Review: Jest End at the Waterloo East Theatre

Jest End
Waterloo East Theatre
Reviewed on Thursday 26th November 2015
★★★

Jest End is back! Known as 'the British Forbidden Broadway', the satirical show lovingly makes fun of the West End's most popular shows and biggest stars. 

A show like Jest End simply would not work without the right cast - and we're certainly in safe hands with Simon Bailey (I Can't Sing/The Phantom of the Opera), Lizzy Connolly (Xanadu/Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), Scott Garnham (Grand Hotel/Les Miserables) and Jodie Jacobs (Legally Blonde/Rock Of Ages).

Simon Bailey, Lizzy Connolly, Scott Garnham & Jodie Jacobs to star in Jest End

BroadwayWorld have announced that Simon Bailey (I Can't Sing/The Phantom of the Opera), Lizzy Connolly (Xanadu/Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), Scott Garnham (Grand Hotel/Les Miserables) and Jodie Jacobs (Legally Blonde/Rock Of Ages) will star in the upcoming revival of Jest End.

The satirical musical which "exposes the hits, flops and gossip of theatreland" opens at the Waterloo East Theatre on 26th November (previews from 24th November) and runs until 6th December 2015. 

Review: Boys Of The Barricade at the Charing Cross Theatre

Boys Of The Barricade
Charing Cross Theatre
Reviewed on Sunday 26th July 2015
★★★★

Described as "the world's first musical super group", last night Boys of the Barricade made their debut with a one-night-only concert at the Charing Cross Theatre. Made up of musical theatre performers who have appeared in either the West End, touring or film versions of Les Miserables, the group performed new arrangements of a plethora of music.

Rehearsal images released for Grand Hotel at the Southwark Playhouse

Rehearsal images have been released for Grand Hotel at the Southwark Playhouse. Check out the images below (click picture to enlarge).

Grand Hotel opens at the Southwark Playhouse on 5th August (previews from 31st July) for a limited run until 5th September 2015. Thom Southerland directs. The show has book by Luther Davis and music and lyrics by George Forrest and Robert Wright with additional music and lyrics by Maury Yeston.

Casting announced for Grand Hotel at the Southwark Playhouse

Casting has been announced for Grand Hotel which opens at the Southwark Playhouse on 5th August (previews from 31st July) for a limited run until 5th September 2015.

Grand Hotel premièred on Broadway in 1989, ran for over 1,000 performances and was nominated for twelve Tony Awards, winning five. 

Italian musical theatre star Christine Grimandi will make her UK stage debut as Grushinskaya.

The cast also includes: Scott Garnham (Baron), George Rae (Kringelein),  Victoria Serra (Flaemmchen), Philip Rham (Otternschlag), Jacob Chapman (Preysing), Valerie Cutko (Raffaela), Jonathan Stewart (Erik), James Gant (Rohna/Zinnowitz), Charles Hagerty (Sandor/Chauffeur) and Paul Iveson (Witt).

The cast is completed by: Rhiannon Howys, Jammy Kasongo, Ceili O'Connor, Durone Stokes, Samuel J Weir and Leah West.

Scott Garnham, Cameron Blakely, Nadim Naaman & Sabrina Carter to star in How To Succeed in Business concert

Casting has been announced for an upcoming concert staging of How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.

Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock and Willie Gilbert's musical will play the Guildhall Great Hall (nearest station: Bank) on Thursday 9th July 2015 at 7.30pm.

The cast includes Scott Garnham (Finch), Cameron Blakely (Twimble/Gatch), Nadim Naaman (Bud Frump), Simon Green (Bert Bratt), Sabrina Carter (Hedy La Rue) and Amanda Goldthorpe-Hall (Miss Jones). Best known for appearing on The Apprentice, Nick Hewer will guest star as the voice of the book.

A Little Night Music to be staged at the Palace Theatre for one night only

Sondheim's A Little Night Music will be staged for one night only at the West End's Palace Theatre next year. The concert, which marks the show's 40th anniversary, takes place on Monday 26th January 2015.

The cast will be led by Anne Reid (Madame Armfeldt), Janie Dee (Desiree Armfeldt, pictured right), David Birrell (Fredrik Egerman), Joanna Riding (Countess Charlotte) and Simon Bailey (Count Carl-Magnus).

The company will also feature: Anna O'Byrne (Anne Egerman), Fra Fee (Henrik Egerman), Laura Pitt-Pulford (Petra), Bibi Jay (Fredrika Egerman), Joe Vetch (Frid), Nadim Naaman (Mr Erlanson), Scott Garnham (Mr Lindquist), Laura Tebbutt (Mrs Nordstrom), Emma Harrold (Mrs Anderssen) and Jenna Boyd (Mrs Segstrom). 

Summer Strallen, Carrie Hope Fletcher, Sandra Marvin, Matt Wycliffe & more for next West End Fest; full line-up announced

The full line-up has been announced for the next West End Fest charity concert named Summer Camp.

The show takes place on Sunday 29th June 2014 at the St Pauls Actors Church in Covent Garden. West End stars will perform songs from Broadway shows which haven't (yet) been seen in London. All proceeds will be donated to Cardiac Arrest in the Young (CRY).

The full line-up includes: Rebecca Trehearn, Rob Houchen, Jordan Lee Davies, Ceili O'Connor, Sandra Marvin, Jodie Steele, Maria Coyne, Ian Stroughair, George Ure, Rosie Ladkin, Gabriel Mokake, Jodie Jacobs, Alice Fearn, Dougie Carter, Ross William Wild, Matt Wycliffe, Sophia Ragavelas, Lisa-Anne Wood, Claudia Kariuki, Kieran Brown, Sabrina Aloueche and Scott Garnham.

Scott Garnham launches Self Indulgent Ballad this Sunday with special guests

West End star Scott Garnham will officially launch 'Self Indulgent Ballad' this Sunday during a performance at Freedom Bar, Soho at 3pm. Scott will perform alongside Simon Bailey, Sabrina Aloueche, Tori Allen-Martin and Matthew Seadon-Young.

Scott said: "Self Indulgent Ballad was born two years ago during a conversation with Hadley Fraser backstage at the Queen’s Theatre. We got on to the subject of musical theatre albums and discovered most of them contain all the classic ballads. We discussed how funny and refreshingly honest it would be to name an album ‘Self Indulgent Ballad’... and the idea was born!"

Two years later and following lots of re-writes the song is finally finished! The recorded song features: Ben Sell, Chloe Hart, Simon Bailey, Craig Mather, Sabrina Aloueche, Sarah Galbraith, Fra Fee, Hadley Fraser and students from Guildford School of Acting.

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.

Eden Espinosa, Lucy May Barker, Julie Atherton & Scott Garnham for Christmas In New York

Christmas In New York, a seasonal theatrical concert, is returning this Christmas for one night only at the Palace Theatre in London on Monday 9th December. The show will also play its first ever regional date at the Palace Theatre in Manchester on Saturday 7th December.

Broadway leading lady Eden Espinosa (pictured above) will headline both shows alongside an accomplished cast of West End stars featuring Tori Allen-Martin (Rent, Hair), Lucy May Barker (Spring Awakening, Sweeney Todd), Andy Coxon (Les Miserables, Rocky Horror Show), Scott Garnham (Les Miserables, I Can't Sing!), Luke Kempner (Avenue Q, South Pacific) and Zoe Rainey (Wicked, Hairspray).

West End actor Scott Garnham launches Indiegogo campaign to fund Self Indulgent Ballad project

West End actor Scott Garnham has launched an Indiegogo campaign to fund his Self Indulgent Ballad project. The Self Indulgent Ballad is a comedy song written by the theatre performer and co-composer Steven Luke Walker. 

Speaking to West End Frame, Scott said: "Self Indulgent Ballad has been successful because people embraced the song and seem to really like it. It was always a bit of dream that we’d record it and the fact we are recording a music video too is just incredible!"

The West End actor, who most recently starred in [title of show] at the Landor Theatre, needs to raise £4,000 to be able to record the song and film an accompanying music video. Fans can pledge anything between £5 and £350 through an Indiegogo campaign. In return for pledging money there are various perks up for grabs, including the chance to appear in the music video and to be the first to hear the song.

Review: [title of show] at the Landor Theatre

[title of show]

Landor Theatre

Reviewed on Monday 12th August 2013

It was a very brave decision for the Landor Theatre to stage the London premiere of [title of show] at the same time as the musical is receiving its UK premiere at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Having seen the show in Edinburgh just two days earlier, it felt a little strange to be reviewing another production of [title of show] so soon. Of course it would be impossible not to compare the two productions. 

Interview: Scott Garnham

It was recently announced that West End star Scott Garnham will play Hunter in the London premiere of [title of show] at the Landor Theatre alongside Simon Bailey as Jeff, Sarah Galbraith as Susan and Sophia Ragavelas as Heidi.

Scott most recently appeared as Mr Lindquist in “A Little Night Music - in Concert” at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre. Prior to this he played Feuilly and covered the roles of Marius and Enjolras in “Les Misérables” at the Queens Theatre. 

His other theatre credits include the “Les Misérables 25th Anniversary Concert at The O2”, Ronan Corr in the West End and UK touring productions of “Eurobeat” and Jose Reize in the UK tour of “Never Forget”.

Last week I spoke to Scott about what people can expect from [title of show], when he first found out about the musical and his time in Les Mis…

How are rehearsals for [title of show] going?

It’s been amazing so far! It’s such a brilliant piece and the most original show that I’ve ever had the pleasure of working on.

Have you always wanted to create a role in an original production?

Absolutely, I think it’s something every actor wants to do and it’s great that the Landor Theatre provides that platform for so many people. When I found out about the project I jumped at the chance to be part of it.

Interview: Laura Tisdall - meet the genius behind 'The In-Between'

Over the last few months everyone has heard about The In-Between after the hugely popular concept album was released and some of the songs were performed at West End Live. West End Frame talked to the composer and lyricist of the show, Laura Tisdall, about writing the musical, the upcoming Union Theatre concert and if we will be able to see the show on stage any time soon...

The In-Between Concept Album has been such a massive success – has it sunk in yet? 

Not really! The response has been incredible and there are moments when it hits me and I just go wow, but I think because I’ve been working on this pretty much solidly since February (and on the show and album from a long time before that) it’s very hard to separate myself from it enough to be really objective. I think until we get backing (and probably even if we do) I’ll always be focused on how I can try and improve the show and what I’m doing with it, which means I’m not very good at stopping to think about what has gone well!

Everything you need to know about West End Live 2012

This years West End Live will take place in Trafalgar Square on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th of June. As usual all the top West End Musicals will be performing including the casts of Top Hat, Wicked, Billy Elliot, Sweeney Todd, Singin' In The Rain, Phantom Of The Opera, Les Mis, Ghost, We Will Rock You, Shrek, Matilda and Blood Brothers just to name a few.

Presented by Westminster City Council and the Society of London Theatre in association with MasterCard, West End LIVE showcases the quality and diversity of entertainment on offer in the heart of London, promoting the West End as an exciting venue for all the family – all live, all for free in the iconic setting of Trafalgar Square.

As well as featuring showcase performances from every West End musical there will also be performances from live bands and a wonderful array of interactive exhibits from many of London’s top museums, galleries and cultural institutions – West End LIVE is a unique event that has grown to become a hugely popular fixture in London’s entertainment calendar .

Where: Trafalgar Square
When: Saturday 23 – Sunday 24 June
Cost: Free Entry
Nearest Tube: Leicester Square/Charing Cross/Embankment

There will also be exciting performances from West End Stars who are currently promoting new albums and singles. Louise Dearman will be performing songs from her latest album 'Here Comes The Sun' which we recently reviewed, giving a 5 star rating. Mark Evans will be performing songs from the upcoming English version of his debut album 'The Journey Home'. They will be joined by Alex Gaumond who will perform his new single entitled 'Here I Am'

Finally there will also be special performances from the new concept musical 'The In-Bewtween'. Perfoming the new music from this show are West End Stars Sabrina Aloueche, Hannah Jane Fox, Scott Garnham and Lauren Samuels. Click here to read our full article about The In-Between's performances at West End Live.

Here is the full schedule for West End Live 2012. For more information visit http://www.westendlive.co.uk/

The In-Between to perform at West End Live

West End stars Sabrina Aloueche, Hannah Jane Fox, Scott Garnham and Lauren Samuels will be performing songs from new musical The In-Between at this year’s West End Live in Trafalgar Square, with sets at 3pm Saturday 23 June and 4.40pm Sunday 24 June. Scott Garnham and Lauren Samuels will be performing on the Saturday, with Sabrina Aloueche and Hannah Jane Fox joining Samuels for the Sunday set. Three Scaramouche's on the same stage at once - I'm scared!

I have been listening to this album a lot recently ahead of writing my review later this month and think it is incredible! The music is constantly stuck in my head. It is fantastic that this new show has been given the chance to show-case it's amazing score in the massive West End event that is West End Live.

A quirky tale of love, friendship and letting go, The In-Between is a fantasy musical telling the story of nineteen-year-old misfit Flick Wimple, a perpetual underachiever who stumbles through the wrong doorway and finds herself trapped in between parallel worlds.Desperately searching for a way home, Flick must overcome new challenges as she finds help in unexpected places and is forced to confront her troubled past…

Initially released as an online concept album in mid February, The In-Between has since received over 40,000 views on YouTube, despite having no commercial backing. Aloueche and Samuels both appear on the album, in a cast which also includes Julie Atherton, Daniel Boys, Cassandra Compton, Hadley Fraser, Alexia Khadime, Dianne Pilkington and Liam Tamne.

A CD version is being released for the first time by Dress Circle, also on Saturday 23 June, with an in-store signing from 11am to 12 noon attended by Daniel Boys, Dianne Pilkington and Lauren Samuels. Click here to find out all the information about the Dress Circle signing.

The In-Between has music, lyrics and book by Laura Tisdall, whose previous credits include Bill Kenwright’s UK tour of The Haunting and Kerry Ellis and Brian May’s Anthems: The Concert.

The concept album is available to pre-order from www.dresscircle.co.uk and can be heard online at www.theinbetweenmusical.com. For more information on West End Live, click here to view our article about everyone else who will be performing and at what time. Alternately visit www.westendlive.co.uk 

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%

Katy Treharne is named 'West End Frame's Understudy Of The Year 2012'

Over the last 3 weeks you have been voting in your thousands and have crowned Katy Treharne 'West End Frame's Understudy Of The Year 2012'. Katy, who is from Wales, has been understudying the role  of Christine Daaé in Phantom Of The Opera for some time now at Her Majesty's Theatre and is now the alternate for the role, performing regularly. She has proven hugely popular with fans of the show and we have received numerous  glowing comments about her portrayal of Christine. Katy received 27% of the final vote.

Also, massive congratulations the runners up - Jenny Gayner, Lauren Varnham, Samuel Edwards, Jamie Muscato, Emma Housley, Aaron Lee Lambert, Scott Garnham, Scott Monello and Alice Fearn who are all also incredibly popular and are beyond talented. All the nominees give breath taking performances when given the opportunity. It has been amazing to see the people who hold the West End together get some recognition. Understudies are truly wonderful and when going to a show we should be excited when we hear they are on! 

'West End Frame's Understudy Of The Year 2013' will be back in May 2013 with an extended voting period so keep you're eyes pealed! Also we are launching out new poll on Friday 8th June 2012 for 'Best West End Debut 2012'. The nominees have not yet been finalised so we would love to hear any suggestions you may have. You can contact us via our Twitter (@West_End_Frame) and Facebook Pages. Alternately you can email us at WestEndFrame@Hotmail.co.uk 

Thank you to everyone who has voted and supported the poll! We value your support so much and we hope you continue to support West End Frame in the future. Now that we have some time back we look forward to writing more articles and reviews for the blog. Coming soon we have reviews of Travelling Light at The National Theatre and Louise Dearman's new album. We are also going to look into what is going on with the Coronation Street: Street Of Dreams tour which seems to be turning into a nightmare!

We thought we would leave you with some of the lovely comments people have posted over the last few weeks about our amazing understudies.

"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, 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"

"Awaiting Katy Treharne's headlining..."

Click here to read some more of the comments that stood out for us about the nominees.

Click here to find out more about who came 1st - 5th place

Click here to find out more about who came 6th - 12th place 

Click here to find out more about who came 13th - 20th place 

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..."