Interview: Paul Harnett & Nikki Davis-Jones

Paul Harnett and Nikki Davis-Jones are currently working on a musical adaptation of Alice in Wonderland which opens at the St James Studio on 9th March 2015. 

Running for just 45 minutes, the show has been created as part of the St James Theatre's series of lunchtime plays for office workers, families and tourists to enjoy. Alice: A New Musical will feature original songs for characters such as the Queen of Hearts and the Mad Hatter as well as an entirely new script. 

Paul Harnett co-wrote Alice with Rebecca Crookshank and is also directing the production. He is a founding member of Butterfly Theatre Company, for which he has played Algernon in The Importance of Being Earnest, Malvolio in Twelfth Night, Bob Cratchit in A Christmas Carol (St James Theatre), Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet and Bottom in A Midsummer Night's Dream (Bridewell & St James Theatre). His credits also include: Raymond in Blue Remembered Hills (New Diorama), Joseph in Impotent (Lion and Unicorn Theatre) and The Apollo Victoria's 80th Birthday Gala. Paul directed As You Like It and The Importance of Being Earnest at the St James Theatre. He was recently the assistant director for The Vertical Hour at the Park Theatre.

Nikki Davis-Jones is working on Alice as the Assistant Director. She created the role of Elphaba in the original UK touring production of Wicked, following almost three years as standby Elphaba in the West End production (Apollo Victoria). Her credits also include: Maureen in Rent (UK Concert Tour), LIFT (Soho Theatre), Blues in the Night (Hackney Empire), Serena in Fame (UK Tour), Bubbles/understudy Chloe in Never Forget (Savoy), Lisa/understudy Sophie in Mamma Mia (Prince of Wales) and Linda in Blood Brothers (Phoenix). 

Yesterday I spoke to Paul and Nikki about why they’re so excited to be working on Alice, how the show works as lunchtime theatre and why they’re having a great time in rehearsals…

Paul, as well as directing Alice you have also co-written the piece. How did the idea come about?

Paul Harnett: Well I’ve been doing these lunchtime shows for the past year at the St James. We’ve mainly been doing Shakespeare and Oscar Wilde and stuff like that, but I wanted to see if we could do a forty-five minute musical as a lunchtime show. Alice was the obvious choice because it gives every single department working on the show ultimate creativity. You can set up a strange new world and script-wise we could do whatever we wanted with it; same for the lighting, costume and choreography and music – it gives you the scope to do something incredible. It helped me to get some incredible people involved.

Nikki, when you first heard about the project what made you want to jump on board?

Nikki Davis-Jones leaves Wicked; new London Elphaba to be announced "in due course"

Producers of Wicked have announced that Nikki Davis-Jones, who has been starring in the UK Tour of Wicked, has withdrawn from the production with immediate effect. She will no longer take over the role of Elphaba in the West End from 27th October 2014 as previously announced.

Jemma Alexander will play Elphaba for the remainder of the UK Tour's engagement at the Birmingham Hippodrome. Ashleigh Gray takes over the role, as previously announced, from 16th September 2014 at the Liverpool Empire and for the remainder of the UK Tour. 

Willemijn Verkaik to leave Wicked this week due to injury

It has been announced that Willemijn Verkaik will play her final performance as Elphaba in Wicked this Saturday 19th July 2014 at 7.30pm. She departs the production in order to have surgery to address an ongoing back condition. 

Willemijn said: “To be given the chance to play Elphaba in four different countries is something I am incredibly grateful for. Now I have to cut my West End run short and it’s absolutely devastating to me. I’ve been fighting this injury for a few months but was determined not to let anything get in the way of my West End debut and certainly not wanting to disappoint the audiences. But I have to face the facts. 

"I thank producers David Stone and Michael McCabe and our General Managers, Playful Productions, the cast and crew and all of you so much for all your support in this difficult time. I promise I’ll be back on stage soon, in better shape than ever!”

Nikki Davis-Jones takes over as Elphaba in Wicked London; new West End cast announced

It has been announced that Nikki Davis-Jones (pictured below) will take over as Elphaba in the West End production of Wicked from  Monday 27th October 2014.

Davis-Jones recently created the role of Elphaba in Wicked's first UK Tour. She was previously Standby Elphaba in the West End production for nearly three years. The actress will play her final performance in the Wicked UK Tour on Saturday 6th September 2014 at Birmingham Hippodrome.

Liza Sadovy (Madame Morrible) and Philip Childs (Doctor Dillamond) are also joining the production.

Wicked UK Tour becomes biggest hit musical in Milton Keynes Theatre history

The touring production of Wicked has become the biggest hit musical in the history of the Milton Keynes Theatre with over 45,000 people seeing the production during its limited engagement. The hit musical will play is final performance on Saturday 8th March 2014 before heading off for its Welsh premiere at the Wales Millennium Centre.

Liam Doyle (Fiyero) & Nikki Davis-Jones (Elphaba)

Michael McCabe (Executive Producer) said: "Audiences in Milton Keynes have been incredible and we thank them, and all of the staff at the theatre, for their generous welcome and support during our fantastic run. We are thrilled and grateful that so many people attended performances."

Review: Wicked (UK Tour) at the Milton Keynes Theatre

Wicked (UK Tour)
Milton Keynes Theatre
Reviewed on Wednesday 5th February 2014

Whilst continuing to delight audiences at the Apollo Victoria Theatre in the West End, last year Wicked launched a UK Touring production. Featuring a cast full of West End talent, it is astounding to see how such a huge production has been adapted for life on the road. Although elements of Wicked have been tweaked, I certainly wouldn't describe it as largely scaled down, as so many touring productions often are.

Interview: Nikki Davis-Jones, starring in Lift at the Soho Theatre

Nikki Davis-Jones will star as Secretary in Lift, the world premiere of a new musical by Craig Adams and Ian Watson about love, life and loss in a London lift. Later this year she will play Maureen in the 20th Anniversary Concert UK Tour of Rent. Nikki's many theatre credits include Standby Elphaba in Wicked (Apollo Victoria), Serena in Fame (UK Tour), Never Forget (Savoy Theatre), Lisa in Mamma Mia (West End) and Linda in Blood Brothers (West End).

Nikki chats to West End Frame about what it's like being part of a brand new musical, her time in Wicked and how she's excited about touring the UK with Rent!

Are you looking forward to starring in Lift?

I am so excited! The show is definitely going to be something special. As it’s a brand new show we are creating the roles which is so exciting, the buzz in the rehearsal studio has just been amazing! 

How are rehearsals going? 

Brilliant! We started on Monday and have been doing a lot of singing and the harmonies are just unbelievable – Craig Adams is a genius! The eight part harmonies sound incredible. It’s very hard, much harder than I was expecting it to be, but it’s brilliant and so much fun to be part of. 

Nikki Davis-Jones and Paul Ayres join Kerry Ellis and Rory Taylor in Rent Concert Tour

Full casting has been announced for the 20th Anniversary Concert tour of Rent. Joining previously announced Kerry Ellis as Mimi and Rory Taylor as Rodger are: Paul Ayres (Mark), Nikki Davis-Jones (Maureen), Leon Lopez (Collins), Ian Stroughair (Angel), Jemma Alexander (Joanne) and Kenny Thompson (Collins). 

Speaking to West End Frame during a recent interview, Kerry Ellis said "I am looking forward to the show. I haven’t really got my head round it yet as it's crazy busy for me right now, but I love the songs from Rent and the beauty of being in a concert is that you get to sing songs you wouldn't usually get to sing. I'm looking forward to working with Rory Taylor again who joined me as a guest at my recent residency at the Hippodrome. He’s a rock star and I think the concert will be great fun."

Julie Atherton & Nikki Davis-Jones to star in new musical 'Lift'

Full casting for the World Premiere of new musical Lift, which will run in the Main House at Soho Theatre from Wednesday 30th January – Sunday 24th February 2013. 

The show will star Julie Atherton as ‘French Teacher’, Nikki Davis-Jones as ‘Secretary’, Cynthia Erivo as ‘Lap Dancer’, Jonny Fines as ‘Ballet Dancer’, Luke Kempner as ‘Bright Young Thing’, Ellie Kirk as ‘Athletic and Wearing a Thong’, George Maguire as ‘Busker’ and Robbie Towns as ‘Tall, Dark and Handsome’.

Julie Atherton has just finished touring the UK as ‘Sister Mary Robert’ in “Sister Act”, and will be playing the title role in “Cinderella” at the Lyric Hammersmith this Christmas. West End theatre credits include ‘Kate Monster’ in the original London cast of “Avenue Q”, ‘Serena Katz’ in “Fame” and ‘Sophie’ in “Mamma Mia!”. Julie has also released two studio albums, “A Girl of Few Words” and “No Space for Air”. 

Wicked stars in Little Women Charity Concert along with Helena Blackman, Daniel Boys, Sarah Lark and Samantha Barks

After West End Live on Sunday 24th June 2012 (this Sunday) there will be a special, one off Charity Concert of Little Women at the Playhouse Theatre at 7.30pm. The special adaptation will star Gina Beck, Shona Lindsay, Helena Blackman, Norma Bowman, Daniel Boys, Nikki Davis-Jones, Sarah Lark, Jon Robynsand and Lisa-Anne Wood. The concert will also include a guest appearance from Samantha Barks who recently completed filming the Les Miserables film.

Little Women was written by Louisa-May Allcott in 1868 and has stood the test of time, still being a popular story with today's teenagers. It tells the story of four sisters, Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy, who through a series of happy, and sad, events, grow up into 'little women'. It is said that the story is loosely based on the childhood of the author, Louisa-May Alcott and her experiences with her three sisters. The story follows the sisters through love, marriage, illness, death, and the inevitable move away from the childhood home

.
The full cast is:
Gina Beck - Meg
Helena Blackman - Belle Gardner
Norman Bowman - Professor Bhaer
Daniel Boys - Laurie
Nikki Davis-Jones - Jo
Sarah Lark - Beth
Shona Lindsay - Marmee
Jon Robyns - John Brooke
Lisa-Anne Wood - Amy
Guest performance by Samantha Barks
Supported by a specially formed GSA ensemble.
Hosted by Mark Shento

Little Woman is an incredibly moving musical which is beautifully written. The cast list of this special one off charity concert is mind blowing. What a fantastic opportunity to see such a inspirational group of performers on the same stage performing such a heart wrenching show.

Understudy Of The Year 2012: 6th-12th Place

6th Place

Emma Housley

Dorothy Understudy

The Wizard Of Oz

229 votes - 4 %

7th Place

Aaron Lee Lambert

Donkey Understudy

Shrek The Musical

216 votes - 4%

8th Place

Scott Garnham

Enjolras/Marius Understudy 

Les Miserables

180 votes - 3%

9th Place

Scott Monello

Galileo Understudy

We Will Rock You 

174 votes - 3%

10th Place

Alice Fearn

Princess Fiona Understudy

Shrek The Musical

129 votes - 2%

11th Place

Nikki Davis-Jones

Elphaba Standby 
Wicked

92 votes - 2%

12th Place

Rebecca Trehearn

Molly Jensen Understudy

Ghost The Musical 

54 votes - 1%

Understudy Of The Year 2012: Top Comments

It has been great to read your comments and to see how passionate people are about their favourite understudies while voting for 'Understudy Of The Year 2012'. Here are a few of our favourite comments that we picked out.

"Katy Treharne is out of this world. If you've heard her sing you'll know, she blows you away with her performances. Best Christine ever." 

"Jenny Gayner plays Roxie with passion ,what an outstanding performance raising the audience from their seats with a standing ovation. Well deserved"

"Seen We will Rock You many many times Lauren Varnham played Scaramouche with real attitude and passion, Meat with carasima and stage presesce even ensamble sticks out a mile, the face those doey brown eyes and a smile that lights up the stage even if you are at the back of the theatre. A small petite person with such strong booming voice. Trust Me totally awesome a must see. not sure why an understudy out shines and out performs time and time again."

"Samuel Edwards is such a fantastic understudy and his singing, acting and amazing body do NOT leave you disapointed... So amazing"

"Deej (Nikki D Jones) is the BEST standby I have ever seen in the whole WOOOOOORLD!! I cried....alot during that performance and I have her autograph *faints*"

"Katy Treharne unbelievable takes the roof off with those big notes she is amazing" 

"Samuel Edwards is just amazing. If he doesn't get the role full time soon west end theatre would have made a grave mistake. Best understudy I have ever seen and I have seen many"

"Emma Housley is amazing!"

"Aaron Lee Lambert!!! Just saw him as Donkey and he was INCREDIBLE!!"

"Performance or a name? what would you like to see and hear? a totally superior voice with cant take your eyes of her stage presents or somebody that came in the top 10 of xfactor or an imported name. Well we want to be Rocked off our seats and Entertained all performance long for our money. Dont take my word for it go see for yourself, go see WE WILL ROCK YOU after you have voted for LAUREN VARNHAM of course who should be leading lady Scaramouche. Come on Mr Elton what are you doing. Lauren Rocks our socks off"

"You've clearly not seen Jenny Gayner as Roxie Hart in Chicago at the Garrick - there can be no other winner of this poll than her! Amazing star quality performance that deserves to be recognised by top billing."

"Rebecca Trehearn is such a good understudy! She has the same magic Caissie Levy did!"

"Voted for Lauren Varnham she is awesome as Scaramouche and just as good when playing Meat.....when she sang only the good die young you could hear a pin drop any every single person transfixed on the stage. amazing talent and deserves to be Lead role in the show with out a doubt."

"ALICE FEARN - It's awkward how she's the understudy yet so much better..."

"Katy Treharne has an amazing voice, heart and soul."

"Scott Garnham is brilliant as Enjolras."

"Awaiting Katy Treharne's headlining..."

Vote: Understudy Of The Year 2012

Richard Fleeshman with the Original 'Molly'
Understudies in Ghost the Musical

THE VOTING PERIOD HAS NOW ENDED. 

Click Here to find out who won

Without understudies the West End would be in chaos... in fact it would not even be able to function! That is why I decided our May poll should be voting for 'West End Frame's Understudy Of The Year 2012'! It was so hard to choose 20 nominees as there are so many incredibly talented understudies in the West End of whom I have a lot of respect for, I do not know how they do what they do.

Voting opened Friday 4th May 2012 and closed Thursday 24th May at 3.00pm. This is the longest voting period we have had on West End Frame so this gives you plenty of time to spread the word!

Lets give our understudies the recognition they deserve!

Happy Voting...

Good Luck To The Wicked Standby's Running The London Marathon Today!!

Massive good luck to the Wicked Standby's  Nikki Davis-Jones and Chloe Taylor! Don't know they they have managed to cover the two most demanding characters in the West End and train for the marathon! Just incredible!! So far they have raised a staggering 92% of there £6,000 target you must all log on to sponsor them so they get their target (I already have)!! http://www.wickedstandbymarathon.com/ 

This is what Nikki tweeted this morning "WOW.... HERE GOES! CAN'T WAIT TO SEE SOME LOVELY FACES WE KNOW ON THE WAY ROUND! GOOD LUCK TO ALL AT LONDON MARATHON!"

Good Luck girls!!