Big Interview: Carrie Hope Fletcher

Carrie Hope Fletcher is currently starring as Truly Scrumptious in the UK tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. 

Carrie recently completed a three year run as Éponine in the West End production of Les Miserables at the Queen’s Theatre. In 2014 she took a short break from Les Mis to play Beth in the UK arena tour of The War of the Worlds.

As a child actress, Carrie previously starred as Jemima Potts in the West End production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the London Palladium. Her credits as a child performer also include: Young Eponine in Les Miserables (Palace), Jane Banks in Mary Poppins (Prince Edward/Bristol Hippodrome) and Weasel/Duck in The Wind in the Willows (Open Air Theatre).

Her television credits include: BBC's In Two Minds, Break Kids for the Disney Channel, Princess Beatrix in Wilhelmina and Dog and Duck for HTV. Carrie’s concert appearances include Edges (Delfont Room), Andrew Lippa in Concert (St James Theatre), West End Heroes (Dominion) and Ramin Karimloo's 2012 tour Road to Find Out. Carrie performed at Summer in the City, the largest YouTube gathering in the UK involving over 3000 people over one weekend.

Alongside her acting and music career, Carrie has an established online presence with over 380,000 followers on Twitter and over 600,000 subscribers on YouTube. She is well known for her series of video blogs which discuss a wide variety of topics and have a dedicated online following. In 2015, Carrie released her first book All I Know Now: Wonderings and Reflections on Growing Up Gracefully and her second book is due to be released in July 2016.

I recently spoke to Carrie about returning to Chitty Chitty Bang Bang as an adult, why it has stood the test of time and her favourite moment in the show. We also discussed her time in Les Mis, whether she would consider doing a solo show and wanting to go green…

Are you feeling settled into life in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang?

Yes – it always takes a little bit of time to settle into what you’re doing. I feel really settled now and the whole cast have been unbelievably welcoming. Right from the first rehearsal I felt like I was going to slot in ok. You’ve just got to get all the moves down and get the show into your body.

Les Miserables announces new West End cast

Now in its record breaking 31st year, Cameron Mackintosh has announced cast changes for the West End production of Les Miserables at the Queen’s Theatre.

From Monday 13th June 2016 David Langham will play Thénardier and Chris Cowley will play Enjolras.

They join Peter Lockyer as Jean Valjean, Jeremy Secomb as Javert, Craig Mather as Marius, Rachelle Ann Go as Fantine, Eva Noblezada as Eponine, Katy Secombe as Madame Thenardier and Zoë Doano as ‘Cosette’.

Continuing in the ensemble are Adam Bayjou, Oliver Brenin, Tamsin Dowsett, Charlotte Kennedy, Joanna Loxton, Adam Pearce, Jonny Purchase, Samantha Thomas and Lee Van Geleen

Big Interview: Frances Ruffelle

Frances Ruffelle is bringing her new solo show I Say Yeh-Yeh to the London Hippodrome on 5th May.

Having premiered I Say Yeh-Yeh at Crazy Coqs last year, Frances recently took the show to the Kennedy Center in Washinton D.C. The show takes the same name as Frances’ most recent album. 

Frances famously created the role of Eponine in the West End production of Les Miserables. She reprised her performance for the musical’s Broadway premiere, winning the 1987 Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical.

Her additional West End credits include: Roxie Hart in Chicago (Adelphi), Yonah in Children of Eden (Prince Edward), Dinah in Starlight Express (Apollo Victoria) and Princess Louisa in The Sleeping Prince (Theatre Royal Haymarket)

Frances’ theatre credits also include: title role in Piaf (Curve), Fastrada in Pippin (Menier Chocolate Factory), Narrator in Joseph (UK Tour), Candy in Whistle Down The Wind & Betty Shaefer in Sunset Boulevard (both at Andrew Lloyd Webber's Sydmonton Festival), Delilah in Apples (Royal Court), Paula in Bend it like Beckham (workshop) and The A-Z of Mrs P (Southwark Playhouse).

Her previous solo shows include Paris Original and Beneath The Dress whilst her previous albums include Imperfectly Me, Showgirl, Frances Ruffelle and Fragile. On screen Frances has appeared in Birds of a Feather, The Road to Ithaca, The Invitation, Secrets and Lies, Long Forgotten Fields, Devil's Tower and Tom Hooper's film adaptation of Les Miserables. She represented the UK in the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest with the song 'Lonely Symphony (We Will Be Free)', finishing 10th.

I recently spoke to Frances about bringing I Say Yeh-Yeh to the Hippodrome, her upcoming return to the West End and why she’s learnt to embrace Les Mis…

You have so much going on at the moment! You’ve just been performing in America, you have a new album out, your London solo show is coming up and you just directed Evelyn Hoskins’ concert. How do you manage it all?!

[laughs] Well the show I’m doing at the Hippodrome I just did in Washington D.C., so I’m pretty confident with that which is good. When I was directing Evie’s show I was waking up in the night going through her show rather than my own! It has been quite nice in a way. Although I still have a bit of anxiety, it’s just nice to have been able to focus on something else. When you’re directing someone else’s show you feel very responsible in a different way. I always like to keep busy – last week I recorded a new track for an EP which is coming out in a few weeks.

Theatrical guide to February 2016

Keep an eye on...

Carrie Hope Fletcher

This month marks the end of an era as Carrie Hope Fletcher plays her final performance as Eponine in Les Miserables at the Queen's Theatre on Saturday 13th February, a role she has been playing since June 2013. However, the star has teased that she has "something exceedingly exciting to move on to" so watch this space for updates! It has been remarkable to see Hope Fletcher grow over the past few years, I caught Les Miserables recently and was blown away by her sincere, heartfelt portrayal of Eponine. An exciting theatrical career looks set to lie ahead for Hope Fletcher, we can't wait to find out what she's up to next!

Matthew Perry

A big month lies ahead for Friends legend Matthew Perry; not only is he returning to the West End, but he is starring in his debut play The End of Longing! Described as a "fast paced and bittersweet comic new play", The End of Longing is helmed by Lindsay Posner who previously directed Perry in the West End production of Sexual Perversity In Chicago. Also starring Christina Cole, Jennifer Mudge and Lloyd Owen, The End of Longing begins performances at the Playhouse Theatre on 2nd February.

Shows that should be on your radar...

Full casting announced for Les Miserables Asian tour starring Earl Carpenter, Rachelle Ann Go & Cameron Blakely

After withdrawing from the Broadway production due to a neck injury, it has been confirmed that Earl Carpenter will return to Les Miserables as Javert for its upcoming Asian tour as previously planned

The production runs in Manila between 11th March and 17th April 2016 before touring to Singapore. As previously announced the Asian Tour will also star Simon Gleeson as Jean Valjean and Rachelle Ann Go (Manila only) as Fantine.

Current West End understudies Helen Walsh and Paul Wilkins will star as Madame Thénardier and Marius whilst Cameron Blakely is set to reprise his performance as Monsieur Thénardier. The cast also includes Chloe De Los Santos (Little Cosette), Kerrie Anne Greenland (Éponine), Emily Langridge (Cosette) and Chris Durling (Enjolras).

Alison Luff taking over as Fantine in Les Miserables on Broadway

U.S. theatre star Alison Luff is taking over as Fantine in the Broadway production of Les Miserables.

Luff will play her first performance at the Imperial Theatre on 4th February 2016, taking over from Montego Glover.

Most recently seen on Broadway as Miss Honey in Matilda, Luff previously starred as Elphaba in Wicked's U.S. tour. Her credits also include Scandalous, Ghost, Mamma Mia!.

Luff joins Alfie Boe as Jean Valjean, Adam Monley as Javert, Gavin Lee as Thenardier, Rachel Izen as Madame Thenardier, Brennyn Lark as Eponine, Christ McCarrell as Marius, Alex Finke as Cosette and Wallace Smith as Enjolras.

Les Miserables announces new West End cast

The West End production of Les Miserables has announced some upcoming casting changes.

Joining the cast from Monday 15th February 2016 are Patrice Tipoki (pictured) as ‘Fantine’; Craig Mather as ‘Marius’ and Danielle Hope as ‘Eponine.’ From Monday 4th April Eva Noblezada will star as ‘Eponine’.

Peter Lockyer will continue to star as ‘Jean Valjean’, Jeremy Secomb as ‘Javert’, Phil Daniels as ‘Thénardier’, Katy Secombe as ‘Madame Thénardier’; Zoë Doano as ‘Cosette’ and Bradley Jaden as ‘Enjolras’.   

Rachelle Ann Go’s final performance as ‘Fantine’ in London is on Saturday 30th January 2016 before she continues the role in Manila, where the new Asian tour begins. She will return to the role at the Queen’s Theatre on Monday 9th May 2016. 

Patrice Tipoki will play Fantine from Monday 15th February until Saturday 23rd April 2016. Rob Houchen and Carrie Hope Fletcher’s final performance as ‘Marius’ and ‘Eponine’ is on Saturday 13th February 2016 at the end of their contracts and over two and half years with the show.

Earl Carpenter withdraws from Les Miserables on Broadway

Sadly it has been announced that British actor Earl Carpenter has withdrawn from the Broadway production of Les Miserables so that he can undergo a small procedure to ensure a full recovery from a neck injury.

Will Swenson recently reprised his performance as Javert at New York's Imperial Theatre to cover for Carpenter. Adam Monley is set will take over from 22nd December for a limited run until 29th January 2016. 

Monley is an original cast member of the Broadway revival; he currently plays the Bishop, appears in the ensemble and understudies the role of Javert. The Broadway revival of Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil’s musical is directed by James Powell and Laurence Connor. 

Patrice Tipoki to make West End debut as Fantine in Les Miserables

Australian musical theatre star Patrice Tipoki will make her West End debut next year.

The actress has announced via Instagram that she will star as Fantine in Les Miserables at the Queen's Theatre between February and May 2015. 

Tipoki, who is currently playing the role in the Australian production of Les Miserables, takes over from Rachelle Ann Go who is transferring to the Asian tour for its run in Manila. 

Dates for Tipoki's West End run are yet to be confirmed. It has already been announced that she will play Fantine in the Singapore production of Les Miserables in May 2016.

Patrice Tipoki, Earl Carpenter & Simon Gleeson to star in Les Miserables in Singapore

It has been announced that Les Miserables will open at Singapore’s Esplanade Theatre in May 2016. The show recently ran in Melbourne and Perth and is currently playing in Sydney.

Playing the iconic role of ‘Jean Valjean’ is Simon Gleeson following his recent and prestigious Australian Helpmann Award win for the role. Direct from Broadway, Javert’ will be played by Earl Carpenter.

Joining them will be musical theatre stars Patrice Tipoki as ‘Fantine’, Kerrie Anne Greenland as ‘Eponine’, Chris Durling as ‘Enjolras’ and Emily Langridge as ‘Cosette’ who come directly from performing the show in Sydney.

PICS: Les Miserables 30th birthday gala

Last night (8th October), Les Misérables celebrated its 30th anniversary with a very special gala performance at the Queen’s Theatre in aid of the Save The Children Syria Children’s Appeal. 

To celebrate this milestone, the production's current cast were joined onstage by members of the original company and various Les Mis icons including Colm Wilkinson, Roger Allam, Patti LuPone, Frances Ruffelle, John Owen-Jones and Gerónimo Rauch in a special finale.

Check out images from the special performance below:

Feature: Stars past and present celebrate Les Miserables #LesMiz30

Today (8th October 2015) the West End production of Les Miserables is celebrating its 30th birthday! The mark the occasion, the current cast will be joined onstage by members of the original company and special guests including Colm Wilkinson, Roger Allam, Frances Ruffelle, Alfie Boe, John Owen-Jones and Gerónimo Rauch in a special finale concluding tonight's gala performance. 

Over the years many Les Mis stars past and present have spoken to West End Frame about their time in the show and the secret to its success. Below are a few extracts...

Bradley Jaden

Current Enjolras & understudy Jean Valjean

"This whole process has been like a dream come true. Les Mis is always a dream as a younger performer in musical theatre. What’s great is that even though the show has been running for thirty years you can still have so much of your own interpretation and bring your own version. Les Mis has everything; the story has its ups and downs and trials and tribulations – not forgetting the lyrics and music. It’s a beautiful story to be taken on, you can just sit there and be taken away and I think that’s magical. There are no thrills to it – being part of other shows, sometimes the audience are taken away by the big budgets and magical lights and stuff like that, but Les Mis is about honest acting and telling a truthful story. It’s not about everything else that comes with it."

Les Miserables announces 30th anniversary plans

Les Miserables has announced its 30th birthday plans.

A special gala performance will be staged on  Thursday 8 October 2015 at 7pm. 450 tickets for this performance will be available to the fans through a mobile lottery and a charity auction to raise money for the Save the Children Syria Children’s Appeal. 

Audience members wishing to attend this historic musical event will have the opportunity to enter the mobile lottery or auction by visiting lesmis.com/30 which will be live from 12.00 noon on Friday 25 September 2015.

To celebrate this milestone, the current cast will be joined onstage by members of the original company and special guests including Colm Wilkinson, Roger Allam, Frances Ruffelle, Alfie Boe, John Owen-Jones and Gerónimo Rauch in a special finale.

Les Miserables extends West End booking period

The West End production of Les Miserables has extended its booking period at the Queens Theatre to 1st October 2016. The show, which is the world's longest running musical, is currently preparing to celebrate its 30th anniversary. Check out new production images below (click image to enlarge).

Les Miserables has been seen by more than 70 million people in 44 countries and in 22 languages worldwide. Schönberg and Boublil's iconic score features numbers such as 'I Dreamed A Dream', 'Bring Him Home', 'One Day More' and 'On My Own'.

Rachelle Ann Go, Earl Carpenter & Simon Gleeson to star in Asian Tour of Les Miserables

It has been announced that the current Australian production of Les Miserables will tour Asia next year. The production will open in Manila in March 2016.

The cast will include Rachelle Ann Go (pictured right), Earl Carpenter and Simon Gleeson who are all currently starring in different productions of Les Mis around the world.

Ann Go is playing Fantine in the West End, Carpenter is playing Javert on Broadway and Gleeson is playing as Jean Valjean in Australia.

Broadway actor Kyle Jean-Baptiste dies aged 21

Broadway.com has announced that Kyle Jean-Baptiste, who was appearing in Les Miserables on Broadway, has died after accidentally falling from a fire escape. He was making his Broadway debut in the production at the age of 21. 

Broadway.com wrote: "Baptiste made history this summer when he became the youngest person ever on Broadway to play the role of Jean Valjean, as well as being the first African-American to do so; he last performed the part on the evening of August 27, headliner Ramin Karimloo's scheduled night off. Along with understudying Valjean, Baptiste normally played the roles of Constable and Courfeyrac. A recent graduate of Baldwin Wallace, his regional theater credits included Enjolras in Les Miserables and Tom in Murder Ballad."

Watch Rachelle Ann Go & Carrie Hope Fletcher perform at Les Mis V Phantom

Yesterday (2nd August 2015), West End stars played alongside celebrities and professional footballers in the Les Mis V Phantom charity football match. The Phantom of the Opera beat Les Miserables 6-2.

Killian Donnelly (Kinky Boots), Kerry Ellis (Cats), Rachelle Ann Go (Miss Saigon), Carrie Hope Fletcher (Les Miserables), John Owen-Jones (Sweeney Todd), Gerónimo Rauch (The Phantom of the Opera) and Boys of the Barricade performed during the pre-match concert. Watch Rachelle Ann Go and Carrie Hope Fletcher's performances below.

Interview: James Gant, starring in Grand Hotel at the Southwark Playhouse

James Gant is currently playing Rohna and Zinnowitz in Grand Hotel.

Directed by Thom Southerland, the musical opens at the Southwark Playhouse on 5th August (previews from 31st July) for a limited run until 5th September 2015. Grand Hotel premièred on Broadway in 1989 where it ran for over 1,000 performances and won five Tony Awards.

James recently completed a two year run in Les Miserables at the Queen’s Theatre, understudying the roles of Jean Valjean and Javert. His theatre credits also include: understudy Mr Bumble in Oliver (UK tour), Poole in Jekyll and Hyde (UK tour), Evita (UK and international tour) and Crazy for You (London Palladium).

I recently spoke to James about the buzz surrounding Grand Hotel and why he thinks it’s going to be a special production as well as missing life in Les Mis, embracing the intimacy of the Southwark Playhouse and which songs he would take to a desert island…

How much did you previously know about Grand Hotel?

Very little! Because it hasn’t been performed for such a long time in this country it’s lovely to have something which feels so fresh. Having come straight from Les Mis, it’s quite easy to get into the habit of picking up what other people have done in a show before you but with this it’s lovely to be doing something which is completely new to me.

Les Miserables announces new West End cast!

Cameron Mackintosh has announced the new West End cast for Les Miserables at the Queen’s Theatre. 

Joining the cast from 15th June 2015 are: Phil Daniels as ‘Thénardier’, Jeremy Secomb as ‘Javert’, Rachelle Ann Go as ‘Fantine’, Zoë Doano as Cosette and Katy Secombe as ‘Madame Thénardier’.

Peter Lockyer will continue to star as ‘Jean Valjean’, Rob Houchen as ‘Marius’ and Carrie Hope Fletcher as ‘Eponine’. Bradley Jaden, who is currently in the ensemble, will take over as ‘Enjolras’.

Alfie Boe takes over from Ramin Karimloo in Les Miserables on Broadway

It has been announced that Alfie Boe is reprising his performance as Jean Valjean in Les Miserables.

The actor will take over from Ramin Karimloo in the musical's Broadway revival at the the Imperial Theatre on 1st September 2015. Karimloo plays his final performance on 30th August.

Boe made his Broadway debut as Rodolfo in Baz Luhrmann's La Bohème. He has previously played Jean Valjean in the West End and for the show's 25th Anniversary Concert at the O2 Arena.