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.

Big Interview: Sam Bailey

Sam Bailey shot to fame when she won the tenth series of The X Factor in 2013.

Not only did her debut single ‘Skyscraper’ become that year’s Christmas number one, but Sam went on to support Beyoncé, headline The X Factor Arena Tour, write an autobiography entitled Daring to Dream and release her first album The Power of Love which topped the charts. 

Recently Sam has turned her attention to the world of musical theatre. Earlier this year she made a surprise appearance at Scott Alan’s London concert to perform ‘Anything Worth On To’. This Christmas she will appear in pantomime at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, starring as Fairy Bowbells in Dick Whittington.

Sam is currently preparing to play a one off West End concert at the Lyric Theatre on 12th October 2015. Directed by Katie Pesskin with musical direction by Michael Riley, the show will see Sam celebrate her love for musical theatre with some very exciting guests including Collabro, Michael Xavier, Scott Alan, Boys of the Barricade, Jaymi Hensley and Caroline Sheen.

I recently spoke to Sam about why she wants to celebrate musical theatre, what shows she’s seen recently, snogging Michael Xavier, meeting Scott Alan and venturing into the world of panto…

You’ve said this concert is completely out of your comfort zone but also something you’ve wanted to do for a while. Why did you decide the time was right now?

Musical theatre has always been a sense of relief for me because I started going up to London to see shows whenever I had any time off. I’ve become a massive fan! Coming off The X Factor, the window of opportunity for me was great. Not anyone can walk up to a theatre in London and say, “I want to put a show on” because no one would probably turn up… hopefully people will turn up to my one [laughs]. 

Scott Alan to release new album with Cynthia Erivo & Oliver Tompsett

Scott Alan has announced that he is releasing his seventh album next month. 

Hot on the heels of his recent residency at the London Hippodrome, the US composer has teamed up with West End stars Cynthia Erivo and Oliver Tompsett to record the album.

Cynthia Erivo and Oliver Tompsett sing Scott Alan will feature six new songs and six re-imagined songs from Alan's back catalogue. The album is due to be released digitally on 6th October 2015. Check out the track listing below:

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. 

Scott Alan announces September residency at the Hippodrome

Following his recent residency at the St James Theatre, it has been announced that US composer Scott Alan will return to London later this year.

Alan will play a two week residency at the London Hippodrome between 7th and 17th September 2015. 

He will be joined by some of the West End's biggest stars, including Ashleigh Gray, Dean John-Wilson, Rachelle Ann Go, Eva Noblezada and Oliver Tompsett. Newcomer Jennifer Owens, who performed 'Anything Worth Holding Onto' during one of Alan's shows at the St James Studio, will also take to the stage for a special concert whilst a special birthday concert will celebrate theatre critic Mark Shenton. 

Photo Feature: Special guests join Scott Alan for St James Theatre concert

Last Sunday (3rd May 2015) U.S. composer Scott Alan returned to London with a concert at the St James Theatre. Check out pictures from the show below (click image to enlarge).

The stellar line-up included the likes of Cynthia Erivo, Oliver Tompsett, Anna-Jane Casey, Sophie Evans, Carley Stenson, Harriet Jones, Zoë Birkett, Eva Noblezada, Emmi Christensson, Lucy Jones, Katie Paine, Oliver Savile, Danny-Boy Hatchard and Sam Bailey. 

Scott Alan to play the St James Theatre in May

It has been announced that composer Scott Alan will play the St James Theatre on Sunday 3rd May 2015.

Celebrating the songbook of Scott Alan, the one-night-only concert will feature over 20 special guests. Alan has sold out over 50 concerts across the world from Australia to Germany to Holland to New York City.

Alan is also playing three nights with West End star Cynthia Erivo at the St. James Studio as part of this year’s London Festival of Cabaret; however, all tickets have sold out.

Photo Feature: Scott Alan plays four shows at the Hippodrome

Last week composer Scott Alan played four sold out shows at the Hippodrome. 

Stars of the West End, including Nathan Amzi, Jodie Jacobs, Danielle Hope, Luke Bayer, Katie Paine, Cynthia Erivo, Oliver Tompsett, Savannah Stevenson, Ian Stroughair, Dan Buckley, John Owen-Jones, David Ribi, Laura Pitt-Pulford, Stewart Clarke and Lucie Jones, took to the stage to perform Alan's incredible music.

Editor's Blog: Top 10 Theatrical Events of 2013

Not only has 2013 been a huge year for high profile theatre openings but it has also seen some spectacular theatrical events take place in London's West End. As Editor of West End Frame most of my evenings are spent reviewing new openings so it always makes a nice change to review a one-off concert or to go to the theatre on a night off to celebrate a show or a cast leaving. 

From last nights to West End stars being born and attending unforgettably stagy concerts, below are my ten personal favourite theatrical events of 2013.  

10. Beverley Knight Joins The Bodyguard

October 2013

Photo Credit: Dan Wooller

I wasn't quite sure what to expect when it was announced that soul diva Beverley Knight was taking over as Rachel Marron in the West End production of The Bodyguard. It wasn't until I arrived at her star-studded media night performance that I realised just how much excitement there was surrounding her casting. I had seen the show once before with Heather Headley in the lead role and enjoyed the performance, but Beverley takes the show to a whole new level. She brought the house down and leads the cast as if she has been performing in the West End for years. Watching her storm on stage on media night was one of the most exciting theatrical events of the year, a real 'a star in born' moment.

Scott Alan's musical 'Home' for 2014 West End run

Scott Alan and Christy Hall have announced that their musical 'Home' will receive its premiere in London's West End next year. The production will be directed by Stafford Arima and produced by Amzi Entertainment alongside Julian Stoneman.

Alan's score was performed in full for the first time in August during Scott Alan Live at the indigO2 (read West End Frame's five star review here). A reading of Home was held in New York earlier this year. Diane Ladd played Wendy, Betsy Wolfe played Katherine and Allie Trimm played Kat.

The musical is about Katherine who returns home after nine years away to confront her childhood and mother, as well as herself. Home is described as "celebrating the complex bond between mother and daughter." The show reveals "how a fragile past can be brought back to life with forgiveness and understanding."

Big Interview: Julie Atherton

Julie Atherton is currently starring in the world premiere of Another Way at the Cockpit Theatre. The new musical features a book by Sarah Henley and Tori Allen-Martin and music by Benedict.

Another Way is three short stories about three London-based couples - friends, family and lovers - over the course of three months. It’s about luck in its different forms, from feeling lucky to being struck by luck, by a chance meeting. It’s about hope, it’s about getting stronger, and staying up later, for the 'dawn of our glory days'.

Julie Atherton famously created the roles of Kate Monster and Lucy The Slut in the original West End production of Avenue Q (Noël Coward & Gielgud). She made her West End debut as Sophie in Mamma Mia (Prince Edward) and went on to play Serena Katz in Fame (Aldwych & UK Tour).

Her other theatre credits include: Emily in The Hired Man (Mercury Colcester & Curve Leicester), French Teacher in Lift (Soho Theatre), Sister Mary Robert in Sister Act (UK Tour), Deb in Ordinary Days (Trafalgar Studios & Finborough), Cathy in The Last 5 Years (Theatre Royal Haymarket) and Kolokolo Bird in Just So (Chicester Festival).

Julie has also released two studio albums, 'A Girl of Few Words' and 'No Space for Air' and continues to support new writing. Later this year she will star alongside Daniel Boys in The Opinion Makers which will run in Derby and Colchester. Yesterday I chatted to Julie about what attracted her to starring in Another Way, why she feels so strongly about supporting new writing and what it was like to perform in Scott Alan’s recent concert at the IndigO2...

How are rehearsals for Another Way going so far?

Really well, we’ve got a lot to cram in! I’m trying to learn my lines at the moment so we’re at that stressful stage but I’m really enjoying it, the music is incredible!

Photo Feature: Scott Alan at the indigO2

Last night Scott Alan returned to London for a special concert at the indigO2. The show was a celebration of Scott's career and in the second act theatre fans were treated to the premiere of the score of Scott's new musical 'Home'. 

West End and Broadway stars performed at the event, including: Willemijn Verkaik, Richard Fleeshman, Ricardo Afonso, John Owen-Jones, Shoshana Bean, Cynthia Erivo, Simon Bailey, Scott Garnham, Greg Oliver, Nathan James, Anton Zetterholm, Riccardo Greco, Siobhan Dillon, Ashleigh Gray, Julie Atherton, Jodie Jacobs, Katie Paine, Annalene Beechey, Chloe Hart and Sophie Thierens. Take a look at pictures from the show below (click on an image to enlarge).

Review: Scott Alan Live at the indigO2

Scott Alan Live
indigO2
Reviewed on Sunday 4th August 2013

Scott Alan is a man who needs no introduction. At the age of thirty-five, the American composer is already a theatrical legend, his music is always so personal and relatable. While Scott's concerts are always the hottest ticket in town, this was my first time seeing one live. Also I had never been to the indigO2 which is a lovely venue, tucked away within the O2 Arena. Scott always invites the finest West End and Broadway talent to feature on his albums and perform at his concerts and last night was certainly no exception. In fact, it was the strongest line-up I have ever had the pleasure of seeing.

Willemijn Verkaik, Richard Fleeshman, Katie Paine & more for Scott Alan's UK concert

Scott Alan is is returning to the UK for his biggest concert yet on 4th August 2013 at the IndigO2 Theatre Arena. The concert will feature a 15 piece orchestra and song selections from Alan's four albums, 'Dreaming Wide Awake,' 'Keys,' 'What I Wanna Be When I Grow Up,' and 'LIVE.' The composer has also teased a "very special finale".

West End and Broadway stars will perform, including: Shoshana Bean, Willemijn Verkaik, Siobhan Dillon, Ricardo Afonso, Nathan James, David Hunter, Greg Oliver, Jodie Jacobs, Chloe Hart, Richard Fleeshman, Ashleigh Gray, Katie Paine and Rachael Wooding.