Review: Forever Plaid at the St James Studio

Forever Plaid

St James Studio

Reviewed on Friday 8th April 2016

★★★★

Bringing together songs of the 50s, Forever Plaid centres around a fictional close harmony quartet who return from the dead to give the final concert they never had the chance to perform. 

The fluffy comedy is pitched perfectly, the harmonies are on point and the music is joyous. Perfectly suited to the intimacy and friendly atmosphere of the St James Studio, Forever Plaid provides a classy night out. 

Jon Lee & Keith Jack to star in Forever Plaid

Jon Lee (Jersey Boys/S Club 7), Keith Jack (Joseph/HMS Pinafore), Matthew Quinn (Dreamboats and Petticoats) and Luke Striffler (Hairspray/Avenue Q) will star in Forever Plaid.

Directed by Grant Murphy, the show opens at the St James Studio on 8th April (previews from 5th April) and runs until 24th April 2016.

Musical direction is by Anthony James Gabriele with lighting by Ben Rogers and set by Nik Corrall.  

Forever Plaid was first performed off-Broadway in 1990 and continues to be performed internationally. It was adapted into a film in 2008.

Review: Keith Jack 'A Little Bit More of Me' at the Pheasantry

Keith Jack - A Little Bit More of Me
The Pheasantry
Reviewed on Sunday 24th May 2015
★★★★

Following the release of his latest studio album, last Sunday Keith Jack brought his solo show ‘A Little Bit More of Me’ to the Pheasantry in Chelsea. Staying true to his theatrical roots whilst guiding us through his past and throwing in one or two surprises, the carefully constructed set list worked a treat.

Keith Jack, Jodie Jacobs & Sabrina Aloueche + more star in The Songs of Scott Morgan

It has been announced that Keith Jack (Joseph), Jodie Jacobs (Rock Of Ages) and Sabrina Aloueche (We Will Rock You) will perform in The Songs of Scott Morgan at the Leicester Square Theatre in The Lounge on Sunday 1st February 2015. 

The stellar line-up also includes: Maria Coyne, Lewis Bradley, Suzie Lowe, Sophie Ramsey, Lauren Varnham, Katie Paine, Oliver Savile, Luke Bayer and Nicole Faraday. The matinee performance has sold out, but a handful of tickets are still avaliable for the 8pm show.

Keith Jack announces new album & tour

Keith Jack has announced details of his third studio album and confirmed dates for his 2015 concert tour.

The tour will feature songs from the new album - entitled Keith Jack: A Little Bit More Of Me - as well as classic musical theatre numbers and classic pop and swing tunes.

Keith takes you through all the highlights of his life so far with some beautiful interpretations of songs old and new. He will make you laugh and he may make you cry, be prepared to spend a very enjoyable evening in his company.

Keith Jack for intimate Hippodrome concert

Any Dream Will Do runner-up Keith Jack is set to play an intimate concert at the Hippodrome’s Matcham Room this Friday (6th June 2014). 

Speaking to West End Frame about the concert, Keith said: "The plan is to give a little bit more of me. I'm going to tell stories about when I was younger, how I was brought up with Scottish music and was in a choir. Then obviously there's coming out of Any Dream Will Do as this 19 year old boy in London who had never left home.

"The first act will be about my life from being a very young boy up until where I am now. The second act is going to be more about who I am today. There will be songs people have heard me sing before, but they'll also be songs people have never heard me do before, and perhaps a little bit of comedy along the way!"

Alexia Khadime, Julie Atherton, Keith Jack & more to perform at next month's Giggin4Good; full line-up announced

Alexia Khadime (The Book of Mormon), Julie Atherton (Avenue Q), Keith Jack (Joseph, pictured right), Leanne Jones (Hairspray) and Caroline Keiff (Legally Blonde) will perform at Giggin4Good next month. 

The stars will "take the West End to Disneyland" to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital. Taking place at the Actors Church in Covent Garden on Sunday 18th May, the concert has been named When You Wish Upon A Star. Performers will take to the stage to perform Disney favourites.

Giggin4Good have raised thousands of pounds via a series of concerts supported by many West End stars for oncology, play therapy, respiratory care, neonatal and palliative care at Great Ormond Street Hospital. When You Wish Upon A Star will raise funds for slow release syringes which are used in palliative care wards to infuse morphine and other essential pain relief drugs.

Review: H.M.S. Pinafore (UK Tour) at the Hackney Empire

H.M.S. Pinafore (UK Tour) 
Hackney Empire
Reviewed on Saturday 15th February 2014

Following a run at the Union Theatre last November, Sasha Regan's all-male production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s H.M.S. Pinafore has transferred to the Hackney Empire prior to a UK Tour. Whilst I thoroughly enjoyed the show at the Union last year, something was missing. The cast included one or two weaker members and at times I didn’t have a clue what was going on. It is remarkable to see how much the production has grown in just a few months.

Keith Jack to star in H.M.S. Pinafore UK Tour; full casting announced

Full casting has been announced for the upcoming UK Tour of Gilbert & Sullivan's H.M.S. Pinafore. The all-male production will star Any Dream Will Do runner-up Keith Jack (Ralph) alongside Neil Moors (Captain Cocoran), David Mc (Sir Joseph Porter K.C.B), Alan Richardson (Josephine), Alex Weatherhill (Buttercup), Aidan Crowley (Dick Deadeye) and Richard Russell-Edwards (Hebe).

The Sailors and Sisters will be played by: Dale Page, Tommy Knapp, Paul McDowell, Shane Landers, Thomas Henson, Benjamin Wong, Ben Irish, Will Keith, Jacob Baumila. Sasha Regan's production premiered at the Union Theatre last year.

Review: Sincerely, Mr Toad at the Greenwich Theatre

Sincerely, Mr Toad 

Greenwich Theatre

Reviewed on Tuesday 10th September 2013

Sincerely, Mr Toad is a new musical which tells the story of Kenneth Grahame who longs to write wild adventure tales and pursue his love of nature and literature. Sincerely, Mr Toad charts the turbulent relationships that inspired and haunted one of literature’s biggest treasures, The Wind in the Willows. I previously saw this production a few weeks ago during its run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and in my review I wrote that I was keen to see the show again at the Greenwich Theatre where it is being performed in its entirety.

Edinburgh Review: Sincerely Mr Toad at the Pleasance Dome

Sincerely Mr Toad 

Edinburgh Fringe Festival

Pleasance Dome

Reviewed on Friday 9th August 2013

Sincerely Mr Toad is a fascinating new musical which is bursting with potential. The show tells the story of Kenneth Grahame who longs to write wild adventure tales and pursue his love of nature and literature. The show begins cheerfully with the energetic ensemble performing a few uptempo musical numbers.

Julie Atherton, Keith Jack & David Hunter to star in A Night At The Musicals at the Greenwich Theatre

David Hunter

It has been announced that Julie Atherton (Lift, Avenue Q) will join Keith Jack (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat), David Hunter (The Hired Man) and Stacey McClean (S Club Juniors) for two performances of Sell a Door's A Night At The Musicals at the Greenwich Theatre on 19th and 20th July.

The show has been described as "an evening of glitz, glamour and toe-tapping tunes". Zoe Birkett was also due to take part but has been forced to drop out due to unforeseen circumstances.

Keith Jack is currently rehearsing for Sell a Door's UK tour of new musical Sincerely, Mr Toad while David Hunter previously appeared in Sell A Door's West End production of Seussical.

Interview: Keith Jack, currently playing Joseph in the UK Tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat

Keith Jack first appeared on our TV screens back in 2007 when he was the runner up in the BBC's Any Dream Will Do which was watched by over 10 million people. After the show, Keith was asked to join the touring production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat which has travelled the length and breadth of the UK. New and exciting projects followed thick and fast including numerous TV and radio appearances, albums, tours, pantomime and even his own stage school. 

Earlier this week I caught up with Keith to talk about starring in Joseph, his dream roles and favourite West End Shows... 

You are currently playing the title role in the UK tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, are you enjoying it? 

I am absolutely loving it! I'm really pleased with the way it all worked out. I think Lee (Mead) was always going to win Any Dream Will Do. I'm really happy that I had the opportunity to have that gap between coming second and taking on the role. 

Why do you think that after all these years the show is still so popular? 

Joseph is completely timeless and it has almost become a tradition for school children to go and see the show as well as parents who saw it when they were a child, taking their children to see it. It’s such a great family show. 

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.