Review: Musicals Unsung at the St James Studio

Musicals Unsung
St James Studio
Reviewed on Tuesday 24th May 2016
★★★★

Hot off the heels of the latest West End Switched Off, earlier this week Parallel Productions returned to the St James Studio with a new concert entitled Musicals Unsung. Often at musical theatre concerts the same old favourites are whipped out again and again, but Musicals Unsung shone the spotlight on musical numbers which were cut from the shows they were written for - many songs featured have been lying in the musical theatre graveyard for years. 

Lucie Jones, Stewart Clarke, Jeremy Legat & Katie Paine to star in MUSICALS unsung

The line-up has been announced for Parallel Productions' new concert MUSICALS unsung at the St James Studio. From golden age of Hollywood screen to the newest Broadway shows, MUSICALS unsung will feature lesser-known songs from popular musicals that didn't make the final cut.

The line-up of West End talent includes Lucie Jones (Legally Blonde/We Will Rock You), Stewart Clarke (Ghost The Musical/Assassins), Jeremy Legat (Grey Gardens/Wicked) and Katie Paine (We Will Rock You/Godspell).

Katie Paine, Kane Oliver Parry & Jodie Jacobs + more set for The West End Big Busk

The line-up has been confirmed for the second West End Big Busk.

West End stars will perform in Cardinal Place in Victoria between 12pm and 2pm on 4th June to raise money for local homeless charity The Passage. Each performer will sing a 15-20 minute set with only acoustic instruments as accompaniment.

The line-up includes: Kane Oliver Parry (Urinetown/The Light Princess), Jodie Jacobs (Rock of Ages/Carrie The Musical), Jodie Steele (Jesus Christ Superstar/Fame), Luke Baker (Sunny Afternoon/I Can't Sing), Katie Paine (We Will Rock You/Godspell) and Sarah O'Connor (The Commitments/Les Miserables). The event is organised by Alex James Ellison.

Photo Feature: Special guests join Scott Alan for St James Theatre concert

Last Sunday (3rd May 2015) U.S. composer Scott Alan returned to London with a concert at the St James Theatre. Check out pictures from the show below (click image to enlarge).

The stellar line-up included the likes of Cynthia Erivo, Oliver Tompsett, Anna-Jane Casey, Sophie Evans, Carley Stenson, Harriet Jones, Zoë Birkett, Eva Noblezada, Emmi Christensson, Lucy Jones, Katie Paine, Oliver Savile, Danny-Boy Hatchard and Sam Bailey. 

Photo Feature: Scott Alan plays four shows at the Hippodrome

Last week composer Scott Alan played four sold out shows at the Hippodrome. 

Stars of the West End, including Nathan Amzi, Jodie Jacobs, Danielle Hope, Luke Bayer, Katie Paine, Cynthia Erivo, Oliver Tompsett, Savannah Stevenson, Ian Stroughair, Dan Buckley, John Owen-Jones, David Ribi, Laura Pitt-Pulford, Stewart Clarke and Lucie Jones, took to the stage to perform Alan's incredible music.

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.

Casting announced for Godspell's West End return

Godspell, the heart-lifting feel-good Broadway musical from Stephen Schwartz, is to be staged in the West End at the Lyric Theatre on Monday 19th May for the first time since it premiered 42 years ago. The one-off charity gala concert performance, in aid of Make-A-Wish Foundation® UK, will be introduced on stage by David Essex, whose casting as Jesus in the original production turned him into an overnight sensation.

A timeless tale of friendship, loyalty and love, featuring such popular songs as Day By Day, Light of the World and Turn Back, O Man,Godspell has touched the hearts of theatregoers all over the world since. For the first time in the UK, fans will hear the stunning new orchestrations from the recent acclaimed Broadway revival production.

Line-up announced for Songbirds... ‘Heart And Soul’

The full line-up has been announced for the second Songbirds... ‘Heart And Soul’ charity concert. The event takes place on-board Battersea Barge on Sunday 23rd February 2014 at 7.30pm (doors open at 6.45pm). 

 

Emma Hatton, Jodie Jacobs & Katie Paine

The all female line-up, featuring the West End’s most exciting female vocal talent, will deliver a night of soul with proceeds being donated to the British Heart Foundation. Songbirds star and organiser, Emma Hatton (current Standby Elphaba in Wicked), is also running the London Marathon for the charity in April.

Review: Scott Alan Live at the indigO2

Scott Alan Live
indigO2
Reviewed on Sunday 4th August 2013

Scott Alan is a man who needs no introduction. At the age of thirty-five, the American composer is already a theatrical legend, his music is always so personal and relatable. While Scott's concerts are always the hottest ticket in town, this was my first time seeing one live. Also I had never been to the indigO2 which is a lovely venue, tucked away within the O2 Arena. Scott always invites the finest West End and Broadway talent to feature on his albums and perform at his concerts and last night was certainly no exception. In fact, it was the strongest line-up I have ever had the pleasure of seeing.

Willemijn Verkaik, Richard Fleeshman, Katie Paine & more for Scott Alan's UK concert

Scott Alan is is returning to the UK for his biggest concert yet on 4th August 2013 at the IndigO2 Theatre Arena. The concert will feature a 15 piece orchestra and song selections from Alan's four albums, 'Dreaming Wide Awake,' 'Keys,' 'What I Wanna Be When I Grow Up,' and 'LIVE.' The composer has also teased a "very special finale".

West End and Broadway stars will perform, including: Shoshana Bean, Willemijn Verkaik, Siobhan Dillon, Ricardo Afonso, Nathan James, David Hunter, Greg Oliver, Jodie Jacobs, Chloe Hart, Richard Fleeshman, Ashleigh Gray, Katie Paine and Rachael Wooding. 

Rebecca Trehearn, Aaron Sidwell & Lauren Varnham plus more for next WestEndFest

The next WestEndFest concert featuring some on the West End's most talented musical theatre performers from a variety of shows will be held at the Actors Church in Covent garden on Sunday 3rd February 2013 at 7:30.

The artists performing include MiG Ayesa, Rebecca Trehearn, Norman Bowman, Paul Read Ayres, Simon Adkins, Aaron Sidwell, Matt Wycliffe, Amy Diamond, Greg Oliver, Lauren Varnham, Victoria Allen-Martin, Craig Mather, Liam Doyle, George Maguire, Katie Paine, Jennifer Tierney, Keith Jack, Benedict Cork, Cassie Compton and Matthew McKenna. 

West End Stars including Katie Paine, Jennifer Tierney & Robbie Durham to perform in special Charity Gala

On Sunday 18th November 2012 at 7:30pm, West End Stars will perform in a charity gala at the Good Ship pub in Kilburn. The event is called 'Sunday In The Ship With...' and is raising money for the charity 'Love 146'. Love146 works toward the abolition of child sex slavery and exploitation in Europe through practical solutions while contributing to a growing abolition movement. The charity do so much amazing work. 

Interview: Katie Paine, currently in We Will Rock You

Katie Paine is currently in We Will Rock You at the Dominion Theatre playing the Teacher and understudying Killer Queen. The show marks Katie's West End debut. Her theatre credits include: Anita in Girls Night (UK tour); Pandora in Robin Hood (Elgiva Theatre); lead female for Stiletto Entertainment USA (Zaandam); Mae inReefer Madness (Bridewell Theatre); lead female in You Don't Bring Me Flowers (UK tour); Clara in Nine (Rose and Crown Theatre) and lead female for Chris Moreno Productions (MV Aurora). Katie chats to West End Frame about life in We Will Rock You, understudying Killer Queen and what roles she would like to play in the future...

Are you enjoying your time in We Will Rock You? 

I am having the most wonderful time in We Will Rock You. I am now at the beginning of my second year in the show and I still love it as much as the very first day I joined the cast! I still have to pinch myself when I walk past the Dominion Theatre and realise that it's my place of work! 

Why do you think people love the show so much? 

The show appeals to so many people and I am always amazed at how young some of the fans are, and it just goes to show how popular and legendary Queen's music is. I love the storyline to, and I think we can all relate to the madness of the Globalsoft Corporation and how advanced technology is in this day and age! The finale of We Will Rock You is pretty spectacular to and always has the audience up on their feet rocking away with us!