Killian Donnelly to star in Donegal by Frank McGuinness

After concluding his run in Kinky Boots in August, the Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye has announced that Killian Donnelly will star in Donegal.

Frank McGuinness' play begins performances at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin on 6th October and runs until 19th November 2016.

Donnelly's West End roles include: Huey Calhoun in Memphis (Shaftesbury), Deco in The Commitments (Palace), Tony in Billy Elliot (Victoria Palace), Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty's) and Enjolras / understudy Jean Valjean & Javert in Les Misérables (Queen's),

PICS: The After Party - Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2015

The 2015 Evening Standard Theatre Awards were held at the Old Vic last night (22nd November). Check out pictures from the after party below (click image to enlarge).

  

Review: Kinky Boots at the Adelphi Theatre

Kinky Boots 
Adelphi Theatre
Reviewed on Saturday 12th September 2015
★★★★★

Everybody say YEAH - a musical with heaps of heart, irresistible style, killer songs and a sensational cast has opened in London's glittering West End! Kinky Boots transfers from Broadway where it opened in 2013, winning six Tony Awards including Best Musical.

Big Interview: Matt Cardle, starring as Huey Calhoun in Memphis The Musical

Matt Cardle recently took over from Killian Donnelly as Huey Calhoun in the West End production of Memphis The Musical at the Shaftesbury Theatre, joining Beverley Knight as Felicia Farrell.

Inspired by true events from the underground dance clubs of 1950s Memphis, Tennessee, David Bryan and Joe DiPietro’s musical follows the fame and forbidden love of a radio DJ who wants to change the world and a club singer who is ready for her big break.

Memphis marks Matt’s West End and acting debuts. Since winning the seventh series of The X Factor in 2010, Matt has gone on to become a multi-platinum recording artist who has sold over 2.2 million records in the UK and completed five sell-out tours. 

A talented vocalist, songwriter, guitarist, pianist and drummer, Matt’s debut single ‘When We Collide’ sold over one million copies and has just been named as one of the Top 40 biggest selling singles of the past decade. The song spent three weeks at #1 and was nominated for Best British Single at the 2011 Brit Awards. Gary Barlow wrote Matt’s next Top 10 hit ‘Run For Your Life’ which was followed by the release of his platinum selling debut album Letters. 

Matt’s other albums, which have charted in the Top 10, include The Fire and Porcelain. He most recently entered the Top 10 singles chart with ‘Loving You’, a duet with Spice Girl Melanie C. Matt completed his fifth sold-out UK tour in April 2014 and is currently writing and recording his fourth studio album which is due for release later this year. 

Yesterday I popped into the Shaftesbury Theatre and spoke to Matt about why Huey is a gift of a role, the supreme talents of Beverley Knight and why he found taking over from Killian Donnelly a little daunting…

A few months ago you got a call about Memphis, what happened next?

Well I came down and saw the show because initially it was just an invite to come down, see the show and see if I liked it. I took the evening out the studio, came down and saw it with my manager and was totally blown away by Beverley and Killian – they’re both just so ridiculously talented. The whole show and whole cast and everything and the music – I was like, how have I not seen this already and why have I not heard more about it?!’ Then it was a case of ‘Do you like it?’ and I was like, ‘Yeah I absolutely love it, who wouldn’t?’ So then it was a case of, ‘Well ok, if we send you through some scenes and a couple of songs would you learn a bit?’ So I did that and went and sang a couple of songs for Nick Finlow (UK Musical Supervisor) and did some script read-throughs with Tara Wilkinson (UK Associate Director). 

Killian Donnelly, Kerry Ellis, Rachelle Ann Go, Carrie Hope Fletcher + more confirmed to perform at Les Mis V Phantom

Killian Donnelly (Kinky Boots), Kerry Ellis (Cats), Rachelle Ann Go (Miss Saigon), Carrie Hope Fletcher (Les Miserables), John Owen-Jones (Sweeney Todd) and Gerónimo Rauch (The Phantom of the Opera) are set to perform at this year's Les Mis V Phantom charity football match.

The family fun day will take place at Bromley Arena on Sunday 2nd August 2015. Confirmed players include Francis Benali, Paul Jones, Paul McVeigh and special guest James Ward-Prowse.

It's official... X Factor winner Matt Cardle to take over from Killian Donnelly in Memphis The Musical

It has been confirmed that former X Factor winner Matt Cardle will take over from Killian Donnelly as Huey in the West End production of Memphis The Musical at the Shaftesbury Theatre this summer.

Cardle will play his first performance on Monday 6th July. Donnelly plays his final performance on Saturday 4th July to begin rehearsals for the West End premiere of Kinky Boots.

Cardle will join Beverley Knight who stars as Felicia Farrell in the musical. Knight has extended her run in the production to October. Memphis continues to the end of its scheduled run in the West End on 31st October 2015. Producers claim there are "early plans in progress" for a major tour of the UK and Ireland from late 2016.

Killian Donnelly confirms Memphis leaving date

West End actor Killian Donnelly has confirmed that he will play his final performance as Huey in Memphis The Musical at the Shaftesbury Theatre on Saturday 4th July 2015.

Donnelly will then begin rehearsals for his new role as Charlie Price in Kinky Boots on Monday 6th July 2015. Kinky Boots opens at the Adelphi Theatre on 15th September 2015 (previews from 21st August).

Donnelly's previous West End credits include: Deco in The Commitments (Palace), Tony in Billy Elliot (Victoria Palace), Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty's Theatre) and Enjolras in Les Misérables (Queen's Theatre).

Review: Playing Our Part at Cadogan Hall

Playing Our Part 
Cadogan Hall
Reviewed on Sunday 1st March 2015
★★★★

Raising money for Comic Relief, last Sunday the West End came together for the second Playing Our Part concert which looks set to become one of the top events in the theatrical calendar. Dressed in red and black, performers from some of the West End's top shows took to the stage to perform with an incredible orchestra under the direction of Alex Parker.

Gina Beck, Louise Dearman, Simon Bailey & Killian Donnelly + more star in Playing Our Part at Cadogan Hall

Following the success of last year's concert, Playing Our Part is returning in March to raise money for Comic Relief. Directed by Nadim Naaman, Playing Our Part takes place at Cadogan Hall on Sunday 1st March 2015.

The exciting line-up of top West End talent includes: Gina Beck (Wicked), Louise Dearman (Wicked), Wendy Ferguson (Les Mis), Chloe Hart (Hairspray), Laura Jane Matthewson (Dogfight), Steph Parry (Billy Elliot), Laura Pitt-Pulford (The Sound of Music), Laura Tebbutt (The Wizard of Oz), Simon Bailey (I Can't Sing), Killian Donnelly (Memphis), Chris Howell (Made in Dagenham), Adam Linstead (Les Mis), Jamie Muscato (Dogfight), Nadim Naaman (Titanic) and Jeremy Secomb (The Phantom of the Opera).

Louise Dearman hosts Let’s Hear It For The Boys starring Killian Donnelly, Ben Forster & Hugh Maynard + more!

The line-up has been announced for Let’s Hear It For The Boys which takes place at the Grove Theatre on Sunday 10th May at 7pm.

Hosted by Louise Dearman, performers include: Daniel Boys (Spamalot), Killian Donnelly (Memphis), Ben Forster (Evita), Alex Gaumond (Legally Blonde), Dan Koek (Les Mis), Tom Lister (Water Babies), Hugh Maynard (Miss Saigon), Lee Mead (Wicked), John Owen-Jones (Phantom of the Opera), Ben Richards (Rock Of Ages), Jon Robyns (Avenue Q), Oliver Tompsett (Wicked), Niall Sheehy (Miss Saigon) and Michael Xavier (The Pajama Game).

Editor's Blog: Top 10 performances of 2014

2014 has been an incredible year for theatre. Established stars have reminded us why they are known as theatrical legends whilst some new faces have stepped into the limelight for the first time. After looking back at every single show I have seen this year (including West End, Broadway, off-West End, fringe and regional theatre), below I have highlighted ten performances which particularly stood out for me...

10

Angela Lansbury

Blithe Spirit

Gielgud Theatre

Photo Credit: Johan Persson

In March Angela Lansbury returned to the West End stage for the first time in over thirty years to reprise her role as Madame Arcati in Noel Coward's masterpiece, Blithe Spirit. She didn't hold back one bit, I have never seen a performance like it! A true legend, Lansbury received huge applause each time she entered and exited the stage - she was utterly sensational.

West End cast of Memphis recording cast album!

It has been revealed that the London cast of Memphis are in the studio recording an original West End cast album (hooray)! Further information, including a release date, is yet to be announced. 

Cast member Joseph Davenport posted the following picture of the cast in the recording studio on Twitter earlier today (1st December):

Review: Memphis at the Shaftesbury Theatre starring Beverley Knight & Killian Donnelly

Memphis
Shaftesbury Theatre
Reviewed on Friday 24th October 2014
★★★★★

Memphis has set the West End on fire! 

David Bryan and Joe DiPietro's musical - which is inspired by true events from the underground dance clubs of 1950s Memphis, Tennessee - opened on Broadway in 2009 where it ran for three years, winning four Tony Awards including Best Musical. It tells a story of dreams and forbidden love. 

Full casting announced for Memphis

It has been announced Rolan Bell (Delray), Tyrone Huntley (Gator), Claire Machin (Gladys), Jason Pennycooke (Bobby) and Mark Roper (Mr Simmons) will star in the West End premiere of Memphis.

The join the previously announced Beverley Knight (Felicia Farrell) and Killian Donnelly (Huey Calhoun).

Memphis, winner of four 2010 Tony Awards® including Best Musical, has Grammy® Award-winning original score by Bon Jovi founding member David Bryan and book by Joe DiPietro.

The cast also includes: Keisha Atwell, Arielle Campbell, Mark Carroll, Joseph Davenport, Momar Diagne, Carly Mercedes Dyer, Kimmy Edwards, Hillary Elk, Laura Ellis, Charlotte Gorton, Benjamin Harrold, Waylon Jacobs, Rachel John, Dean Maynard, Devon McKenzie-Smith, Tim Newman, Simon Ray-Harvey, Jon Robyns, Ashley Rumble, Kyle Seeley, Helen Siveter, Dawnita Smith and Alex Thomas.

Inspired by true events from the underground dance clubs of 1950s Memphis, Tennessee, Memphis follows the fame and forbidden love of a radio DJ who wants to change the world and a club singer who is ready for her big break. 

Killian Donnelly to star opposite Beverley Knight in Memphis

Killian Donnelly (pictured right) has revealed he will star opposite Beverley Knight in the West End premiere of Memphis at the Shaftesbury Theatre.

Writing on Twitter he said: "So excited to be joining @Beverleyknight in the London production of @MemphisMusical from October!"

Donnelly is currently starring as Deco in The Commitments at the Palace Theatre. He will play his final performance in the role on Sunday 14th September 2014 ahead of Memphis' first preview on Thursday 9th October. The musical officially opens on 23rd October.

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. 

Big Interview: Killian Donnelly

Killian Donnelly is currently celebrating after winning rave reviews for playing Deco in the West End premiere of The Commitments, a role he has played since the early workshop stages of the production. 

Adapted for the stage by Roddy Doyle, who wrote the original novel, and directed by Jamie Lloyd, The Commitments opened at the Palace Theatre last month where it is currently booking until October 2014.

Killian is no stranger to the West End stage. Since moving to the capital from Ireland he has played many iconic roles including: Tony in Billy Elliot (Victoria Palace) and Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty’s Theatre). Killian was a ‘swing’ in Les Misérables at the Queens Theatre and went on for Jean Valjean and Javert before eventually taking over as Enjolras.

His other theatre credits include: Collins in Michael Collins (Cork Opera House), Sweeney Todd (Gate Theatre, Dublin), Ethan Girard in The Full Monty (Olympia Theatre), Tony in West Side Story (The Solstice), Declan in The Wireman (Gaiety Theatre) and Rod in Singin’ in the Rain (Olympia Theatre).

Killian took part in The Phantom of the Opera’s 25th Anniversary concert at the Royal Albert Hall and played Courfeyrac in Les Misérables’ 25th Anniversary concert at the O2 Arena. On screen he recently played Combeferre in the film adaptation of Les Misérables directed by Tom Hooper.

I recently spoke to Killian about working with Jamie Lloyd, living like a nun and life after The Commitments...

The past few months have been absolutely crazy for you with rehearsals, previews and opening the show, not to mention all the press you’ve been doing. Have you had a chance to stop, breathe and take it all in?

It has really been go go go! And we’ve been doing interviews and rehearsing during the day for various TV slots so it has been a bit mental. But we get Mondays off, and on a Monday I literally sit and do nothing, that’s when I’ve been able to take it all in. My mam, dad and sister came over for the opening night, I guess because during previews we were still chopping and changing the show – making big changes, taking away songs, adding in songs – and it wasn’t until the Monday after opening night that my Dad sent me a text saying “It’s brilliant.” It wasn’t until then that I actually realised that it had been quite a rollercoaster ride! And since then we’ve been doing lots of promo so it has been manic, but I absolutely love it!

Review: The Commitments at the Palace Theatre

The Commitments

Palace Theatre

Reviewed on Tuesday 8th October 2013

With a score packed with classic soul songs, London's latest new musical has been adapted for the stage by Roddy Doyle from his novel of the same name, twenty-five years after it was published. Slickly put together and featuring a rock solid cast bursting with fresh new talent, there is an exciting buzz surrounding The Commitments which is directed by Jamie Lloyd, the man everybody is talking about.

Sneak peek at... The Commitments!

Production images have been released for the world premiere of the musical adaptation of Roddy Doyle’s The Commitments. The production, directed by Jamie Lloyd, officially opens at the Palace Theatre tonight (8th October). Take a look at the pictures below (click on an image to enlarge).

The Commitments is the story of Jimmy Rabitte, a young working class music fan, who shapes an unlikely bunch of amateur musicians into an amazing live act, the finest soul band Dublin has ever produced. The show follows the journey of two members of a frustrated synthesiser band – the opening scene has them playing but ignored in a shop window - who turn to Jimmy, the local music expert, for help.

Placing a classified advert in a music paper, Jimmy auditions a number of wannabes before finalising the new line up who he names The Commitments. The humour kicks in as the band get to know each other and their instruments, and proceed through early rehearsals for their first gig. Just as they improve and begin to get a name for themselves they combust. The backing singers are all getting off with the middle aged horn legend, the singer has entered Eurovision and the saxophone player has dangerous leanings towards a jazz career.

Killian Donnelly joins Billy Elliot The Musical from November 2012

Now in its eighth year and having been seen by over 8 million people Billy Elliot the Musical is currently booking at the Victoria Palace Theatre to 21 December 2013. From 12 November 2012 Killian Donnelly will join The Cast of Billy Elliot the Musical to play Billy’s brother Tony. 

Killian will perform alongside Gillian Bevan (Mrs. Wilkinson), Deka Walmsley (Dad), Ann Emery (Grandma), Sean Kearns (George), Kay Milbourne (Dead Mum), Simon Ray Harvey (Mr. Braithwaite), Barnaby Meredith (Older Billy) and new ensemble members Matthew Dale, David Muscat, Nic Greenshields, Ruri James and Spencer Stafford who join Craig Armstrong, David Bardsley, Paul Basleigh, Dawn Buckland, James Butcher, Spencer Cartwright, Lucinda Collins, Gillian Elisa, Helen French, Sergio Giacomelli, Ian Gareth Jones, Connor McAllister, Steve Paget, Steph Parry and Mike Scott.