Tania Mathurin, Marc McBride, Stacey McGuire, Tom Muggeridge, Sean Parkins, Michelle Pentecost, Stuart Ramsay, Lindsay Taylor, Paulo Teixeira, Justin Thomas, Hannah Toy, Matt Turner, Oliver Watton and Jason Winter. 

Review: Wicked at London's Apollo Victoria Theatre

Wicked

Apollo Victoria Theatre

Performance: Thursday 19th July 2012