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THEATRE NEWS AUGUST 2015 - ISSUE 2

WITH

NEW CAST ANNOUNCED FOR

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA

RICHARD O’BRIEN TO STAR IN THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW

McQUEEN

ANNOUNCES WEST END TRANSFER

MISS SAIGON TE

ANNOUNCE CLOSING DA

NEW WICKED CAST

Great Deals On Tickets To West End Shows

WORDS FROM THE EDITOR Hello dears! Welcome to the second issue of this theatre news magazine I am putting together for the lovely people at ShowFilmFirst.com! I’ve been running around the UK for the last couple of weeks seeing shows in Manchester, Blackpool and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival but now I’m back in London and looking forward to getting back into the swing of things in the West End! Tomorrow I’m filming my new YouTube Theatre Q&A video which should be fun! Look out for it online soon and if you have any theatre questions you want me to answer email them to me wilma@westendwilma.com. Feel free to send me an email and let me know what you think of this magazine too and if there is anything you would like to see in future issues!

Wilma xx

For enquiries please email wilma@westendwilma.com

INSIDE THIS ISSUE 04

Shawshank Redemption To Tour The UK

New Cast Announced For Matilda The Musical From 15 September 2015

John Owen-Jones Returns To Play The Phantom

Mcqueen Transfers To The West End This Summer

Miss Saigon Announce Final Booking Extension

Kerry & Louise Answer Your Questions

Win! Tickets To See Cats In Blackpool

14 19

Theatre Reviews

Richard O’brien To Star In ‘The Rocky Horror Show’ For A Very Limited Run

New Cast Announced For Wicked The Musical

Sister Mary Mcarthur’s Starry-Stagey-Scopes

Another Blog About Mobile Phones In Theatre

Stars To Strip For Charity In West End Bares

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SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION TO TOUR THE UK On announcing he was to bring to an end his role as practice manager Howard Bellamy in BBC One’s Doctors, there was immediate speculation as to what would be next for IAN KELSEY, who, having hardly been off our screens for over two decades, has become one of TV’s best loved and most prolific leading men. Ian leaves his starring role in a closely guarded story line this November to play Andy Dufresne, a banker who having been handed a double life sentence for the brutal murder of his wife and her lover, finds himself incarcerated in the notorious Shawshank penitentiary. Joining Ian is television’s PATRICK ROBINSON, whose impressive TV career has also spanned more than two decades. Patrick is best known for his role as staff nurse-turned-consultant Martin ‘Ash’ Ashford in BBC’s Casualty, a role which he first played from 1990 to 1996, before he returned for a guest appearance in a two-part special in 1998. He then reprised his role in 2013 for a year. Unflinching in his protests of innocence, Andy strikes up an unlikely friendship with the prison fixer Red, played by Robinson, and things take a slight turn for the better. However, when Warden Stammas decides to bully Andy into subservience and exploit his talents for accountancy, a desperate plan is quietly hatched…

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PATRICK ROBINSON’s other TV work includes Midsomer Murders and The Bill, and, in 2013 Strictly Come Dancing where he got to the semi-finals. In 2003 he appeared in action film Belly of the Beast alongside Steven Seagal. Patrick’s stage roles include the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Romeo and Juliet as their first ever black Romeo. Other stage credits include Dangerous Corner at London’s Garrick Theatre and Festen at the Almeida and the West End’s Lyric Theatre for Bill Kenwright, and War Horse at the New London Theatre. Based on the 1982 novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption by celebrated author STEPHEN KING, the play examines desperation, injustice, friendship and hope behind the claustrophobic bars of a maximum security facility. The 1994 feature film, regularly voted the number one all-time movie, starred Tim Robbins as Andy Dufresne and Morgan Freeman as Ellis ‘Red’ Redding and was nominated for seven Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Actor for Freeman. Stephen King is one of the most popular authors of contemporary literature and has written 54 published novels which have sold more than 350 million copies around the world, many of which have been adapted into feature films.

NEW CAST ANNOUNCED FOR MATILDA THE MUSICAL FROM 15 SEPTEMBER 2015 Evie Hone and Lizzie Wells will join Anna-Louise Knight and Lara McDonnell in the title role of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical from Tuesday 15 September 2015. Joining the four actresses will be Michael Begley (Mr Wormwood), Miria Parvin (Miss Honey) and Rebecca Thornhill (Mrs Wormwood). Craige Els will continue in the role of Miss Trunchbull.

Crunchem Hall from September are as follows: Leo Ayres, Charlie Barnard, Thomas Berry, Fifi BloomsburyKhier, Tilly Cook, Bronte Cosgrave, Ellie Dadd, Connor Deeks, Carla Dixon, Dayna Dixon, Denzel Eboji, Keyaan Hameed, Hannah Hague, Darcy Hillhouse, Caoimhe Judd, Sophie Keaveney, Demi Olawovin, Ben Perkins, Max Reader, Jason Rennie, Joe Sheridan, Jacob Smith, Eva Trodd, Harrison Vaughan and Jamie Wilding.

Michael Begley’s recent theatre credits include After Electra directed by Samuel West (Theatre Royal Plymouth & Tricycle Theatre), Mrs Lowry and Son (Trafalgar Studios), Sweet Bird of Youth (Old Vic), If There Is I Haven’t Found It Yet (Bush Theatre), Rhinoceros (Royal Court Theatre), The Arsonists (Royal Court Theatre), Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf (Royal Exchange Manchester) and Pravda (Chichester Festival Theatre and Birmingham Rep).

The adult cast includes Fabian Aloise, Robbie Boyle, John Brannoch, Oliver Brooks, Jonathan Cordin, Olly Dobson, Demi Goodman, Elliot Harper, Will Hawksworth, Kate Kenrick, Rachel Moran, Tom Muggeridge, Matt Serafini, Biancha Szynal, Charlotte Scott, Laura Tyrer and Sharlene Whyte.

Miria Parvin recently starred in the West End production of Once (Phoenix Theatre). Miria made her professional debut in 2006 playing the leading role of Pearl in the UK Tour of Starlight Express and has since gone on to play Ariel in Footloose (West End & Tour) and Sarah in Our House (UK Tour) before starring as Sophie in Mamma Mia! (International Tour). Rebecca Thornhill is an Olivier Award-nominated actress with an illustrious musical theatre background. Rebecca’s previous stage credits include lead roles in From Here To Eternity (Shaftesbury Theatre), Mary Poppins (Prince Edward Theatre and USA Tour), Chicago (Adelphi Theatre), Ragtime (Piccadilly Theatre), Witches of Eastwick (Prince of Wales and UK Tour), South Pacific (UK Tour), Beauty and the Beast (Dominion Theatre) and Les Misérables (Palace Theatre and Denmark). In addition to her credits in the West End, Rebecca has appeared at the National Theatre in Singin’ in the Rain (for which she was nominated for an Olivier Award) and played Gertie in Trevor Nunn’s production of Oklahoma! opposite Hugh Jackman and Maureen Lipman.

Inspired by the incomparable Roald Dahl’s beloved book, Matilda The Musical premiered at the Royal Shakespeare Company’s The Courtyard Theatre in Stratford-uponAvon in November 2010, before transferring to London’s West End in October 2011. In 2014 Matilda The Musical celebrated its 1000th performance in London and tickets are now on sale until May 2016 at the Cambridge. Click here to buy tickets to see Matilda

The young performers who will play the roles of Bruce, Lavender, Amanda, Nigel, Eric and the other pupils at westendwilma.com

JOHN OWEN-JONES RETURNS TO PLAY

BEN FORSTER TO TAKE ON THE ROLE FROM FE From Monday 7 September 2015, there will be major cast changes in the smash hit Andrew Lloyd Webber musical “THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA” at Her Majesty’s Theatre in the West End. John Owen-Jones returns as ‘The Phantom’ from Monday 7 September 2015 having most recently played the part in the spectacular new production of the show on tour in the UK. He has played the role more times than any other actor in the West End production’s history. John has also played the role of ‘Jean Valjean’ in “Les Misérables” in the West End, on the 25th anniversary tour and on Broadway. Ben Forster will play the role of ‘The Phantom’ from Monday 1 February 2016. Ben is probably best known for winning the ITV1 show, ‘Superstar’ – Andrew Lloyd Webber’s TV talent search for ‘Jesus’ in “Jesus Christ Superstar”. His other theatre credits include ‘Magaldi’ in “Evita” at the Dominion Theatre. Ben will join “THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA” following his appearance later this year as ‘Buddy’ in “Elf The Musical” also at the Dominion Theatre. They are joined by Celinde Schoenmaker as ‘Christine Daaé’; Nadim Naaman as ‘Raoul’, Michael Matus as ‘Monsieur Firmin’ and Christopher Dickens as ‘Monsieur André’. Continuing their roles are: Lara Martins as ‘Carlotta’; Jacinta Mulcahy as ‘Madame Giry’; John Ellis as ‘Piangi’ and Alicia Beck as ‘Meg’. Emmi Christensson will continue as the alternate ‘Christine Daaé’ until June 2016 when Lisa-Anne Wood takes over the role. THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA has won 70 major theatre awards, including seven Tony’s on Broadway and three Olivier Awards in the West End. It won the ‘Most Popular Musical Audience Award’, voted by the public, in the 2002 Laurence Olivier Awards. THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, which opened at Her Majesty’s Theatre on 9 October 1986 starred Michael Crawford as ‘The Phantom’ and Sarah Brightman as ‘Christine.’ It is produced by Cameron Mackintosh and The Really Useful Theatre Company Limited. Photo: Johan Persson Click here to book tickets to see the Phantom of the Opera and save up to 41%

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Y THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA

EBRUARY 2016

John Owen-Jones

Celinde Schoenmaker

Ben Forster

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to filming commitments. Reprising their roles as Isabella Blow and Arabella will be Tracy-Ann Oberman and Laura Rees respectively. Michael Bertenshaw will be joining the cast as Mr Hitchcock. Further casting for the West End transfer to be announced. For the transfer to the West End, scenes have been rewritten and an interval has been added. James Phillips said, “I’m so delighted to haveMcQueen in the West End, and to take this opportunity to refine some things from the original production. For me, it’s also thrilling that we’re going into the Theatre Royal Haymarket, as it was in this theatre that I had my first ever professional job, a few months after leaving college. I was a peasant – a silent role! – in Miss Julie starring Christopher Eccleston, Aisling O’Sullivan and Maxine Peake that Thelma Holt produced. It really is one of the most beautiful theatres I’ve ever been in.”

McQueen transfers to the west end this summer McQUEEN, which received its world premiere in May at St. James Theatre, where it broke box office records, will transfer to London’s West End, opening at the Theatre Royal Haymarket on Thursday 27 August, following previews from 13 August, for a strictly limited season until 7 November. Written by James Phillips and directed by John Caird, the production stars award-winning actor Stephen Wight in the title role. Janet McQueen, one of Lee Alexander McQueen’s sisters, said of the play and the production at St. James Theatre, “It was as though the play and Stephen’s performance brought Lee back to me again. I felt as though he was real again for me.” Gary McQueen, Lee’s nephew, added, “It does really hit something in your heart.” Joining Stephen in the West End run will be Carly Bawden in the role of Dahlia. The role was originated by Dianna Agron who is not participating in the transfer due

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McQUEEN is a journey into the visionary imagination and dream world of Alexander McQueen, fashion’s greatest contemporary artist. Set on a single London night, it is more than a bio-play. It is stepping into the fairy story landscape of McQueen’s mind, the landscape seen in his immortal shows, where with a dress an urchin can become an Amazon, where beauty might just help us survive the night. A girl has watched McQueen’s Mayfair house for eleven consecutive days. Tonight she climbs down from her watching tree and breaks into his house, to steal a dress, to become someone special. He catches her, but, instead of calling the police, they embark together on a journey through London and into his heart. Lee Alexander McQueen died on 11 February 2010 aged 40. Born in Lewisham and raised in Stratford, East London, at 16 he served an apprenticeship with Savile Row tailors Anderson & Sheppard. Later, he studied at Central Saint Martin’s College of Art and Design and his graduation collection was bought in its entirety by influential fashion stylist Isabella Blow. He was appointed head designer at Givenchy in 1996, where he remained until 2001. He founded his own Alexander McQueen label, and the Gucci Group acquired 51% of his company in 2000, with McQueen serving as Creative Director. McQueen achieved the title British Designer of the Year four times between 1996 and 2003, and was also awarded the CBE and named International Designer of the Year by the Council of Fashion Designers in 2003. New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art hosted a posthumous exhibition of McQueen’s work in 2011 titled Savage Beauty. The exhibition is currently being shown at the V&A until 2 August. Photo: Specular Click here to buy tickets to see McQueen

MISS SAIGON ANNOUNCE FINAL BOOKING EXTENSION BEFORE THE SHOW CLOSES IN FEBRUARY 2016

ameron Mackintosh has announced that Boubil and Schönberg’s legendary musical “MISS SAIGON” will make its final London flight at the Prince Edward Theatre on Saturday 27 February 2016. Cameron Mackintosh said ‘”I’m delighted to announce a final extension of my hugely successful new production of Miss Saigon at the Prince Edward Theatre. This record-breaking and award-winning production is already repeating its success in Japan and Korea and is planned to open in Germany, Australia and Broadway in the next two years. Our original stars Eva Noblezada and Jon Jon Briones continue to lead our wonderful international cast that has made this epic love story one of the greatest contemporary musicals of all time”. This new production of “MISS SAIGON” opened in May 2014 and has been a triumphant success with recordbreaking advance bookings. In February “MISS SAIGON” swept the board at the 2015 Whatsonstage.com awards winning a record breaking nine awards, the most awards ever won by a single show in the 15 year history of the awards including: Best West End Show; Best Revival of a Musical; Best Leading Actress in a Musical and Best Leading Actor in a Musical. In November 2014 “MISS SAIGON” won 11 awards in the Broadwayworld.com Awards including Best Leading Actor; Best Featured Actor; Best Leading Actress; Best Featured Actress; Best Choreography; Best Costume Design and Best Direction in a New Production of a Musical. “MISS SAIGON” tells the tragic tale of young bar girl Kim, orphaned by war, who falls in love with an American GI called Chris – but their lives are torn apart by the fall of Saigon. “MISS SAIGON” stars Jon Jon Briones as ‘The Engineer’, Eva Noblezada as ‘Kim’, Chris Peluso as ‘Chris’, Siobhan Dillon as ‘Ellen’, Hugh Maynard as ‘John’, Sangwoong Jo ‘Thuy’ and Natalie Mendoza as ‘Gigi’. The cast also includes Michael Carolan; Richard Carson; Natalie Chua; Callum Evans; Maria Graciano; Nathan Graham; Simon Hardwick; Kurt Kansley; Sooha Kim; Kittiphun Kittipakapom; Aaron Lee Lambert; David Kar-Hing Lee; Mitch Leow; Ela Lisondra; Michael Macalintal; Tanya Manalang; Christian Rey Marbella; Liam Marcellino; Kanako Nakano; Thao Therese Nguyen; Saori Oda; Claire Parrish; Kiel Payton; Ethan Le Phong; Katherine Picar; Romeo Salazar; Ariel Reonal; Jon Reynolds; Marsha Songcome; Eloisa Amalia Tan; Gavin Tsang; Thao Vilayvong; Amadeus Williams; Gerald Zarcilla and Yuval Zoref. Photos: Johan Persson, Matt Crockett Click here to book tickets to see Miss Saigon westendwilma.com

KERRY & LOUISE ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS Do you play any instruments and are there any you would like to play? - Lucy Evans

What’s the worst or funniest tricks that were played in muck up matinees? - Janet Brooks

Kerry: I would love to be able to play the piano and the guitar because I think it’s very useful. I’ve tried a couple of times throughout my life and I’ve not had the patience for it. I want to be too good too quickly. I think when you’re a singer you want to accompany yourself so quickly you get frustrated. So I’ve not put in the hours and done the patience with it sadly but I would love to.

Kerry: Do you know what makes me laugh. The fans seem to have named it muck up matinees. When has it ever been called a muck up matinees? Louise: As if we’re all going to mess about! Rachel Tucker did something that I copied when I played Elphaba and I’m pretty sure you did it. Elphaba’s dance at the party. She was doing a bit of running man and caterpillar. Kerry: I think I did a bit of dirty dancing. Louise: I think you did a bit of running man. Kerry: Probably. Louise: The best thing was the ensemble have to copy you and do the same dance so I’m doing the robot and they all got up and did it in perfect time, it was amazing.

Louise: I used to play the violin when I was at school and I did have a guitar for a year but I still didn’t learn to play it. If you could sing any song right now what would it be and why? - Perry O’Bree Louise: Why is it that when you’re asked these questions you can’t think of any songs at all. Kerry: what did you sing earlier? Louise: (Sings a line from a Celine Dion song) probably a Celine Dion because it makes me happy and I can’t help but try to impersonate her. Kerry: I love Pharell Williams ‘Happy’ because it’s just a great feel good song. Exactly like Celine, you put it on in the car and sing along to it. Will the show be recorded for cd or DVD purposes? - Steve Ellis

Kerry: I think my biggest goal is just to sustain a career and have longevity. I feel very blessed to have done some of the jobs I have and had the experiences I have. For me it’s about longevity. It’s a marathon not sprint. I hope that the next twenty years is just as exciting and as fun. Louise: Same for me really. To continue to experience different things and keep challenging myself in different areas. To keep enjoying. I think when I stop enjoying it I’ll give it all up and just have a million dogs.

Kerry: We don’t know yet to be honest. Louise: Maybe, maybe not.

What advice would you give to an aspiring actor/ actress? - Verity Jo Spencer Hall

Would you like to do any work on TV and what show would you like to be on? - Hayley Cutler Gribble

Louise: I would say buy the book Secrets of Stage Success because there’s many many tips in there. The biggest piece of advice I would give is be prepared to never stop learning and never stop working. You don’t just do your one job and that it. There’s an incredible amount of luck and talent and it will only come to you if you work hard and continue being a sponge.

Louise: I’d love to do TV. I’d love to act without bursting into song, as much as I love it. I’d love to do complete polar opposites either a gritty drama or a comedy like a sitcom. Kerry: I’d love to. People think if you work in musicals that’s what you do but I think they forget we are actually actors that sing. I’d love to do a drama. I’m watching an amazing drama called Penny Dreadful at the moment and it’s fabulous period crazy thing about vampires and werewolves so something like that which really transforms you and is completely different to what you’re used to.

What is your biggest goal for your career? - Tanya Arterton

Do you plan to do any more concerts together after this one? - Emma Jouhin Louise: You never know but hopefully. It’s taken us this long - it’s taken us twenty years. Kerry: We’ll be really old if we have to wait another twenty years!

Do you have any funny scary or bizarre stories from your time in wicked? - Amy

What are your favourite duets of all time? - Melissa Saunders

Kerry: I did the show for a good two and a bit years and there were so many experiences and so many things happened to me along the way many of which I’ve told stories of before. Mainly I just have amazingly fond memories of the show and feel it was a real triumph and I’m just really grateful that I got the opportunity to play the role. Louise: One of my favourite moments was when Mark Evans ran away from me as Fiyero, tripped up the stairs and literally landed in the splits up the stairs. It was amazing, a definite highlight from my time in Wicked.

Louise: We’ve been making lists and lists of duets that we love. Happy Days Are Here Again and Hooray for Love (Barbra Streisand and Judy Garland. But then I like to pick it up a bit with Mariah and Whitney When You Believe Kerry: It’s a really good question and if anyone wants to send us any suggestions on Twitter we’re really open to it as we’re putting the show together at the moment. So if you’ve got any suggestions send them our way!

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WIN! TICKETS TO SEE CATS IN BLACKPOOL, PLUS BEHIND-THE-SCENES TOUR & DINNER C

ats is currently wowing theatre-goers in Blackpool and West End Wilma has teamed up with Ticketmaster, and Winter Gardens Blackpool to give away the ultimate family day out. One lucky reader will win one family ticket to see the Cats the Musical at Blackpool Opera House, plus a behind-the-scenes tour and dinner at the Theatre Bar & Gourmet Burger Restaurant. (Please note: travel and accommodation are not provided). A stunning art nouveau feature of the Winter Gardens, the restaurant dates back to 1896 and has been uncovered as part of work to reopen a bar within the complex. The Theatre Bar, formerly known as Bar Red, has been closed for five years as part of the extensive refurbishment work taking place to the Winter Gardens building. For your chance to Win this fantastic prize click here to enter

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ne night every year, a group of cats get together to pick one deserving puss to send up to heaven to be reincarnated. That’s about as much of a story as there is for Cats which is based on T S Elliot’s book ‘Possums Book of Practical Cats’. A selection of poems about... you’ve guessed it, Cats. In my last review of the show I described it as a feline type X Factor where each cat performs to try to win a place in the final and then Simon Cowell/Old Deuteronomy decides on a winner. Andrew Lloyd Webber put these poems to music and in 1981 the show opened at the New London Theatre in London where it ran for twenty one years. Last Christmas saw a limited return of the show at the London Palladium where it will return again this year for the festive season. Ahead of that though, the show is playing a summer season at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens Theatre with cruise ship singer and loose woman Jane McDonald playing the iconic role of Grizabella. I thought Jane McDonald was an odd choice to play the leading lady role in this production (having recently started Nicole Scherzin ger and Kerry Ellis in London) but after seeing her, I don’t think she could have been better cast. Her singing was undeniably good and she sang the songs as well as anyone would expect them to be sung. Her acting skills could use a little work com pared to other people who have played the role but the audience don’t seem to care. Jane McDonald seems to be an icon for the North of England and she received such a long standing ovation after her performance of Memory that it is undeniable that the audience loved it. When discussing the musical Cats, a common question that gets asked is ‘who is your favourite cat?’ Mine is never usually a common choice but I love Gus the Theatre Cat and Paul F Monaghan played the part perfectly. Harry Francis and Georgie Leatherland were a great cockney comedy duo as Mungeojerrie and Rumpleteaser and Evan James took us all on a train journey together as Skimbleshanks. The stand out performance in the show was Jack Butterworth as the Rum Tum Tugger. Not only was his rapping great but in other songs he showed what a great singing voice he has and acted the part to perfection. Cats is very dated with 80’s synthesisers and space ships that look like something out of an 80’s film but with such great love for the show why would you change anything? People love it just the way it is. It’s a bit bonkers and not everyone’s cup of tea but it is a great show if you can appreciate it. It’s also great if you just want to look at humans dressed as cats. Reviewed by West End Wilma Photo: www.catsthemusical.com

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REVIEWS AMERICAN IDIOT ARTS THEATRE Having sold over 75 million albums worldwide, Punk/Rock band Green Day have been the soundtrack to several generations of teenagers lives from 1986 up until today. Their 2004 concept album American Idiot dealt with post 9/11 issues and became one of their most popular, mainstream albums. In 2010 the album was used as the basis for a new Broadway musical titled American Idiot which ran for one year. Between 2011-2014, the show went on an international tour and played around the UK in huge venues like London’s Hammersmith Apollo which felt too big for a theatrical production. Now, a new production of American Idiot has opened in the heart of the West End and is the perfect place for a show like this (holding just 350 people). The music is undeniably brilliant but that isn’t really a surprise. As with all juke box musicals, the song are hits and that is why they have been used. The question is, how are the songs intertwined into a story? Sadly that is where American Idiot – the musical has always fallen down. The story centres around three friends who go their separate ways. One goes off to the army, one stays at home with his pregnant girlfriend and the other goes on a journey of self discovery but finds drugs and spirals downwards. Following these three separate stories can be confusing and the lyrics to the songs don’t always seem to work along with what is happening. The general press night consensus from people I spoke to after the show was ‘I don’t have a clue what it was about’ which is the issue with this show. The star attraction of this show is 2011 X Factor finalist Amelia Lily. She looks and sounds great but has a very small role within the show and doesn’t really get a chance to show the audience what she is capable of. Alexis Gerred is good as Tunny who goes off to join the army

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 (and spends the majority of the show with his top off!) and Lucas Rush gives an energetic performance as St Jimmy. The undoubted star of the show is Aaron Sidwell as Johnny. He is hardly off stage during the whole show and bounds around like a schizophrenic monkey. His singing and acting are brilliant and he totally embodies the role he is playing. If you want a fun night out with friends, a few drinks and to reminisce over songs you may have grown up listening to then American Idiot is the perfect choice. Great music, brilliant singing and actors who give 100% of themselves to the roles they are playing. Choreography is slick and clever, the stage design is detailed and interesting and the whole thing is very well directed. Unfortunately though, for a musical, a strong storyline is incredibly important and American Idiot doesn’t have it. Reviewed by West End Wilma Photo: Darren Bell American Idiot is playing at the Arts Theatre until 27 September 2015. Click here for tickets.

REVIEWS

MEMPHIS SHAFTESBURY THEATRE Matt Cardle, winner of X Factor 2010 was not an obvious choice to replace the current king of the West End Killian Donelly (who has left to join the original London cast of Kinky Boots) as Huey Calhoun in Memphis the Musical, alongside queen of soul Beverley Knight. Always happy to watch this show again, I went along to check out his performance and I am delighted to say, he nailed it completely. The singing, the acting, the American accent were all perfect. Replacing Killian was no easy task but Matt has done it. And to top it all off, he’s quite pretty too! I finally got to see Rachel John play the role of Felicia (Beverley Knight does not perform on Monday evenings) and she gave a great performance. The only difference between her and Beverley is that I really get the feeling Beverley has lived this experience. You can see the anger and frustration in her face about the situation the world is in and it is not so evident with Rachel. Nonetheless, Memphis is a rollercoaster vocal ride and Rachel gives it her all. Memphis tells the story of happy-go-lucky Huey, a young white man with a passion for black music in 1950’s Memphis, Tennessee. When he walks into a black club

 one day, the patrons quickly turn on him and force him out but when he declares he is going to make the owners sister Felicia a star and get her played on the radio, they become slightly more curious about the man in front of them. It is a serious story of racism, abuse and the way the world was only sixty years ago. It shows how far we have come as a nation but also how far we still have to come to make equality truly mean something. Rolan Bell gave a great performance as Delray, the protective brother of Felicia and Simon Ray Harvey also stood out as very impressive. It is a real shame that Memphis is set to close in the West End later this year. It is one of the best musicals we have had in the West End for quite a while and Matt Cardle is now giving it a new lease of life to a very appreciative audience. Reviewed by West End Wilma Photo: Johan Persson Memphis is booking at the Shaftesbury Theatre until 31 October 2015. Click here to book tickets.

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REVIEWS

SINATRA THE MAN AND HIS MUSIC London Palladium

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On July 10 1950, Frank Sinatra stood on the stage at the London Palladium and now 65 years later, he’s back. Sort of. I question any production where a character – often as not a celebrity – is a hologram (Michael Flatley I’m talking to you), not even recognisable (seriously, Bend It Like Beckham?) or something else quite ridiculous. I’d heard that Sinatra was an unusual production so I was a little bit apprehensive, but it actually isn’t that bad. Now I like the man’s music – who doesn’t? – but it is slightly odd to sit watching a gigantic video of him while twenty people dance around below him. It is unique for sure and listening to Frank Sinatra at the Palladium is an experience, but you have to close your eyes to get that effect. Ray Winkler’s set is impressive, with a fantastic 24-piece orchestra (MS the fabulous Gareth Valentine) providing the music; although this is incredible, many of the songs ‘Frank’ is singing had music underneath so the effect was a bit bizarre. The dancers and choreography are also impressive, giving the audience something to watch while listening to a life size video of Sinatra. Again this was a bit odd, but it did help us to set the scene and help us to feel that we were were back in the 1950s and one of his adoring fans. Kicking off with Fly Me to the Moon, you can’t help but love the concept of the production as the hits keep coming. Some classics like Come Fly With Me are missing, which is a shame, but the authentic footage and photographs that accompany some of the musical interludes is very interesting. Whilst I appreciate what they were trying to achieve and I did enjoy myself, it felt more like I was watching a documentary than a true tribute to Frank Sinatra. Reviewed by Michaela Clement-Hayes Sinatra the Man and his Music is playing at the London Palladium until 10 October 2015. Click here to book tickets

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REVIEWS

SECRETS OF STAGE SUCCESS

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A BOOK BY LOUISE DEARMAN AND MARK EVANS Musical Theatre performers Louise Dearman and Mark Evans found themselves being asked so many questions by wannabe performers that they decided to launch a website where fans could submit their questions to them. These have now been put together into a handy little book which is a must have for anyone in theatre training or even just with a keen interest in theatre. Questions such as how to choose the right course, getting an agent, staying healthy and dealing with negative responses are all answered through four handy sections of the book; Learning your craft, getting a job, doing the job and living the life. Louise Dearman (the only female to have ever played both leading roles in Wicked the Musical) and Mark Evans (who once starred alongside Louise in Wicked as Fiyero, is now living in New York having just finished playing Elder Price on the US Tour of Book of Mormon), give informative answers and pepper them with funny stories and anecdotes about their own careers.

Secrets of Stage Success is out now, £8.99 paperback, published by Nick Hern Books. Get your copy for just £6.74 (that’s 25% off the rrp) plus free UK p&p – use code SECRETSWILMA at www.nickhernbooks.co.uk/secrets Reviewed by West End Wilma Photo: Mark Yeoman

For aspiring musical theatre actors, as they say in the Book of Mormon, ‘this book may change your life’. For everyone else, Secrets of Stage Success is a good, easy read that allows you to go behind the scenes and see what it takes to become that person we see up on stage. With simple, beautiful illustrations by West End caricaturist Mark Manley, you can’t get much stagier than this!

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STARS TO STRIP

FOR CHARITY IN WEST END BARES Theatre MAD (Make A Difference Trust) are delighted to present WEST END BARES 2015 “TAKE OFF” at the Café De Paris, Coventry Street, W1 on Sunday 20 September 2015 at 9.30pm and Midnight. Tickets are available from www.madtrust.org.uk. The Make A Difference Trust is a UK based charity with a vision of a world free from HIV and AIDS. Building on the legacy of 25 years of fundraising by the Theatre industry, they continue to make the vision a reality having distributed over £1.6 million in grants to support individuals experiencing hardship across the UK as well as over £1million to support projects with their UK and international partners. Now in its 6th year, this annual event combines the naughtiness of burlesque along with the razzle dazzle of the West End featuring the hottest performers currently appearing in the West End. The evening is based on the original concept ‘Broadway Bares’ by legendary Broadway and West End director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids. Each act this year will be created around the theme “Take Off”, so all numbers will have an airline theme. All the numbers are choreographed and costumed by the best of the West End’s talent and feature cast members from current West End shows.

(currently appearing in the UK tour of Barnum), Racky Plews (Director on American Idiot), Jane McMurtrie (currently Resident Choreographer on Gypsy), Lee Proud (currently Choreographer on Grand Hotel), Mitch Leow (currently performing in Miss Saigon), Stuart RogersQuish (previously appeared in The Bodyguard, We Will Rock You, Mamma Mia!, Mary Poppins), Sean Parkins (currently in The Book of Mormon), Ashley Nottingham (currently in Sinatra) and Aaron Renfree (Choreographer and Dancer who has worked with The Saturdays and on X Factor). The numbers will feature cast members from American Idiot, Cats, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Gypsy, Mamma Mia!, Matilda, Memphis, Miss Saigon, Sinatra, Wicked and many more! Links will be provided by celebrity hosts, names to be announced shortly. Previous celebrity hosts have included Graham Norton, Sheridan Smith, John Barrowman and Paul O’Grady. Photo: Darren Bell Click here to book tickets to West End Bares

The numbers this year will be choreographed by David Grewcock (Artistic Director for West End Bares and soon to perform in DV8’s JOHN), Joanna Taylor Goodwin westendwilma.com

The world’s favourite rock ‘n’ roll show creator Richard O’brien will perform the legendary role of the narrator – Performing in the UK for the first time in more than 20 years in a new production of the musical extravaganza ‘The Rocky Horror Show’ at the Playhouse Theatre, London from 11 to 19 September 2015. There will be a gala charity performance, In aid of amnesty international, on 17 September. This performance will also be broadcast live to cinemas across the UK and Europe.

RICHARD O’BRIEN TO STAR IN ‘THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW’ FOR A VERY LIMITED RUN Rocky Horror Company and Picturehouse Entertainment present the Ambassador Theatre Group production of The Rocky Horror Show – 11 special performances at the Playhouse Theatre, London from 11th – 19th September 2015. Starring the creator of The Rocky Horror Show, Richard O’Brien - who will perform the role of ‘The Narrator’, performing it in the UK for the first time in more than 20 years. Tickets go on sale on Friday 31st July. On 17 September, Picturehouse Entertainment and Rocky Horror Company will join forces to broadcast a gala charity performance, in aid of Amnesty International, live from the Playhouse Theatre to cinemas across the UK and Europe, featuring a number of special celebrity guest stars. Tickets for the cinema screenings go on sale from 09.00am on Friday 31st July.

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With cinemas across the UK and Europe, including Germany, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark streaming The Rocky Horror Show performance live at 6.45pm GMT, fans from around the globe will have the opportunity of being part of one of the most anticipated live events of the year. There are also plans for the gala performance to be broadcast on Television around the world in countries including America, Australia and New Zealand in autumn 2015. The show will be directed by Christopher Luscombe and produced by Howard Panter for Ambassador Theatre Group. These special London performances precede a nationwide UK tour of The Rocky Horror Show, which opens at the Theatre Royal Brighton on 17 December 2015.

NEW CAST ANNOUNCED FOR

WICKED THE MUSICAL

WICKED, the award-winning classic musical that tells the incredible untold story of the Witches of Oz, is delighted to welcome the American stage, television and film actor Tom McGowan to the role of The Wizard from Monday 21 September for a limited season until Saturday 12 March 2016. He will be making his West End debut.

Tom McGowan has been playing The Wizard in various North American productions of Wicked to great acclaim since 2009, including three separate engagements at the Gershwin Theatre on Broadway. His other Broadway credits include ‘Bessie’ in Harvey Fierstein’s Casa Valentina, directed by Joe Mantello; ‘Amos Hart’ in Chicago; Anton Chekhov’s Ivanov, adapted by David Hare and the original production of David Hirson’s La Bête (Tony® and Drama Desk Award nominations, Best Actor in a Play). Off-Broadway, he won an OBIE Award for his performance as ‘Otto’ in Nicky Silver’s The Food Chain. His many television appearances include recurring roles as KACL Station Manager ‘Kenny Daly’ in Frasier; ‘Bernie’ in Everybody Loves Raymond and ‘Joe’ in The War at Home; and guest starring roles in Veep; Modern Family; Desperate Housewives; Brothers & Sisters; CSI; Hot in Cleveland; ER and Curb Your Enthusiasm. Films include The Birdcage; Heavyweights; Ghost World; Bad Santa; As Good As It Gets; Bean; The Family Man; Twelve and Holding and Sleepless in Seattle. Tom McGowan said: “I am thrilled to be invited to make my West End stage debut in Wicked playing the role that has been such a huge and fulfilling part of my career on Broadway and across North America at various times since 2009. I look forward to meeting and working with the amazing London cast.” From Monday 21 September 2015, Wicked will star: Emma Hatton (Elphaba), Savannah Stevenson (Glinda), Oliver Savile (Fiyero), Liza Sadovy (Madame Morrible), Tom McGowan (The Wizard), Sean Kearns (Doctor Dillamond), Daniel Hope (Boq), Katie Rowley Jones (Nessarose), Natalie Andreou (Standby for Elphaba), Carina Gillespie (Standby for Glinda), Chloe Ames, Nicholas Collier, Laura Emmitt, Kerry Enright, Oliver Evans, Freya Field, Joseph Fletcher, Rosie Fletcher, David Gale, Sergio Giacomelli, Sheila Grant, Chester Hayes, Lauren James Ray, Aaron Jenkins, Jasmine Kerr, Natalie McQueen, Billy Mitchell, Scott Monello, Kane Oliver Parry, Steph Parry, Julienne Schembri, Paulo Teixeira, Joe Toland, Hannah Toy, Russell Walker and Helen Woolf.

Click here to buy tickets to see Wicked

Photo: Joan Marcus westendwilma.com

SISTER MARY McARTHUR’S STARRY-STAGEY-SCOPES

Sister Mary McArthur, lives in Saint Peter’s of the Sister’s of the Third Removed in Soho. She has performed in West End Eurovision, Cape Town, New York and is the secret love child of Elaine Paige. Her new show Sister Mary McArthur’s Big Variety Night is at The Cockpit Theatre on Sunday Sept 13th, Oct 4th and Nov 1st AQUARIUS January 20 – February 17 There are worst things that you could do and believe me this month you are still suffering from last month’s naughty behaviour. You know and love how to party but know your limits. A trip to the clap clinic could be on the cards. PISCES February 18 – March 19 Family pressures have been building up of late. Maybe it’s time to let it go and not hold it back anymore. Sit down as a family, sort it out, the boat will be rocky but well worth the ride. ARIES March 20 –April 19 Sometimes people leave you half way through the wood, big changes this month in your work place maybe it’s time to move on and stop worrying where you’re going get up and get out and live it. TAURUS April 20- May 20 This is going to be a great month for you this month. Your creative juices will be flowing all over the place – watch that new rug… last month you wished for a fairy godmother and one is coming. You will feel like Cinderella’s pumpkin. GEMINI May 21 – June 20 Peach is always a good colour for you and now with your new headshots – you’re full and brimming of energy. Remember it’s all about the base planning, do that research and stalk that casting director and you will get the dream job you have always wanted. CANCER June 21 – July 22 Oh dear, dear, dear me Cancer, not the perfect month this month – with Uranus taking Saturn from behind it’s all a little bit too much for the normal Cancerian you have been to too many showbiz do’s– make sure you get lots of sleep and shut yourself in the broom cupboard.

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LEO July 23 – August 22 The summer is finally here and this month you will have a Cha Cha in your step – yes that boy whose been running around with you in the past few weeks actually does want you. He may be Charming with dwarf tendencies ..Don’t resist. But be careful. Wear a pop sock. VIRGO August 23rd –September 22 Most Virgo’s always have complex relationships and this month you will feel exhausted and everything will feel hard work. However you can change that, maybe it’s time to try harder. Yes get your hair done, cut your toe nails and shave you’re arm pits. All will be worth it. LIBRA September 23 – October 22 The influence of Pluto and the moon been blue at certain times during late August will remind you of how lucky you are at the moment. Be generous to your mates as they are all poor and could do with some cash. You’re in the money at last and you have a lot to spread around. SCORPIO October 23 – November 21 You must be really careful this month Scorpio that poisonous tail of yours has the potential to be out in all its glory. Remember in with anger out with love. Be a bunny. Try not to get worried try not to turn on to problems that frustrate you. SAGITTARIUS November 22 – December 21 Yesterday is done, see the pretty countryside, get out of the woods and open your eyes and what do you see? Its time this month to accept the truth, breathe, take stock of what you have and what you have not and shine like a blue crystal. CAPRICORN December 22 – January 19 It’s not where you start it’s where you finish. Keep repeating that to yourself this month. Otherwise if you’re not careful it will all be a little bit of history repeating. You can do it – it’s all yours for the taking! It’s just a round the corner.

A N O THE R BL O G

ABOUT MOBILE PHONES IN THEATRE It is always a shame to feel the need to write about the subject of mobile phones being used in theatres but once again I feel vexed enough to bring it up. Yesterday, I watched a performance of Horrible Histories at the Garrick Theatre and the woman sat next to me was texting on her mobile phone throughout the entire performance. We were on the end of the row and I had to shield one side of my face so as not to be distracted by the light. I couldn’t help but wonder why ushers didn’t tell her to turn it off. More importantly, what example is this setting to her two children who were perfectly well behaved during the whole show? On Broadway, some theatres give everyone a slip of paper when they enter the auditorium which clearly states mobile phones are not to be used during the performance. And God forbid you do or they will run down the isle like a whippet and shine their torch in your face. I wonder why London theatres don’t implement stronger strategies like these? The tactics used in London theatres obviously aren’t working and so maybe its time to get creative about how and what is done. At the Bratz Kids Carnival circus/cabaret show at the London Wonderground, the host of the show gave a very nice speech at the beginning of the show about how the tricks they were about to do were dangerous and required a lot of concentration and so could everyone turn off their phones and cameras for just the one hour show, leave technology behind and enjoy the performance. It was a lovely way to enforce the message rather than just an announcement over the tannoy as most theatre shows do. After that, the woman sat directly in front of me took out her mobile phone. Not to turn it off, but to spend five minutes writing (and then editing) an email! West End star Louise Dearman recently hit the nail on the head when talking about this subject. Imagine you’re in your living room and you turn all the lights off and close the curtains. Then turn your phone on. You’d see the glaring light wouldn’t you? That is exactly what it is like for performers on stage, staring out into a sea of darkness with the occasional glowing face of someone checking their Twitter or Facebook. People think that no one can see them but they can! Mobile phones aren’t going anywhere any time soon and so this problem is only set to get worse if nothing is done. It only takes one theatre to take action and the rest will follow. Who will be the first to make a change? West End Wilma

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