Review: Musicals Unsung at the St James Studio

Musicals Unsung
St James Studio
Reviewed on Tuesday 24th May 2016
★★★★

Hot off the heels of the latest West End Switched Off, earlier this week Parallel Productions returned to the St James Studio with a new concert entitled Musicals Unsung. Often at musical theatre concerts the same old favourites are whipped out again and again, but Musicals Unsung shone the spotlight on musical numbers which were cut from the shows they were written for - many songs featured have been lying in the musical theatre graveyard for years. 

Lucie Jones, Stewart Clarke, Jeremy Legat & Katie Paine to star in MUSICALS unsung

The line-up has been announced for Parallel Productions' new concert MUSICALS unsung at the St James Studio. From golden age of Hollywood screen to the newest Broadway shows, MUSICALS unsung will feature lesser-known songs from popular musicals that didn't make the final cut.

The line-up of West End talent includes Lucie Jones (Legally Blonde/We Will Rock You), Stewart Clarke (Ghost The Musical/Assassins), Jeremy Legat (Grey Gardens/Wicked) and Katie Paine (We Will Rock You/Godspell).

Omigod you guys! Lucie Jones to star as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde at the Leicester Curve

**snaps** It has been revealed that Lucie Jones will star as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde at the Leicester Curve.

Artistic director Nikolai Foster will direct the production which runs between 11th April and 14th May 2016.

The cast also includes Ian Kelsey (Chicago) as Callahan, Danny Mac (Hollyoaks/Wicked) as Warner and Jon Robyns (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang/Memphis) as Emmett.

Choreography is by Nick Winston with design by Matthew Wright, lighting by Ben Cracknell, sound by Tom Marshal and orchestrations by Sarah Travis. 

Samantha Barks & Anton Stephans to perform with Lucie Jones

Special guests have been announced for Lucie Jones' upcoming solo concert at the Waterloo East Theatre.

The one-night-only show takes place on 31st January 2016 at 7.30pm. Joining Jones will be Samantha Barks (Les Miserables/Amélie) and Anton Stephans (X Factor/Porgy and Bess). 

Most recently Jones originated the role of Molly Jenson in the Asian tour of Ghost The Musical. Her theatre credits also include: Cosette in Les Miserables (West End), Kelly in The Prodigals (Edinburgh Fringe), Meat in We Will Rock You (world arena tour) and Victoria in American Psycho (Almeida).

Charlotte Wakefield replaces Lucie Jones in Picture Perfect

Charlotte Wakefield has joined the cast of Picture Perfect: A New Musical, replacing the previously announced Lucie Jones.

The contemporary song-cycle explores love and relationships using the songs of award-winning American composer Scott Evan Davis. Conceived and directed by Simon Greiff, it receives its London premiere at the St James Studio with four performances on Saturday 31st May and Sunday 1st June.

Jones, who appeared on X Factor in 2009 and has starred in Les Miserables, We Will Rock You and American Psycho, can no longer appear in Picture Perfect due an unforeseen scheduling clash.

Picture Perfect will see Wakefield reunite Helen Hobson. The pair first played mother and daughter in the West End production of Mamma Mia and then Maria and Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. Wakefield was nominated for an Olivier Award for her West End debut in Spring Awakening.

Helen Hobson, Jerome Pradon, Lucie Jones & Joel Harper-Jackson to star in Picture Perfect at the St James Studio

It has been announced that Picture Perfect: A New Musical will receive its London premiere at the St James Studio with four performances on Saturday 31 May and Sunday 1st June.

 Helen Hobson, Jerome Pradon, Lucie Jones and Joel Harper-Jackson

The show is described as "a contemporary song-cycle musical that explores love and relationships". It uses the songs of award-winning American composer Scott Evan Davis and is conceived and directed by Simon Greiff.

Brenda Edwards and Kevin Kennedy to star in We Will Rock You world arena tour alongside Lucie Jones and Lauren Samuels

Brenda Edwards

Brenda Edwards and Kevin Kennedy will star as Killer Queen and Pop in the first leg of the upcoming We Will Rock You world arena tour! They will be joined by Mig Ayesa (Rock of Ages, Thriller Live) who will be reprising the role of Galileo and previously anounced former X Factor finalist Lucie Jones as Meat and Lauren Samuels who is reprising her role of Scaramouche. Khashoggi will be played by Sean Kingsley.

Speaking about the tour, Kevin Kennedy said: "I'm so excited to return to the We Will Rock You tour, especially to be a part of the first ever Arena Tour, rocking out to thousands of fans every night. It's going to be huge."