Big Interview: Sophie Evans

Sophie Evans is preparing to star as Erin the Goddess in Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games at the Playhouse Theatre.

Following its West End runs at the London Palladium and Dominion Theatre, Michael Flatley’s show is returning to London for a third season. Sophie is sharing the role, which was previously played by Nadine Coyle, with former The Voice UK contestant Rachael O’Connor.

In 2010 Sophie entered Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Over The Rainbow competition which was broadcast to millions of viewers on BBC1. After finishing second, Sophie went on to alternate the role of Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium and subsequently took over the role full time.

Sophie has since embarked on a diverse career, making concert appearances all around the UK. On screen Sophie played Becky Salt alongside Simon Pegg in The World's End and appeared in Matthew Warchus' film Pride. She recently returned to the London stage, starring in You Won't Succeed on Broadway if You Don't Have Any Jews at the St James Theatre.

I recently spoke to Sophie about why she’s excited to be joining Lord of the Dance, whether she has a talent for Irish dancing and why Over The Rainbow feels like a lifetime ago…

How much did you know about Lord of the Dance before being asked to join the show? Had you ever seen it?

No, I’m not going to lie, I didn’t really know anything about the show! I thought it was just dancing – but obviously it’s a lot more than that! There’s a lot more going on, there’s a storyline. I looked into it to see if it was something I would be interested in… and it was!

Sophie Evans to star in Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games

It has been announced that West End actress Sophie Evans will star as Erin the Goddess in Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games at the Playhouse Theatre. Evans will share the role with Rachael O’Connor.

The role of the Lord of the Dance will be played by James Keegan, Morgan Comer and brothers Cathal and Fergal Keaney, who have all been hand-picked and directed by Michael Flatley. All four have won multiple World Irish Dancing Championship titles. 

Evans was runner-up on the hugely popular BBC series Over the Rainbow in 2010. She went on to alternate Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium before taking over full time. She recently starred in You Won't Succeed on Broadway If You Don't Have Any Jews at St. James Theatre. 

Lloyd Daniels, Sarah Earnshaw & Sophie Evans cast in You Won’t Succeed on Broadway if You Don’t Have Any Jews

It has been announced that You won’t succeed on Broadway if you don’t have any Jews will open at the St James Theatre on 27th August (previews from 25th August) for a limited run until 5th September 2015.

The show will star  Lloyd Daniels (X Factor/Joseph UK Tour), Sarah Earnshaw (Wicked/Spamalot) and Sophie Evans (The Wizard of Oz) with David Albury, Alex Marshall, John Barr, Danny Lane, Yiftach Mizrahi, Natalie Lipin, Rebecca Wicking and Jackie Marks completing the cast.

Broadway wouldn’t be what it is today without the Jewish composers and writers whose melodies we so greatly adore. You Won’t Succeed on Broadway if You Don’t Have Any Jews is not in any way political. It is simply a joyous celebration of over 80 years of the Jewish contribution to Musical Theatre. 

Review: The Wizard Of Oz at the London Palladium

The Wizard Of Oz
London Palladium
Performance: Wednesday 1st August 2012

I thoroughly enjoyed my evening at the London Palladium seeing The Wizard Of Oz. It is a light hearted show  with nice music, costumes and set. The Wizard Of Oz is the ultimate family show and I would highly recommend you take your kids and Grandmas to this show as they will love 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!

The Wizard Of Oz to close this September & Des O'Connor to take over the title role this month

After much speculation it has been officially announced that The Wizard Of Oz at The London Palladium is closing.  The Final performance will be on 2 September 2012. However, it is not all bad news as it has also been announced that the wonderful Des O'Connor will be joining the show in the title role from the 22nd of May until the end of the show's run. Sophie Evans will also stay with the show until it closes playing Dorothy.

I saw this production last summer and saw Sophie Evans as Dorothy, when she was understudying the role. I have to say I thought she was incredible and gave a faultless performance as Dorothy, she performed the part as if it was written for her! And of course, her Somewhere Over The Rainbow was completely perfect. 

Des O'Connor, who turned 80 earlier this year is no stranger to The London Palladium as he has performed there as a solo artist over 1,000 times. He made hiss West End debut last year in Dreamboats & Petticoats at the Playhouse Theatre.

I wish Des a successful run with show and hope that the cast of The Wizard Of Oz enjoy their final few months in the emerald city!

Watch Sophie Evans perform Somewhere Over The Rainbow at the Olivier Awards below

Click here to read our recent review 4 star review of The Wizard Of Oz

Olivier Awards: My Review 2012

So last Sunday 15th April saw the 36th annual Olivier Awards... debatably the biggest night of the year in theatre land... and what a night it was! I have to say I loved it, apart from the dodgy technical issues with the red button coverage which I found very frustrating. So the event was opened with the cast of We Will Rock You with the legend that is Brian May! I thought the performance was great and loved the chemistry between Lauren Samuels and Noel Sullivan. However I didn't think Noel's voice was as strong, although I cannot really judge as I haven't seen him live.

When Sheridan Smith won best supporting role in a play I couldn't help but give her a little clap from my living room (how sad). She thoroughly deserved that award as her performance in Flare Path was incredible. When Crazy For You won Best Costume Designer I loved  Peter McKintosh's face, it was hilarious!

Amazing performance from Sharon D Clarke sining 'I'm Outta Hear' from Ghost the Musical. It was great to hear her adding in a few extra rifts and enjoying herself so much. I also loved how the cameras kept showing her reactions throughout the event, she comes across as a genuinely nice, hilarious person. 


The incredible performances just kept on coming, it was lovely to see all the Matilda's performing together. There confidence is just incredible, looks like they have been doing it for years! I am really eager to see the show now. It was also strange to see Betty Blue Eyes perform after it closed quite a while ago however I have to sat it was an incredible performance and made me want to see it! What a shame it's gone.


It was great to be able to watch the performances from the Covent Garden event during the interval. It was amazing to watch Rachel Tucker perform the Wizard And I, her betrayal is just so fresh! She truely is an incredible actress and definitely deserved to win our 'Best Performance Of A Song' poll last month. I liked watching her putting her all into the song as it is one she normally holds back on. Her 'melt' rift gave me goosebumps. It was great to catch a glimpse of Nicola Brazil performing with Jersey Boys and I think Ryan Collinson is the best Billy Elliot I have ever seen perform Electricity - and I have seen a lot! It was also the first time I have ever scene a person translating the performances in sign language at a live music event!


Les Miserables winning the the audience award was well deserved although I was slightly surprised as I did think Wicked would win as they have such a massive fan base! Seeing their performance has really made me want to see the show again, before the film is released and it is impossible to get tickets. Derren Brown was very humble to win best entertainment show, and it looked like he felt really out of place.

I loved Crazy For You's performance, they had such a massive cast who put on such a massive performance! I also loved Singing In The Rain's performance of  'Good Morning' which was the complete opposite! I love that old fashioned comedy style of musical theatre. Sophie Evans's performance of Somewhere Over The Rainbow was completely perfect. I saw her play Dorothy while she was understudying the role and it is great she has now taken over full time.


South Pacific's performance was OK but was slightly ruined by the fact half the microphones weren't working. Will Young's story completely flopped when he presented an award. It was a shame Sharon D Clark, Sophie-Louise Dann AND Nigel Harmon couldn't all have won Best Performance In A Supporting Role In A Musical. I like how the category is both male and female. I also thought it was a shame some audience members could be seen rolling their eyes when Shrek won an Olivier, I bet they haven't even seen the show.

I also think it was ridiculous Richard Fleeshman and Caissie Levy weren't nominated in the best actor and actress in a musical categories. Matilda deserved every single one of it's awards and the Matilda's acceptance speech was so cute, not going to lie, my eyes did fill up with water.

I didn't like the performance of I Know Him So Well however Elaine Paige's performance of Don't Cry For Me Argentina was genuinely amazing. She acted and meant every single work she sung - simply incredible. The Olivier's was a massive success, and apart from Ghost not winning anything I thought all the winners well deserving.

OLIVIER AWARDS: Click here to view the winners list
OLIVIER AWARDS: Click here to refresh your memory of who was nominated

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I hope you are liking the new layout and sorry that it took me a while to write this review, I've had a very busy week. Would love you to comment with your views and opinions on the Olivier awards!