Casting announced for The Hired Man

Casting has been announced for the upcoming concert staging of The Hired Man. Howard Goodall and Melvyn Bragg’s musical will play London’s Cadogan Hall on 22nd September 2016.

The cast will be led by Jenna Russell and John Owen-Jones as John and Emily. Russell most recently starred in Jamie Lloyd’s production of Doctor Faustus whilst Owen-Jones is currently performing as Jean Valjean in Les Miserables on Broadway, 

Matthew Seadon-Young taking over as Tony in Billy Elliot

It has been announced that Matthew Seadon-Young is taking over as Tony in the West End production of Billy Elliot The Musical tonight (16th November).

Also joining the cast at the Victoria Palace Theatre is Euan Garrett who makes his West End debut as the forty-second boy to play the title role. Euan is 12 years old from East Lothian in Scotland.

Now in its eleventh year in the West End, Billy Elliot is currently booking at the Victoria Palace Theatre until 17th December 2016. In addition, the first UK and Ireland tour of Billy Elliot will begin in February 2016 at the Theatre Royal Plymouth. 

Review: ENO's Sweeney Todd at the London Coliseum starring Bryn Terfel & Emma Thompson

ENO's Sweeney Todd
London Coliseum
Reviewed on Tuesday 31st March 2015
★★★★

There has been no shortage of Sweeney Todd productions in London over recent months. However, I haven't seen Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler’s show since the 2012 West End revival with Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton so went with a relatively fresh mind and high expectations.

Big Interview: Matthew Seadon-Young, starring as Bobby Strong in Urinetown

Matthew Seadon-Young is currently starring as Bobby Strong in the West End transfer of Urinetown. He previously understudied the role during Urinetown’s run at the St James Theatre.

Directed by Jamie Lloyd, Urinetown looks into how the world would cope if we lost the privilege to pee. The satirical musical comedy ran on Broadway to great acclaim between 2001 until 2004, receiving ten Tony Award nominations. It won for Best Book, Best Score and Best Direction.

Matthew’s theatre credits include: The Architects (Shunt) and Les Miserables (Queens Theatre). He previously worked with Jamie Lloyd on School For Scandal (Theatre Royal Bath) and She Stoops To Conquer (National).

His screen credits include Matthew Warchus’ Pride as well as the film adaptation of Les Misérables directed by Tom Hooper. Matthew also sang at the 85th Academy Awards (Oscars – 2013) and The 25th Anniversary Concert for Les Miserables at the O2 Arena.

I recently spoke to Matthew about playing such an almighty role, bringing the house down night after night with the show stopping number ‘Run Freedom Run’, Urinetown’s cult following and a certain voicemail Jamie Lloyd left on his phone… 

How did you find out that you would be taking over as Bobby?

It was actually via voicemail. Jamie Lloyd, the director, had left me a voicemail. I woke up to a missed call and I thought, ‘oh, what’s this about then?’ because it’s not every day you get a call from the director! Obviously I had missed the call and he had left me a voicemail, but instead of listening to the voicemail – like any normal person would – I just tried ringing him back. I just thought it would be one of those short voicemails like “just give me a call back” or something like that, so I didn’t listen to it for about half an hour!

Review: Urinetown at the Apollo Theatre

Urinetown

Apollo Theatre

Reviewed on Wednesday 8th October 2014

★★★★★

Jonathan Slinger

For the past few months I've been telling everyone who missed Urinetown during its sell-out run at the St James Theatre to make sure they catch the musical in its new West End home. Of course the reply I always receive is, "What on earth is that about?" 

To put it simply, instead of retelling a love story or following a journey to self-discovery as many musicals do, Urinetown looks into how the world would cope if we lost the privilege to pee. Those who break the rules are sent to Urinetown but, of course, there is a rebellion.

It's important to point out that Mark Hollmann and Greg Kotis' show is a satirical musical comedy. The tone is perfect with the Narrator, Officer Lockstock (Jonathan Slinger) and Little Sally (Karis Jack) making fun of musicals in general as well as Urinetown's dark story and peculiar title. The piece is written cleverly and it's so refreshing to see it in the West End. The satirical humour makes Urinetown totally unique and I am confident it could build up a hugely dedicated audience.