manchester | Theatre Breaks

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New Musicals for Theatre Breaks

http://theatrebreaksltb.co.uk/285/new-musicals-for-theatre-breaks/

Since the start of tis year, 2011 there have been a handful of new musicals for theatre breaks opening in London. The Wizard of Oz began previews back in February with Danielle Hope starring as Dorothy, and has gone from strength to strength ever since. Expect high demand for theatre breaks and tickets around Christmas and early in the new year as families book themselves a winter treat. With somewhat less of a fanfare, the musical Betty Blue Eyes also opened in March for a limited run and is currently extended unti at least October 2011. Betty Blue Eyes is the story of a household surviving in post World War 2 Yorkshire by raising a pig to avoid the bacon rationing. Betty Blue Blues is in fact the name of the pig! Ghost The Musical is the big one, just opened in June in London after try out in Manchester and a showcase at West End Live 2011. The dazzling new musical GHOST, is based on the phenomenal Oscar winning Paramount Pictures film of the same name, and features great rock music by Eurythmics writer Dave Stewart with the help of Glenn Ballard. If you only see one new musical this year, go and see Ghost Lend Me A Tenor is an old fashioned Vaudeville style musical, which transferred from Plymouth and stars Matthew Kelly London Tube escalators are full of adverts for The Million Dollar Quartet, a story of fame, friendship, discovery, divided loyalties, professional jealousy and incredible music as four of the music industry’s most extraordinary talents, all in their creative prime, made music together for the first and only time in their careers. A true story of the electrifying night in 1956 when Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis came together to make music and ended up making history. Rock of Ages doesn’t actually start until next month, August 2011, but we had a preview of the soft rock, 1980s style juke box musical at West End Live. And last but by no means least, we had the opening of Shrek The Musical with Amanda Holden, a major blockbuster of a film and musical which looks set to be a favourite family choice for theatre breaks in London for many years to come.
July 18 2011, 4:32am | Comments »
I posted to theatrebreaks.co

Ghost and Caissie Levy

http://theatrebreaks.co/1203/ghost-and-caissie-levy/

Ghost The Musical started previews in London this week at the Piccadilly Theatre with Caissie Levy as the leading lady. Caissie Levy stars in Ghost the Musical Ghost has been a great hit with the Manchester audience during its pre-West end run and one of the firm favourites of everyone who has seen it is Caissie Levy. Caissie plays Molly Gordon, the female lead of the show. Caissie is a Canadian with a gorgeous voice and good acting skills. She needs them both during Ghost. This is a very demanding role as Molly’s character goes through an amazing range of emotions as the show progresses. We saw Caissie on the West End stage last year in the visiting Broadway production of Hair. Although Hair is a very much an ensemble piece I felt when I watched it that Cassie’s performance really stood out. She played the idealistic Shelia with real conviction and her voice rang out in songs like Good Morning Starshine. I think this bodes very well for her performance as Molly. Caissie’s other most famous role is probably as Elphaba in Wicked in the Broadway production. In recent interviews she has drawn parallels between Ghost and Wicked. She felt that the range both of vocal skills and acting required of Molly and Elphaba were rather similar. When asked she agreed it was possible that, like Wicked, critics would not like Ghost and it might be a show that would appeal more to audiences. This wasn’t true of the Manchester critics who gave the show great reviews but London can be harder to convince. Caissie has a gorgeous voice and I thought you might enjoy a sample:
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June 27 2011, 4:35am | Comments »
I posted to usefulwiki.com

Les Miserables International Tour

http://usefulwiki.com/londontheatre/les-miserables-international-tour.html

Les Miserables on Tour If you’ve ever been on a London Theatre Break to see Les Miserables then here’s a chance to see the world’s longest running musical at a venue closer to home perhaps. Of course if you haven’t ever seen it properly in London then what are you waiting for? ** Book Les Miserables London Theatre Breaks ** Cameron Mackintosh announced recently that John Owen Jones will star as ‘Jean Valjean’, Earl Carpenter as ‘Javert’ and Gareth Gates as ‘Marius’ in the exciting new 25th anniversary production of “LES MISÉRABLES,”. This new production has spectacular new designs inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo and embarks on a major international tour starting in Wales. Les Miserables Stars John Owen Jones has been hailed as the best Jean Valjean since Colm Wilkinson. As well as starring in “Les Misérables” in both the West End and on Broadway he has also appeared as ‘The Phantom’ in “The Phantom of the Opera” at Her Majesty’s Theatre, London. Earl Carpenter who is currently playing ‘Javert’ in the West End production of “Les Misérables” has also starred as ‘The Phantom’ in West End.

Gareth Gates of course, is the multi million selling popstar who had the 2nd best selling single this decade. He played the title role of ‘Joseph’ in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” at the West End’s Adelphi Theatre and was a semi finalist in ‘Dancing on Ice’ 2008. Les Miserables Score The score of “LES MISÉRABLES” includes the songs, ‘I Dreamed a Dream’ (currently the world’s most popular song thanks to Susan Boyle), ‘On My Own’, ‘Stars’, ‘Bring Him Home’, ‘Do You Hear the People Sing’, ‘One Day More’, ‘Empty Chairs at Empty Tables’, ‘Master Of The House’ and many more. Les Miserables Amazing History Les Miserables “LES MISÉRABLES” originally opened in London at the Barbican Theatre on 8 October 1985, transferred to the Palace Theatre on 4 December 1985 and moved to its current home at the Queen’s Theatre on 3 April 2004 where it continues to play to packed houses. When “LES MISÉRABLES” celebrated its 21st London birthday on 8 October 2006, it became the World’s Longest Running Musical, surpassing the record previously held by “Cats” in London’s West End.

Seen by over 56 million people worldwide in 42 countries and in 21 languages 34 cast recordings of Les Miz, Multi-platinum London cast recording Grammy Award-winning Broadway cast album. 10th Anniversary Royal Albert Hall Gala Concert album sold nearly two million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling musical videos ever in the UK. There are over 2,000 productions of the Les Misérables School’s Edition scheduled or being performed by over 100,000 school children in the UK, US and Australia, making it the most successful musical ever produced in schools.

Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Les Miserables is written by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg and is based on the novel by Victor Hugo. It has music by Claude-Michel Schönberg, lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer and original French text by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel and additional material by James Fenton. The original London production of “LES MISÉRABLES” was adapted and directed by Trevor Nunn and John Caird. This new production will be directed by Laurence Connor and James Powell and designed by Matt Kinley inspired by the works of Victor Hugo and John Napier. Original costumes by Andreane Neofitou, lighting by Paule Constable and sound by Mick Potter. Les Miserables International Tour Dates LES MISÉRABLES International Tour 2009/2010 11 December 2009 – 16 January 2010 WALES MILLENNIUM CENTRE CARDIFF 19 January – 13 February 2010 MANCHESTER PALACE THEATRE 16 February – 20 March 2010 NORWICH THEATRE ROYAL 23 March – 17 April 2010 BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME 20 April – 15 May 2010 EDINBURGH PLAYHOUSE 26 May – 4 July 2010 PARIS – THE CHATELET ** Book Les Miserables LONDON Theatre Breaks **

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Related posts:Les Misérables theatre breaks reviewLes Miserables Theatre BreaksLes Miserables – new cast member
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September 28 2009, 3:59am | Comments »
I posted to usefulwiki.com

Thriller Live Tribute to Michael Jackson RIP

http://usefulwiki.com/londontheatre/thriller-live-tribute-to-michael-jackson-rip.html

Michael Jackson fans everywhere are still shocked at the news of the death of the creator of Thriller, but those in London are confused by headlines in the Evening Standard claiming that close friends and family of the King of Pop “blame London” for the star’s demise. Friend Uri Geller is supposed to have said that the stress of preparing for the series of London O2 concerts was too much for the ailing celebrity although a huge comeback tour was absolutely necessary for financial and career reasons. A spokesman for Thriller - Live said today ( 26th June 2009 ) After much deliberation it has been decided that tonight’s performances of Thriller Live at the Lyric Theatre in the West End and the Manchester Opera House would go ahead as planned, but the lights outside the theatres would be dimmed in tribute to his passing at 7.30pm and a minute’s silence will be held in the auditorium.”

Thriller - Live was conceived and created by Adrian Grant, a long time associate of Michael Jackson, executive director of the stage show and author of “Michael Jackson – The Visual Documentary.” Grant said: Words cannot express my deep sense of loss and sadness. I am shocked beyond belief that Michael has died. My full condolences go out to his family – his children, parents, brothers and sisters. The Jackson family have lost a son and a father, and the world has lost one of the greatest entertainers of all time, a true legend. Michael Jackson has been a massive influence in my life – inspiring me to get into the entertainment industry and to produce the best work that I can. I have supported Michael for the past 21 years through my magazines, books and now Thriller - Live, and I will continue to support and promote his legacy via this musical celebration.

Related Posts:Michael Jackson O2 Concert BreaksThriller LivePriscilla Queen of the Desert Cast - Zoe BirkettWest End Live 2009 Running OrderWest End Live 2009 - latest confirmed showsa Thriller Live Tribute to Michael Jackson RIP
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June 26 2009, 9:34am | Comments »
I posted to usefulwiki.com

National Theatre Live Broadcasts to Cinema

http://usefulwiki.com/londontheatre/national-theatre-live-broadcasts-to-cinema.html

The Nation Theatre based at London’s Southbank is to embark on a radical new initiative to broadcast live performances of plays onto cinema screens worldwide. A pilot season of four shows is planned starting with a broadcast of the play Phèdre, with Helen Mirren, Margaret Tyzack and Dominic Cooper on July 25th. This will be restricted to fifty UK cinemas, but clearly if the technology holds up it could be expanded worldwide wherever there is sufficient interest. NESTA which is a Quango supporting innovation is sponsoring: National Theatre : NT Live : What is it? How does it work? NT Live What is it? How does it work? Live theatre broadcast to cinema screens around the world. ‘I grew up in Manchester in the 60s. If I had been able to see Olivier’s National Theatre at my local cinema, I would have gone all of the time.’ Nicholas Hytner On 25 June the performance of Phèdre will be filmed in high definition and broadcast via satellite to approximately 50 cinemas and arts centres, reaching a widespread audience live across the UK. Tickets will cost £10. Over 100 venues around the world will also screen the production. The remaining three shows in the pilot season have yet to be announced but will feature a range of the National’s diverse repertoire. The performances will be nominated in advance to allow cameras greater freedom in the auditorium. Broadcasts will also feature behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with artists. We hope to open the walls of the National Theatre and invite cinema audiences around the country and the world to share in the work we create. Find out if NT Live is at a cinema near you on 25 June. NT Live is funded in partnership with: NESTA Future international venues for live screenings of Phèdre are intended for Australia, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Romania, Sweden & US. The big question which this initiative perhaps seeks to answer is this: Do people really want to see “live” theatre at the cinema? Well do you?

Related Posts:Thriller LiveBrief Encounter - new dates announcedBuddy Holly at West End LiveJersey Boys LivePriscilla Queen of the Desert Cast - Zoe Birketta National Theatre Live Broadcasts to Cinema
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March 12 2009, 4:03am | Comments »
I posted to usefulwiki.com

Quadrophenia UK Tour Dates

http://usefulwiki.com/londontheatre/quadrophenia-uk-tour-dates.html

News in of some tour dates for Quadrophenia the iconic Rock Opera. As announced last night, the Quadrophenia UK tour starts in Plymouth

Saturday 9th May 2009, Monday 11th May 2009 - Saturday 16th May 2009

Theatre Royal Plymouth

Tuesday 19th May 2009 - Saturday 23rd May 2009

Hippodrome Birmingham

Tuesday 16th June 2009 - Saturday 20th June 2009

Opera House Manchester

Tuesday 7th July 2009 - Saturday 11th July 2009

The Empire Theatre Sunderland

Tuesday 25th August 2009 - 29th August 2009

Empire Liverpool

Set in London and Brighton at the height of the 1960s Mods and Rockers scenes, Quadrophenia the Rock Opera is told through the eyes of Jimmy, a thrills seeking teenager who hates his mundane job, is misunderstood by his parents and lives only for his music, scooter gatherings Mod culture. But Jimmy always takes things just a little bit too far..

Related Posts:Quadrophenia - UK tour starts in PlymouthBuddy Holly London Theatre Breaks UK Tour 2009Gareth Gates Joseph Holiday DatesOliver! theatre breaks on sale nowCan't Smile Without You - cast and dates newsa Quadrophenia UK Tour Dates
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February 14 2009, 9:29am | Comments »