Month: September 2014

La Soiree Returns To London’s Southbank

News, Off West End
La Soiree Southbank London

Roll up, roll up – the circus is back in town! Last seen in London in 2011, multi award-winning cult hit La Soirée returns to the capital celebrating a triumphant world tour and the 10 year anniversary of the troupe’s first show. Fresh from a six month residency at the spectacular Union Square Theatre in New York, a whirl around Australia and touring the land of the midnight sun, La Soirée returns at last to London. Already a popular favourite with London audiences the show received an Olivier Award for Best Entertainment, and has played four record-breaking, sell-out seasons at iconic venues including the heart-thumping Roundhouse and the decadent Hippodrome. London holds a special place in the hearts and minds of the company as the show’s creative producer Brett Haylock explains, “London is where audiences and critics fell in love with our dysfunctional family like no other. For our contemporary … Read more

Ben Forster to appear in Evita as Magaldi

News, West End
Ben Forster Evita

He shot to fame after winning the ITV show ‘Superstar’ which led him to front the UK arena tour of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s rock musical – and now Ben Forster is back and joining forces with musical theatre’s greatest partnership once again. Ben is to return to the West End stage to guest star in Evita in the role of Agustin Magaldi – Eva Peron’s first love – when it reopens the refurbished Dominion Theatre on September 16th. He will star alongside pop icon Marti Pellow, who plays Che, and rising star Madalena Alberto, who portrays Argentina’s iconic First Lady, for a limited run of 55 performances. “It is a huge privilege to take on such a fantastic part and in such a brilliant show!” Ben said. With more than 20 major awards to its credit, and the Oscar winning film version starring Madonna and Antonio Banderas, … Read more

INTERVIEW: Tim Driesen on the UK Tour of Jersey Boys

Interviews, Jersey Boys the musical
Tim Driesen

After a phenomenal seven years, Jersey Boys continues to run in the West End with no sign of stopping. As the national tour of the international hit musical Jersey Boys kicks off in Manchester, BritishTheare.com caught up with the tour’s Frankie Valli – Tim Driesen to talk about the show and the challenges of playing a living legend. You’ve just returned from playing Frankie Valli in Utrecht, that must have been an experience. “It’s a bit of a culture shock going from Dutch to English, In Utrecht, the songs were in English, but the script was in Dutch. I did a brief stint in the show in the West End last February, so I already knew the script but this is a slightly different production. It’s almost like starting from scratch with a completely new group of people in a new production which is great. “ “It does however mean … Read more

Shrek UK Tour Trailer Released

News
Dean Chisnall Shrek

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rETYrQz-KeE&feature=youtu.be We’re all believers here at BritishTheatre.com. Our friends at Shrek have just released their new show trailer and it’s got us all dancing around the office. Join Shrek (Dean Chisnall), Princess Fiona (Faye Brookes) and Donkey (Idriss Kargbo) as they take on the evil Lord Farquaad (Gerard Carey) in theatres across the UK. For more information visit The Shrek UK Tour Website

Anything Goes National Tour Announced

Touring
Anything Goes Tour

Stage Entertainment, in association with Sheffield Theatres, have  announced  the UK and Ireland tour of Cole Porter’s classic musical comedy, Anything Goes. Following its run at the Crucible theatre in Sheffield (28 November 2014 – 17 January 2015), the tour will open at the New Wimbledon Theatre Thursday 29 January 2015. Casting will be announced shortly. Directed by Daniel Evans and choreographed by Alistair David, this brand new production of Cole Porter’s classic, multi-award winning musical comedy, Anything Goes transports you to the magical age of tap dancing and high society. Rebecca Quigley, CEO of Stage Entertainment UK said: “I’m very excited to be working with Daniel and Alistair, whose work I have loved over the last ten years. They’re the perfect creative team to stage this hugely entertaining musical comedy.” Daniel Evans, Sheffield Theatres’ Artistic Director, added: “It’s 80 years since Cole Porter’s exhilarating score arrived on Broadway and … Read more

OPINION: Do We Need More Dogfights?

Features, Off West End
Dogfight at Southwark Playhouse

There are questions to be asked about Dogfight. Any attempt at a review really ought to address those questions rather than simply parroting the plot and blurting out an opinion. Is it any good? Well, first let me declare an interest – I am fortunate enough to represent two clients appearing in the show, Cellen Chugg Jones and Samuel J Weir. It would be remiss of me not to mention this, and while I thought both were outstanding performances, it doesn’t really have any bearing on what I thought of the show. Suffice to say both men did me proud, turning in dazzlingly focused and nuanced performances. As Boland, right-hand man to Jamie Muscato’s thrilling Eddie, Chugg Jones gives a performance of raw masculinity and power. I probably would say that though, wouldn’t I? Weir, like all the marines, balances virility with vertiginous vocals. No On The Town-esque mincing for … Read more