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Review: Bend It Like Beckham at the Phoenix Theatre

Bend It Like Beckham 
Phoenix Theatre
Reviewed on Thursday 25th June 2015
★★★

Based on the 2002 movie, Bend It Like Beckham is the latest screen-to-stage musical to open in the West End. Featuring some catchy tunes and strong performances, importantly Gurinder Chadha's production doesn't simply recreate the film; instead the characters and story have been taken one step further to create an original musical which is unlike anything else in the West End.

First production images released for Bend It Like Beckham

First production images have been released for Bend It Like Beckham which is currently in previews at the Phoenix Theatre ahead of opening night on 24th June 2015. Check out the images below (click picture to enlarge).

The cast is led by Natalie Dew as Jess, Lauren Samuels as Jules and Jamie Campbell Bower as Joe. Jamal Andréas plays Tony alongside Preeya Kalidas as Pinky and Sophie-Louise Dann as Paula.

Review: Ronan Keating stars in Once at the Phoenix Theatre

Once 
Phoenix Theatre
Reviewed on Wednesday 26th November 2014
★★★★

When Once first opened in the West End there was a small gag in the script at Ronan Keating's expense. However, now the joke is on us as he is the fourth and final performer to step into the shoes of Guy in the West End production (the Keating joke has been replaced with a Michael Bublé gag).

Photo Feature: VIP Guests attend Ronan Keating's opening in Once

Last night (25th November 2014) Ronan Keating officially opened in the West End production of Once at the Phoenix Theatre. He has joined the cast as Guy, starring opposite Jill Winternitz as Girl. 

VIP Guests in attendance included: Jonathan Bailey, Sam Bailey, Cherie Blair, Julia Bradbury, Barbara Broccoli, Fiona Bruce, Raquel Cassidy, Nicki Clarke, Michelle Collins, Keith Duffy, Rupert Evans, Mariella Frostrup, Michael Graham, Orla Kiely, Maureen Lipman, Shane Lynch, Lesley Manville, Nick Moran, Douglas Reith, Anneka Rice, Rachael Stirling, Linzi Stoppard, Claire Sweeney, Storm Uechtritz, Indira Varma and Tim Wonnacott.

Review: West End Recast 2 at the Phoenix Theatre

West End Recast 2

Phoenix Theatre

Reviewed on Sunday 9th November 2014

★★★★

Providing West End stars the opportunity to sing songs from roles and shows they would never usually be cast in, West End Recast provided a hilarious night of theatrical joy. Following its previous performance at the Duchess Theatre earlier this year, last night the show played to a packed and appreciative audience at the West End’s Phoenix Theatre.

Interview: Jill Winternitz, starring as Girl in Once

Jill Winternitz recently took over as ‘Girl’ in the West End production of Once. 

Following its Olivier Awards success, John Tiffany’s production is currently booking at the Phoenix Theatre until 4th July 2015. Based on the much-loved Oscar-winning film, Once is described as a “celebration of love, friendship and music.”

Last year Jill was nominated for a West End Frame Award for her West End debut as Baby in Dirty Dancing at the Piccadilly Theatre, having previously played the role in the musical's UK Tour. 

Her other theatre credits include: A Handful of Soil (Drayton Theatre), The Seagull (Moscow Art Theatre) and Sunday in the Park with George (Interlochen Center for the Arts). Her film credits include The Sorrows and The Replacement Child.

Jill chats to West End Frame about putting her own stamp on her character, the secret to Once’s success, how she likes to unwind after the show and what it’s like to finally be singing in a West End musical…

How have you found your first few months in Once? Has the time flown by?

Absolutely, but then time always seems to vanish when you're doing what you love. Once has been the most inspiring, challenging and rewarding job of my career thus far. I'm having an incredible time.

Ronan Keating: "I just want to be the absolute best that I can be"

Further information has been announced about Ronan Keating's casting in the West End production of Once. It has been confirmed that the Boyzone star will take over as Guy from Monday 17th November 2014.

Ronan said: “I was truly bowled over when I first saw Once. The music and storyline are so incredibly moving and combined with John Tiffany's direction, I believe it's a modern-day masterpiece. It's unlike anything else I've ever seen. 

"When I was asked about playing the lead male (who is a busker in Dublin) I was completely overwhelmed because I knew it would be perfect - this was my home town, my people, and the place where I began my own music career. But as exciting as that is, it's scary too. 

Review: Arthur Darvill joins Once at the Phoenix Theatre

Once

Phoenix Theatre

Reviewed on Tuesday 1st April 2014

"It's only people up there with guitars and other instruments telling and singing their way through an everyday love story..." Enda Walsh

Once is without a doubt a beautiful film. Its simplicity and naturalness ensure that everyone who watches is moved by its message. Under John Tiffany's direction, the stage production takes the film's rawness and develops it into a story that is even more powerful.

Photo Feature: New cast join Once

The six-time Olivier nominated musical Once recently welcomed a new cast to its West End production at the Phoenix Theatre.

Arthur Darvill (Guy) joined the show fresh from Broadway to star opposite Zrinka Cvitešić (Girl). 

Directed by John Tiffany, the West End production of Once opened in April 2013 at the Phoenix Theatre where it is currently booking until 4th July 2015.

The Broadway production continues at the Bernard B Jacob’s Theatre. Later this year an Australian production will open at the Princess Theatre in Melbourne while the US tour continues. 

The current West End cast also features: Fiona Bruce (Baruska), Jamie Cameron (Emcee) Mark Carlisle (Da), Matthew Ganley (Svec), Mathew Hamper (Andre), Daniel Healy (Eamon), Loren O’Dair (Reza), Miria Parvin (Ex-girlfriend), Tim Prottey-Jones (Billy), and Jez Unwin (Bank Manager). Juliana Cotton, Demi Lee, Gemma Loader and Ruby Payne alternate the role of Girl’s young daughter Ivanka.

Take a look at pictures of the new cast in action below (click on an image to enlarge):

New cast join Once tonight

New cast members join the West End production of Once at the Phoenix Theatre tonight (10th March 2014). 

The full cast includes: Fiona Bruce (Baruska), Jamie Cameron (Emcee), Mark Carlisle (Da), Matthew Ganley (Svec), Mathew Hamper (Andre), Daniel Healy (Eamon), Loren O’Dair (Reza), Miria Parvin (Ex-girlfriend), Tim Prottey-Jones (Billy) and Jez Unwin (Bank Manager). 

Doctor Who star Arthur Darvill joins the production from 17th March as Guy alongside original cast member Zrinka Cvitešić (Girl). Juliana Cotton, Demi Lee, Gemma Loader and Ruby Payne alternate the role of Girl’s young daughter, Ivanka. 

Photo Feature: Once releases new images of the cast in action

The West End production of Once has released new production images. The musical, currently booking at the Phoenix Theatre until 31st May 2014, stars Declan Bennett and West End Frame award winner Zrinka Cvitešić as 'Guy' and 'Girl'. Take a look at the images below (click on a picture to enlarge).

John Tiffany’s West End production opened at the Phoenix Theatre in April this year. In August, the musical's leading lady, Zrinka Cvitešić, won the 2013 West End Frame Award for 'Best West End Debut'. Read our interviews with Zrinka Cvitešić and Declan Bennett. 

Based on the much-loved Oscar-winning film, Once is a celebration of love, friendship and music. When an Irish busker and a young Czech mother meet through a shared love of music, their songwriting sparks a deep connection and a tender, longing romance that neither of them could have expected.

Declan Bennett and Zrinka Cvitešic to lead West End cast of Once at the Phoenix Theatre

It has been announced that Declan Bennett and Zrinka Cvitešic will lead the cast as Guy and Girl respectively in John Tiffany's West End production of the Broadway hit musical opening at The Phoenix Theatre in Spring 2013.

The London production of Once will open at The Phoenix Theatre on 9th April, with previews from 16th March 2013 and is currently booking to 30th November 2013. Prior to its West End opening Once will run at the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin from 22nd February - 9th March 2013.

Feature: Blood Brothers - The Final Performance

Last weekend, London’s third longest-running musical, Willy Russell’s Blood Brothers, closed after 10,000 performances and 24 years in the West End.

Blood Brothers’ journey started as a school play, performed by a Liverpool comprehensive school in 1981. The musical opened at The Liverpool Playhouse in 1983 and transferred to London’s Lyric theatre for a short run. It was then taken on by producer Bill Kenwright who opened a new production at the Albery Theatre after a two year tour to great acclaim, transferring it to the larger Phoenix Theatre Three years later. The production also enjoyed success on Broadway and across America.

Russell Grant joins Flavia Cacace in Midnight Tango

Russell Grant will reunite with his Strictly Come Dancing partner Flavia Cacace when he joins her and Vincent Simone in the forthcoming West End return of Midnight Tango. Russell, who was paired with Flavia during last year's Strictly series, will play Argentinian bar owner Carlos in the show, which runs for a strictly limited season at the Phoenix Theatre from 30th January to 2nd March 2013.

Producer and former Strictly judge Arlene Phillips said: "Russell's partnership with Flavia is well known, but I too have had a dance partnership with Russell, which began with his appearance in the title role ofThe Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium, followed by playing Teen Angel in the current national tour of Grease, and I'm delighted we now have a third partnership."

Full casting announced for Goodnight Mr Tom

Casting has been announced for the acclaimed Chichester Festival Theatre production of Goodnight Mister Tom which runs at The Phoenix Theatre from 22nd November 2012 for 9 weeks before embarking on a UK Tour from 29th January.

Olivier award-winner Oliver Ford Davies (Hamlet; RSC, Star Wars, Game of Thrones) reprises his role as Mister Tom alongside others from the celebrated original cast including Louise Collins (Mirror Teeth; Finborough Theatre), Joanne Howarth(Bingo; Chichester Festival Theatre/ Young Vic), Aoife McMahon (Translations; Abbey Theatre), Freya Parker (Six Characters In Search Of An Author; Headlong), Georgina Sutton (The Importance of Being Ernest; Lincoln Theatre Royal), Alan Vicary (The Power of Yes; National Theatre), Jonathan Warde (Danton’s Death; National Theatre) and Emma Drysdale (That Face; Tara Arts). They will be joined by Elisa de Grey (Brilliant; Fevered Sleep), Bradley Hall (South Downs; West End) and Osmund Bullock (Autumn & Winter; Orange Tree).

Once confirms West End Transfer for April 2013

John Tiffany’s production of Once, winner of eight 2012 Tony awards including Best New Musical, will open in the West End in Spring 2013. With book by award-winning Irish playwright and screenwriter Enda Walsh, the London production of Once will open at The Phoenix Theatre on 9th April, with previews from 16th March 2013. The show is currently booking to 30th November 2013. Prior to its West End opening Once will run at the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin from 22nd February – 9th March 2013. Casting will be announced shortly.

Midnight Tango to open at The Phoenix Theatre February 2013

Following a sold-out West End run and national tour earlier this year, Olivier Award-nominated Midnight Tango starring Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace will be returning to London’s West End, opening at The Phoenix Theatre on Monday 4 February, following previews from 30 January 2013, for a strictly limited five-week season, immediately followed by a national tour.

The UK tour will begin at the Congress Theatre, Eastbourne on 13 March 2013 and will run until 3 August 2013 at the Grand Theatre, Leeds.

Midnight Tango is set in a late-night bar in downtown Buenos Aires. Vincent and Flavia both star in and have choreographed the show, which brings to life all the drama, sensuality and elegance of the tango. They are joined on stage by some of the finest tango dancers in the world, and, between them, they take the audience on a journey into the heart of this intoxicating city, as danger and excitement, joy and jealousy, pain and passion combine into a spectacular and explosive evening.

Broadway hit 'Once' found West End home?

Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Once has become the latest show to be rumoured to be going into The Phoenix Theatre after Blood Brothers closes in November. According to the Daily Mail Once is set to begin performances in March 2013. It was previously reported that Starlight Express would move into the theatre after its current UK tour ends early next year.

Goodnight Mr Tom comes to the West End for a 9 week season from 22 November – 26 January

The acclaimed Chichester Festival Theatre production Goodnight Mr Tom comes to the West End for a 9 week season from 22 November – 26 January before embarking on a 9 week UK Tour with Oliver Ford Davies reprising his role as Mister Tom. This marks the first new production in the Phoenix Theatre for over 20 years after Blood Brothers recently announced it's closure.

The tour will begin on 28 January 2013 at Manchester Opera House. The production will then tour to Sunderland Empire, Milton Keynes Theatre, Brighton Theatre Royal, York Grand Opera House, Woking New Victoria Theatre, Southend Palace Theatre, Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, Glasgow King’s Theatre and Birmingham Alexandra. You can find all the tour information at the end of this article.

Set during the dark and dangerous build up to the Second World War, Goodnight Mister Tom follows sad William Beech, who is evacuated to the idyllic English countryside and builds a remarkable and moving friendship with the elderly recluse Tom Oakley. All seems perfect until William is devastatingly summoned by his mother back to London.