Summer Strallen, Kerry Ellis, Tim Howar & Graham Bickley to star in The Sound of Musicals

This Christmas Summer Strallen (Damsel In Distress/Top Hat), Kerry Ellis (Cats/Wicked), Tim Howar (Bond & Beyond/Rock Of Ages) and Graham Bickley (High Society/Miss Saigon) will star in a concert tour of The Sound of Musicals.

The show will play the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall (27th Dec), Bridgewater Hall Manchester (28th Dec), Symphony Hall Birmingham (29th Dec), Glasgow Royal Concert Hall (30th Dec) and Barbican Hall London (2nd January). 

The cast will be accompanied by the London Concert Orchestra under the direction of Richard Balcombe. The Sound of Musicals will feature numbers from Kiss Me Kate, Anything Goes, My Fair Lady, Miss Saigon, South Pacific, Hairspray, Guys And Dolls, Les Miserables, Grease, Chicago, Cats, Follies and The Phantom Of The Opera.

Review: A Damsel in Distress at the Chichester Festival Theatre

A Damsel in Distress 
Chichester Festival Theatre
Reviewed on Wednesday 17th June 2015
★★★

Based on the novel by P.G. Wodehouse and featuring songs by George and Ira Gershwin, director and choreographer Rob Ashford has brought A Damsel in Distress to the stage. 

Richard Fleeshman plays George, an American composer who meets Maud, a beautiful English socialite (played by Summer Strallen) and - in true theatrical fashion - it doesn't take long for the pair to fall madly in love. However, hurdles stand in their way, including Maud's not-to-be messed with aunt (played spectacularly by Isla Blair) who locks her niece in a tower... but can love prevail..?

Production images released for A Damsel in Distress starring Richard Fleeshman & Summer Strallen

Production images have been released for A Damsel in Distress at the Chichester Festival Theatre starring Richard Fleeshman (Ghost), Summer Strallen (Top Hat) and Sally Ann Triplett (Viva Forever). Check out the pictures below (click image to enlarge).

Running until 27th June, A Damsel in Distress is based on a novel by P.G. Wodehouse. With songs by George and Ira Gershwin, A Damsel in Distress is well-known from the popular 1937 comedy film. Rob Ashford directs.

The cast also includes: Desmond Barrit (Wicked), Isla Blair (Made in Dagenham), Nicholas Farrell (South Downs, The Browning Version), Richard Dempsey (A Midsummer Night's Dream) and Melle Stewart (Assassins).

Richard Fleeshman & Summer Strallen to star in Chichester's A Damsel in Distress

Richard Fleeshman and Summer Strallen will star alongside the previously announced Sally Ann Triplett in A Damsel in Distress at the Chichester Festival Theatre.

The show is based on a novel by P.G. Wodehouse. With songs by George and Ira Gershwin, A Damsel in Distress is well-known from the popular 1937 comedy film. The production runs between 30th May and 27th June 2015.

Fleeshman starred in Ghost the Musical in the West End and on Broadway. His credits also include: Legally Blonde (Savoy), Urinetown (St James) and Bend It like Beckham (workshop). Strallen's credits include The Sound of Music (Palladium) and Top Hat (Aldwych) whilst Triplett's include Viva Forever (Piccadilly) and The Last Ship (Broadway).

Strallen & Casey sisters unite for concert

It has been announced that three of the Strallen sisters (Summer, Scarlett and Zizi) will team up with the Casey sisters (Anna-Jane and Natalie) for a one night only concert at the Leicester Square Theatre on 19th April.

Summer Strallen created the role of Dale Tramont in the West End premiere of Top Hat, Scarlett Strallen famously starred in the London and New York productions of Mary Poppins whilst Zizi Strallen recently took to the stage at the London Palladium in Cats.

Caroline O’Connor, Damian Humbley & Summer Strallen to star in Andrew Lippa celebration at the Menier Chocolate Factory

Andrew Lippa

It has been announced that the Menier Chocolate Factory will host a celebration of the works of Andrew Lippa. 

Life Of The Party: A Celebration Of The Songs Of Andrew Lippa opens on Friday 30th May (previews from 27th May) and runs until Saturday 14th June 2014.

Caroline O’Connor, Damian Humbley and Summer Strallen will star in the show, hosted by Andrew Lippa. 

He will showcase songs from some of his most successful musicals including; The Wild Party, The Addams Family and Big Fish. Audiences should also "expect some surprises" as Andrew and the cast "explore these stories and their characters, sharing their journeys in this funny, poignant and joyous musical celebration".

Review: The Singers Soirée at St Giles-in-the-Fields

The Singers Soirée

St Giles-in-the-Fields

Reviewed on Thursday 12th September 2013

Following several sold out performances on board the Battersea Barge, last week The Singers Soirée, founded by Jamie Chapman Dixon, transferred to a considerably larger venue, St Giles-in-the-Fields in Tottenham Court Road. The venue is lovely; however, the lack of toilet facilities was slightly frustrating.

Gavin Lee and Charlotte Gooch to take over from Tom Chambers and Summer Strallen in Top Hat

From 5th February 2013 Gavin Lee will join the cast of the hit West End production of Top Hat to play Jerry Travers. Top Hat is currently booking at the Aldwych Theatre until 28th September 2013 having recently released a further 180,000 new tickets for sale. Seventy seven years after its movie release, Matthew White’s production arrived in the West End earlier this year having completed a 20 week sell-out UK tour. 

From 27th November 2012, Charlotte Gooch will join the cast to play Dale Tremont alongside Tom Chambers who continues in the role of Jerry Travers until 2nd February 2013. 

Review: Top Hat at the Aldwych Theatre

Top Hat
Aldwych Theatre
Performance: Thursday 18th October 2012

Jerry Travers, the famous American tap dancer, arrives in London to appear in his first West End show. Travers meets the irresistible Dale Tremont, the girl of his dreams, and follows her across Europe in an attempt to win her heart. Performed by a cast of 31 and accompanied by a live band of 15, this new musical comedy includes Irving Berlin classics from the original movie. A further ten numbers have been interpolated from Berlin’s 1200 strong back catalogue.

Top Hat extends booking to September 2013

Over 180,000 new tickets are now on sale for Top Hat at the Aldwych Theatre as it extends its booking period to 28th September 2012. Seventy seven years after its movie release, Matthew White’s production arrived in the West End earlier this year having completed a 20 week sell-out UK tour. 

The show follows Jerry Travers, the famous American tap dancer, as he arrives in London to appear in his first West End show. Travers meets the irresistible Dale Tremont, the girl of his dreams, and follows her across Europe in an attempt to win her heart.

Performed by a cast of 31 and accompanied by a live band of 15, this new musical comedy includes Irving Berlin classics from the original movie. A further ten numbers have been interpolated from Berlin’s 1200 strong back catalogue.

Album Review: Top Hat (original London cast recording)

Top Hat
Original London Cast Recording
First Night Records

Reviewing the original London cast recoding of Top Hat The Musical has been an interesting experience for me as I haven't seen the show... yet and I have not seen the film. After one listen I was not convinced however over the last week it has grown on me. Sometimes this can be the case with music, after one listen the music is forgettable but after a few listens you suddenly realise you are whistling the songs while doing the washing up. I was also surprised that I knew quite a few of the songs already.