GOSSIP: Kerry Ellis & Adam Garcia to make appearance at Wicked's 10th Anniversary Gala

Garcia & Ellis in Wicked

Original Wicked London cast members Kerry Ellis and Adam Garcia are set to make a special appearance at the curtain call of the musical's 10th anniversary gala next week. 

The Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye reports that there will be other special guests in attendance too. Garcia originated the role of Fiyero in London whilst Ellis was the standby for Idina Menzel in the original cast. She went on to become the first British actress to play Elphaba in the West End and on Broadway

Competition: Win a pair of tickets to press night of Murder Ballad

We are giving away a pair of tickets to press night of Murder Ballad at the Arts Theatre on 5th October 2016. To enter the competition, simply sign up to West End Frame's mailing list below. 

The winner will be randomly selected at 10am on Tuesday 13th September 2016 (entries after this time will not be included). The winner receives two tickets to Murder Ballad on 5th October 2016 (strictly non-transferable).

Even if you already subscribe to West End Frame's newsletter you still have to input your details below to enter this particular competition. You will not receive our newsletter twice (assuming you enter the same email address). Please read the terms and conditions below.

Murder Ballad stars Kerry Ellis (Cats/Wicked), Ramin Karimloo (Prince Of Broadway/Les Miserables), Victoria Hamilton–Barritt (In The Heights/A Chorus Line) and Norman Bowman (Mamma Mia/Mack & Mabel) with Natalie McQueen and Matthew Harvey completing the cast.

Kerry Ellis to star in Wonderland

Kerry Ellis will star as Alice in the 2017 UK tour of Wonderland!

Known as the First Lady of the West End, Ellis will play the role in Edinburgh, Sunderland, Birmingham, Bromley, Woking, Manchester, Wimbledon, Bristol, Brighton, Liverpool, Stoke and Milton Keynes whilst continuing with concert commitments. Former West End Frame Understudy of the Year winner Carolyn Maitland will alternate Alice.

Wendi Peters will star as Queen of Hearts alongside Dave Willetts as White Rabbit. The cast will also include Stephen Webb as Jack/White Knight, Natalie McQueen as Mad Hatter, Kayi Ushe as Caterpillar, Dominic Owen as Cheshire Cat and Ben Kerr as March Hare.

Kerry Ellis & Brian May announce new UK tour 'Candlelit Christmas'

Kerry Ellis and Brian May have announced dates for their upcoming UK tour Candlelit Christmas.

The tour kicks off on 7th December in Dorking, with the final date on 23rd December in Guildford. 

Candlelit Christmas marks the pair’s sixth tour together since their first tour Anthems in 2011, which followed the release of their first album of the same name. 

The tour will feature new songs from the forthcoming second album Anthems II which the pair have been working on for the last year. Earlier this year Ellis and May toured Italy and Europe with their One Voice tour. 

Kerry Ellis, Preeya Kalidas & Ramin Karimloo to star in Godspell concert

It has been announced that Kerry Ellis (Cats/Wicked), Preeya Kalidas (Bend It Like Beckham/EastEnders) and Ramin Karimloo (Evita/Les Miserables) will star in a concert staging of Godspell by Stephen Schwartz.

The performances will take place at St. Paul’s Church in Covent Garden on Tuesday 30th and Wednesday 31st August 2016. 

Dean Johnson directs with musical direction by Michael Bradley. The concerts will be hosted by Mark Shenton. Ellis, Kalidas and Karimloo will perform alongside the British Theatre Academy.

Details confirmed for 2016 Les Mis v Phantom

Charity football match Les Misérables V The Phantom Of The Opera is returning for 'The Decider'. 

Having each won two matches in recent years, the two titans of the West End will battle it out for the title of Ultimate Champions at Bromley Football Club on Sunday 7th August 2016.

Raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support and the road safety charity Brake, the West End teams will be joined on the day by celebrities and professional footballers. The afternoon will open with a concert at 1.30pm, with performances from West End and Broadway stars including Daniel Boys, Fallen Angels, Kerry Ellis, Rob Houchen, Lucie Jones, Eva Noblezada, Lauren Samuels and VOX. 

Kerry Ellis returning to the Pheasantry in August

It has been announced that Kerry Ellis will return to the Pheasantry in Chelsea this summer for a three-day residency.

Entitled The Story So Far, Ellis will tell stories and perform songs from her life and career so far. Ellis, who is known as the First Lady of the West End, is expected to perform alongside some surprise guests. 

Ellis recently toured Italy and East Europe alongside Queen's Brian May with their One Voice show ahead of the release of their upcoming album Anthems II. The duo recently released a new single entitled 'Roll With You'. 

Matt Cardle, Lee Mead, Ben Forster & Kerry Ellis to star in Broadway in Concert at the London Palladium

It has been announced that West End Frame Award winners Matt Cardle (Memphis) and Lee Mead (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) will star alongside Ben Forster (Phantom of the Opera), Kerry Ellis (Murder Ballad) and Sophie Evans (Wizard of Oz) in Broadway in Concert.

The show will feature music from shows including Wicked, Les Miserables, Chicago and The Phantom of the Opera.

Victoria Hamilton-Barritt joins Kerry Ellis in Murder Ballad

She's back! West End icon Victoria Hamilton-Barritt will star in Murder Ballad at the Arts Theatre.

Baz Bamigboye has announced that Hamilton-Barritt will appear in the off-Broadway musical's UK premiere alongside the previously announced Kerry Ellis. 

Hamilton-Barritt most recently played Daniela in In The Heights (Southwark Playhouse/King's Cross Theatre) and Diana Morales in A Chorus Line (London Palladium).

Murder Ballad will open at the Arts Theatre on 5th October (previews from 29th September) and run until 3rd December 2016.

Kerry Ellis & Brian May release new single 'Amazing Grace'

The first lady of the West End Kerry Ellis and Queen legend Brian May have released a cover of 'Amazing Grace'.

The single supports the launch of May’s Save Me Trust and Harper Asprey Wildlife Rescue's campaign #AmazingGrace aimed at raising public awareness of the plight of our nation’s favourite wild animal, the hedgehog. 

This single has been rush released in support of Grace, the hedgehog. The single is avaliable now on iTunes. You can watch the accompanying video below. Ellis and May recently released 'Roll With You' which they wrote together for their upcoming album Anthems II. They've completed their Italian and European One Voice tour, with UK dates expected to be announced soon. 

Kerry Ellis to star in UK premiere of Murder Ballad

The Stage has announced that Kerry Ellis will star in the UK premiere of off-Broadway musical Murder Ballad.

The show will open at the Arts Theatre on 5th October (previews from 29th September) and run until 3rd December 2016.

The show marks the first production from Soundcheck Productions. Murder Ballad is written by Julia Jordan and Juliana Nash. Tickets are on sale from 10am tomorrow. 

Ellis recently toured Italy and East Europe alongside Queen's Brian May with their One Voice show ahead of the release of their upcoming album Anthems II. The duo recently released a new single entitled 'Roll With You'. 

Kerry Ellis to play Danesfield House

It has been announced that West End legend Kerry Ellis will play Danesfield House in Marlow on 8th April 2016 to celebrate the hotel's 25th anniversary.

The evening will begin with a Pommery Champagne reception, followed by a three-course dinner with matching wines. After dinner Ellis - the First Lady of the West End - will perform songs from her theatre roles and albums. Click here to book tickets.

Ellis is currently touring Italy and East Europe alongside Queen's Brian May with their One Voice show ahead of the release of their upcoming album Anthems II. The duo recently released a new single entitled 'Roll With You'. 

Kerry Ellis & Brian May premiere band new song

Kerry Ellis and Brian May have premiered their brand new song 'Roll With You'. Written by Ellis and May, the number will feature on their upcoming album Anthems II and can currently be heard live on their European One Voice tour. Have a listen below!

An official release date for the album and details for Ellis and May's rumoured UK tour are yet be be announced. Queen legend Brian May spotted Kerry Ellis when she was in My Fair Lady at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane and invited her to audition for his musical We Will Rock You. After originating the role of Meat in the show, Ellis and May have gone on to work together extensively, both in the studio and on world tours.

Kerry Ellis to play the Hippodrome in April

It has been announced that Kerry Ellis - the first lady of the West End - will play a solo concert at the London Hippodrome at 8pm on 29th April 2016.

Ellis is about to tour Italy and East Europe alongside Queen's Brian May with their One Voice show ahead of the release of their upcoming album. In recent years Ellis has performed solo shows at the Pheasantry, Delfont Room, London Palladium, Cadogan Hall and Leicester Curve to name but a few.

Ellis' theatre credits include: Grizabella in Cats (London Palladium), Helene in Sweet Charity (Cadogan Hall), Meat in We Will Rock You (Dominion), Nancy in Oliver! (Drury Lane), Fantine in Les Miserables (Queen’s), Ellen in Miss Saigon (UK Tour), Beth in The War of the Worlds (World Arena Tour), Svetlana Sergievsky in Chess (Royal Albert Hall), Mimi in RENT (UK Tour), West End Men (Vaudeville), Tell Me on a Sunday (RCCL) and understudy Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady (National/Drury Lane).

Kerry Ellis & Brian May announce London concerts

Kerry Ellis and Brian May have revealed that they will play two London shows before heading off on their Italian and East European tours. 

The duo will premiere their One Voice concert at The Pheasantry in Chelsea on Tuesday 19th January 2016. The show will mark the reopening of The Pheasantry which is currently closed for refurbishment.

On 20th January Ellis and May will take to the stage at the Leicester Square Theatre, to perform as part of An Evening With Russ Ballard. The show will see Russ Ballard, who has written some of the most iconic rock songs of the past four decades, tell stories and answer questions from the audience whilst Ellis and May will acoustically perform some of his music.

Summer Strallen, Kerry Ellis, Tim Howar & Graham Bickley to star in The Sound of Musicals

This Christmas Summer Strallen (Damsel In Distress/Top Hat), Kerry Ellis (Cats/Wicked), Tim Howar (Bond & Beyond/Rock Of Ages) and Graham Bickley (High Society/Miss Saigon) will star in a concert tour of The Sound of Musicals.

The show will play the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall (27th Dec), Bridgewater Hall Manchester (28th Dec), Symphony Hall Birmingham (29th Dec), Glasgow Royal Concert Hall (30th Dec) and Barbican Hall London (2nd January). 

The cast will be accompanied by the London Concert Orchestra under the direction of Richard Balcombe. The Sound of Musicals will feature numbers from Kiss Me Kate, Anything Goes, My Fair Lady, Miss Saigon, South Pacific, Hairspray, Guys And Dolls, Les Miserables, Grease, Chicago, Cats, Follies and The Phantom Of The Opera.

Brian May & Kerry Ellis announce East Europe Tour

Legendary Queen star Brian May and the first lady of the West End Kerry Ellis have announced East Europe dates for their One Voice world tour (see dates below). 

Tickets for these shows will go on sale tomorrow (8th October). The duo have already announced dates for their Italian tour and UK dates are expected to be revealed shortly.

May, who recently toured the world with Queen and Adam Lambert, said: "I am delighted to be returning to Eastern Europe, where I have performed so many times since 1986. This will be a sort of 30th anniversary for me."

May and Ellis pair recently released their version of Ruth Moody's song 'One Voice' in April and are currently back in the studio working on a new album Anthems II. Speaking to West End Frame during a recent interview Ellis said: "Anthems I was obviously very big and orchestral, and then after that we did the acoustic live album which was completely different. I think the aim of Anthems II is a combination of the two. 

Review: Kerry Ellis & Louise Dearman In Concert at the Prince Edward Theatre

Kerry Ellis & Louise Dearman In Concert 

Prince Edward Theatre

Reviewed on Sunday 27th September 2015

★★★★

After meeting and training together at Laine Theatre Arts over twenty years ago, Kerry Ellis and Louise Dearman went their separate ways and became two of the biggest stars of musical theatre. Between them they have played some truly iconic roles, but both of their careers were changed for good after being cast in smash hit musical Wicked. Ellis was the first British actress to play Elphaba in the West End and on Broadway whilst Dearman became the first actress to have ever played both Glinda and Elphaba.

Watch Kerry Ellis & Louise Dearman's latest rehearsal video

With just five days to go until their concert at the Prince Edward Theatre on 27th September, West End divas Kerry Ellis and Louise Dearman have released a video of them rehearsing 'Take That Look Off Your Face' from Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Tell Me On A Sunday. 

The pair are accompanied by their musical director and arranger Craig Adams. Both Ellis and Dearman have previously starred in Tell Me On A Sunday for Royal Caribbean International and the number featured on Ellis' self-titled album last year. Watch the video below.

The concert will feature an evening of iconic duets sung by Ellis and Dearman who trained together in the same year at Laine Theatre Arts but have never worked together professionally... until now. As well as performing their single 'Let Me Be Your Star' from SMASH, Ellis and Dearman will ​sing 'I Know Him So Well' from Chess, Aretha Franklin's 'Natural Woman' and a special Wicked treat.

Big Interview: Benjamin Yates, star of Tommy & Cats

Benjamin Yates is currently playing a Pinball Wizard in The Who's Tommy at the Blackpool Opera House. 

Based on the iconic 1969 double-album rock opera, Tommy is an exhilarating musical about hope, healing, and the human spirit. The cast also includes X Factor winner Joe McElderry, Blue's Antony Costa, Ashley J Russell, Will Barratt and Melanie Bright.

Benjamin most recently recreated the role of Mungojerrie in the first West End revival of Cats at the London Palladium, working alongside the original creative team including Trevor Nunn, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Gillian Lynne. He previously played the role in the musical’s UK and European tours. 

Benjamin’s theatre credits also include: title role in Aladdin (Loughborough), ensemble in Jesus Christ Superstar (UK and Australian Arena Tour), Sonny in Grease (Ljubljana Festival) and title role in Jack and the Beanstalk (Loughborough). He is also currently supporting West End Bares, having posed for this year’s ‘Take Off’ promotional images.

I recently spoke to Benjamin about why he’s thrilled to be belting out a rock score in Tommy, what it was like to meet his idol whilst starring in Cats and what his nana thought of his West End Bares photoshoot, plus much more…

Had you seen Tommy before?

I had never even seen the film! I didn’t know much about the music although obviously I knew the classics like ‘Pinball Wizard’. I didn’t really know anything so when this came up I thought, ‘This will be interesting!’ I listened to the soundtrack and it’s the complete opposite to Cats, which I’ve just finished, and it’s quite nice to do something the complete opposite. Also, I didn’t sing a lot in Cats, so it’s great to go into a rock musical! Obviously now I know what’s going on, but at the beginning I had no idea what it was about!