Casting announced for The Hired Man

Casting has been announced for the upcoming concert staging of The Hired Man. Howard Goodall and Melvyn Bragg’s musical will play London’s Cadogan Hall on 22nd September 2016.

The cast will be led by Jenna Russell and John Owen-Jones as John and Emily. Russell most recently starred in Jamie Lloyd’s production of Doctor Faustus whilst Owen-Jones is currently performing as Jean Valjean in Les Miserables on Broadway, 

Lucie Jones, Stewart Clarke, Jeremy Legat & Katie Paine to star in MUSICALS unsung

The line-up has been announced for Parallel Productions' new concert MUSICALS unsung at the St James Studio. From golden age of Hollywood screen to the newest Broadway shows, MUSICALS unsung will feature lesser-known songs from popular musicals that didn't make the final cut.

The line-up of West End talent includes Lucie Jones (Legally Blonde/We Will Rock You), Stewart Clarke (Ghost The Musical/Assassins), Jeremy Legat (Grey Gardens/Wicked) and Katie Paine (We Will Rock You/Godspell).

Review: A Streetcar Named Desire at the Leicester Curve (Studio)

A Streetcar Named Desire
Leicester Curve (Studio)
Reviewed on Wednesday 21st October 2015
★★★

Nikolai Foster's production of A Streetcar Named Desire is dark, intense and often gritty. Blanche's story seems more traumatic than ever as we witness her world spiral out of control.

Production Pics: Charlie Brooks & Stewart Clarke star in A Streetcar Named Desire

Production images have been released for A Streetcar Named Desire which opens Nikolai Foster’s inaugural season as Artistic Director of the Leicester Curve. Check out the images below (click picture to enlarge).

The show stars Charlie Brooks as Blanche and Stewart Clarke as Stanley, with the cast also including: Dakota Blue Richards (Stella), Sandy Foster (Eunice), Patrick Knowles (Mitch), Natasha Magigi (Nurse/African American Woman), Mark Peachey (Steve), Nick Read (Young Collector/Doctor and Juan Pablo Yepez (Pablo). 

Nikolai Foster announces first Leicester Curve season

Nikolai Foster has announced his first season as artistic director of the Leicester Curve.

Pop star and former Strictly Come Dancing runner-up Pixie Lott has been cast in a stage adaptation of Breakfast at Tiffany's.

Described as a sparkling play with music, the show will run between 3rd and 12th March 2016.

Breakfast at Tiffany's has been adapted for the stage by Richard Greenberg and will be directed by Foster. Following its run in Leicester, the play - which premiered in New York in 2013 - will tour the UK (dates below) before transferring to the West End's Theatre Royal Haymarket between 30th June and 17th September 2016.

Foster said: "I am thrilled Pixie Lott will lead the company in our production of Richard Greenberg's beautiful adaptation of Truman Capote's Breakfast at Tiffany's. Developing new audiences for drama and presenting plays which are socially relevant, are things we feel passionately about at Curve. I am very proud Pixie, Richard and our first class creative team will be joining us in Leicester for my inaugural season."

Casting announced for The Return of the Soldier

Casting has been announced for the world premiere of Tim Sanders and Charles Miller's  intimate new chamber musical The Return of the Soldier. The production runs at the Jermyn Street Theatre between Tuesday 2nd and Saturday 20th September 2014.

Stewart Clarke (pictured right) will star as Captain Christopher Baldry alongside Zoe Rainey as Kitty Baldry, Laura Pitt-Pulford as Margaret Grey, Michael Matus as William Grey/Dr Gilbert Anderson and Charlie Langham as Jenny Baldry.

Directed by Charlotte Westenra, The Return of the Soldier is based on Rebecca West's celebrated 1918 novel. This intensely bittersweet tale dissects the very different love of three women for Captain Christopher Baldry.

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.

Full casting announced for Cool Rider

Full casting has been announced for Cool Rider which returns to the West End next month. The production runs at the Duchess Theatre from Tuesday 15th to Saturday 19th April 2014.

Mark Benton (Hairspray/Waterloo Road) will star as Mr Stuart and Niki Evans (Legally Blonde/X Factor) as Ms Mason. Hannah Levane (Flashdance/We Will Rock You West End) returns to play Paulette.

Also joining the cast are Stewart Clarke (Ghost/Loserville, pictured right) as Jonny, Luke Fetherston (Singin’ in the Rain/Top Hat) as Goose, Joshua Dowen as Louis, Harry Francis (A Chorus Line/Wicked) as Davey, Bronte Barbe (Over The Rainbow) as Sharon and Lucinda Lawrence (Kiss Me Kate/Love Never Dies) as Rhonda.

Casting announced for Godspell's West End return

Godspell, the heart-lifting feel-good Broadway musical from Stephen Schwartz, is to be staged in the West End at the Lyric Theatre on Monday 19th May for the first time since it premiered 42 years ago. The one-off charity gala concert performance, in aid of Make-A-Wish Foundation® UK, will be introduced on stage by David Essex, whose casting as Jesus in the original production turned him into an overnight sensation.

A timeless tale of friendship, loyalty and love, featuring such popular songs as Day By Day, Light of the World and Turn Back, O Man,Godspell has touched the hearts of theatregoers all over the world since. For the first time in the UK, fans will hear the stunning new orchestrations from the recent acclaimed Broadway revival production.

Review: Ghost The Musical (UK Tour) at the Milton Keynes Theatre

Ghost (UK Tour)

Milton Keynes Theatre

Reviewed on Wednesday 18th September 2013

Adapted from the 1990 Oscar winning film, Ghost The Musical is a show which will make you cry with both sadness and joy. Following its world premiere at the Manchester Opera House in March 2011, Ghost has gone on to enjoy runs in both the West End and on Broadway. The musical has now been touring the UK for several months and earlier this week also began a tour of the US.

Review: Loserville at the Garrick Theatre "different to anything else you will have ever seen before"

Loserville
Garrick Theatre
Performance: Tuesday 30th October 2012

Loserville is a new British musical by Elliot Davis and James Bourne. The show recently received its London premiere at the Garrick Theatre following the show's successful run at the West Yorkshire Playhouse.

Loserville is set in 1971 and follows computer geek Michael Dork and his misfit friends Lucas, Marvin and Francis who are about to change the world... it's just that no-one knows it yet. But, when new girl Holly arrives in town, all of Michael’s dreams seem to be coming true – at last a girl with looks and brains that actually notices him. But when rich kid Eddie discovers Holly’s dark secret, he turns his back on girlfriend Leia and sets out to ruin Michael’s future dreams.

Loserville is a fantastic new show which breaks all the rules. I love how Loserville takes risks which certainly pay off.  Francis O'Connor's design is incredibly unique making Loserville different to anything else you will have ever seen before.

Loserville to open at the Garrick Theatre on October 17th

Loserville, a new British musical by Elliot Davis and James Bourne, will receive its London premiere at the Garrick Theatre (a Nimax Theatre), opening on 17 October 2012, following previews from 1 October. This follows a successful run at the West Yorkshire Playhouse this summer.