Review: Guys and Dolls (UK Tour) at the Milton Keynes Theatre

Guys and Dolls (UK Tour)

Milton Keynes Theatre

Reviewed on Tuesday 14th June 2016
★★★★

I thoroughly enjoyed Gordon Greenberg's revival of Guys and Dolls in Chichester and again in the West End, but it seems even more glorious on tour thanks to the most thrilling of casts. Regarded by many as one of the greatest musicals of all time, Guys and Dolls is a legendary show which bursts with old school charm.

Louise Dearman & Laura Pitt-Pulford to star in London premiere of Side Show

The Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye has revealed that Louise Dearman and Laura Pitt-Pulford will star in the London premiere of Side Show at the Southwark Playhouse later this year.

Directed by Hannah Chissick and produced by Paul Taylor-Mills, Side Show will open on 26th October (previews from 21st October) and run until 3rd December 2016.

Louise Dearman to return to Guys & Dolls UK tour

Louise Dearman has announced that she will return to the Guys and Dolls UK tour.

The star was originally announced to be playing Miss Adelaide until 20th April 2016, but she has now confirmed that she will return to the production on 7th June when the show opens in Glasgow. Dearman will complete the rest of the tour which concludes in Woking on 30th July 2016 (she will not perform on 2nd, 15th or 16th July due to other commitments).

Dearman previously understudied both Miss Adelaide and Sarah Brown in the 2006 West End production of Guys and Dolls at the Piccadilly Theatre, before taking over as Sarah Brown for the 2007 UK tour. No stranger to playing two roles in the same show, Dearman is the only actress in the world to have played both Elphaba and Glinda in Wicked.

Louise Dearman & Richard Fleeshman to star in UK tour of Guys and Dolls

It has been announced that the UK tour of Guys and Dolls will star Richard Fleeshman as Sky Masterson, Maxwell Caulfield as Nathan Detroit, Louise Dearman as Miss Adelaide (at Liverpool, Newcastle, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Sheffield and Dublin) and Anna O’Byrne as Sarah Brown!

The tour will also star Jack Edwards as Nicely Nicely Johnson, Peter Harding as Arvide Abernathy, Anthony McGill as Lt Brannigan, Mark Sangster as Benny Southstreet, Melanie Marshall as General Cartwright, Craig Pinder as Harry the Horse/Joey Biltmore, Cameron Johnson as Big Julie and Christopher Howell as Rusty Charlie.

Completing the cast are: Eamonn Cox, Jamal Crawford, Jonny Godbold, Ross Lee Fowkes, Aron Wild, Kiel Payton, Matthew Whennell-Clark, Ruthie Stephens, Bethany Linsdell, Hannah Cauchi, Chloe Chambers, Danielle Stephen, Abigayle Honeywill and Lucy Ashenden.

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.

Kerry Ellis & Louise Dearman release single ahead of concert

West End stars Kerry Ellis and Louise Dearman have teamed up to release 'Let Me Be Your Star' ahead of their concert next month.

The single is avaliable to download for free via www.kerryandlouise.com. The song was originally written by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman for the first episode of the musical TV series Smash.

The number was performed by characters Karen Cartwright (Katharine McPhee) and Ivy Lynn (Megan Hilty) as they each prepare to audition for the lead role of Marilyn in the fictional musical Bombshell.

Having met when they trained in the same year at Laine Theatre Arts, Ellis and Dearman both went on to become two of the biggest stars of the West End. Surprisingly the pair have never worked together professionally, but all that is set to change when they unite onstage for a one-night-only concert at the West End’s Prince Edward Theatre (home of Miss Saigon) on Sunday 27th September 2015.

Read an extract from Louise Dearman & Mark Evans' book

Last month West End stars Louise Dearman (Wicked/Evita/Guys and Dolls) and Mark Evans (The Book of Mormon/Ghost The Musical/Wicked) released their debut book Secrets Of Stage Success, published by Nick Hern Books.

In Secrets Of Stage Success Dearman and Evans answer questions which were submitted by fans and aspiring performers under four sections: Secrets of Learning Your Craft, Secrets of Getting a Job, Secrets of Doing The Job and Secrets of Living the Life. 

Dearman and Evans said: "This is the book for anyone who’s seen a show and thought: ‘That could be me…’ That’s what we used to think growing up, dreaming of working in musical theatre. Now, after years of hard work, we’ve been lucky enough to star in some amazing shows including Wicked, The Book of Mormon, Ghost: The Musical, Evita and Cats. We’ve picked up lots of tips from other performers, and have developed our own strategies and solutions too. In this book, using this knowledge and our experiences, we want to draw back the curtain and shine a spotlight onto how you can follow in our footsteps."

Competition: Win a signed copy of Secrets Of Stage Success by Louise Dearman and Mark Evans

We are giving away two signed copies of Secrets Of Stage Success plus posters! To enter the competition, simply sign up to West End Frame's mailing list below.

The winner will be randomly selected at 10am on Monday 3rd August 2015 (entries after this time will not be included). Two entrants will be randomly selected and receive one signed book and one poster each. Prize is as stated and cannot be transferred or exchanged.

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). 

Secrets of Stage Success is the book for anyone who’s seen a show and thought: ‘That could be me…’ In this essential, personal guide, musical-theatre stars Louise Dearman (Wicked) and Mark Evans (The Book of Mormon) use their knowledge and experiences to draw back the curtain and shine a spotlight onto how you can follow in their footsteps.

Big Interview: Kerry Ellis and Louise Dearman

Having met when they trained in the same year at Laine Theatre Arts, Kerry Ellis and Louise Dearman both went on to become two of the biggest stars of the West End. 

Surprisingly the pair have never worked together professionally, but all that is set to change because on Sunday 27th September they will unite onstage for a one-night-only concert at the West End’s Prince Edward Theatre (home of Miss Saigon).

Both Kerry and Louise are known and loved for starring in Wicked. Louise is the first and only actress to have played both Glinda and Elphaba whilst Kerry was the original British actress to play Elphaba in the West End and Broadway productions of the musical.

Louise recently starred in the UK tour of The Songbook of Judy Garland alongside Garland’s daughter, Lorna Luft. Her first book ‘Secrets of Stage Success’ was published last month with co-author and fellow West End star Mark Evans. She can next be seen onstage in Of Thee I Sing at the Royal Festival Hall on 30th July 2015.

Louise’s theatre credits also include: Lois Lane/Bianca in Kiss Me, Kate (Royal Albert Hall), Water Babies (Leicester Curve), Tell Me On A Sunday (RCCL International), Eva Peron in Evita (UK Tour), Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls (UK Tour), Hotbox Girl/cover Sarah Brown & Adelaide in Guys and Dolls (Piccadilly), Lucy in Jekyll and Hyde (UK Tour), Jan in Grease (Victoria Palace/UK Tour), Kiss Me, Kate (Victoria Palace), Whistle Down The Wind (Churchill), Narrator in Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (UK Tour) and Grizabella in Cats (Cyprus).

Kerry recently starred as Grizabella in the West End revival of Cats at the London Palladium. She is currently back in the studio working on a new album with Queen’s Brian May who she has recorded and toured with extensively throughout her career. Kerry can next be seen onstage as Helene in Sweet Charity at Cadogan Hall between 19th and 22nd August 2015.

Kerry’s theatre credits also include: 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 War of the Worlds (World Arena Tour), Svetlana Sergievsky in Chess (Royal Albert Hall), Mimi in RENT (Concert Tour), West End Men (Vaudeville), Tell Me on a Sunday (RCCL) and understudy Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady (National/Drury Lane).

Yesterday I dropped into the Prince Edward Theatre and spoke to Kerry and Louise about how their friendship began, what shows they did together at drama school and why people can expect to be surprised by their concert. We also discussed Louise’s new book, Kerry’s new album, how they manage their hectic lives and all things stagey dinner parties… 

I want to start by going right back to the beginning, I believe you met just before you started drama school? Do you remember first meeting? What were your first impressions of each other?

Louise Dearman: They were dreadful [laughs].

Kerry Ellis: So we met just before college, we did some workshops that Laine put on for people who wanted to go to the college – they were like little taster weeks. I think we did two; we obviously met on the first one and then on the second one we got to know each other a little bit more – it was a gradual friendship. Then when we went to college we became friends and worked together a lot. People have this conception that musical theatre is full of rivalry…

The Songbook of Judy Garland announces early closure

The UK tour of The Songbook of Judy Garland starring Garland's daughter Lorna Luft alongside musical theatre stars Louise Dearman and Ray Quinn will now close on 11th July as Luft has to return to the USA for breast cancer treatment.

A press statement reads:

"Lorna was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012 and finished her last treatment of chemotherapy in 2013. She has been clear for the last two years. Sadly, it has now returned. Lorna has now been advised by her medical team that she requires further treatment and extensive surgery. Consequently, Lorna will be returning to her home in the USA to undergo the necessary medical procedures. The tour, which opened in Edinburgh in May, will now finish at the Theatre Royal, Brighton on 11 July. Subsequent dates in Watford, Bromley, Darlington, Oxford and Woking have been cancelled."

Review: The Songbook of Judy Garland (UK Tour) starring Lorna Luft, Louise Dearman & Ray Quinn

The Songbook of Judy Garland (UK Tour)
New Wimbledon Theatre
Reviewed on Tuesday 16th June 2015
★★★★

Arlene Phillips' new show The Songbook of Judy Garland celebrates a true musical legend. Jam packed with almost thirty songs closely associated with Garland's career, Christopher Manoe's production provides an opportunity to reminisce over classics and be reminded of forgotten gems.

Louise Dearman & Mark Evans announce book signing for Secrets of Stage Success

It has been announced that West End stars Louise Dearman and Mark Evans will sign copies of their new book Secrets of Stage Success next weekend.

Nick Hern Books are publishing Secrets of Stage Success on 18th June 2015 and it is avaliable to pre-order now.

The book signing will take place between 10am and 11am on Saturday 20th June 2015 at the Theatre Cafe (opposite Les Mis on Shaftesbury Avenue).

Secrets of Stage Success is the book for anyone who’s seen a show and thought: ‘That could be me…’ In this essential, personal guide, musical stars Dearman and Evans use their knowledge and experiences to draw back the curtain and shine a spotlight onto how you can follow in their footsteps.

Louise Dearman & Kerry Ellis to star in concert at the Price Edward Theatre

Louise Dearman and Kerry Ellis have announced that they will star in concert together at the Prince Edward Theatre on Sunday 27th September 2015.

Although the duo trained together, this will be the first time they have performed together professionally. Tickets are now on sale. The show will have musical direction and arrangements by Craig Adams.

Both Dearman and Ellis have starred in the West End production of Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre. Dearman is the first and only actress to have played both Glinda and Elphaba in the show whilst Ellis was the first British actress to play Elphaba in the West End and on Broadway.

Ray Quinn joins cast of Judy - The Songbook of Judy Garland

It has been announced that Ray Quinn has joined the cast of Judy - The Songbook of Judy Garland.

The former X Factor runner-up and Dancing on Ice champion joins a stellar cast including Lorna Luft (Judy Garland’s daughter), Louise Dearman (Wicked) and Rachel Stanley (White Christmas). Also joining the cast is Darren Bennett (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels). The previously announced Ben Richards (Rock Of Ages) has withdrawn from the cast. 

Judy - The Life And Music Of A Hollywood Legend will receive its UK premiere later this year, opening at the Edinburgh Playhouse on 8th May and touring the UK until 1st August 2015.

Arlene Phillips is the show's creative director whilst Christopher Manoe directs. Judy - The Life And Music Of A Hollywood Legend is the only Judy Garland Show in the world authorised by the Judy Garland Estate.

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.

Lorna Luft, Louise Dearman, Rachel Stanley & Ben Richards to star in Judy - The Life And Music Of A Hollywood Legend

It has been announced that Judy - The Life And Music Of A Hollywood Legend will receive its UK premiere later this year.

The production will tour the UK, opening at the Edinburgh Playhouse on 8th May 2015. 

Arlene Phillips is the show's creative director whilst Christopher Manoe directs. Judy - The Life And Music Of A Hollywood Legend is the only Judy Garland Show in the world authorised by the Judy Garland Estate. 

Lorna Luft - Judy Garland’s daughter - will star in the production alongside Louise Dearman (Wicked), Rachel Stanley (Crazy for You) and Ben Richards (Rock Of Ages). Also appearing are Judy’s dancers, The Boyfriends who are named after Judy’s original dancers of the same name.

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: Christmas telly picks + odds & ends

Turkey? Check. Presents? Check. Stagey TV planned and set to record...?

Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without some stagey TV. Highlights on Christmas Day include Kiss Me, Kate at the Proms (BBC2 / 14.45) starring Ben Davis, Tony Yazbeck, Alexandra Silber and Louise Dearman, as well as The Sound of Music Live (Channel 5 / 12.35) which was originally broadcast live on US TV. It stars Carrie Underwood, Stephen Moyer, Christian Borle and Audra McDonald.

Louise Dearman in Kiss Me, Kate at the Proms

If you're looking for a classic musical movie there's Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (Channel 5 / 15.25) or documentary-wise there's Frozen at Christmas (Channel 4 / 20.00) and Tim Rice - A Life In Song (BBC2 / 22.30).