Michael Xavier & Siobhan Dillon join Glenn Close in Sunset Boulevard

The Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye has revealed further casting for Sunset Boulevard.

The revival runs at the ENO’s London Coliseum later this year starring the previously announced Glenn Close as Norma Desmond.

The cast will also include Michael Xavier (Show Boat/The Pajama Game) as Joe, Siobhan Dillon (Miss Saigon/Ghost) as Betty and Fred Johanson (Jesus Christ Superstar) as Max.

UPDATED: The cast also includes Julian Forsyth as Cecil B DeMille, Mark Goldthorp as Sheldrake, Fenton Gray as Manfred, Haydn Oakley as Artie Green and James Paterson as Jonesy. Further company members include Carly Anderson, Jacob Chapman, Katie Kerr, Aaron Lee Lambert, Vicki Lee Taylor, Jo Morris, Ashley Robinson, Gary Tushaw and Adam Vaughan.

The incomparable Ria Jones, who created the role of Norma Desmond in the original Sunset Boulevard workshop, also features in the cast as Close's standby. Final casting will be announced shortly.

Carolyn Maitland takes over as Ellen in Miss Saigon for limited run

It has been announced that Carolyn Maitland will take over as Ellen in Miss Saigon at the Prince Edward Theatre for a limited run from Thursday 30th July until Saturday 17th October 2015.

Last year Maitland won West End Frame's Understudy of the Year Award for understudying the role which she is now returning to play full time. Maitland recently finished starring as Kathy Selden in Singin' in the Rain at the Kilworth House Theatre.

Current Ellen Siobhan Dillon is taking a break from the show to undergo treatment following an operation. Maitland joins Jon Jon Briones as The Engineer, Eva Noblezada as Kim, Chris Peluso as Chris, Hugh Maynard as John, Sangwoong Jo as Thuy and Natalie Mendoza as Gigi. 

Big Interview: Siobhan Dillon

Siobhan Dillon is currently starring as Sally Bowles alongside Will Young in the UK Tour of Cabaret. She previously played the role during the show’s 2009 Tour.

In 2006 Siobhan entered ‘How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?’, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s television search to find an actress to play Maria in a West End revival of The Sound of Music. After coming third on the programme she made her West End debut the following year in Grease at the Piccadilly Theatre playing Patty Simcox and understudying the roles of Sandy and Marty. She later returned to the production to star as Sandy.

Last year Siobhan starred as Molly Jensen in the West End production of Ghost The Musical at the Piccadilly Theatre. She also recently played Vivienne in the West End production of Legally Blonde at the Savoy Theatre. Her other theatre credits include playing Claire in Ex- The Musical at the Soho Theatre, Mandy in the UK Tour of Can’t Smile Without You and Karen in the workshop of Tim Rice’s new musical From Here to Eternity.

Yesterday I spoke to Siobhan about how she is approaching such an iconic role differently the second time around, why starring in Ghost last year made her realise how much she loves Musical Theatre and why touring life is difficult when you have an ‘extensive shoe collection’...

What was it that drew you back to playing Sally?

Because the role is so complex! I felt really short-changed last time because I had a week to learn the script and songs for a three month tour. For me the rehearsal process was just too short and I kind of got thrown into it. Also I didn’t feel it was a long enough run for me to really get my teeth into the role. On top of that I think I was far too young to be able to understand the script, subtext and history, and I hadn’t experienced enough as a person - so when the chance came up again, straight away I was like “yes, yes, yes, absolutely!”

Review: Cabaret (UK Tour) at the New Wimbledon Theatre

Cabaret (UK Tour)
New Wimbledon Theatre
Reviewed on Thursday 29th August 2013

First performed on Broadway in 1966, Cabaret has become one of the most iconic pieces of musical theatre of all time. Last year the musical received a West End revival at the Savoy Theatre and now the production is once again embarking on a UK Tour. Cabaret is set in 1931 Berlin as the Nazis are rising to power, the show focuses on nightlife at the seedy Kit Kat Klub and revolves around the 19-year-old English cabaret performer Sally Bowles and her relationship with the young American writer Cliff Bradshaw.

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.

Siobhan Dillon to star as Sally Bowles in Cabaret UK Tour alongside Will Young!

It has been confirmed that Siobhan Dillon will play Sally Bowles in the upcoming UK Tour of Cabaret. She will star alongside Will Young who is reprising his role as the Emcee.

Following a successful West End run at the Savoy Theatre last year, the UK tour of Cabaret will open at the New Wimbledon Theatre on Wednesday 28th August 2013.

Siobhan Dillon previously played Sally Bowles during Cabaret's 2009 UK Tour. She was a finalist in Andrew Lloyd Webber's first reality TV show, How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? and went on to make her West End debut as Patty in Grease at the Piccadilly Theatre. She subsequently toured the UK in Can't Smile Without You, playing Mandy.

Siobhan's most recent West End credits include playing Vivienne in Legally Blonde The Musical at the Savoy Theatre and Molly in Ghost The Musical at the Piccadilly Theatre.

Writting on Twitter, Siobhan said "Good news! I'll be playing my favourite metal beauty Sally Bowles alongside Will Young (in Cabaret). Very excited about this one!"

Ghost The Musical To Close 6th October 2012

So it is official, the cast of Ghost The Musical have been told that the last performance will be on the 6th October 2012. The news has been confirmed by cast members on Twitter.

This is a great shame as it really is such a great show! Something has obviously gone wrong somewhere however I disagree with some peoples opinions that the show purely relies on it's big set and special effects. I think the score is stunning. 'With You', 'Suspend My Disbelieve' and 'Rain' are my personal favourites. There are whispers of a UK tour but I do think this is unlikely as the show would have to be completely redesigned. 

It is believed that the new Spice Girls musical will replace Ghost at the Piccadilly Theatre. Tickets are due to go on sale June 27th. I for one will definitely be going to see this incredible show before it closes, and I think you should to.

BREAKING NEWS: Ghost The Musical to close - the cast find out via The Daily Mail

Nothing has been confirmed by the producers as of yet but the West End Production of Ghost The Musical is closing this autumn. I find it sickening the way cast members have found out at the same time as  the public via the Daily Mail. No matter what area of business, a company should respect it's employee's and at least have the decently to inform them of  the fact that they face unemployment. 

Ghost will be replaced by the now Spice Girls Musical. Need any more be said?

Current cast member Olivia Lucy Phillip wrote this on twitter 'Always lovely to find out news from the paper isn't it!'. Fellow cast member Francesca Hoffman wrote 'Well interesting day at work tomorrow, thank you daily mail for telling me Ghost is closing in the autumn!!!!' I think they have been kind with their choice of words.

Ghost is one of the best shows I have ever seen and it connected with me in a way no other show has ever done. Let's hope it tours or moves venue because it would be a crime to deprive this show to the British Public. 

Update: 1/6/12 @11:30 - Mark Evans, who is currently playing Sam in the production, has just spoken out on Twitter and said this 'We appreciate people's messages but there are no dates confirmed, nothing has been decided and so I'm afraid no questions can be answered! Ghost is a fantastic show that no matter how long we are running we are all proud to be a part of and every performance will be fantastic between now and the last one whenever it may be! #believe'. So it looks as if we are going to have to wait a while longer to find out what the future has in store for this incredible show.

On the 14th June 2012 it was announced the show would close on the 6th October 2012. Click here to find out more.

This is the Daily Mail article which led to the cast finding out:

Michelle Ryan to join Will Young in Cabaret - another musical theatre debut

After the announcement that Will Young would be making his Musical Theatre debut in Cabaret as the Emcee it has now been revealed that ex-Eastenders actress Michelle Ryan will be joining him to play Sally Bowles! This is a big risk as Michelle has never sung professionally before, apart from some singing lessons for one of her recent films. I hope she pulls it off or it could be a bit of a disaster! Previous actresses to play Sally Bowles include the likes of Judi Dench, Samantha Barks and Siobhan Dillon.

This is what Michelle had to say  "Sally is quite delusional. She’s not the best singer, she’s not a performer, but she has this kind of spirit that takes her through it all ... I’ve been working with a voice coach for two years (on new film The Man Inside), so you could say that when Cabaret came along I was ready."

Besises Eastenders, Michelle 's TV credits include Jekyll, Bionic Woman, Merlin and Doctor Who, while her stage acting credits include Toby Young's Who's the Daddy? at the King's Head (2005) and The Talented Mr Ripley at the Royal and Derngate, Northampton (2010).

The production will start with a short UK tour before settling at The Savoy Theatre. Click here to find out more information about the production one of our previous blog posts.

On 10/08/12 further casting was announced for the production. Click here to find out more.

Follow us on Twitter to keep up to date with all the latest theatre news, reviews and interviews: @West_End_Frame

Ghost Stars Mark Evans & Siobhan Dillon Covers Gotye - 'Somebody That I Used To Know'

If you follow Mark Evans or Siobhan Dillon then you do not need to read any further. But for those of you who don't they have recorded a cover of Gotye's 'Somebody That I Used To Know', purely for fans enjoyment! It is an excellent cover and really suits their voices. The cover has proved popular as it has already had over 25,000 views on YouTube! So I thought it would be rude not to share it with you really... oh and if there are any ladies reading this, Mark Evans gets naked again. Enjoy!