Review: Hand To God at the Vaudeville Theatre

Hand To God

Vaudeville Theatre

Reviewed on Monday 15th February 2016

★★★★

Never in my life have I seen a play vaguely comparable to Hand To God. Having played three off-Broadway seasons before transferring to the Great White Way for a nine month run, Robert Askins' comedy has now found its way to London. Moritz von Stuelpnagel directs an all British cast who offer some remarkable performances as the evening progresses.

Big Interview: Janie Dee, starring in Hand To God

Janie Dee is starring as Margery in the West End premiere of Hand To God. 

Following three off-Broadway seasons, Robert Askins’ play transferred to Broadway in 2015 where it enjoyed a nine month run. Directed by Moritz von Stuelpnagel, Hand To God opens at the Vaudeville Theatre on 15th February (previews from 5th February) and runs until 11th June 2016.

Janie is one of theatre’s biggest stars, with her most recent credits including: Irina Arkadina in The Seagull (Open Air Theatre), Essie Miller in Ah Wilderness! (Young Vic), Kings Of Broadway & Desiree Armfeldt in A Little Night Music In Concert (both Palace Theatre), Titania/Hippolyta in A Midsummer Night's Dream (Asian/Russian tours), Ruth opposite Angela Lansbury in Blithe Spirit (Gielgud Theatre), Putting It Together (St James Theatre) and Miranda in NSFW (Royal Court).

She famously won the Olivier, Evening Standard and Critics Circle Awards for Best Actress in a Play, as well as the Obie and Theatre World Best Newcomer Award in New York, for her performance as Jacie Triplethree in Alan Ayckbourn's Comic Potential which was written especially for her.

Janie has also won the Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical for her performance as Carrie Pipperidge in Nicholas Hytner's production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Carousel at the National Theatre and won a UK Theatre Award for her portrayal of Dolly Levi in Hello, Dolly! at the Leicester Curve. Just a few of Janie’s other theatre credits include: Noises Off, Calendar Girls, Shadowlands, Donkeys Years, The King and I, South Pacific, The Sound Of Music, Cats, Cabaret, Twelfth Night and Private Lives.

During a break from rehearsals, I recently caught up with Janie to discuss why she’s so excited to be throwing herself into Hand To God, her initial reaction after first reading the piece and why it’s so thrilling to be performing a new American play in the West End. We also discussed her diverse career, The Seagull, her recent experience in Russia, why she withdrew from Mrs Henderson Presents, working with Angela Lansbury and lots more…

How did you first hear about Hand To God?

I literally got a call to say “Could you read this? If you fancy it they would like to meet you.” Being asked ‘if you fancy it’ doesn’t happen very often! They didn’t want me to come and read for it if I wasn’t interested, and I realise now why they did that [laughs]. I don’t want to talk about the play too much because one of the exciting things about a new play is not knowing. When I read the script not knowing anything, the journey was so completely unexpected – it got inside me and after reading it I was sat on my bed and couldn’t speak. 

Review: Kings Of Broadway at the Palace Theatre

Kings Of Broadway 
Palace Theatre
Reviewed on Sunday 29th November 2015
★★★★★

On Sunday evening musical director Alex Parker and director Alastair Knights (aka the dream team) returned to the Palace Theatre with their latest concert Kings Of Broadway. The show celebrated music by three Broadway Gods: Jerry Herman, Stephen Sondheim and Jule Styne.

Tracie Bennett replaces Janie Dee in Mrs Henderson Presents; full casting announced

Tracie Bennett has replaced the previously announced Janie Dee in Mrs Henderson Presents. Dee has withdrawn from the production due to "personal reasons".

The production runs between 14th August and 5th September 2015 at the Theatre Royal Bath. The new musical has book by Terry Johnson who will also direct the production. Lyrics are by Don Black with music by George Fenton and Simon Chamberlain.

The cast includes: Emma Williams, Sarah Bakker, Katie Bernstein, Rhiannan Chesterman, Lizzy Connolly, Victoria Hay, Samuel Holmes, Lauren Hood and Matthew Malthouse.

Production images released for Open Air Theatre's The Seagull starring Janie Dee

Production images have been released for the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre's production of Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull. Check out the pictures below (click image to enlarge).

Directed by Matthew Dunster, The Seagull opens tonight (24th June) and runs until 11th July. Celebrated as one of the most important plays of the nineteenth century, the Open Air Theatre have commissioned a new version by Torben Betts to mark the 120th Anniversary of Chekhov’s original play.

Janie Dee stars as Irina Arkadina alongside Sabrina Bartlett as Nina and Matthew Tennyson as Konstantin. The cast also includes Tara D’Arquian as Natasha, Lisa Diveney as Masha, Tom Greaves as Yakov, Colin Hoult as Simon Medviedenko, Fraser James as Ilia Shamraev, Lisa Palfrey as Paulina Andreevna, Ian Redford as Peter Sorin, Alex Robertson as Boris Trigorin and Danny Webb as Eugene Dorn.

Rehearsal images released for Open Air Theatre's The Seagull starring Janie Dee

Rehearsal images have been released for the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre's production of Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull. Check out the pictures below (click image to enlarge).

Directed by Matthew Dunster, The Seagull opens on 24th June (previews from 19th June) and runs until 11th July. Celebrated as one of the most important plays of the nineteenth century, the Open Air Theatre have commissioned a new version by Torben Betts to mark the 120th Anniversary of Chekhov’s original play.

Review: A Little Night Music at the Palace Theatre

A Little Night Music In Concert
Palace Theatre
Reviewed on Monday 26th January 2015
★★★★

It's hard to pinpoint exactly what it is about A Little Night Music that makes it such a special show. With music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, it is glorious from start to finish with quirky moments and a peaceful edge. Sondheim's score glides along - you're never quite sure where it's going to go next - whilst Hugh Wheeler's book is written with strength and wit.

Janie Dee announces Kings Place cabaret

It has been announced that Olivier award-winning musical theatre actress Janie Dee will star in Wake Up with Janie Dee on on 8th February 2015.

The show takes place at 11.30am at Kings Place as part of Lucy Parham's Word/Play concert series. The show will feature a selection of cabaret songs and West End hits.

Dee is returning by popular demand following the success of her concert last year as part of the Word/Play series. She will be accompanied by Ben Atkinson on the piano. 

Next week Dee will star in A Little Night Music at the Palace Theatre. She is currently in rehearsals for 84 Charing Cross Road at the Salisbury Playhouse.

Janie Dee is one of theatre’s biggest stars, having played countless starring roles in musicals and plays in both London’s West End and in some of the UK’s most prestigious regional theatres. Dee's most recent theatre credits include Blithe Spirit (Gielgud Theatre), Putting It Together (St James) and Noises Off (Old Vic).

Photo Feature: Janie Dee & Clive Francis rehearse 84 Charing Cross Road

The Salisbury Playhouse has has released images of Janie Dee and Clive Francis rehearsing 84 Charing Cross Road. Check out the pictures below (click image to enlarge).

Running between 5th February and 28th February, the play centres on the 20-year friendship struck up when American Helene Hanff started writing to London bookseller Frank Doel. The play premiered at Salisbury Playhouse in 1981 after being adapted for the stage by James Roose-Evans who returns to direct this Salisbury Playhouse production.

Salisbury Playhouse announces 2015 Spring/Summer season

The Salisbury Playhouse has announced its 2015 Spring/Summer season.

Janie Dee (pictured right) and Clive Francis will lead the cast in 84 Charing Cross Road from 5th February to 28th February. The play centres on the 20-year friendship struck up when American Helene Hanff started writing to London bookseller Frank Doel. 

The play premiered at Salisbury Playhouse in 1981 after being adapted for the stage by James Roose-Evans who returns to direct this Salisbury Playhouse production.

A Little Night Music to be staged at the Palace Theatre for one night only

Sondheim's A Little Night Music will be staged for one night only at the West End's Palace Theatre next year. The concert, which marks the show's 40th anniversary, takes place on Monday 26th January 2015.

The cast will be led by Anne Reid (Madame Armfeldt), Janie Dee (Desiree Armfeldt, pictured right), David Birrell (Fredrik Egerman), Joanna Riding (Countess Charlotte) and Simon Bailey (Count Carl-Magnus).

The company will also feature: Anna O'Byrne (Anne Egerman), Fra Fee (Henrik Egerman), Laura Pitt-Pulford (Petra), Bibi Jay (Fredrika Egerman), Joe Vetch (Frid), Nadim Naaman (Mr Erlanson), Scott Garnham (Mr Lindquist), Laura Tebbutt (Mrs Nordstrom), Emma Harrold (Mrs Anderssen) and Jenna Boyd (Mrs Segstrom). 

Janie Dee stars in 84 Charing Cross Road at the Salisbury Playhouse

Following her recent acclaimed performance in Blithe Spirit opposite Angela Lansbury, it has been announced that Janie Dee will lead the cast of a new production of 84 Charing Cross Road at the Salisbury Playhouse. The play premiered at the theatre in 1981.

James Roose-Evans - who wrote the stage adaptation and directed the original production - has signed up to direct the revival. 84 Charing Cross Road runs between Thursday 5th and Saturday 28th February 2015.

84 Charing Cross Road tells the story of Helene Hanff  who, over a period of 20 years beginning in 1949, had a transatlantic correspondence with a bookseller based at the titular address. Based on Hanff's 1970 book, the play enjoyed success in the West End and on Broadway. It was also adapted into a film which starred Anthony Hopkins and Anne Bancroft.

Janie Dee is one of theatre’s biggest stars, having played countless starring roles in musicals and plays in both London’s West End and in some of the UK’s most prestigious regional theatres. As well as Blithe Spirit, Dee's most recent theatre credits include Putting It Together (St James) and Noises Off (Old Vic).

Review: Blithe Spirit at the Gielgud Theatre

Blithe Spirit 
Gielgud Theatre
Reviewed on Saturday 15th March 2014

Marking Angela Lansbury's return to the West End stage, many hailed Blithe Spirit a huge hit before rehearsals had even begun, but does it live up to the high expectations? YES! Noël Coward's masterpiece has been staged to perfection with Lansbury reprising her Tony Award-winning portrayal of Madame Arcati.

Review: Putting It Together at the St James Theatre

Putting It Together

St James Theatre

Reviewed on Tuesday 21st January 2014

Question: What do you get when you cast five of the most renowned performers in musical theatre, give them the music of one of the greatest theatrical composers of all time, gather a young and fresh group of musicians and hire the shiniest new theatre in London?

Answer: A classy, must-see production.

Big Interview: Janie Dee (Part 2)

Janie Dee is one of theatre’s biggest stars, having played countless starring roles in musicals and plays in both London’s West End and in some of the UK’s most prestigious regional theatres. 

She won the Olivier, Evening Standard and Critics Circle Awards for Best Actress in a Play, as well as the Obie and Theatre World Best Newcomer Award in New York, for her legendary performance as Jacie Triplethree in Alan Ayckbourn's 'Comic Potential' which was written especially for her.

No stranger to awards success, Janie has also won the Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical for her performance as Carrie Pipperidge in Nicholas Hytner's acclaimed production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's 'Carousel' at the National Theatre. Most recently she won a UK Theatre Award for her critically acclaimed portrayal of the title role in Hello Dolly at the Leicester Curve. Not only has the star worked closely with Harold Pinter and Alan Ayckbourn, but she has also worked extensively on screen and completed work on two films last year.

Just a few of Janie’s other theatre credits include: Noises Off, Calendar Girls, Shadowlands, Donkeys Years, The King and I, South Pacific, The Sound Of Music, Cats, Cabaret, Twelfth Night and Private Lives.

Janie is currently starring in the London premiere of Putting It Together at the St James Theatre. First produced by Cameron Mackintosh in New York, with Julie Andrews over 20 years ago, the London premiere also stars David Bedella, Daniel Crossley, Damian Humbley and Caroline Sheen. Later this year Janie will star alongside Angela Lansbury in Blithe Spirit at the Gielgud Theatre. The most anticipated play of the year is directed by Michael Blakemore.

Recently I spoke to Janie, who is one of the most inspirational people I have ever had the pleasure of interviewing, about her last minute casting in Hello Dolly, her awards success and why she’s so excited to be starring in Putting It Together at the St James Theatre…

Just over a year ago now you starred in Hello Dolly at the Leicester Curve Theatre. What was the whole experience like for you? The response was just out of this world!

Well, I’ll tell you what happened! I was leaving my parents’ house in France to come home after a holiday and just as I was getting into the car my father said “When are you doing to do Hello Dolly Janie?” I looked back and said “Daddy, oh my god” because I have done all these wonderful parts but he had never asked me “When are you going to play Anna in The King and I?” or “When are you going to do South Pacific?”

 

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. 

David Witts, Janie Dee & Frances Ruffelle to star in Curve Leicester's 5th Birthday Gala

The Curve Leicester has announced the star line-up for its 5th Birthday Gala Concert which takes place on Sunday 12th January 2014. Returning to Curve for the one-off fundraising evening include special guest stars from Curve’s first 5 years including Hello, Dolly!’s award-winning Janie Dee, Piaf’s Frances Ruffelle, Hot Stuff’s Ngo Ngofa, and Lucy Schaufer from The Light in the Piazza.

David Witts will also make his debut Curve performance before joining the cast of Hairspray, which opens on 28th February. Introduced by Curve’s Artistic Director Paul Kerryson, the charity night at the musicals will also feature the Chicago cast and orchestra and celebrate the international reputation of musicals created in Leicester.

UPDATED: Angela Lansbury to star in Blithe Spirit at the Gielgud Theatre alongside Charles Edwards & Janie Dee

According to the Daily Mail, Angela Lansbury (pictured right) is set to return to the West End for the first time in more than 30 years, reprising the role of Madame Arcati in Blithe Spirit. Lansbury previously played the role on Broadway in 2009.

The production will open at the Gielgud Theatre on 18th March 2014 (previews from 1st March) for a 15 week run and will be helmed by Michael Blakemore, who also directed the Broadway production that also starred Rupert Everett. The cast will also include: Charles Edwards as Condomine, Janie Dee as Ruth and Jemima Rooper as Elvira.

Angela Lansbury’s Broadway performance as Coward’s infamous clairvoyant earned her the 2009 Tony Award for Best Supporting Actress and became her fifth Tony Award. Her professional career spans more than a half-century, during which she has flourished, first as a star of motion pictures, then as a Broadway musical star and most recently as the star of Murder, She Wrote. Lansbury was last seen on the London stage playing Gertrude in the National Theatre’s production of Hamlet in 1975. Prior to that, she starred in the celebrated production of Gypsy at the Piccadilly Theatre and in the RSC production of All Over at The Aldwych. In November this year Lansbury received an honorary Oscar in recognition of her outstanding 70 years of contribution to the film industry.

David Bedella, Daniel Crossley, Janie Dee, Damian Humbley and Caroline Sheen to star in London premiere of Sondheim’s Putting It Together

It has been announced that the St James Theatre will host the London premiere of Stephen Sondheim’s Putting it Together next year. The production will run between 14th January and 1st February 2014 before Urinetown opens at the theatre.

First produced by Cameron Mackintosh in New York with Julie Andrews over 20 years ago, the London premiere (which is being produced by Robert Mackintosh, the St. James Theatre and Hilary A Williams) will star West End regulars David Bedella, Daniel Crossley, Janie Dee, Damian Humbley and Caroline Sheen. The production will be directed by Alastair Knights, choreographed by Matthew Rowland with Musical Supervision by Alex Parker.

Big Interview: Janie Dee (Part 1)

Janie Dee is one of theatre’s biggest stars, having played countless starring roles in musicals and plays in both London’s West End and in some of the UK’s most prestigious regional theatres. 

She won the Olivier, Evening Standard and Critics Circle Awards for Best Actress in a Play, as well as the Obie and Theatre World Best Newcomer Award in New York, for her legendary performance as Jacie Triplethree in Alan Ayckbourn's 'Comic Potential' which was written especially for her.

No stranger to awards success, Janie has also won the Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical for her performance as Carrie Pipperidge in Nicholas Hytner's acclaimed production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's 'Carousel' at the National Theatre. Most recently she won a UK Theatre Award for her critically acclaimed portrayal of the title role in Hello Dolly at the Leicester Curve. Not only has the star worked closely with Harold Pinter and Alan Ayckbourn, but she has also worked extensively on screen and has already completed work on two films this year.

Just a few of Janie’s other theatre credits include: Noises Off, Calendar Girls, Shadowlands, Donkeys Years, The King and I, South Pacific, The Sound Of Music, Cats, Cabaret, Twelfth Night and Private Lives.

This Sunday (10th November) Janie will discuss her extraordinary career with Edward Seckerson and perform live as part of the autumn run of Singular Sensations at the Charing Cross Theatre. In honour of Remembrance Sunday, Janie will dedicate a special part of the show to those who have lost their lives in warfare. 

I recently had the joy of sitting down with Janie to discuss her recent stage and film work, as well as her incredible awards success throughout her career. Below is part one of the interview which focuses on Janie’s involvement with Singular Sensations. Part two will be published shortly. 

How did your involvement with Singular Sensations come about?

Edward Seckerson was the Independent’s Chief Classical Music Critic. I knew him because he came to interview me when I was playing Anna in The King and I and he wanted to do a podcast about my first time at the Curve in Leicester. I was very glad to meet him because he’s serious and has got that lovely BBC Radio manner, he knows his stuff and is very passionate – he goes to see everything! All that was apparent when he first interviewed me, he knew all the history of Rodgers and Hammerstein, the real story of Anna and the King, the background of all the music and about all the people who had played the role before me. He knew all of it and of course that was just about one particular musical, he knows all that about all musicals! He’s a great person to lean on during an interview.