Darren Day, Jessica Martin & Michael Xavier to star in Bumblescratch

First casting has been announced for a concert staging of Robert J. Sherman’s new musical Bumblescratch.

Directed and choreographed by Stewart Nicholls, the performance will take place at the Adelphi Theatre on 4th September 2016. 

Michael Xavier & Siobhan Dillon join Glenn Close in Sunset Boulevard

The Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye has revealed further casting for Sunset Boulevard.

The revival runs at the ENO’s London Coliseum later this year starring the previously announced Glenn Close as Norma Desmond.

The cast will also include Michael Xavier (Show Boat/The Pajama Game) as Joe, Siobhan Dillon (Miss Saigon/Ghost) as Betty and Fred Johanson (Jesus Christ Superstar) as Max.

UPDATED: The cast also includes Julian Forsyth as Cecil B DeMille, Mark Goldthorp as Sheldrake, Fenton Gray as Manfred, Haydn Oakley as Artie Green and James Paterson as Jonesy. Further company members include Carly Anderson, Jacob Chapman, Katie Kerr, Aaron Lee Lambert, Vicki Lee Taylor, Jo Morris, Ashley Robinson, Gary Tushaw and Adam Vaughan.

The incomparable Ria Jones, who created the role of Norma Desmond in the original Sunset Boulevard workshop, also features in the cast as Close's standby. Final casting will be announced shortly.

Review: Sam Bailey Live at the Lyric Theatre

Sam Bailey Live
Lyric Theatre
Reviewed on Monday 12th October 2015
★★★★

Since winning The X Factor two years ago, Sam Bailey has enjoyed a varied career. As well as topping the UK singles and album charts, Bailey has toured the UK, released her autobiography and dabbled in presenting. Now the singer has turned her attention to the world of musical theatre. As a self-confessed super fan of blockbuster musicals such as Les Miserables and Wicked, Bailey took to the West End's Lyric Theatre to show her dedicated supporters and casting directors a different side to her talents.

Sam Bailey announces special guests for West End concert

Sam Bailey has announced special guests for her upcoming West End concert at the Lyric Theatre on 12th October 2015.

The X Factor winner will be joined by BGT winners Collabro, leading man Michael Xavier, U.S. composer Scott Alan, musical theatre supergroup Boys of the Barricade and a choir from GSA for an evening of musical theatre.

UPDATE (25th Sept): Union J's Jaymi Hensley and West End leading lady Caroline Sheen complete the line-up.

The show is produced and directed by Katie Pesskin with musical direction by Michael Riley. 

Gina Beck & Michael Xavier to star in Show Boat

It has been confirmed that Gina Beck and Michael Xavier have been cast as Magnolia Hawks and Gaylord Ravenal in a revival of Show Boat.

Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein's musical will open at the Sheffield Crucible 16th December 2015 (previews from 10th December) for a limited run until 16th January 2016*.

The cast also includes Rebecca Trehearn as Julie, Allan Corduner as Cap’n Andy, Lucy Briers as Parthy, Sandra Marvin as Queenie and Emmanuel Kojo as Joe. 

Sneak peek at... Michael Xavier & Anna Francolini in Assassins

First images have been released of Michael Xavier and Anna Francolini in Assassins. The pair join Jamie Lloyd's production at the Menier Chocolate Factory from tonight (10th Feb), taking over from Aaron Tveit and Catherine Tate. Check out the images below (click picture to enlarge).

Xavier plays John Wilkes Booth until Assassins closes on 7th March 2015. Francolini plays Sara Jane Moore until Tate returns on 24th February to complete the run.

Michael Xavier’s theatre credits include The Pajama Game (Shaftesbury Theatre), The Sound of Music, Into the Woods (both Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Hello, Dolly! (Curve), Soho Cinders (Soho Theatre), Wonderful Town (Royal Exchange), Love Story (Minerva and Duchess Theatre), Oklahoma! (Chichester Festival Theatre), Spamalot (Palace Theatre), The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty’s Theatre) and My Fair Lady (Theatre Royal Drury Lane).

Michael Xavier & Anna Francolini take over from Aaron Tveit & Catherine Tate in Assassins

The Menier Chocolate Factory has announced that Anna Francolini and Michael Xavier (pictured right) will join the cast of Jamie Lloyd’s production of Stephen Sondheim’s Assassins.

From 10th February, Michael Xavier will take over the role of John Wilkes Booth from Aaron Tveit. Tveit leaves the run due to a change in schedule for his television series Graceland, which has been brought forward.

Anna Francolini plays Sara Jane Moore from 10th February, with Catherine Tate returning to the role on 24th February to complete the run at the Menier. Tate leaves the role for 2 weeks to fulfil pre-contractual filming commitments.

Review: The Pajama Game at the Shaftesbury Theatre

The Pajama Game
Shaftesbury Theatre
Reviewed on Monday 12th May 2014

Following a hugely successful run in Chichester, Richard Adler, Jerry Ross, George Abbott and Richard Bissell's musical has finally made it to the West End, sixty years after its Broadway premiere. This ballsy Broadway musical gleams with charm.

Full casting announced for West End transfer of The Pajama Game

Full casting has been announced for the West End transfer of Chichester Festival Theatre's production of The Pajama Game, directed by Richard Eyre.

Peter Polycarpou and Colin Stinton will  reprise their roles as Vernon Hines and Hasler, with Gary Wilmot taking over the role of Vernon Hines from 2nd June. They join the previously announced Joanna Riding and Michael Xavier. 

The Pajama Game opens at the Shaftesbury Theatre on 13th May (previews from 2nd May) and runs until 13th September 2014.

Julie Atherton, Joanna Riding, Hannah Waddingham & Michael Xavier for charity concert at the Queens Theatre

Stars of the stage and screen will come together for a special one-night-only concert You’ll Never Walk Alone at the Queen’s Theatre (current home to Les Mis) on Sunday 2nd March 2014 at 7.30pm in aid of the Philippines Typhoon Appeal. Tickets are now on sale with all proceeds going directly to the Disasters Emergency Committee.

On 7th November 2013 Typhoon Haiyan, one of the most intense tropical storms ever to make landfall anywhere in the world, struck the Philippines. Millions were affected by torrential rain, winds of over 140mph and flooding of up to 15 feet, devastating coastal areas. Over 14 million people have had their lives torn apart, with approximately 590,000 homes completely destroyed and well over 4 million people forcibly displaced due to the destruction.

The Pajama Game: Meet Joanna Riding & Michael Xavier

It has just been announced that Chichester Festival Theatre's production of The Pajama Game, directed by Richard Eyre, will transfer to the West End next year. Joanna Riding will reprise her role as Babe Williams and is joined by Michael Xavier who plays the handsome superintendent, Sid Sorokin. 

Meet the pair below!

The Pajama Game confirms West End transfer starring Joanna Riding & Michael Xavier

It has been confirmed that Chichester Festival Theatre's production of The Pajama Game, directed by Richard Eyre, will transfer to the West End.

The production will open at the Shaftesbury Theatre on 13th May 2014 (previews from 1st May) for a limited season until 13th September 2014.

The double Olivier Award winning Joanna Riding (pictured right) will reprise her role as Babe Williams and is joined by Michael Xavier who plays the handsome superintendent, Sid Sorokin (Hadley Fraser played the part during the Chichester run). Click here to meet Joanna and Michael.

Richard Eyre said "The Pajama Game was the first musical I ever heard - on an album belonging to my sister when I was 14. I had never seen it until I directed it at Chichester. It was a long wait to discover what an entrancing, joyful, tuneful and sharp show it is."

West End secret project revealed: West End stars team up to record festive EP for charity

It has been revealed that Cynthia Erivo, Simon Bowman, Sophie Louise Dann, Shona White, Scott Garnham, Jodie Jacobs & Michael Xavier are just several West End stars who have come together to record a festive EP for charity. 

Darren Bell and Kris Rawlinson teamed up to create ‘A Very West End Christmas’ which will be released on 14th December 2013. The pair brought together almost fifty stars of musical theatre and all proceeds will be equally split between Giggin’ For Good, which raises money for Great Ormond Street Hospital, West End Fests, which raises money for CRY UK, and The Band Aid Charitable Trust.

The participating West End stars gathered at the St James Theatre on Monday 14th October to record two of the songs in the main house. The EP also features three tracks recorded by Michael Xavier, Sabrina Aloueche, Jodie Jacobs, Katie Paine, Chloe Hart and Jeremy Legat.

Review: The Sound Of Music at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre

The Sound Of Music

Regent's Park Open Air Theatre

Reviewed on Tuesday 6th August 2013

The Sound Of Music sits beautifully in the Regents Park Open Air Theatre, providing a truly magical experience. It is hard to fault a single aspect of this production which is a treat for the entire family. The Sound Of Music is a timeless piece of theatre and it would be impossible to see this production without smiling and toe tapping throughout. 

Interview: Michael Xavier

Michael was nominated for 2 Olivier Awards in 2011; ‘Best Supporting Performance in a Musical’ (Wolf/Cinderella’s Prince – Into The Woods at The Open Air Theatre) and ‘Best Actor in a Musical’ (Oliver – Love Story at The Duchess Theatre & Chichester Festival Theatre). He was also nominated for a What’s On Stage Award for Into The Woods and a Broadway World UK Award for Love Story. He is currently nominated for a Broadway World UK Award (Best Actor In A Musical) for his role as James Prince in Soho Cinders. 

Other theatre credits include Curly in Oklahoma! (Chichester Festival Theatre), Sir Galahad in Spamalot! (Palace Theatre), Rock Hudson in Rock (National Tour & Oval House Theatre), Raoul in The Phantom Of The Opera (Her Majesty’s Theatre), Sky in Mamma Mia! (International Tour Original Cast), Freddy Eynsford-Hill in My Fair Lady (Theatre Royal, Drury Lane), Miss Great Plains in Pageant (Vaudeville Theatre and King’s Head Theatre), Nankipoo in The Mikado (UK Tour), Chris in Miss Saigon (Original UK Tour). 

Radio credits include Tony in West Side Story (BBC Radio 2), Artie Green in Sunset Boulevard (BBC Radio 2). Recordings include Oliver in Love Story (Original Cast Recording), Laurie in Little Women (Pelion Productions), Thank You For The Music (West End International), Soldier in Toys (MiltonMorrisey Productions), Unwritten Song (Michael Bruce), Chance In A Lifetime (Tim Prottey-Jones) and Therese Racquin and Lift (Craig Adams). 

Michael will be releasing his debut solo album early next year.

Are you looking forward to performing at the Mercury Musical Developments 20th Anniversary Gala this Sunday? Yes, it’s going to be a fantastic evening celebrating 20 years of such a wonderfully supportive venture. I delighted to be a part of it.

Can you give us any clues as to what we can expect to see you perform?
It’s a song from new writer Craig Adams’ musical Therese Raquin. I don’t want to give too much away but the song is incredibly powerful and dramatic. Anyone who knows the book, film or play will know it ends tragically (which is when the song is set). 

Mercury Musical Developments 20th Anniversary Gala takes place on Sunday 14th October 2012 at the Novello Theatre

Michael Xavier, Janie Dee, Claire Moore, Hayley Gallivan, Maria Friedman, Danielle Hope, Alison Jiear, Haydn Gwynne, Sally Anne Triplett, David Bedella, Tam Mutu, Paul Kaye, Stuart Matthew Price, Lucy May Barker, James Bourne, Madalena Alberto and Jenna Russell are now confirmed as the full line up of artists for Mercury Musical Developments 20th Anniversary Gala on Sunday 14th October 2012 at the Novello Theatre. (Pictured above: Danielle Hope, Michael Xavier and Sally Anne Triplett).