Drew McOnie to direct & choreograph new production of Strictly Ballroom

Drew McOnie will direct and choreograph a new production of Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin's musical version of Strictly Ballroom.

The Australian musical will open at the West Yorkshire Playhouse in Leeds on 6th December 2016 (previews from 30th November) and run until 21st January 2017.

Terry Johnson is joining the creative team to adapt the original book.

McOnie says: "The film Strictly Ballroom has had such a huge impact on me. It inspired me as an 8-year-old dancer to follow my choreographic instinct and gave me the desire to explore the many different ways of communicating ideas through dance.

Sneak peek at... Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Production images have been released for the West Yorkshire Playhouse run of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The musical is currently in previews ahead of press night on 10th December. Check out the pictures below (click image to enlarge).

The cast includes Jon Robyns as Caractacus Potts, Amy Griffiths as Truly Scrumptious, Don Gallagher as Lord Scrumptious/Baron Bomburst, Tamsin Carroll as Baroness Bomburst, Stephen Matthews as The Childcatcher, Andy Hockley as Grandpa Potts, Ewen Cummins as The Toymaker/Mr Coggins, Sam Harrison as Boris and Scott Paige as Goran.

Completing the cast are: Kathryn Barnes, Rosanna Bates, Alex Louize Bird, Abigail Climer, Jade Davies, Matt Gillett, Ewan Gillies, Joanna Goodwin, Christopher D Hunt, Paul Iveson, Nia Jermin, Kelsie-Rae Marshall, Mollie Melia-Redgrave, Perry O’Dea, Matt Overfield, Ross Russell, Craig Turner and Robert Wilkes.

Big Interview: Amy Griffiths, starring as Truly Scrumptious in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Amy Griffiths is currently preparing to star as Truly Scrumptious in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the West Yorkshire Playhouse this Christmas. 

Next year she will reprise her performance for the first leg of the musical’s UK tour. Stephen Mear is choreographing the new production with direction from James Brining and design by Simon Higlett.

Amy recently played Sarah in Rufus Norris’ film adaptation of London Road. Her credits for the National Theatre include Everyman, Medea and The Magistrate.

A few of Amy’s extensive theatre credits include: understudy Christine & Mandy in Stephen Ward (Aldwych), Martha in The Pajama Game (Chichester), Lucinda and understudy Witch in Into The Woods (Open Air Theatre) and The Producers (UK tour). She understudied the role of Irene in Crazy For You at the Open Air Theatre before taking over full time for the musical’s West End transfer to the Novello Theatre.

Amy’s screen credits include: Les Miserables (Working Title), The Trials of Jimmy Rose (ITV) and Spotless (Canal Plus). She has recorded voiceovers for Sky Movies, Panasonic, Thumbs Up Productions and MTV.

I recently spoke to Amy about how it feels to be taking on such an iconic role, why this new production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang feels so fresh and being kept on her toes by her younger co-stars. We also discussed how she convinced casting directors that she was right for the London Road film, how she has avoided becoming pigeonholed and why variety is such an important part of her career…

Truly Scrumptious is one of those roles so many actresses dream of playing! Is it a part you’ve always wanted to do?

Absolutely! When the audition came through I read the script and saw the ballsy side of her which I hadn’t really thought about before. She’s a single lady, in her late twenties and had no children in the early nineteenth century – she’s a strong independent woman to be in that situation in society! Not only was it a dream role for me, but I have discovered this new layer to her that excited me even more. It’s very exciting!

GOSSIP: Emma Williams joins cast of White Christmas at the West Yorkshire Playhouse

According to the Daily Mail, Emma Williams has joined the cast of Nikolai Foster's production of White Christmas at the West Yorkshire Playhouse. (Please note this is not the West End production at the Dominion Theatre). 

She joins Darren Day and Oliver Tompsett as Bob Wallace and Phil Davis alongside Helen Anker and Holly Dale Spencer. 

Darren Day & Oliver Tompsett star in White Christmas at the West Yorkshire Playhouse

Casting has been announced for Nikolai Foster's production of White Christmas at the West Yorkshire Playhouse. (Please note this is not the West End production at the Dominion Theatre).

The cast will be led by Darren Day and Oliver Tompsett as Bob Wallace and Phil Davis alongside Helen Anker and Holly Dale Spencer. The company also includes Melanie La Barrie, Andrew Jarvis, James Darch, Kirby Hughes, Lucy Williamson, Michelle White, Moyo Akande, Robbie Boyle, Samuel Holmes, Sion Tudor Owen, Frankie Jenna, Simon Anthony and Matthew Hawksley.

White Christmas runs at the West Yorkshire Playhouse between 27th November 2014 and 17th January 2015. The show has music and lyrics by Irving Berlin and book by David Ives and Paul Blake. The score feature the numbers 'Sisters, 'Blue Skies', 'I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm' and 'White Christmas'.

Review: Our Country's Good at the Watford Palace Theatre

Our Country's Good

UK Tour - Prior to West End Transfer

Reviewed at the Watford Palace Theatre

Reviewed on Tuesday 6th December 2012

Australia, 1789. An ambitious young lieutenant, Ralph Clark, is set the task of directing newly arrived convicts in the Restoration comedy The Recruiting Officer in celebration of the King’s birthday. But with a dispirited cast, just two copies of the script, opposition from sadistic officers, a leading lady who faces the gallows, and Ralph’s uncontrollable passion for one of his convict players, Australia’s first theatre production is in trouble from the start.

Our Country's Good is perfect. When reviewing shows I always like to highlight a productions good and bad points, no matter how much I enjoy or dislike it. However, Our Country's Good is perfectly written, perfectly directed and perfectly performed. It is faultless.