Michelle Francis & Ashley Day to star in Thoroughly Modern Millie

Casting has been announced for Thoroughly Modern Millie which runs at the Kilworth House Theatre between 16th August and 11th September 2016.

Producer Celia Mackay is joined by director and choreographer Stephen Mear to helm the production.

The show will star Michelle Francis as Millie, West End Frame Award winner Ashley Day as Jimmy, Clare Halse as Miss Dorothy, Matthew McKenna as Trevor Graydon, Rachel Stanley as Mrs Meers and Irene-Myrtle Forrester as Muzzy.

Big Interview: Robert Colvin

Next month Robert Colvin is taking part in the Showtime Challenge 48-Hour Musicals, starring as Jimmy in Thoroughly Modern Millie with just two days to rehearse! 

The one-night-only performance is in aid of mental health charity MIND. Starring alongside Robert are Anna-Jane Casey, Amy Perry and Suanne Braun, as well as host Warwick Davis. Over 100 performers are taking part in total.

Most recently Robert starred as Warner in the London fringe premiere of Legally Blonde at Upstairs at the Gatehouse, having previously played Simeon in the UK tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

I recently spoke to Robert about how he’s feeling about performing a show with 48 hours to rehearse, the perks of being baked a technicolour cake on a three show day in Joseph and his late start in musical theatre, plus much more…

Showtime Challenge 48-Hour Musicals sounds crazy… talk me through the concept!

So I got given the script six weeks in advance and I can learn my part and listen to recordings but I’m not allowed to rehearse with anyone until 48 hours before the show on Sunday 20th March. On Friday 18th March myself and loads of other absolutely petrified actors will turn up and start rehearsing. It’s probably easier for me because I just have to learn the blocking, but everyone in the ensemble has to learn all of those dances… it’s insane [laughs]!

Kilworth House to stage West Side Story & Thoroughly Modern Millie

This year the Kilworth House Theatre in Leicestershire are staging productions of West Side Story and Thoroughly Modern Millie.

West Side Story will run between 1st June and 17th July whilst Thoroughly Modern Millie runs between 16th August and 11th September. Creative teams and casting for both productions are yet to be announced. 

West Side Story has book by Arthur Laurents, book by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.

Thoroughly Modern Millie has book by Richard Morris and Dick Scanlan with new music by Jeanine Tesori and new lyrics by Dick Scanlan.

Casting announced for London revival of Thoroughly Modern Millie

Casting has been announced for Thoroughly Modern Millie at the Landor Theatre. The show opens on 26th August (previews from 18th August) and runs until 13th September 2015. 

Francesca Lara Gordon will play the title character, starring alongside Ben Stacey as Jimmy Smith, Sarah Marie Maxwell as Miss Dorothy, Steph Parry as Mrs Meers, Samuel Harris as Mr Trevor Graydon III, Chipo Kureya as Muzzy, Anthony Starr as Bun Foo, Alex Codd as Ching Ho and Christina Meehan as Miss Flannery. The ensemble includes: George Hinson, Thomas Inge and Charlie Johnson.

Design is by Andrew Riley with choreography by Sam Spencer Lane, direction by Matthew Iliffe, musical direction by Chris Guard, lighting by Sam Waddington and casting by Anne Vosser.

Landor Theatre to stage Thoroughly Modern Millie

It has been announced that Thoroughly Modern Millie will be revived at the Landor Theatre this summer.

The musical comedy will open on 26th August (previews from 18th August) and run until 3rd September 2015.

This new production of Thoroughly Modern Millie marks the show’s return to London eleven years after it was first seen at the Shaftesbury Theatre, where it opened in 2003 starring Amanda Holden. The show premiered on Broadway in 2002, winning six Tony Awards (including Best New Musical) and five Drama Desk Awards.

Thoroughly Modern Millie starring Russell Grant postponed to 2015

The upcoming off-West End premiere of Thoroughly Modern Millie has been postponed to 2015. 

The show was due to star Russell Grant as Mrs Meers and run at the Theatro Technis in October. It will now play at the same theatre between 1st and 25th April 2015 with the already announced cast and creative team (subject to availability). Tickets are being refunded and booking will open soon for the new dates.

A spokesman for Entourage Productions said: "Regrettably, director Drew Baker is unable to direct the show at this time due to the serious illness of a family member. This production has been a long time in the making. Entourage are very excited by Drew’s vision of the show and the cast and team we have assembled. Postponing it will allow us to bring that vision to the stage with the full company we already have in place, subject to their availability."

Further casting announced for off-West End premiere of Thoroughly Modern Millie starring Russell Grant

It has been announced that American actress Molly Marie Walsh (pictured right) will star as Millie Dillmount alongside Russell Grant as Mrs Meers in the off-West End premiere of Thoroughly Modern Millie.

With music by Jeanine Tesori, lyrics by Dick Scanlan, and a book by Richard Morris and Dick Scanlan, Thoroughly Modern Millie runs at Theatro Technis between Wednesday 1st and Saturday 25th October 2014. The show is based on the 1967 film of the same name which starred Julie Andrews.

Molly Marie Walsh played The Witch in Into the Woods and appeared in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Forbidden Broadway in the US. In London she recently played Mrs. Crachit in Alan Menken’s A Christmas Carol (Tabard) and Katisha in Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Mikado (Battersea Barge).

Russell Grant to star as Mrs Meers in UK fringe premiere of Thoroughly Modern Millie

It has been announced that Russell Grant will star as Mrs Meers in the UK fringe premiere of Thoroughly Modern Millie.

With music by Jeanine Tesori, lyrics by Dick Scanlan, and a book by Richard Morris and Dick Scanlan, Thoroughly Modern Millie is based on the 1967 film of the same name starring Julie Andrews.

The production will run at Theatro Technis between 1st and 29th October 2014. 

Russell said: “Once in a while a role comes along that you have secretly coveted. I started performing in theatre around 50 years ago and this is one of those roles - Mrs Meers!