GOSSIP: Harry Hill working on new musical

Harry Hill has revealed that he is working on a new biography-based musical.

Speaking to Metro, Hill - who is currently working on the return of Stars in Their Eyes - said: "I'm not going to say who it's about because someone else will nick the idea.

"I think it'll be very funny. I'll get it on its feet when Stars in Their Eyes finishes. I've learned this time to start small, out of the spotlight, and see what happens."

Last year Hill's musical I Can't Sing' opened in the West End where it ran for six weeks at the London Palladium. Discussing the musical's closure, Hill said: "The show was good, we couldn't do anything to make it better, the fact it didn't run longer wasn't anyone's fault. Musicals are a dangerous game – most of them flop. It's not a science.

Big Interview: Katy Secombe

Katy Secombe is currently playing Mrs Beaver in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe at the Rose Theatre Kingston which is one of the most successful selling productions in the Rose’s history, second only to A Midsummer Night’s Dream starring Judi Dench.

Katy’s West End credits include playing Brenda in I Can't Sing (London Palladium), Madame Thénardier in Les Misérables (Queen’s/Palace) and Rosie in Mamma Mia! (Prince of Wales). She recently appeared in Tom Hooper’s Oscar winning film adaptation of Les Mis. 

At the National Theatre Katy has been in Mother Clap's Molly House, A Winter's Tale, Twelfth Night and Guys and Dolls. Her theatre credits also include: Mama Morton in Chicago (UK Tour), The Lyons (Menier Chocolate Factory), Alice Challice in Darling of the Day (Union), Cinderella The Midnight Princess and Hay Fever (both Rose Theatre Kingston), Hannah in A Chorus of Disapproval (New Wolsey) and The Music Man (Chichester).

I recently spoke to Katy about her latest stage role, why she loved working on I Can’t Sing and how she managed to secure so much screen time in the Les Mis movie…

The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe is breaking records at the Rose Theatre Kingston. Are you feeling the buzz?

Yes! It’s lovely to play to a packed audience, especially when the kids are so wrapped up in the story! There’s very little shuffling about which is lovely for us. They’re very involved! We’re telling a fantastic story anyway so we’re on the right track before we even start. Everyone has done an amazing job and we’re all very proud of the kids in the show.

Big Interview: Simon Lipkin

Simon Lipkin is currently playing Touchstone in Derek Bond’s production of Shakespeare’s As You Like It at the Southwark Playhouse. 

From November he will be starring as The Proprietor in Jamie Lloyd’s production of Assassins by Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman at the Menier Chocolate Factory.

Simon recently finished playing Barlow the Dog in I Can’t Sing at the London Palladium. His other West End credits include: Lonny in Rock Of Ages, Nicky and Trekkie Monster in Avenue Q, A Christmas Carol and Pharaoh in Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Simon’s theatre credits also include: Galahad in Spamalot (UK/International Tour), The Wedding Singer (original UK cast), Willard in Footloose (UK Tour).

I recently spoke to Simon about taking on his first Shakespeare play, why he’s so excited to be working with Jamie Lloyd on Assassins, the closure of I Can’t Sing and what it was like to recently return to Rock Of Ages as a last minute emergency cover for two nights only…

Obviously it was extremely sad when I Can’t Sing closed, but all of a sudden things have gone crazy for you! You’re busy working on As You Like It and Assassins, it must all be a bit mad?!

[laughs] Yes it’s all a little bit crazy. We finished I Can’t Sing in May and it was really sad. We had been workshopping the show for about a year and a half and I had been with it from the start. It was such an amazing show to be a part of, the cast were incredible and there were so many creative people. Harry Hill, Steve Brown and Sean Foley were all really brilliant people to work with, but I guess that’s the struggle of a new musical – you can never guess what is going to happen. We did it and we had an amazing time! It was actually nice to have a little break afterwards; I had a couple of months off. I deliberately thought, ‘Do you know what? It’s been a long time since I’ve had time off’ because I was in Rock Of Ages for a couple of years before I Can’t Sing and Spamalot directly before that. I decided to have a little rest because my brain needed to sleep [laughs]. 

Big Interview: Simon Bailey

Simon Bailey is currently starring in Stephen Sondheim’s Marry Me A Little which runs at the St James Studio for 16 performances only until Sunday 10th August 2014.

Simon was most recently seen starring as Liam O'Deary in I Can’t Sing (London Palladium). His West End credits also include: Romeo and Juliet The Musical (Piccadilly), Pharaoh in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat (New London), Brit in We Will Rock You (Dominion) and Enjolras in the 21st Anniversary cast of Les Miserables (Queen’s).

As well as playing Lieutenant Torrasso/Count Ludovic in Passion (Donmar Warehouse) and Officer Starnes/Tom Watson in Parade (Southwark Playhouse), Simon is best known for starring as Raoul in the West End and brand new touring production of The Phantom of the Opera. He is a renowned singer/songwriter, realising his debut album Looking Up in December 2012.

I recently spoke to Simon about what first attracted him to Marry Me A Little, the beauty of Sondheim’s score, his varied career and future music plans…

What were your first thoughts when this production of Marry Me A Little popped up? Did you know anything about the show?

I was excited that it was this Sondheim production which hasn’t been seen in London for the best part of twenty years, but initially I didn’t know too much about it. I read up about it, the show is basically made up out of all the things which didn’t make it into other big shows and I thought that was a really exciting prospect. When I started to listen to the material, which didn’t make it into these other shows, I realised just how amazing these other shows are because the material is… incredible [laughs]! This music is so beautiful and I guess it is slightly shocking they didn’t make it into the original shows! But luckily for us they didn’t and we get to do them.

Editor's Blog: We Will Rock You, I Can't Sing, New Musicals, Cats and The Bridges of Madison County

It's all change in theatreland at the moment! On Wednesday I saw We Will Rock You at the Dominion Theatre for the final time. The Queen musical has divided opinions throughout its twelve year West End run (which ends on Saturday 31st May 2014) and this certainly isn't the last we'll see of it! (Plus there could be a sequel on the way...)

Love it or hate it, We Will Rock You is an extremely important piece of theatre as it has attracted new audiences to the West End for over a decade. There are so many people who would rather stick pins in their eyes than sit through an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, but have seen We Will Rock You countless times.

The musical has been kept alive for all these years by its tremendous casts, and the final company couldn't be stronger. Oliver Tompsett is by far my all-time favourite Galileo, there aren't words to describe his unbelievably incredible vocal talents. It's also nice to see someone bring something new and refreshing to the role.

Simon Cowell discusses I Can't Sing closure - "we went in too big a theatre"

Speaking to Digital Spy, Simon Cowell has admitted that X Factor musical I Can't Sing "didn't work".

I Can't Sing plays its final performance at the London Palladium tomorrow (Sat 10th May), just over six weeks after its official opening.

Cowell said "We took a punt and it didn't work out. If I could do things different, I would have gone to local theatres and built up a following. We went in too big a theatre - it's the biggest theatre in the West End."

The Palladium seats 2,286 people whereas the Apollo Victoria Theatre (home to Wicked) seats 2,304. Harry Hill and Steve Brown's musical stars Nigel Harman, Cynthia Erivo, Simon Bailey and Simon Lipkin.

I Can't Sing to close 10th May

It has been announced that X Factor Musical I Can't Sing will close on Saturday 10th May.

Rebecca Quigley, CEO of Stage Entertainment UK, said: "We are sad to be bringing I Can’t Sing! to a close but are immensely proud to have co-produced the show. The West End can be an unpredictable place as the closure of a number of high profile productions recently has shown.

"To open any big musical, and particularly a brand new British musical comedy at the London Palladium, is no mean feat and hundreds of dedicated people have played a part in bringing this unique and wonderful show to the stage. I thank every one of those people and the audiences who have come to see the production."

Review: I Can't Sing at the London Palladium

I Can't Sing
London Palladium
Reviewed on Thursday 27th March 2014

As a self-diagnosed X Factor addict and lover of Harry Hill's TV Burp who likes nothing more than to have a good laugh at the theatre, I was hugely excited about X Factor musical I Can't Sing. On paper Harry Hill (book & additional lyrics), Steve Brown (music & lyrics) and Sean Foley (director) sound like a dream team, particularly with Simon Cowell producing, but something about the show doesn't quite work.

Feature: I Can't Sing Social Media Call

X Factor musical I Can't sing held a social media event this afternoon at the London Palladium. The musical, which is currently in previews, officially opens next week on Wednesday 26th March 2014.

Harry Hill and Steve Brown's brand new musical comedy features 19 original songs and goes behind the microphone and under the judges’ desk to reveal the (not necessarily accurate) story of heartache and laughter that keeps millions tuning in to the X Factor every week. 

I Can't Sing stars West End favourites Nigel Harman (Shrek The Musical), Cynthia Erivo (The Color Purple), Simon Bailey (The Phantom of the Opera) and Simon Lipkin (Rock Of Ages).

I Can't Sing cancels performance mid-show

© ITV

Last night's performance of X Factor Musical I Can't Sing was cancelled mid-show. The first act went ahead as planned but after an extended interval (reportedly one hour long) it was announced that the remainder of the performance was cancelled due to a technical fault, meaning the audience didn't see the second act.

The show is currently in previews at the London Palladium ahead of its press night on Wednesday 26th March, although the creative team could choose to extend the preview period.

I Can't Sing cancelled its first week of previews as an integral part of the stage mechanism for the show’s set was not operating correctly. When previews began the interval ran for around fifty minutes, but this time had reportedly been reduced to around half an hour prior to this evening's performance.

I Can't Sing cancels further performances, new start date to be confirmed

Stage Entertainment and Syco Entertainment, the producers of X Factor Musical I Can’t Sing, have cancelled further preview performances at the London Palladium. An 'integral part' of the stage mechanism for the show’s set is currently not operating correctly and this needs to be resolved before performances can begin at the Palladium. 

Harry Hill and Steve Brown's new musical was scheduled to begin previews on Thursday (27th February). Producers then cancelled the first two previews and stated that performances would begin on Saturday 1st March. It is now claimed previews will begin 'next week' with the exact date to be confirmed.

I Can't Sing cancels first two previews due to technical issues

X Factor musical I Can't Sing has cancelled its first two previews at the London Palladium due to technical issues. Harry Hill and Steve Brown's new musical was scheduled to begin previews on Thursday (27th February). Its first preview will now take place at 7.30pm on Saturday 1st March.

A full statement from Stage Entertainment and Syco Entertainment reads:

Sneak peek at... I Can't Sing - The X Factor Musical

Last month the cast of I Can't Sing (The X Factor Musical) performed a short section from the new musical at The Royal Variety Show which took place at the London Palladium, the same theatre that the musical opens at later this year. Watch the performance below.

Written by Harry Hill and Steve Brown, the brand new comedy features 19 original songs and goes behind the microphone and under the judges’ desk to reveal the (not necessarily accurate) story of heartache and laughter that keeps millions tuning in to the X Factor every week.

5 most popular articles/features of 2013

What's On Stage just announced their 5 most popular articles of 2013, so, at West End Frame Towers, we decided it would be interesting to do the same! Enjoy! And Merry Christmas to you all!

5. Full casting announced for X Factor musical 'I Can't Sing'
Dec 6, 2013

Scott Garnham launches Self Indulgent Ballad this Sunday with special guests

West End star Scott Garnham will officially launch 'Self Indulgent Ballad' this Sunday during a performance at Freedom Bar, Soho at 3pm. Scott will perform alongside Simon Bailey, Sabrina Aloueche, Tori Allen-Martin and Matthew Seadon-Young.

Scott said: "Self Indulgent Ballad was born two years ago during a conversation with Hadley Fraser backstage at the Queen’s Theatre. We got on to the subject of musical theatre albums and discovered most of them contain all the classic ballads. We discussed how funny and refreshingly honest it would be to name an album ‘Self Indulgent Ballad’... and the idea was born!"

Two years later and following lots of re-writes the song is finally finished! The recorded song features: Ben Sell, Chloe Hart, Simon Bailey, Craig Mather, Sabrina Aloueche, Sarah Galbraith, Fra Fee, Hadley Fraser and students from Guildford School of Acting.

Cynthia Erivo performs title song from X Factor Musical I Can't Sing

Listen to Cynthia Erivo perform the title song from the upcoming X Factor musical called 'I Can't Sing' below. It was recently announced that The Color Purple star will play  X Factor contestant Chenice in I Can't Sing alongside Nigel Harman as Simon Cowell.

Cynthia Erivo has just finished playing Celie in the sold out, UK premiere of The Color Purple at the Menier Chocolate Factory. Earlier this year Cynthia starred in the world premiere of LIFT at the Soho Theatre and she also recently played Deloris Van Cartier on the UK Tour of Sister Act. Her other theatre credits include: The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (Gielgud), The Three Musketeers and the Princess of Spain (Traverse Theatre/English Touring Company) and 24 Hour Musicals (Old Vic).

I Can't Sing will open at the London Palladium on Wednesday 28th March (previews from Thursday 27th February) and will feature 19 original songs. The show goes behind the microphone and under the judges’ desk to reveal the (not necessarily accurate) story of heartache and laughter that keeps millions tuning in every week.

Nigel Harman & Cynthia Erivo to star in I Can't Sing The Musical

The Daily Mail has announced that Nigel Harman and Cynthia Erivo will star in the upcoming X Factor Musical called 'I Can't Sing The Musical'. The musical will begin previews at the London Palladium on 27th February 2014. Nigel Harman has been cast as Simon Cowell while Cynthia Erivo will star as X Factor contestant Chenice.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Simon Cowell said: "The hardest thing was: how do you find someone who’s good-looking, talented and can look like me? And then we found Nigel!". Harry Hill has written the show which is named after one of the musical numbers.

Theatre Gossip: A Chorus Line to close at the end of August

According to various online sources, A Chorus Line will close on 31st August 2013. The production was previously booking until 4th January 2014. It is rumoured that the cast were told earlier today, before the news broke online. Producers are yet to comment and officially confirm the closure.

Simon Cowell's X Factor musical (called 'I Can't Sing The Musical') begins previews at the Palladium in February 2014, it is currently unknown what production will fill the gap. However, there have been rumours that the touring production of Hairspray could transfer to the theatre for a limited season. Please remember nothing has yet been confirmed.