Interview: Rolan Bell

Rolan Bell is currently starring as King Gerard in Rapunzel at the Park Theatre.

Marking the Park Theatre’s third Christmas show, Rapunzel has book, music and lyrics by Jez Bond and Mark Cameron. The show runs until 2nd January 2016. 

Rolan was recently nominated for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical at the 2015 Olivier Awards for his performance as Delray in Memphis The Musical at the Shaftesbury Theatre. He previously played Brit in the world arena tour of We Will Rock You before joining the London production as part of the final West End cast at the Dominion Theatre.

His theatre credits include: Coalhouse Walker in Ragtime & Flute in A Midsummer Night's Dream (both Regent's Park Open Air Theatre), title role in Fela (National Theatre), Jessie Owens in 1936 (Arcola Theatre), Ivan in The Harder They Come (Barbican/Playhouse/Theatre Royal Stratford East), Mr Haywood in An African Cargo (Greenwich Theatre), Morrell/Huskly Miller in Carmen Jones (Royal Festival Hall), Scar in The Lion King (Paris) and Wayne/Sergeant in The Canterbury Ghost (Southwark Playhouse).

On screen Rolan played Theo in 22 episodes of EastEnders and has also made appearances in Doctors and WPC 56. I recently spoke to Rolan about what drew him to Rapunzel, his whirlwind year in Memphis and what it was like to be part of We Will Rock You’s final West End cast…

Panto at the Park Theatre is always crazy! The show is completely different to what you’ve been up to recently, what drew you to the project?

After my first audition… actually after reading the script for the first time and looking at the role of King Gerard the lines just flew off the page. My imagination got going straight away and as soon as I starting reading the script I fell in love with the role, it felt so natural. When I met the guys in my audition it was so fun and laid back – it almost felt like we were enjoying ourselves as children. I knew that I would have a good time doing this, so how could I pass up an opportunity like that? It has been a lot of fun! It’s nice to work with people who are engaging their inner child to create something which entertains children.

Big Interview: Mazz Murray

West End icon Mazz Murray recently took over as Tanya in Mamma Mia! at the Novello Theatre. 

Mamma Mia!, which premiered in the West End in 1999, has been seen by over 60 million people in 49 productions in 16 different languages grossing more than $2 billion at the box office.

In 2002 Mazz was cast in the ensemble of We Will Rock You, joining the company just days before the first preview. Two years into the run Mazz took over as Killer Queen and continued to play the role for seven glorious years. 

Her extensive theatre credits also include: Maureen in RENT (UK tour), Lambchops in Fame (1st UK tour), Smokey Joe’s Cafe (UK tour), Debs in Boogie Nights (UK & US tours), Patsy Cline in The Roy Orbison Story (UK tour), Grandma Bertha in Pippin (Bridewell), Fame (Victoria Palace) and Dusty Springfield in A Girl Called Dusty (Duke of York’s).

Mazz makes up one third of vocal group WOMAN. Last year she toured Russia and Scandinavia with Il Divo as the guest star on their ‘A Musical Affair’ world tour. Mazz is the daughter of legendary songwriter Mitch Murray and singer/actress/West End star Grazina Frame. 

I recently popped backstage at the Novello Theatre between shows to speak to Mazz about joining Mamma Mia!, the similarities between her and Tanya and what she gets up to behind the scenes. We also discussed her legendary run in We Will Rock You, her concert plans, the time she hitched a lift in Gibraltar and much, much more…

I read that Kim Ismay recommended you for Tanya when she decided to leave the show earlier this year. Before that conversation with Kim, had you ever thought ‘Tanya is a role I would love to play’?

I originally auditioned for Donna about four years ago! Well… I actually auditioned for Sophie when I was twenty-three! 

Big Interview: Brenda Edwards, starring as Motormouth Maybelle in Hairspray

Brenda Edwards is currently starring as Motormouth Maybelle in the new UK tour of Hairspray.

Also starring Tony Maudsley, Freya Sutton, Claire Sweeney and Peter Duncan, the show opens at the Leicester Curve tonight (9th September) before visiting 25 venues across the UK including a Christmas residency at the Birmingham Alexandra Theatre.

Brenda famously finished fourth on the second series of The X Factor. She went on to make her West End debut as Mama Morton in Chicago, later reprising her performance for the 10th anniversary gala.

Brenda is well known for playing Killer Queen for five years in Ben Elton and Queen’s musical We Will Rock You. She first played the character in We Will Rock You’s first UK tour in 2009. The following year she transferred to the West End production at the Dominion Theatre where she played Killer Queen until the show closed in 2014.

Her theatre credits also include playing Pearl Pastor in Carmen Jones at the Royal Festival Hall and Diane Steed in The Human Comedy at the Young Vic. Ben Elton also cast Brenda as Mrs Johnson in his BBC1 sitcom The Wright Way, marking her TV acting debut.

I recently spoke to Brenda about why playing Motormouth is a new challenge, how she feels about taking on one of the musical’s biggest songs and whether she would want to step back into Killer Queen’s shoes if We Will Rock You were to return…

Motormouth is such an incredible role! Have you always had your eye on it?

Yes, I actually had my eye on it when it was in the West End. I went to the final audition and was told I was too young! As soon as it first went in to the West End I wanted to play that part. I had my audition with David Grindrod (West End casting director), but I think it was good because it would have been my first role out of Chicago. I was kind of new to the West End scene so there was a lot of learning that I needed to do – but I think I’m ready for it now. Being a mother myself, I can totally relate to the character. I have two very strong minded independent children!

Editor's Blog: Top 5 theatrical events of 2014

Every year we seem to be more and more spoilt for choice when it comes to theatrical events. This year has seen iconic shows close, productions broadcast around the world and performers returning to shows to recreate their celebrated performances. A certain theatre star also went mainstream and various concerts have left theatreland buzzing! Below are five theatrical events which particularly stood out for me this year...

5

We Will Rock You Closes

When We Will Rock You opened to negative reviews few predicted that it would go on to run in the West End for twelve years, rocking over 6.5 million people! Queen and Ben Elton's musical was so important as it attracted and created new theatregoers. Of course the final show was emotional and, although I wasn't in attendance, I have heard that it was an electrifying evening!

Editor's Blog: Saying goodbye to We Will Rock You

We Will Rock You ends its triumphant twelve year West End run at the Dominion Theatre today (Saturday 31st May 2014). Over the past few years we've spoken to several of We Will Rock You's incredibly talented stars, take a look at what they had to say about the show below:

Oliver Tompsett

Stars as Galileo in the final cast

"I had seen the show several times over the past ten years and seen some amazing people play Galileo but honestly never thought I would get to play it because I’m too tall. Thankfully over the years the part has stretched – literally. Queen has a very distinctive sound with good technique behind it, so going into the show was great because it still pushed me but didn’t break me.

"At first I went into the show thinking “how am I going to portray this troubled teen when I’m 6’4” and approaching 30?”. During rehearsals I found that playing him a bit more like a rebel, rather than a ‘dweeb’, worked better for me. Sometimes directors will expect you to play a role exactly the same as the person before, which, in my opinion, is when shows and characters become tired and lose their punch. But in Rock You I was able to develop the role over the first few months, I didn’t just go into the show trying to completely re-write the part.

"We Will Rock You is a beast of a show. There are so many people in the cast but myself and Scaramouche don’t encounter many other cast members throughout the show. This means you have to go out of your way to hang out with people and to say hello. Everyone is lovely and I love spending time in wardrobe village. The cast can make or break a show but I’m so lucky to be part of such a strong, friendly company. 

Editor's Blog: We Will Rock You, I Can't Sing, New Musicals, Cats and The Bridges of Madison County

It's all change in theatreland at the moment! On Wednesday I saw We Will Rock You at the Dominion Theatre for the final time. The Queen musical has divided opinions throughout its twelve year West End run (which ends on Saturday 31st May 2014) and this certainly isn't the last we'll see of it! (Plus there could be a sequel on the way...)

Love it or hate it, We Will Rock You is an extremely important piece of theatre as it has attracted new audiences to the West End for over a decade. There are so many people who would rather stick pins in their eyes than sit through an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, but have seen We Will Rock You countless times.

The musical has been kept alive for all these years by its tremendous casts, and the final company couldn't be stronger. Oliver Tompsett is by far my all-time favourite Galileo, there aren't words to describe his unbelievably incredible vocal talents. It's also nice to see someone bring something new and refreshing to the role.

GOSSIP: Brian May & Ben Elton working on We Will Rock You sequel

We Will Rock You sequel workshop cast & team
Photo Credit: www.brianmay.com

It was recently announced that We Will Rock You will end its tremendous West End run at the Dominion Theatre on 31st May 2014. 

Fans who were left reeling by the news will be delighted to hear that Brian May and Ben Elton have been working on a sequel to the musical!

May, Elton and We Will Rock You cast members presented a workshop performance of We Will Rock You 2 in London recently following two weeks of developmental work.

Writing on his blog, May said: "The news is leakily out there. We did it! We workshopped the SEEK [sequel]... To great acclaim in a tiny room in Belsize Park... After just two weeks insanely intense 24/7 work. The seed is sown! My thanks to all for the passion that everyone put in."

GOSSIP: Motown The Musical to open at the Dominion Theatre?

Following this morning's announcement that We Will Rock You will end its 12 year run at the Dominion Theatre on 31st May, The Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye has suggested that Motown The Musical will open at the theatre later this year or in early 2015.

Writing on Twitter, Baz said: "Motown The Musical will replace We Will Rock You at the Dominion late this year or early in 2015. Producers from Motown show looked around Dominion last year but waited for We Will Rock You to announce closing notice which it did Monday. Motown will have to sort out its book co-written by Berry Gordy before it heads to the Dominion."

CONFIRMED: We Will Rock You to close after 12 incredible years

Having rocked over 6.5 million people in a record-breaking 12 years at the Dominion Theatre, Queen & Ben Elton's musical We Will Rock You will close on 31st May 2014.

Now the longest running show ever at the Dominion by a margin of nine years, the show takes its rightful place in West End history, sitting proudly in the Top 10 longest running musicals of all time. The show has now been performed in 28 countries around the globe, and has been seen by a more than 16 million people.

From its opening night at the Dominion on 14th May 2002, We Will Rock You quickly became the overwhelming people’s choice of musical in the UK and overseas. In its second year at the Dominion it won top honours in five categories in the Theatregoers Choice awards presented by WhatsOnStage, including Best New Musical. In 2011, nine years after the curtain first went up, the show won the prestigious Olivier Audience Award, the only category voted for entirely by the public. The show went on to win a number of international awards for productions around the globe.

Amanda Coutts returning to We Will Rock You

It has been announced that Amanda Coutts will return to the West End production of We Will Rock You to play Meat.

She first joined the cast in 2007, understudying Scaramouche and Meat before later taking over the role of Meat full time while regularly playing Scaramouche. She then played Scaramouche in the UK touring production. Her other touring and West End credits include Starlight Express, Fame, Footloose and West Side Story.

Amanda will be joined by Rolan Bell who is joining the production as Brit, he recently played the role on the international Arena tour of the show. Rolan Bell's credits include Ragtime and A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, Carmen Jones at The Royal Festival Hall, and the Theatre Royal Stratford East production The Harder They Come.

Interview: Oliver Tompsett

Oliver Tompsett is currently starring as Galileo in the West End production of We Will Rock You at the Dominion Theatre. He is well known for originating the role of Drew in the West End production of Rock Of Ages and for playing Fiyero for three years in the West End production of Wicked. 

His other theatre credits include: Sam in Ghost (workshop), The Royal Hunt of the Sun (National), Mamma Mia (Prince of Wales), Our House (Cambridge), Caliph in Kismet (Arcola), Harry Lytton in Over My Shoulder (Wyndham’s) and Tony in West Side Story (Canizaro Park Festival). 

It was recently announced that Oliver is one of many West End stars supporting a new musical theatre radio station called Stage Door. The station will broadcast 24/7 and be presented by stars of the West End. As well as playing musical theatre songs, Stage Door will broadcast the latest theatre news, backstage gossip and interviews.

Oliver is also an accomplished singer/songwriter. He released his debut album, Sentimental Heart, in 2008 and is currently working with his brother, Ben Tompsett, on the Resolution Project. The project sees the pair release two new songs online on the first of every month. Oliver and his wife, Michelle, recently celebrated the birth of their first child, George. 

Last week I spoke to Oliver about taking on the role of Galileo, his time in Rock of Ages and Wicked as well as his recording career and involvement in Stage Door.

First of all congratulations on the birth of your royal baby!

Thank you very much! He is the real King George! 

How are you managing to balance life as a leading man and being a Dad?

It’s great! It’s not been too bad. We’ve been blessed because he’s a big burly baby so he’s eating well and sleeping really well so I can’t really complain. I’ve been getting up early for the past four years to walk my dog, so my days of lying in are long gone. We’ve had the most incredible support and haven’t had to buy a single piece of clothing for George because all the fans of the show and our friends have bought us so much! It’s been fantastic. 

Brenda Edwards and Kevin Kennedy to star in We Will Rock You world arena tour alongside Lucie Jones and Lauren Samuels

Brenda Edwards

Brenda Edwards and Kevin Kennedy will star as Killer Queen and Pop in the first leg of the upcoming We Will Rock You world arena tour! They will be joined by Mig Ayesa (Rock of Ages, Thriller Live) who will be reprising the role of Galileo and previously anounced former X Factor finalist Lucie Jones as Meat and Lauren Samuels who is reprising her role of Scaramouche. Khashoggi will be played by Sean Kingsley.

Speaking about the tour, Kevin Kennedy said: "I'm so excited to return to the We Will Rock You tour, especially to be a part of the first ever Arena Tour, rocking out to thousands of fans every night. It's going to be huge."

Funniest Performance in a West End Show: 6th - 8th Place

6th Place (Joint)

Andrew Alexander

Richard Hannay

The 39 Steps

5%

Andrew read history at King’s College London and trained at the Royal Academy of Music. His theatre credits include Box and Cox at the Hen & Chickens Theatre, Nanki-Poo in The Hot Mikado at the Watermill Theatre and Nigel in the UK Tour of Salad Days. In West End Frame's recent five star review of The 39 Steps our reviewer commented "Andrew Alexander was fantastic as Richard Hannay. He reminded me of John Cleese playing Basil Fawlty in Fawlty Towers. You could see how exhausting it was as the sweat was pouring off his face. He built up a great relationship with the audience which is extremely important in comedy." Click here to read the full five star review.

Interview: Katie Paine, currently in We Will Rock You

Katie Paine is currently in We Will Rock You at the Dominion Theatre playing the Teacher and understudying Killer Queen. The show marks Katie's West End debut. Her theatre credits include: Anita in Girls Night (UK tour); Pandora in Robin Hood (Elgiva Theatre); lead female for Stiletto Entertainment USA (Zaandam); Mae inReefer Madness (Bridewell Theatre); lead female in You Don't Bring Me Flowers (UK tour); Clara in Nine (Rose and Crown Theatre) and lead female for Chris Moreno Productions (MV Aurora). Katie chats to West End Frame about life in We Will Rock You, understudying Killer Queen and what roles she would like to play in the future...

Are you enjoying your time in We Will Rock You? 

I am having the most wonderful time in We Will Rock You. I am now at the beginning of my second year in the show and I still love it as much as the very first day I joined the cast! I still have to pinch myself when I walk past the Dominion Theatre and realise that it's my place of work! 

Why do you think people love the show so much? 

The show appeals to so many people and I am always amazed at how young some of the fans are, and it just goes to show how popular and legendary Queen's music is. I love the storyline to, and I think we can all relate to the madness of the Globalsoft Corporation and how advanced technology is in this day and age! The finale of We Will Rock You is pretty spectacular to and always has the audience up on their feet rocking away with us! 

Oliver Tompsett and Rachel Wooding to join We Will Rock You

Having recently celebrated its 10th birthday, and about to hit its 4,000th performance which is reached 20th September 2012, Queen and Ben Elton’s West End smash show “We Will Rock You” today announces new cast members in the lead roles of Galileo and Scaramouche to join the show from 8th October 2012.

Oliver Tompsett, having originated the role of Drew in “Rock of Ages”, moves across town to take over the role of Galileo from Noel Sullivan, who has played the role in the West End since February, following over 300 touring performances.

We Will Rock You to release 10th anniversary soundtrack featuring live cuts, remixes and alternative versions from the smash hit show!

Today We Will Rock You has announced via Twitter and Facebook that to celebrate the shows 10th anniversary it will release a special edition of the shows soundtrack! The special edition of the album will include a bonus disc of live cuts, remixes and alternative versions from productions across the globe! The album will be released on 15th October 2012 on CD and download. 

Meanwhile, back in July it was announced that We Will Rock You will embark on a world arena tour from early 2013. The world tour will see the show visit arenas in Finland, Denmark, Holland, Luxembourg, Czech Republic, Turkey, Bulgaria and the UK and Ireland in 2013. 

The multi million pound production will be heading to the Nottingham Trent Arena for it’s first stop in the UK on 27th March 2013 and on to Dublin on 4th April, before rocking around Europe and returning to the UK in May and June for dates at the Sheffield Motor Point Arena, the newly developed Leeds Arena, the Belfast Odyssey and the Newcastle Metro Arena. UK and Dublin tickets go on sale in Autumn 2012.

Interview: Lauren Varnham, currently in We Will Rock You

Lauren Varnham is currently in the West End production of We Will Rock You at the Dominion Theatre understudying the roles of Scaramouche and Meat. Her other theatre credits include Hairspray, Carousel and High School Musical. Lauren talks to West End Frame about life in We Will Rock You, what it's like being an understudy and what roles she hopes to play in the future...

You are currently in the West End production of We Will Rock You, are you enjoying it? 

Yes I am loving it. I have been in it for coming up to two years now and I'm still enjoying it as much as I did when I first started. 

The show has been running for such a long time now, why do you think people love it so much? 

I think Queen are so widely known that whenever people come to London and hear about/see the musical advertised they are interested straight away because the majority of people love/loved queen at some point. 

Review: We Will Rock You at the Dominion Theatre

We Will Rock You
Dominion Theatre
Performance: Wednesday 15th August 2012 (matinee)

I love We Will Rock You because it breaks all the rules of a stereotypical musical. My favourite thing about the show is the fact that it attracts a different type of audience member who wouldn't normally go to the theatre. You have to take We Will Rock You for what it is, it isn't Shakespeare but it is great fun.

Lauren Samuels returning to We Will Rock You as Scaramouche from Wednesday 1st August 2012

Lauren Samuels has just announced on Twitter that she will be returning to the West End production of We Will Rock You to play Scaramouche. She takes over from Sarah French who has already departed from the show.

Lauren excitedly tweeted 'SO excited to announce I will be returning to We Will Rock You London in two weeks time to play Scaramouche again!!'

Sarah French previously announced her departure from the show on 13th July 2012 via Twitter. She told fans 'Hi everyone its time to tell, I have decided to leave WWRY I just want to be a mummy for now! Thanks for everyone's surpport xx'.

Queen And Ben Elton’s ‘We Will Rock You’ Announces 10th Anniversary World Arena Tour

A world arena tour of We Will Rock You will kick off in early 2013, while the run at London’s Dominion Theatre continues. The world tour will see the show visit arenas in Finland, Denmark, Holland, Luxembourg, Czech Republic, Turkey, Bulgaria and the UK and Ireland in 2013. Further dates in Japan, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia will be announced shortly.

The multi million pound production will be heading to the Nottingham Trent Arena for it’s first stop in the UK on 27th March 2013 and on to Dublin on 4th April, before rocking around Europe and returning to the UK in May and June for dates at the Sheffield Motor Point Arena, the newly developed Leeds Arena, the Belfast Odyssey and the Newcastle Metro Arena. UK and Dublin tickets go on sale in Autumn 2012.

On announcing the Arena tour, Queen’s Brian May said: “After our first 10 years in Rock Theatricality, this is the next giant step for WWRY - and the show will feature a brand new arena-size design - a big night out for all!”

The last WWRY UK tour visited six cities across 13 months. The tour sold over half a million tickets, setting and smashing box office records and was crowned the UK’s favourite show at the prestigious Olivier awards. The London production of the show has just celebrated its 10th birthday and it is the longest running musical ever staged at the West End’s Dominion Theatre, booking until October 2012. The show has thrilled over seven million people in the UK, and close on 15 million people in 17 countries worldwide.

The production is directed by Ben Elton, with Queen’s Brian May and Roger Taylor as music supervisors, Arlene Phillips oversees the musical staging and choreography.

“This show is all about legend,” says Ben Elton. “We take the legend of Queen and create our own fantastical story of young kids battling the might corporations who want to suppress their individuality and their love of music. They need a hero who can help them in their struggle, and we have two – the dreamer Galileo and the sassy rock chick, Scaramouche. Guess who ends up winning?”

Brian May adds: “The amazing bonus is that Ben's script subtly works as a metaphor too. People definitely come out of the theatre feeling that in a strange way they now know us, Queen, and our struggle, our journey.”

Producer Phil McIntyre said: “We are looking forward to taking this true Rock Theatrical out on the road again. We had standing ovations night after night around the UK last time and we can’t wait to see that happen again.”

DATES ANNOUNCED SO FAR

27 - 30 March Nottingham Trent FM Arena - 0844 412 4624

(Wednesday 27th at 7.30pm, Thursday 28th at 7.30pm, Friday 29th at 7.30pm, Saturday 30th at 2.30pm & 7.30pm)

4 – 6 April - Dublin 02 Arena - 0818 719 377

(Thursday 4th at 7.30pm, Friday 5th at 7.30pm, Saturday 6th at 2.30pm & 7.30pm)

30 May – 2 June Sheffield Motorpoint Arena - 0114 256 5656

(Thursday 30th at 7.30pm, Friday 31st at 7.30pm, Saturday 1st at 2.30pm & 7.30pm, Sunday 2.30pm)

5 – 9 June Leeds Arena Phone No TBC

(Wednesday 5th at 7.30pm, Thursday 6th at 7.30pm, Friday 7th at 7.30pm, Saturday 8th at 2.30pm & 7.30pm, Sunday 9th at 2.30pm)

12 – 15 June Belfast Odyssey Arena - 028 9073 9074 

(Wednesday 12th at 7.30pm, Thursday 13th at 7.30pm, Friday 14th at 7.30pm, Saturday 15th at 2.30pm & 7.30pm)

18 – 22 June Newcastle Metro Arena - 0844 493 6666

(Tuesday 18th at 7.30pm, Wednesday 19th at 7.30pm, Thursday 20th at 7.30pm, Friday 21 June at 7.30pm, Saturday 22nd at 2.30pm & 7.30pm)

CAST

The cast has not yet been announced and is unlikely to be announced until towards the end of the year. I would love to see Mazz Murray back as Killer Queen. She owns that role. On Twitter there has been a lot of demand for Sabrina Aloueche to play Scaramouche. She has completed two very popular runs as Scarmouche on the West End. Listening to her belting out Somebody To Love in an arena would be incredible.

Who would you like to see in the cast? Comment below...