Panto Review: Russell Grant & Suzanne Shaw star in Cinderella at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

Cinderella
Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

Reviewed on Tuesday 16th December 2014

★★★★

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a great panto and Cinderella at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre makes all your dreams and wishes come true. Appealing to adults as well as children, the production features sparkling sets and terrific costumes as well as plenty of witty one-liners.

Thoroughly Modern Millie starring Russell Grant postponed to 2015

The upcoming off-West End premiere of Thoroughly Modern Millie has been postponed to 2015. 

The show was due to star Russell Grant as Mrs Meers and run at the Theatro Technis in October. It will now play at the same theatre between 1st and 25th April 2015 with the already announced cast and creative team (subject to availability). Tickets are being refunded and booking will open soon for the new dates.

A spokesman for Entourage Productions said: "Regrettably, director Drew Baker is unable to direct the show at this time due to the serious illness of a family member. This production has been a long time in the making. Entourage are very excited by Drew’s vision of the show and the cast and team we have assembled. Postponing it will allow us to bring that vision to the stage with the full company we already have in place, subject to their availability."

Further casting announced for off-West End premiere of Thoroughly Modern Millie starring Russell Grant

It has been announced that American actress Molly Marie Walsh (pictured right) will star as Millie Dillmount alongside Russell Grant as Mrs Meers in the off-West End premiere of Thoroughly Modern Millie.

With music by Jeanine Tesori, lyrics by Dick Scanlan, and a book by Richard Morris and Dick Scanlan, Thoroughly Modern Millie runs at Theatro Technis between Wednesday 1st and Saturday 25th October 2014. The show is based on the 1967 film of the same name which starred Julie Andrews.

Molly Marie Walsh played The Witch in Into the Woods and appeared in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Forbidden Broadway in the US. In London she recently played Mrs. Crachit in Alan Menken’s A Christmas Carol (Tabard) and Katisha in Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Mikado (Battersea Barge).

Suzanne Shaw, Russell Grant & Andrew Derbyshire cast in Aylesbury's pantomime

Principal casting has been announced for Cinderella at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre. The pantomime will star Suzanne Shaw as Fairy Godmother and Russell Grant as Baron Hardup.

Russell said: “It's like Christmas has come early! I had such a fabulous time in Peter Pan two years ago that when I was offered the chance to return I jumped at it. The town’s great, the theatre is gorgeous and the audiences were in a league of their own, a real blast to play to. I can’t wait!”

Russell Grant to star as Mrs Meers in UK fringe premiere of Thoroughly Modern Millie

It has been announced that Russell Grant will star as Mrs Meers in the UK fringe premiere of Thoroughly Modern Millie.

With music by Jeanine Tesori, lyrics by Dick Scanlan, and a book by Richard Morris and Dick Scanlan, Thoroughly Modern Millie is based on the 1967 film of the same name starring Julie Andrews.

The production will run at Theatro Technis between 1st and 29th October 2014. 

Russell said: “Once in a while a role comes along that you have secretly coveted. I started performing in theatre around 50 years ago and this is one of those roles - Mrs Meers! 

Interview: Russell Grant

Russell Grant is hosting Ivor Novello and the Great British Musical on 23rd June & 10th July at the St. James Studio. 2013 marks the 120th anniversary of the birth of the Welsh-born composer, who gives his name to both a West End theatre and the internationally respected Ivor Novello Awards. The evening also features other British theatre composers such as Noël Coward, Lionel Bart and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Russell's love of Novello began when he toured in the last major production of Novello’s King’s Rhapsody. 

Following a successful stint on Strictly Come Dancing, Russell was invited by Andrew Lloyd Webber to star in The Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium. The show marked his return to the Palladium after 34 years when he performed there alongside Tommy Steele in Hans Andersen. 

Russell's other West End credits include Slogger Williams in Tom Brown’s Schooldays (Cambridge), the Snake in Children of Eden (Prince of Wales) and Carlos in Midnight Tango (Phoenix Theatre). Last year Russell won plaudits galore with his glitzy Teen Angel in the 20th Anniversary production of Grease in which he performed a unique Latin dance mega-mix choreographed by Arlene Phillips.

Earlier this week I spoke to Russell about why he is so passionate about Novello's work, his involvement with Ivor Novello and the Great British Musical and his amazing theatre career...

When did you fall in love with the work of Ivor Novello?

I’ve always been involved with Ivor Novello from a very young age. Back in the 70’s I toured the UK in King’s Rhapsody which was one of his great operettas. I toured for six months and totally fell in love with his music – it is just out of this world. Ever since I have campaigned to get more and more recognition with modern day audiences as he was, and still is, such an important man. 

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."