VERY excited for what must be my 8th time seeing this production when the cast-change happens.
A little sad as my friend Adam will no longer be appearing as Edna/Wilbur/MAF cover, which is a big shame, but I am a HUGE Sharon D. Clarke fan – *very very very excited!!*
I think a lot of people were surprised to wake up to hear the tragic news this morning that Stephen Gately had died in his sleep in Majorca.
Although I’ve never been a huge fan of Boyzone, he was definitely my favourite member, and when he transferred over to the world of musical theatre for a while back in 2004 – 2006, I was rather pleased that he did so. He seemed to bring a lot of fun back into the theatre.
No Matter What was, by far, Boyzone’s biggest single, and came off the back of the Lloyd-Webber musical ‘Whistle Down The Wind’. Without Stephen’s input on this song, I very much doubt Boyzone would ever have peaked as well as they did.
‘No Matter What’ is also one of my favourite music videos (alas, all the high quality YouTubes were all embedding disabled).
I also liked his solo version of ‘Bright Eyes’ – marvellous recording in my opinion.
The first concert that I took Greg to go and see when we started dating was their 2008 reunion tour, and I only really went to get to see Stephen (and spend time with Greg too of course! 
).
As a gay man myself, I thought him to be a very positive gay role model. I respected him enormously for being able to come out in the 90s music industry – it seemed to be much harsher to people then than say, doing it in the 80s or 2000’s. In 1999, Boyzone were at the height of their popularity and there was a lot of intense media interest in him and the group, so it really must have taken some balls to do this.
Hopefully his civil partner, Andrew, is managing to hold up as I would imagine that this is going to be very difficult for him – I don’t think anyone ever expects to lose a partner so young.
October 8th, midday has been and gone, and with it came the launch of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s newest musical, “Love Never Dies” .
The official website currently carries video footage of the press launch itself, as well as links for purchasing tickets, and pre-ordering the cast album (which seems slightly odd, as, at present, no tracks have been released from it to listen to yet!) If you’d like to hear the (rather grand and sweeping) ‘Coney Island Waltz’, you need to sign up to the Really Useful Group mailing list first via the link on the ‘Love Never Dies‘ website.
The full video footage from the launch has also been posted to YouTube by the Really Useful Group:
Below are two press releases posted today:
GLOBAL LAUNCH FOR ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER’S LONG-AWAITED NEW PRODUCTION
Today, Thursday 8 October, Andrew Lloyd Webber unveils his brand new production “LOVE NEVER DIES” at a global launch in London. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s long awaited new show will have its World Premiere in London at the Adelphi Theatre on Tuesday 9 March 2010 followed by New York on Thursday 11 November and in Australia in 2011.
“LOVE NEVER DIES” continues the story of ‘The Phantom’, who has moved from his lair in the Paris Opera House to haunt the fairgrounds of Coney Island, far across the Atlantic. Set 10 years after the mysterious disappearance of ‘The Phantom’ from Paris, this show is a rollercoaster ride of obsession and intrigue…in which music and memory can play cruel tricks…and ‘The Phantom’ sets out to prove that, indeed, “LOVE NEVER DIES”.
“The Phantom of the Opera”, based on the French novel by Gaston Leroux, has proved a huge success the world over and has been seen by over 100 million people, making it the single most successful entertainment entity in history. The show has been translated into 15 languages and appeared in over 25 different countries including China, Brazil, Poland and Korea. “The Phantom of the Opera” opened at Her Majesty’s Theatre in London on 9 October 1986 starring Sarah Brightman and Michael Crawford and celebrates its 23rd London birthday tomorrow on 9 October. “The Phantom of the Opera” won a staggering 50 awards worldwide, whilst global album sales currently stand at over 40 million copies.
Ramin Karimloo will create the role of ‘The Phantom’ in “LOVE NEVER DIES”, having already played the role to great acclaim in “The Phantom of the Opera” in London. Ramin’s other stage credits include starring as ‘Enjolras’ in “Les Misérables” in the West End, ‘Chris’ in the UK tour of “Miss Saigon” and ‘Artie Green’ in the UK tour of “Sunset Boulevard”. Ramin also played ‘Raoul’ in the West End production of “The Phantom of the Opera”, as well as the role of ‘Christine’s Father’ in Joel Schumacher’s film, making him the only actor to play all three of ‘Christine’s’ loves.
Sierra Boggess will create the role of ‘Christine’ in “LOVE NEVER DIES”. Sierra made her Broadway debut creating the lead role of ‘Ariel’ in Disney’s “The Little Mermaid”, receiving both Drama League and Drama Desk Award nominations and a Broadway.com Audience Award for ‘Favourite Breakthrough Performance’. She also understudied the role of ‘Cosette’ on the Broadway National Tour of “Les Misérables”. In 2007 Sierra was handpicked by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Hal Prince to originate the role of ‘Christine’ in a brand new production of “Phantom – the Las Vegas Spectacular”. “LOVE NEVER DIES” marks Sierra’s West End debut.
Glenn Slater, lyricist, was nominated for the 2008 Tony and Grammy Awards for Disney’s theatrical production of “The Little Mermaid”. He is lyricist on the current London production of “Sister Act”. Bob Crowley, set and costume designer, recently worked on “Phèdre” with Helen Mirren at the National Theatre. His many award-winning productions include “The History Boys”, “Les Liaisons Dangereuses”, Disney’s “Aida”, “Mary Poppins” and “The Year of Magical Thinking”. Choreographer Jerry Mitchell recently made his directorial debut with “Legally Blonde” on Broadway and also choreographed the award-winning musical productions of “La Cage aux Folles”, “Hairspray” and “The Full Monty”. Director Jack O’Brien directed the award-winning London production of “Hairspray” and won Tony awards for the Broadway productions of Tom Stoppard’s “The Coast of Utopia”, “Hairspray” and the 2004 production of “Henry IV”. His other productions include Stoppard’s “The Invention of Love”, “The Full Monty”, “Hapgood”, “Damn Yankees”, “The Little Foxes”, and operas including “Street Scene” at New York City Opera and “Il Triticco” at the Metropolitan Opera later this year.
The World Premiere of “LOVE NEVER DIES” will take place in London on 9 March 2010 at the Adelphi Theatre. Previews begin on 20 February. The show will then premiere in New York on 11 November 2010 and in Australia in 2011.
The “LOVE NEVER DIES” album was completed in September 2009 and will be released on Wednesday, 10 March 2010, the day after the World Premiere in London. Pre-order your album here and you will receive a FREE exclusive preview digital track.
OPEN AUDITION
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Love Never Dies requires BOY TREBLES to play the leading role of GUSTAVE in the forthcoming West End production.
Boys must have a playing age of 10-12 years, with very strong, pure, musical vocal ability, able to sing up to at least a top G. Candidates must also have strong acting skills.
Please prepare “O For The Wings of a Dove” by Mendelssohn, and one other short contrasting piece of your own choice which shows off the vocal range – please bring sheet music.
Please note that at this stage we can only consider applications from boys living within the M25.
The audition will be held on Sunday 18 October 2009 at
Adelphi Theatre
Strand
London WC2Please register at the Front of House entrance at 10.00am. Candidates should be prepared to stay all day. Rehearsals commence January 2010.
Well, you potentially can!
I stumbled across the below from the Society of London Theatres (SOLT), and thought I’d repost as it may be of special interest to those of you who very kindly visit this blog to read some of my theatre reviews/thoughts.
Alas, I can’t enter it (darn my job!) but this really is a prize to be envious of! If anyone does apply, do let me know – be great to chat to other theatre fans!
You need to visit http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/olivier_awards/win-theatre-tickets/ to apply for the panel.
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Free Theatre Tickets For A Whole Year!
THE SOCIETY OF LONDON THEATRE NEEDS YOU!
Since 1976, members of the theatregoing public have been helping the Society of London Theatre pick the winners of the prestigious Laurence Olivier Awards. If you are a regular theatregoer with a keen critical eye, then you could be just what we need!
There are four independent judging panels:
THEATRE PANEL
This is made up of four members of the public, seeing both plays and musicals. The public panellists are joined by five expert panellists who are not critics but have professional knowledge of the industry. Panellists can expect to see around 80 productions in the year.
OPERA PANEL
This is made up of two members of the public and three professional panellists who will see approximately 20 productions throughout the year.
DANCE PANEL
This is made up of two public and three professional panellists who will see around 40 productions in the Awards year.
AFFILIATES PANEL
This panel judges the work of the Society’s Affiliate members (The Bush, Greenwich, Hackney Empire, Jerwood Theatre Upstairs at the Royal Court, Lyric Hammersmith, New Wimbledon, Soho, Theatre Royal Stratford East, Trafalgar Studio 2, Tricycle and UCL Bloomsbury) and comprises two public and three professional panellists. They will see approximately 20 productions in the year.
The Awards year runs from 1 January to 31 December 2010 and panellists will usually receive a pair of complimentary tickets for each production they are asked to see.
How To Apply
Decide which panel you wish to apply for Theatre, Opera, Dance or Affiliates.
Write a 150 word review of a new production you have seen in the last year. This review should:
- Be appropriate to the panel you are applying for.
- Tell us why you think this particular production deserves a Laurence Olivier Award.
- Include comments on direction and design as well as comments on individual performers.
We would also like a list of the productions you have seen in the last 12 months. Once you have filled in the form below, press ‘SUBMIT’ to send it to us.
Please note
- People professionally connected with the theatre industry are not eligible to be public panellists
- Previous panel members are unlikely to be reselected.
- The decision of the selection panel is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
- Only successful applicants will be contacted.
CLOSING DATE FOR ALL PANEL APPLICATIONS IS 30 NOVEMBER 2009
It would appear that Andrew Lloyd Webber IS going to press ahead with his Wizard Of Oz show, despite initially changing his mind (a few times) due to commitments with ‘Love Never Dies’.
Very bad decision in my opinion and, despite my enormous adulation for musical theatre, I really think this will be a turkey. We already have Wicked in the West End, so why would we need The Wizard of Oz?!
The talent search doesn’t even have an imaginative show name FFS!
Additionally, isn’t it about time we looked for more male leads as we’ve already done ladies twice before now? I would presume that the token lad (and hopefully not yet another stage school brat child) is going to be the person they get to play Toto? (WTF is that all about – really, Toto, a singing dog?! *sigh!!*)
No doubt the show will be even more packed with gay innuendo (and not just from Graham Norton!)… they’ve clearly just gone, oooh ‘Nancy’ got a few laughs, let’s go the whole hog.
He should stick to what he knows best, his OWN musicals – many of which I’d love to see come back, not least Jesus Christ Superstar (especially with one of the more well known Jesus’ - Glenn Carter – currently in Jersey Boys, the West End would really benefit), Aspects of Love or a proper production of Sunset Boulevard (casting for Norma Desmond or Joe Gillis would be awesome!).
Boo.
Lord Lloyd-Webber to find Dorothy
Lord Lloyd-Webber’s latest Saturday night talent show will search for a girl to play Dorothy and a dog to play Toto in The Wizard Of Oz, the BBC says.
Winners of the programme will star in a West End production of the musical.
It follows BBC One’s I’d Do Anything, Any Dream Will Do and How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? which also found musical stars.
The new programme, also called The Wizard Of Oz, will again be presented by Graham Norton.
Lord Lloyd-Webber, 61, said the previous talent shows he had made with the BBC had “provided an incredible shot in the arm for musical theatre in Britain”.
I can’t wait to work with the BBC again in the hunt for Dorothy – an iconic role of course made famous by a young Judy Garland in the film in 1939,” he added.
“But, as a cat man myself, however, I approach casting Toto with considerable trepidation.”
The search for Dorothy will begin with auditions across the UK in early 2010 with the programme airing later in the year.
Lord Lloyd-Webber’s fellow judges have yet to be announced.
Looking at the new website for ‘Love Never Dies’ (Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical sequel to Phantom), there is to be an announcement on October 8th 2009.
It is pretty much a cert that this announcement will be the ticket onsale for this show, with preview performances at the Adelphi set to start in January, for an opening night in March 2010.
Casting has already been confirmed for the leads; Sierra Boggess and Ramin Karimloo as Christine and the Phantom respectively.
There has been a teaser trailer for the production posted on the ‘Love Never Dies’ website. (trailer also shown below)
A lot of Phantom footage, and some dated footage, with nothing really from the production itself… slightly disappointing considering that the production must be at a late stage of development by now… you’d think they could get a few press shots together really!
Love Never Dies is set on Coney Island, New York in 1907 – ten years after the original story.
“In 1907 New York, the mysterious ‘Maestro’ who runs the theatre at Coney Island announces a one-off concert by legendary Parisian soprano Christine Daaé. Her arrival in New York with husband Raoul, Victome de Chagny and son Gustave, and their subsequent meeting with the ‘Maestro,’ bring The cataclysmic events of 10 years earlier at the Paris Opera crashing back into all their lives.”
Personally, I am not too sure about the credibility this production… a sequel sounds tacky, and I dislike the name of the show – it is a little too slapdash and ‘back of a beer-mat’ for me.
That said, as long as Lloyd Webber can recreate the same luxurious and indulgent style of score as he did for Phantom, this could, actually, turn out well.
Despite being a very big/long-term fan of Lloyd Webber, his recent work on the UK Eurovision entry (‘It’s My Time’) has really shaken my confidence in his present writing skills, as I abhorred that song… absolute tosh!
Only time will tell I guess… let’s see what October 8th brings!
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UPDATE: “Love Never Dies”: Launch (posted 8th October 2009)
With the recent passing of Michael Jackson, there can be no doubt that Thriller Live, which was playing in London’s West End before his untimely death, is raking it in on the back of current events. The show has been playing in the West End since the start of 2009, and is soon to embark on a UK Arena tour (with a new cast, as the West End show will remain at the Lyric).
The premise is, in retrospect, simple… no story line, just a group of singers and dancers singing the songs of the Jackson 5 and Michael Jackson. There is a loose time-line to the production, with an encore that goes back revisits all of the ‘classics’ missed during the main body.
I found it slightly confusing at first, but once I figured that it was just people in character but not appearing as a character (confused too?!) singing songs, I just gave up, stopped trying to work it out, and enjoyed myself.
The vocals, for me, disappointed. I had expected more as Maria Lawson was fabulous in X-Factor a few years ago, and Roger Wright received rave reviews when he opened as Adult Simba in Julie Taymor’s The Lion King back in the late 90’s.
Ricko Baird’s dance skills were the star of the show (he has previously worked with MJ himself), whilst John Moabi definitely had the strongest vocal of the night.
Song wise, most of the greats are in the production, along with a few that I wasn’t too keen on (my mind wandered during these). Act II is definitely much stronger than Act I.
I have to say, here and now, that Smooth Criminal was one of my favourite moments I have ever spent in a theatre, the feeling when they pulled off the moonwalk and the tilt, wow! Absolutely electric!
All in all, if you fancy hearing people sing many of Jacko’s great songs, with some fairly cute dancer boys (and girls) thrown in, then this production will not offend and prove an enjoyable way to spend 2 hrs 45 mins (we got out at 22:15 from a 19:30 start).
More amazing news for Hairspray fans…
Phill Jupitus, Belinda Carlisle and Sharon D. Clarke are to join the UK West End cast from 26 October 2009 onwards.
I am not a fan of Brian Conley and so wasn’t fussed about seeing him, however Phill Jupitus I can definitely live with (my fella is especially enthused) and I absolutely would do ANYTHING to see Sharon D. Clarke! I think she’d be phenominal as Motormouth Mabel!
Phill Jupitus is also on twitter (@jupitusphillip) and so it’ll be good to keep up with his thoughts via that medium.
The story from whatsonstage.com is as below.
Belinda Carlisle & Phill Jupitus Star in Hairspray
Date: 2 September 2009Belinda Carlisle, former lead singer of 1980s girl group The GoGos, will make her West End debut alongside Never Mind the Buzzcocks’ comedian Phill Jupitus and Whatsonstage.com Award winner Sharon D Clarke in the new cast of Hairspray, which takes over at the West End’s Shaftesbury Theatre on 26 October 2009, ahead of the introduction of Sunday performances from 8 November.
Jupitus takes over from Brian Conley in the cross-dressing role of Edna Turnblad, with Carlisle as Velma Von Tussle and Clarke as celebrity DJ Motormouth Mabel. Also joining the cast next month will be Tony Timberlake (as Wilbur Turnblad), Nicola Brazil (Amber Von Tussle) and Gavin Alex (Corny Collins).
Based on John Waters’ cult retro 1988 film and set in 1960s Baltimore, it tells the story of geeky overweight teen Tracy Turnblad, who finds celebrity on a TV dance programme. Can she get the guy and still have time to change the world? The musical has a book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan, with music by Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Scott Whitman and Shaiman.
Hairspray premiered in August 2002 on Broadway, going on to win eight 2003 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The UK production, which is also directed by Jack O’Brien and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell, won the sweep of Best Musical prizes at the Evening Standard, Critics’ Circle, Whatsonstage.com and Olivier Awards, amongst other accolades.
Belinda Carlisle as Velma Von Tussle
Phill Jupitus with his Edna alter-ego
Phill Jupitus as Edna Turnblad
Jupitus was seen in the West End last year in the one-man play Life Coach at Trafalgar Studios. He became a household name in 1996, when he joined BBC2’s pop quiz Never Mind the Buzzcocks as a regular team captain. He was a regular on the national and London comedy circuits for 11 years. On screen, he’s appeared in Mike Bassett England Manager and, for five years until March 2007, he hosted the breakfast show on BBC6 Music.
As lead singer of the The GoGo, Belinda Carlisle was part of the first-ever girl group who wrote and played their own music to top the Billboard Charts in the US. After the band broke up in 1985, she had solo success with hits such as “Circle in the Sand”, “Leave a Light on for Me” and “Heaven Is a Place on Earth”. Her screen credits include the film Swing Shift and appearances on Dancing With the Stars in the US and Hell’s Kitchen.
Sharon D Clarke is well known to theatregoers from musicals including Chicago, The Lion King, Rent, Guys and Dolls and We Will Rock You, for which she won a Whatsonstage.com Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical. Her TV credits include playing Dr Lolo Griffin on Holby City for three years.
The current Hairspray cast also features Chloe Hart (as Tracy Turnblad), Verity Rushworth (Penny), Liam Tamne (Link Larkin), Adrian Hansel (Seaweed) and Raquel Jones (Little Inez), who are all remaining with the show.
Marvellous news about the UK tour of Hairspray – I genuinely can’t think of anyone better than Michael Ball to lead this production! Despite having seen this about 7/8 times in the West End now, I will definitely try and see this at a regional theatre too! 
Below is a rather good article published in The Stage which gives further details:
Published Monday 10 August 2009 at 15:14 by Alistair Smith (The Stage).
Michael Ball will lead the cast of the new touring version of West End musical Hairspray, the show’s producers have announced.
A new production of the show – in addition to the London stage version at the Shaftesbury Theatre – will tour the UK from April 7, 2010, when it will open at the Millennium Centre in Cardiff, before visiting Glasgow, Southampton and Manchester. Ball will appear as Edna Turnblad at these venues with further star casting for future tour dates expected to be announced shortly.
The tour also marks the first stage of a “closer working relationship” between Ball and producer Stage Entertainment. This will involve developing new work and roles both onstage and in a production capacity for Ball in the future, including a major, but as yet unnamed, musical revival in 2011.
Ball said: “I knew when I originally took on the part of Edna that she was going to be a big part of my life, in every way, but I never realised just how big. Hairspray is truly one of the greatest experiences of my career and the chance to have just a few more nights in those frocks was an opportunity I couldn’t miss! With so much on I’m unable to do all dates but I promise that we’ll have some brilliant performers lined up for our UK tour. Moving forward, to now be working as an associate producer with Stage Entertainment developing new shows, new roles and new opportunities in the future is an honour, and something I can’t wait to get stuck in to.”
Producer Adam Spiegel added: “We are over the moon that Michael has agreed to launch the Hairspray tour for us. The show has been a huge success in London, not to mention around the world, and Michael has been a big, big part of the Hairspray story so far. It’s doubly exciting that not only do more people around the UK now get to see his gorgeous Edna Turnblad, but we as a company get to work with Michael more closely than ever behind the scenes as we develop new work together.”
Hairspray’s West End staging at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London recouped its capitalisation in 29 weeks. The show opened in October 2007 and won Best Musical at the 2008 Olivier Awards, as well as Best Actor in a Musical for Ball. It is now booking at the Shaftesbury until October 2010.
Now I have to say, I did swoon a little when I heard that my teenage heart-throb, Jack Ryder, was going to be in the West End production of Calendar Girls, marking a return to the public eye after SO many years away from the limelight!
The publicity photo speaks for itself I reckon heh! (n.b. click to enlarge)
Also great to see June Brown (aka Dot Cotton in Eastenders) also taking to a different medium than most of us are used to seeing her in.
I’ve yet to see the show (I was busy when we were offered tickets), so if anyone happens to have a spare, or has already been, do please get in touch and let me know what it was like!!
Can’t have a blog post about Jack Ryder (*swoon*) and not post a few other images of him for us to ‘appreciate’ heh!
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