Kerry Ellis will succeed I’d Do Anything victor Jodie Prenger as Nancy in Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Oliver!. According to the Daily Mail, Prenger will give her last performance on 27 March, with Ellis taking over from 29 March 2010. Kerry Ellis (Wicked, We Will Rock You) has being lined up to take over from Jodie Prenger as Nancy in the current West End production of Oliver! at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Kerry Ellis as Elphaba in Wicked
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I posted to theatrebreaksltb.co.uk
Kery Ellis to be Nancy in Oliver
http://theatrebreaksltb.co.uk/221/kery-ellis-to-be-nancy-in-oliver/
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November 27 2009, 6:14am | Comments »
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I posted to wizardofozlondon.co.uk
Over The Rainbow Auditions for Wizard Of Oz Dorothy
http://wizardofozlondon.co.uk/12/over-the-rainbow-auditions-for-wizard-of-oz-dorothy/
Over The Rainbow Auditions Do you think you could be Andrew Lloyd Webber’s next leading lady? Would you give anything to become Dorothy in the new London West End production of The Wizard of Oz? Follow in the footsteps of previous winners Connie Fisher, Lee Mead and Jodie Prenger by applying to be part of a TV show challenge to find Dorothy, this one called “Over The Rainbow” beginning in 2010.
Dorothy Wanted for Over The Rainbow
The BBC has just opened applications for their newest reality TV show ‘Over The Rainbow’ , to be judged by a team including Andrew Lloyd Webber and the voting public. Auditions are open to everyone, no matter how much or how little experience you have and nationwide auditions for Dorothy begin in January 2010. All applicants must have been aged 16 or over by 26 June 2009. Apply online now to book your audition
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November 26 2009, 8:04am | Comments »
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I posted to usefulwiki.com
Theatre Breaks 2009 Roundup
http://usefulwiki.com/londontheatre/theatre-breaks-2009-roundup.html
Theatre Breaks Roundup for 2009 Winter 2009 is here and I’m just wondering what sort of a year this has been for theatre breaks. There’s been a recent survey that assures us reality TV has actually boosted ticket sales. The box offices are claiming the credit crunch has had little effect on bookings with theatre usually full. So what’s been the reality? Theatre Breaks Shows In terms of shows one or two have closed early but the old favourites like We Will Rock You carry on. Avenue Q was saved from oblivion by popular demand and has moved to a new theatre. The Lion King is as popular as ever and proudly boasts that it is so well booked that it has NEVER released tickets to the reduced ticket agencies. Some good shows reached the end of their natural life and wonderful though Spamalot was it really was time for it to say goodbye. It’s been replaced by Priscilla and that has been a fair swap. Carousel never really quite hit the spot and its closure wasn’t any great surprise. It was sad to see the end of Cabaret and a shame they couldn’t take a leaf out of Chicago’s book and find a constant stream of new familiar faces to keep us going back. Joseph went too and no doubt was mourned by thousands of Lee Mead fans but it was another one that seemed ready to go. No doubt it will be back someday. One show I thought should have done better was Spring Awakening, which I just loved. All that energy and a theatre full of young people the night we went. I felt positively ancient, and that’s a good thing! (honest!)
Oliver has of course been a total triumph with Jodie Prenger making a real name for herself. Who would have thought she’d still be there doing 8 shows a week nearly a year later? What a star. I saw her at West End live this year and she has a super voice and a lovely stage presence. She managed to upstage Christopher Biggins, to great comic effect and that takes some talent for comedy! I think we’ll see more of Jodie once she moves on but for now she seems happy where she is. She’s on her 3rd Fagin and this is the one I’d really like to see. I think Griff Reese Jones will make a great Fagin and be well worth seeing. Hairspray has seen some major changes with the departure of Micheal Ball. Still Phil Jupitus is doing a grand job and Brain Connely was very well received in the part. I wonder how long Micheal will stay away, I’m sure I heard somewhere that he’s thinking of coming back to Edna. We hope! Wicked is going from strength to strength and is the most popular musical at this witchy time of year. Kerry Ellis is just a distant memory now and Alexia Kadhim has made her own interpretation of Elphaba. I think she has a lovely voice, quite different to Kerry’s but wonderful all the same: Click here to view the embedded video. New shows coming in include Legally Blonde which I was less than keen on when first announced. Since then I’ve had a good look at the videos on youtube and listened to the cast recordings and I might just change my mind. It might be fun and has the sort of casting that makes me want to see it. What to say about Love Never Dies (apart from “I can’t wait!!”)? Well it’s definitely going to be a huge event and it should be a spectacular in the best Lloyd Webber tradition. The Coney Island setting should give it a great atmosphere, you know how creepy fairgrounds can be. We’ve all seen Scoobydoo It’s got two fabulous stars in Sarah Boggess and Ramin Karimloo (I’ve been doing this so long I can now spell these names without flinching!) In the next part of this series of posts I’ll look at the travel aspects and prospects for theatre breaks in London 2010. a
Related posts:Alexia Khadime in Wicked Theatre BreaksJodie Prenger at West End LiveJersey Boys Theatre Breaks
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November 25 2009, 6:32am | Comments »
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I posted to usefulwiki.com
West End Stars to Light Up London
http://usefulwiki.com/londontheatre/west-end-stars-to-light-up-london.html
On Tuesday Nov 3rd 2009 many West End Musicals favourites will be helping light up the city as part of the switch on of London’s Christmas lights. At 3 main venues in the centre of London stars from major productions will be involved in the switch on. Sister Act – Oxford Circus It’s the 50th Anniversary of the Christmas lights in Oxford St and the Sister Act cast will be there in force to make sure the ceremony goes with a swing. The switch will be flicked by Jim Carey (no really, Truman himself!), the girl group The Saturdays, Taio Cruz will also entertain the crowds. Sister Act Oliver! – Regent St Oliver! star Jodie Prenger and the London Community Gospel Choir will be at Regent St. Colin Firth (down girls!) will be doing the switch on. The Noisettes and Daniel Merriweather will also be performing. Jodie Prenger as Nancy in Oliver Hairspray – St Paul’s Cathedral The cast of Hairspray will be at St Paul’s Cathedral, along with Spandau Ballet, Little Boots, St Paul’s Cathedral Choir and Bob Hoskins doing the honours. St Paul's Cathederal, London More stars will no doubt soon be announced and I’ll keep you posted here on the Theatre Breaks blog a
Related posts:TV stars + West End Musicals= Hits?Jodie Prenger at West End LiveYet Another Nancy (YAN) gets a West End Role
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October 30 2009, 5:53am | Comments »
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I posted to usefulwiki.com
Griff Rhys Jones to be Fagin
http://usefulwiki.com/londontheatre/griff-rhys-jones-to-be-fagin.html
Oliver! will have a new Fagin from Dec 14th 2009. Griff Rhys Jones will take over from Omid Djalili and is committed to play the role until at least June 2010. Griff will join Jodie Prenger who is also contracted till at least March 2010. Steve Hartley replaces Burn Gorman as ‘Bill Sikes’, a role he played in the 1990’s production. Oliver! seems to have really established itself as a firm favourite for theatre breaks and Griff’s Fagin promises an extra treat for anyone who fancies a Christmas theatre break to see Oliver!
a
Related posts:Oliver! Good Luck to the New FaginFagin as played by Mr Bean?Oliver! another new Fagin
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September 17 2009, 5:13pm | Comments »
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I posted to theatrebreaks.co
Jodie Prenger from Oliver Interview
http://theatrebreaks.co/91/jodie-prenger-from-oliver-interview/
Jodie Prenger from Oliver sings a full on rendition of “As long as He Needs me” at the West End Live event in London followed by a short interview about winning I’d Do Anything.
Video by Theatre Breaks
July 19 2009, 6:22am | Comments »
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I posted to usefulwiki.com
Jodie Prenger at West End Live
http://usefulwiki.com/londontheatre/jodie-prenger-at-west-end-live.html
Well it’s Saturday night and West End Live is half way through. There were some great shows on today in Leicester Square all to promote the West End and provide some free entertainment for the London crowd at the same time. Highlights sp far have been a good three song set from a big cast from We Will Rock You , always a high energy show, the lovely duet from The King And I and this performance from Jodie Prenger as Nancy from Oliver! who sang as if she thought she needed to win I’d do Anything all over again! Click here to view the embedded video. If you keep an eye on the Theatre Breaks youtube stream you’ll catch a glimpse of Patina Miller and sisters from Sister Act and also Jerry Springer in Chicago!
Related Posts:West End Live 2009 - latest confirmed showsOliver - Jodie Prenger wins I'd Do AnythingOliver! I'd Do AnythingOliver - Jodie gets two extra performances on a Saturday!Gone With the Wind - the costumesa Jodie Prenger at West End Live
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June 20 2009, 3:04pm | Comments »
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I posted to usefulwiki.com
Rowan Atkinson Dates for Oliver
http://usefulwiki.com/londontheatre/rowan-atkinson-dates-for-oliver.html
Rowan Atkinson has recently had to miss two performances of Oliver the musical in which he plays Fagin, due to a strained voice, but he has fully recovered and is now back at work. Rowan Atkinson has performed in the musical since mid-December alongside Jodie Prenger as Nancy and Gwion Jones, Harry Stott and Laurence Jeffcoate as alternate Olivers.
Oliver the musical is set to run and run but Rowan Atkinson will continue in the role of Fagin until 18 July 2009 with one short holiday from 26th March to 5 April. Tickets for shows in March and April are running out fast but there are still good dates available for theatre breaks to see Oliver
Related Posts:Oliver! Main Cast Members AnnouncedFagin as played by Mr Bean?Oliver! The Musical Theatre Breaks and Full Cast ListOliver! theatre breaks on sale nowBehind The Scenes of Oliver! The Musicala Rowan Atkinson Dates for Oliver
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February 4 2009, 5:45pm | Comments »
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I posted to usefulwiki.com
Oliver! Reviews and Opinions
http://usefulwiki.com/londontheatre/oliver-reviews-and-opinions.html
Oliver Reviews Oliver! the musical has opened at last in London, the critics’ reviews are in and it seems like a good moment for Reviewing the Situation. The Daily Mail’s Review Quentin Letts seems to have really enjoyed Oliver! He lavishes praise on almost all the major performers. Drury Lane has known more tuneful musical stars in its long history, but the grand old temple of dreams can seldom have played host to one with such a God-given gift for comedy. Rowan Atkinson, playing that warped scoutmaster Fagin, was the eyebrow-wriggling, funnywalking, laugh-wringing supremo on Wednesday night when Lionel Bart’s wonderful musical opened at the Theatre Royal He also enjoyed Jodie Prenger’s Nancy saying she: stands up to the test like a sturdy galleon…… She swings her big hips and heaves her all into the role I’m sure he means well but poor Jodie! Ouch! He enjoyed Harry Stott’s performance as Oliver and Ross McCormac’s Artful Doger is also picked out : This child seems to have been born to dance and skip and wink and swagger at an audience. His final verdict: Anyone who needs cheering up - and after recent jobs news, heaven knows, that probably means most of us - should get along to Drury Lane sharpish and catch this humdinger of a night. Verdict: More please, Sir Cameron I think he liked it! The Times Oliver Review Benedict Nightingale is very positive as well. He describes Rowan Atikinson’s Fagin as: not an old Bean but an infinitely creepy criminal with lank hair, a yellow face and a sinister, silvery glint in his eyes. He wasn’t so sure about Jodie at first but she convinced him in the end: Initially she struck me as parading, posturing, performing rather than acting, but she went on to prove herself a tough, coarse, credible presence with a big, robust voice — and that’s all that is needed. He picks out Burn Gorman’s Sikes as: a particular success, a pale, quiet figure who threatens more with his stillness than with his cudgel. He also makes particular mention of “Anthony Ward’s splendidly atmospheric sets” The Guardian Oliver Review Michael Billington describes Rowan Atkinson’s Fagin as “a saturnine comic presence” saying: Rowan Atkinson turns in a sprightly, distinctive performance…….Atkinson’s Fagin may be essentially comic but he endows the character with a camply sinister edge. He seems to have enjoyed Jodie Prenger’s performance and in particular her interpretation of Nancy’s big numbers As long As He Needs Me and Oom-Pa-Pa Mr. Billington’s main issue seem to be with Bart’s interpretation of Dickens and the very musical itself. Dickens’ book Oliver Twist gives a grim view of Victorian London which Oliver! tends to glide over. He says: too many of the characters are ciphers, and the plot is largely a device for getting the numbers on That is something that could be said of many musicals, I’m afraid. Oliver Reviews: The Independent Michael Coveny reviewing Oliver for The Independent has fewer qualms about Bart’s musical but is less convinced by Jodie Prenger. The moment Prenger appears, I’m afraid, the heart sinks. She seems to be hiding from the audience. Her voice is okay, but she can’t act and she doesn’t have the depth of lung power to fill a plastic bag, let alone a West End theatre on a nightly basis. “As Long As He Needs Me,” one of the great theatre songs of our time, is a total embarrassment compounded by a naff downstage centre rush for applause. Ouch! He’s a little bit kinder to Rowan Atkinson but not much: Long-haired and slithery like a Semitic toad, he weighs his options with a Mr Bean-style blubberiness, tugging at his lower lip and casting malignant glances to the wings. He’s funniest when fingering his stolen gems, or kicking his legs above his head in a sideways exit. But he’s not a malevolent, gleeful, stage-hogging, dubiously paedophiliac monster that you long for and Lionel Bart wrote, even if Charles Dickens didn’t. There seems to have only been one lead performance that he really enjoyed: ….the Artful Dodger was played by Ross McCormack, and he was terrific. The absolute centre of the show is “Consider Yourself” in Clerkenwell, as the Dodger’s gang materialise from inside a statue of a top-hatted worthy and the whole city erupts in a series of knees-ups and key changes, beautifully lit by Paule Constable. Your Opinions So what do you think? Have you seen Oliver! yet? Are the critics’ Oliver reviews right or are you baffled by them?
a Oliver! Reviews and Opinions
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January 16 2009, 6:27am | Comments »
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