Rumours For Cats The Musical

Cats The MusicalIn news that may have surprised some musical theatre fans, it has been rumoured that former Pussycat Doll, solo artist and X Factor judge may be in the running to make her West End debut in Cats. It seems Nicole is in “very early discussions” to star in Cats as Grizabella the Glamour Cat, at the London Palladium for the show’s limited run later in the year.

Nicole majored in musical theatre at university, and has had small roles in various TV shows. Last year, she dedicated a fabulous rendition of “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina” from Evita on an ITV show to Andrew Lloyd Webber, so she has been on Lloyd Webber’s radar since 2011. He had planned for Nicole to join the judging panel of one of his reality TV casting shows such as Any Dream Will Do.

If Nicole is to join the uber-talented cast she will do so in the wake of musical theatre legends Elaine Paige and Ruthie Henshall who have also played the role. In addition to this, Lea Salonga (the original Miss Saigon) even portrayed the prominent cat in her native Philippines.

It has also been rumoured that Nicole has been itching to get onto the West End musical scene for some time, having already sung a rendition of the title song, “The Phantom of the Opera”, with Simon Bowman, Earl Carpenter, Ramin Karimloo and John Owen-Jones. 2012 also saw her rumoured to play the part of Mary Magdalene in the comeback Jesus Christ Superstar arena production, only to be offered a stint on X Factor, and be replaced by former Spice Girl Mel C.

Cats will run for a strictly limited twelve-week run from 6 December 2014 following its current UK tour.

ROH Production Of The Wind In The Willows To Return!

The Wind In The WillowsDirected and choreographed by Will Tuckett, the Vaudeville Theatre will see the Royal Opera House production of The Wind in the Willows return to London’s West End this Christmas, running from 26 November 2014.

The Olivier Award-winning production will play an eight week season at the Vaudeville Theatre with full casting to be announced soon. The production’s transfer to the Duchess Theatre in December 2013 marked the Royal Opera House’s first commercial transfer and the production was named Best Entertainment and Family at the 2014 Oliviers.

Based on Kenneth Grahame’s timeless classic, the adventures of four woodland friends are retold through dance, song, music and puppetry along a peaceful riverbank, with a speeding car, a racing train and criminal deeds from the Wild Wood. The escapades of Toad, Ratty, Mole and Badger are brought to life in a production that has charmed audiences of all ages, suitable for all from the age of 5. Drawing inspiration from the music of Edwardian composer George Butterworth, the action is set to a score by Martin Ward. Tuckett’s choreography is accompanied by narration written by former Poet Laureate Sir Andrew Motion.

Tuckett is an award-winning choreographer, dancer and director. He was a member of The Royal Ballet 1990–2005, with whom he is now a Guest Principal Character Artist. His work as a choreographer and director includes The Wind in the Willows, The Soldier’s Tale, Timecode, Pinocchio, The Thief of Baghdad, Faeries, Into the Woods and Pleasure’s Progress (ROH2), The Seven Deadly Sins, ‘Diana and Actaeon’ in Metamorphosis: Titian 2012, (Royal Ballet), West Side Story (Sage, Gateshead), The Canterville Ghost (ENB), Hansel and Gretel (Ilford Arts Festival) movement and puppet direction on The Orphan of Zhao (RSC), as well as projects in Europe, the USA, Japan and China. He has choreographed widely for film and television, was Creative Associate for ROH2 and was the Clore Dance Fellow 2008-10. Tuckett’s production of The Wind in the Willows is in its eleventh year.

Rambert’s Curious Incident

Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-TimeBritain’s oldest dance company, Rambert, is set to host community performances of the National Theatre’s The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, the Olivier award-winning production. South London community groups, along with representatives of local employers and businesses, will have the opportunity to watch the production when it is performed in the round in a ‘rehearsal room format’ at Rambert’s new home.

Rambert’s new building is directly behind the National Theatre on London’s South Bank; the performances will take place during the week of 17 February in a studio with lighting and sound facilities of professional standard so can easily accommodate this version of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is based on Mark Haddon’s award-winning novel, adapted by Simon Stephens and directed by Marianne Elliott. It tells the story of Christopher who has an extraordinary brain – exceptional at maths but ill-equipped to interpret everyday life. When he falls under suspicion of killing Mrs Shears’ dog Wellington, he records each fact about the event in the book he is writing to solve the mystery of the murder. But his detective work, forbidden by his father, takes him on a frightening journey that upturns his world.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, the winner of seven Olivier Awards, will resume its West End run at the Gielgud Theatre from 24 June (opening night 8 July). A screening of the National Theatre Live broadcast of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, filmed during the play’s original run in the Cottesloe Theatre, will be shown in cinemas on 22 May with further screenings in following weeks. The Broadway premiere of the production will open in New York in October this year.

The Bodyguard Extends Its Run!

The Bodyguard MusicalThe Bodyguard, hit West End musical based on the iconic film, has recently recently released another 300,000 tickets in an announcement that it is extending its triumphant run until August 2014. Fans can now enjoy Thea Sharrock’s hit production for even longer, based on Lawrence Kasdan’s 1992 Oscar nominated Warner Bros. Film.

Former Secret Service agent turned bodyguard, Frank Farmer, is hired to protect superstar Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker. In the romantic thriller, The Bodyguard features a whole host of Whitney Houston classics including Queen of the Night, One Moment in Time, Saving All My Love, I’m Your Baby Tonight, Run to You, I Have Nothing, I Wanna Dance With Somebody and I Will Always Love You.

In September soul queen Beverley Knight joined the production as Rachel Marron to rave reviews alongside Tristan Gemmill as Frank Farmer, meaning The Bodyguard has already had an exciting year. As well as Knight (Rachel Marron), Gemmill (Frank Farmer) and Debbie Kurup (Nicki Marron), the current cast also features Richard Lloyd King (Bill Devaney), Stephen Marcus (Tony), Dominic Taylor (Sy Spector), Michael Rouse (Stalker) and Stuart Reid (Ray Court).

In October a special gala performance welcomed the new cast and was attended by many VIP Guests including Matt Cardle, Mel C, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Emeli Sandé and Joss Stone. Earlier in November the musical celebrated its first birthday at the Adelphi Theatre in the capital, celebrating by having Kurup, at the end of the performance, asking the audience to join in celebrating this milestone as a specially commissioned birthday cake was brought out on to the stage. The cast then treated the audience to their own rendition of “Happy Birthday”. Kurup has played Nicki Marron in the production since its world premiere in December 2012.

New West End Shows Courtesy Of Bill Kenwright Ltd

Bill Kenwright LimitedThe producing company Bill Kenwright Limited is planning to bring around 10 shows into the West End in 2014, under the guise of new producer Jeremy Meadow. His roster of shows which he is set to transfer to the capital will follow the opening of Twelve Angry Men at the Garrick Theatre. Also planned by Bill Kenwright Limited is the revival of French farce Chin-Chin with Simon Callow and Felicity Kendal and The Butterfly Lion by Michael Morpurgo, which are both currently on tour, and the two classics Oleanna by David Mamet and JB Priestly’s Dangerous Corner also set for revival.

Meadow has said that theatre availability would dictate which of the 10 shows made it into the West End; it seems there will be some definite transfers, despite the fact there are not definite houses for them. There are also shows that are also possible for 2014, but still in development. The company is also looking for a venue to house the stage adaptation of horror film Let the Right One In, following its run at London’s Royal Court Theatre this Christmas, in addition to trying to secure a West End transfer for Foxfinder, which premiered at the Finborough Theatre in 2011

For Bill Kenwright Limited, there are also a number of musicals for which it hopes to find a London home. It will be launching a tour of Fame in February with plans for a West End transfer, while it is also trying to transfer Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s production of The Sound of Music to an indoor venue. There is a possibility that its touring production of Evita, starring Marti Pellow and Madalena Alberto, could transfer into the West End, while there are hopes that the touring production of Cabaret, starring Will Young, could also return to London.

In Conversation With Lucy Jane Adcock: The West End’s Sweetheart

Lucy Jane Adcock - Top Hat

Lucy Jane Adcock is an incredibly talented and accomplished musical theatre star-in-the-making. She is currently performing in A Chorus Line at the London Palladium and understudies Scarlett Strallen, who plays the lead Cassie. Lucy Jane has also performed in other musicals such as Chicago, Fame, Starlight Express and Beauty and the Beast, giving her a huge repertory of exciting and inspiring jobs.

Coincidentally Lucy Jane met her husband, Jon Cooper, on the Starlight Express tour – he works as a bass player and was working in the Starlight band when the performing pair met.

Having trained at Laine Theatre Arts, Lucy Jane’s dance beginning is never far from her mind, reminding herself of the gift she has to give to audiences and how far she has come to achieve so much on stage. Here Lucy Jane shares a few words on her training, jobs and belief in what she does so well…

When did you begin dancing, and why? 

I started dancing when I was 3 at Caren Lumsdale’s School of Dance in South Shields. It was actually because of my babysitter at the time. She mentioned to my parents about the school so off I went with tap shoes in hand. Unfortunately I was the most unconfident, uncoordinated child ever and I’m sure I was a bit of a nightmare for Caren at times. The only thing I did have was determination and willpower, which luckily helped me stick it out until I improved!

What were your early years of dancing and training like?

I only trained in tap for the first few years until I was about 7. I think that’s why tap still remains one of my absolute favourite styles of dance to perform and to watch.  I was quite late starting my ballet training which I always regret because I’ve always struggled with my technique! Luckily it hasn’t really stopped me! I progressed with the Lumsdale’s and competed in lots of competitions and festivals, and as the years went on I realised how much I LOVED performing and the thought of actually making a living doing what I loved was very attractive!

How long have you been performing? Did you start young?

I’ve been performing for many years but professionally performing since 2002. I had my first taste of professional work whilst training. I was ensemble in two pantomimes in 2000 and 2001. I was lucky enough to leave college and go straight into the national tour of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast as a Silly Girl. I can’t even begin to tell you how amazing this experience was… It still remains one of my all time favourite jobs! I couldn’t believe I was getting paid for it! How naive!! Since finishing the tour I have been very, very fortunate to have performed in many West End and touring shows.

Where did you train and what was a typical day like?

I trained at Laine Theatre Arts, an amazing college in Epsom, Surrey. I remember starting there in 1999 and thinking, this is where I belong! It was a very hard three years but excellent preparation for a career in this business. I think if you haven’t got the stamina, strength and thick skin to get through three years of training then that proves that you haven’t got what it takes! A typical day would be maybe an hour and a half of ballet, followed closely by an hour and a half of jazz, then maybe a small lunch break (if I wasn’t sneaking into another jazz class!),a singing/drama lesson in the afternoon followed by a musical theatre class and there was always something going on after college, a rehearsal for something or performance classes. College would start at 8.30 in the morning and I wouldn’t normally get home until 6 or 7 at night!

But like I said great preparation as there have been times over the years when I’ve had to ‘double up’ on jobs which would mean rehearsing for one show during the day and performing another show at night… Hardcore!

What is a typical day like now?

To be honest every day is different for me. If I take a typical week at A Chorus Line, I often teach or take workshops, so every now and then my days are taken up with this, otherwise if I have a ‘rest’ day, I will walk my dog, maybe go for a small run. It is sometimes on these days that I will maybe have a sports massage or see the osteopath. I have to think a lot about what to eat during the day and what time so that I will have enough energy for the show especially if I am on for my understudy, Cassie! It is the hardest role I have ever played!

Do you still take classes? How do you keep on top of our technique?

I don’t tend to take classes to be honest. Doing a show like A Chorus Line is enough for me. We do quite an intense warm up before each show which helps me keep on top of things. I also teach a lot of jazz classes so this helps too.

I’ve been very lucky over the years to go from show to show so this has kept me fit and at the top of my game. It is very important in my opinion to keep your fitness levels up so if I do have a short break from working I would tend to work-out or run and keep myself looking good for the next lot of auditions!

What’s the best part of performing in the west end?

There are so many amazing reasons why I love working in the West End… The first has to be that it was my absolute lifetime ambition to be working on a West End stage and any day that I feel a bit tired or under the weather I remind myself of this and how many other people would kill to be in my position. Too many people these days take this for granted and I get very annoyed at lazy people with no passion! I feel very lucky to still have this love of what I do after 11 years in the business because obviously it’s not all highs..! I get such a buzz when I’m performing… It’s like a drug for me and I see myself doing it forever. In A Chorus Line, the director Zach asks us, the characters, what we will do when we can’t dance anymore. He’s asked us that question every night for seven months and I still don’t know what I will do. I tell students that I teach that this is the best way to be. When you’re training if you have something ‘to fall back on’ you will tend to ‘fall back’.

Another reason I love working in the West End is the people I get to meet and work with. My rehearsal period for A Chorus Line was just amazing, working with Bob Avian and Baayork Lee. I’ve worked with Stephen Mear and Bill Deamer too and its just so inspiring working with choreographers with such passion, not to mention all of the people I have learnt so much from over the years. I also did a short tour with musical theatre legend Ruthie Henshall who I have always admired. When I did Chicago in the West End it was like a master class for me watching people like Linzi Hately and Leigh Zimmerman.

Which part of A Chorus Line do you enjoy most?

Like I mentioned already I LOVED the rehearsal period of A Chorus Line. I’ve never known anything like it. It was very intense starting with an hour’s boot camp every morning but there wasn’t a day that the whole cast weren’t in tears (of joy!) it was so special and the show is so drenched in history; hearing original stories from Bob and Baayork was so emotional.

Performing this show has been out of this world. My favourite part to play is Cassie of course! I understudy Scarlett Strallen who plays the role, and it is by far the best role I have ever had chance to play. I get to act, sing and dance on my own on the London Palladium stage with John Partridge (who I adore!) – I’m a very lucky girl!

What advice would you give to someone aspiring to be part of the musical theatre world?

There is so much I would want to say to someone aspiring to be in this business. The first would be exactly what Miss Laine said to me at my audition for Laine Theatre Arts. If there is even a shred of doubt in your mind as to whether you want to do this for a living then leave now. This business requires 100 percent dedication and you end up sacrificing a lot over the years to get to where you want to be. If you’re not prepared to give that then there are 1000 other people waiting in the wings!

Try to build a thick skin, there are so many knockbacks and times when you feel like giving up. We are generally very sensitive in this world, it really helps after a bad audition to forget it and move on, obviously easier said than done, but that is a skill I’m still trying to perfect many years on! The final piece of advice I’d give is to always give 100 percent when you are onstage, whether it be a cruise, a pantomime, a summer season, a UK tour or a West End show. Whenever you are performing in front of a paying audience you must remember what you’ve been through to get there and you never know who might be watching. It could be the casting director of your next big job! Too many people get complacent once they’ve been in a job for a few months, I think it’s very important to always remind yourself of why you’re there and how shortlived this career can be. In the song we sing at the end of A Chorus Line, ‘The gift was ours to borrow…’

What is the best part about dance and performing for you?

This is one of the toughest questions. As I explained a little earlier performing is like a drug for me and I am at my happiest and most content in life when I am working hard and doing something that I love. I have mentioned earlier in the interview how fortunate I have been over the years to do some amazing shows but along with luck also comes a lot of hard work and sacrifice. I think knowing how much work has gone into that one moment on stage is another amazing feeling. Sometimes I can’t believe I get paid for what I do! I remember saying when I was at college that Fame was my dream show: I said “I’ll sweep the stage on that show just as long as I’m there!” I was lucky enough to do Fame in 2004 in the West End. So, if you believe in ‘The Secret’ and putting it out into the universe, it definitely worked for me on that one!

What’s next for you?

A Chorus Line will be a very hard show to follow for me. I can’t believe it’s coming to an end so soon. I’m very much hoping that it goes on tour at some point next year as I don’t feel quite ready to give it up yet. Knowing it will tour will make it easier for me to say goodbye to it at the Palladium! I live from month to month really, but all I know is I was put on this earth to perform and I will continue to do so until my body tells me to stop!

Kerry Ellis Returns To Rent

Kerry EllisWith songs such as Seasons of Love, Out Tonight, and Without You, Rent the musical is a tale of a group of friends living n the East Village of New York City, about falling in love, finding your voice and living for today under the shadow of HIV/AIDS. Rent is based loosely on La Boheme, and has won the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, a pop cultural musical phenomenon.

For this hugely significant musical, there is an extremely significant musical theatre star set to join the show’s ranks. Kerry Ellis will be joining the Rent in Concert 2014 Tour, following the announcement of a third and final leg to the current UK tour of Rent in Concert. Ellis will be helping to celebrate 20 years since the first staged performance of Rent, with the West End leading lady and Broadway star returning to the role of Mimi in this iconic concert version.

The show toured the UK earlier this year in April starring Ellis, Rory Taylor and Nikki Davis-Jones. Last month it was announced that the show will return in November starring Atomic Kitten’s Natasha Hamilton and Taylor, before its final run in January and February 2014 with Ellis.

Ellis quickly built up a reputation of a leading lady, with starring roles in London and on Broadway. Beginning by originating the role of Meat in Queen’s We Will Rock You, Ellis became the first British Elphaba in the West End’s Wicked. Ellis then transferred Broadway and played Elphaba in the same musical for six months before returning to London. Ellis has turned her hand to many other West End roles since, with other leading role credits include Nancy in Oliver!, Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady, Ellen in Miss Saigon and Fantine in Les Miserables. Add the 20th anniversary celebratory tour of Rent to that list and you have an incredibly versatile and entertaining performer.

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Worldwide Wicked

Willemijn VerkaikThe beautiful Willemijn Verkaik is set to will join the cast of Wicked the musical in London this year, bringing her esteemed performance as Elphaba to West End audiences following more than 1,000 appearances as the witch in productions all over the world. The Dutch musical theatre star has played the role in productions of the hit show in Holland, Germany and on Broadway, making her the only actress to have ever performed the role in more than one language. Wicked, and musical theatre in general, looks set to take over the world!

Wicked, which opened in London in 2006 and on Broadway in 2002, has been seen by more than five million people. The production tells the story of the Witches of Oz, and how two young magic students became Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West before Dorothy flew in. London audiences will now get the opportunity to experience and acknowledge Willemijn’s performance as Elphaba, who will join the cast at the Apollo Victoria theatre six years after she made her Wicked debut abroad.

Verkaik is by no means a one trick pony: she has also appeared in We Will Rock You and Elton John’s Aida, and has made numerous concert appearances across Europe. In 2012, Verkaik made her Broadway debut in Wicked earning her a Broadway.com Audience Award nomination for Best Takeover. Considering Broadway and the West End alone, this transfer greatly widens the audiences of Verkaik’s talent, and ultimately acknowledging her ability to perform the role in three languages opens up a whole new meaning of the word ‘accessible’.

Louise Dearman, who is currently playing the role of Elphaba on the West End stage is the first person to ever play both leading roles, having first played Glinda in 2010, and will play her final performance in the musical in November.

Image courtesy of Wikipedia.

Newsies – A New Musical For The West End

Newsies - The MusicalThe Broadway musical Newsies is said to be hitting the capital’s West End with leaps, kicks and turns in the spring of 2014. As a result of this exciting transfer, the hit show, by Harvey Fierstein, will be scouting for UK dance talent to fill the dancing shoes of the production’s esteemed Broadway dancers.

The producers will be holding open auditions in order to find their cast for the show, which is based on the 1992 Disney film starring Christian Bale, reminding many theatre-lovers of the ‘cattle market’ style auditions conducted for A Chorus Line in which hundreds of enthusiastic performers queued for many hours. Newsies requires just two male dancers, insinuating that these auditions will find them in possibly worse conditions than those for A Chorus Line.

Newsies is currently running at the 1,200 seat Nederlander Theatre on Broadway, and tells the story of the real-life newsboy strike of 1899 as the boys’ leader fights against big-time publishers Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst. The show – it has been reported in the arts press – is aiming to open at either the Piccadilly or the Savoy Theatre next year, following two open auditions on 17 June 2013 at Pineapple Dance Studios in the heart of the West End. The auditions are hoped to produce two trained dancers with excellent ballet technique and dance talent, capable of playing ages between 16 and 22 years old.

The production, also containing acrobatics, tap dancing and a huge amount of energy, won two Tony Awards in 2012, one of which was for Christopher Gattelli’s choreography and the other for Alan Menken and Jack Fieldman’s score. The show was originally intended as a regional production and had a trial run in New Jersey in 2011 which was followed by its transfer to Broadway in 2012 and the nominations for five other Tony Awards.

Images courtesy of Wikipedia.

Kids Week is back for 2013

Kids Week 2013Kids Week, organised by the company behind Official London Theatre, Society of London Theatre, is now in its 16th year and aims to encourage families to experience the magic of theatre and welcome children through the West End’s doors. For 2013, the Kids Week team has announced a huge 34 top London shows as part of the line-up, offering free tickets to children aged 16 and under with every adult ticket purchased.

As well as receiving a free child’s ticket with every adult ticket purchased for a Kids Week show, Kids Week bookers are also able to book a further two children’s tickets for half price, as well as engage with numerous workshops and activities also offered. Family favourites and exciting new shows are amongst those offered for further events, so this year kids can don their tap shoes, high kick into the theatre and wave their jazz hands in the jam-packed range. Kids will have the opportunity to perhaps try ballet, learn classic pop songs, tap their troubles away and lots more!

2012 was a record-breaking year for Kids Week, so following on from this success, the annual campaign to encourage more people to embrace Theatreland will run for the whole of the month of August, full of performances, free activities and workshops for children and their families, giving adults the chance to shimmy-shake and all that jazz!

With something for everyone, shows on offer this year include seven-time Olivier Award winner The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time, The 39 Steps, One Man, Two Guvnors, War Horse, The Woman In Black, the classic whodunit The Mousetrap, Billy Elliot The Musical, The Bodyguard, A Chorus Line, Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage, Disney’s The Lion King, Let It Be, Mamma Mia!, Matilda The Musical, Les Misérables, Monty Python’s Spamalot, Jersey Boys, The Phantom Of The Opera, The Sound Of Music, Thriller Live, Top Hat, West Side Story, We Will Rock You and Wicked.