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New this week: Oz, Blithe Spirit, Flare Path

Some big-hitting West End shows open this week in London, including The Wizard of Oz, Million Dollar Quartet, Flare Path and Blithe Spirit.

Monday 28 February 2011

Million Dollar Quartet, the musical that recreates the historic day when Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis all made music together, opens tonight at the Noel Coward Theatre starring a multi-talented cast including Bill Ward (Coronation Street).

Tuesday 1 March 2011

The Wizard of Oz cast, left - right Edward Baker-Duly, David Ganly, Paul Keating and Danielle Hope

It’s the premiere tonight of the musical that has received more publicity, hype and good old-fashioned audience anticipation than any other show for years as Andrew Lloyd Webber’s sparkly new production of The Wizard of Oz opens at the London Palladium. Rebooted by Jeremy Sams and produced by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Bill Kenwright, the show sees Over The Rainbow star Danielle Hope make her West End stage debut joined by Michael Crawford as the Wizard and Hannah Waddingham as the Wicked Witch.

Also today, tickets go on sale for the Olivier Awards at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. The 13th March ceremony is open to theatregoers for the first time and promises a starry night of West End celebs and excerpts from the shows.

Wednesday 2 March 2011

Noel Coward’s blissful comedy Blithe Spirit starts previews at the Apollo Theatre featuring an all-star cast including Alison Steadman (Gavin & Stacey), Ruthie Henshall (Chicago), Hermione Norris (Spooks) and Robert Bathurst (Hattie). The revival is directed by the award-winning Thea Sharrock (After the Dance).

Thursday 3 March 2011

Previews starts for Hurly Burly at the Garrick Theatre, featuring the luscious Miss Polly Rae in an all singing, all dancing burlesque-inspired revue with a contemporary twist.

Alison Steadman as Madame Arcati in Blithe Spirit

Also tonight, In A Forest, Dark and Deep starts previews at the Vaudeville Theatre with Lost star Matthew Fox and Olivia Williams (The Ghost Writer) in Neil LaBute’s new psychological thriller.

Friday 4 March 2011

Trevor Nunn begins his artistic directorship of the Theatre Royal Haymarket tonight with the start of previews for Flare Path. Terence Rattigan’s Second World War romance sees Sienna Miller, James Purefoy and Sheridan Smith star.

Saturday 5 March 2011

Kneehigh theare company, who scored a huge hit in London and on Broadway with their stage take on Noel Coward’s Brief Encounter, are back with a brand new production. The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, based on the classic French film, begins previews at the Gielgud Theatre tonight starring Joanna Riding, Meow Meow and Andrew Durand.

Also on Saturday, A Flea in Her Ear closes at the Old Vic Theatre starring Tom Hollander and Ordinary Days starring Daniel Boys ends at the Trafalgar Studios.

Million Dollar Quartet – Reviews Round-up

A round-up of reviews for Million Dollar Quartet at the Noel Coward Theatre

Ben Goddard (Jerry Lee Lewis), Robert Britton Lyons (Carl Perkins), Gez Gerrard (Jay Perkins/Bass), Derek Hagen (Johnny Cash) & Michael Malarkey (Elvis Presley) in Million Dollar Quartet. Photo: Helen Maybanks

Million Dollar Quartet is the hugely successful Broadway musical that has now made its way to the West End’s Noel Coward Theatre.

It tells the electrifying story of one night in 1956 when Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis all came together to make music in the recording studio of Sun Records’ producer Sam Phillips.

The stars of the show, including Bill Ward as Sam Phillips, Ben Goddard as Jerry Lee Lewis, Derek Hagen as Johnny Cash, Robert Britton Lyons as Carl Perkins and Michael Malarkey as Elvis Presley, all get great notices from the critics, particularly Ben Goddard.

Whilst the book of the show comes in for some criticism, the music and performances more than makes up for it.

Read extracts of reviews, below, from the Times, Telegraph, Guardian, Independent and Evening Standard.

Book tickets to Million Dollar Quartet at the Noel Coward Theatre

Ben Goddard, Derek Hagen, Francesca Jackson, Robert Britton Lyons And Michael Malarkey Join Bill Ward In “Million Dollar Quartet” Performances Begin 8 February At The Noël Coward Theatre

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, the new West End musical that tells the electrifying story of the night in 1956 when Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis came together to make music and ended up making history, will star Ben Goddard (Jerry Lee Lewis), Derek Hagen (Johnny Cash), Francesca Jackson (Dyanne), Robert Britton Lyons (Carl Perkins) and Michael Malarkey (Elvis Presley), joining the previously announced Bill Ward (Sam Phillips).

The full cast is confirmed as: Steven Bor, Justin Brett (Alternate Johnny Cash), Sharon Clancy, Matthew Empson (Jerry Lee Lewis at certain performances), Gez Gerrard (Jay Perkins), Ben Goddard (Jerry Lee Lewis), Derek Hagen (Johnny Cash), Francesca Jackson (Dyanne), Robert Britton Lyons (Carl Perkins), Kevin Mains (Elvis Presley at certain performances), Michael Malarkey (Elvis Presley), Adam Riley (Fluke), Oliver Seymour-Marsh (Carl Perkins at certain performances) and Bill Ward (Sam Phillips).

Robert Britton Lyons was a member of the original Broadway cast and is appearing with the support of UK Equity, incorporating the Variety Artistes’ Federation, pursuant to an exchange programme between American Equity and UK Equity.

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET features over 20 classic hits including: Blue Suede Shoes, I Walk The Line, Fever, Great Balls of Fire, Hound Dog, Folsom Prison Blues and Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On.

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET is directed by Eric Schaeffer, with a book by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux, and was originally directed and conceived by Floyd Mutrux. The creative team also includes: Derek McLane (scenic design), Jane Greenwood (costume design), Howell Binkley (lighting design), Kai Harada (sound design) and Chuck Mead (musical arrangements and supervision).

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET is produced by Relevant Theatricals, John Cossette Productions, American Pop Anthology, John Gore, Thomas B. McGrath, Joseph Smith and Michael McCabe.

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET will open at London’s Noël Coward Theatre on 28 February 2011 with previews from 8 February 2011. Tickets are now on sale.

CAST INFORMATION

Bill Ward (Sam Phillips)

Bill Ward played ‘Charlie Stubbs’ in Coronation Street from 2003-2007, winning 2 British Soap Awards, 2 Inside Soap Awards and multiple award nominations including ‘Best Actor’. His recent theatre roles include ‘Sir Lancelot’ in Monty Python’s Spamalot in the West End; ‘Jimmy Porter’ in Look Back In Anger for Northern Stage; Ibsen’s The Lady From The Sea at the Manchester Royal Exchange and ‘Prospero’ in The Tempest for the Guildford Shakespeare Company. His numerous recent television appearances have included ‘Ruthless Rufus’ in Robin Hood (BBC1); ‘Rob Towler’ in The Bill (ITV1); Doctors (BBC1) and Cold Blood (ITV1).

Gez Gerrard (Jay Perkins, Bass)

Gez Gerrard has been playing Rockabilly music since he was sixteen years old. In that time he has toured, performed and recorded in venues all over the world (from Las Vegas to the West End). He is a singer, guitarist, bassist and blues harp player and has worked as a solo artist, bandleader and session musician.

Ben Goddard (Jerry Lee Lewis)

Ben Goddard played ‘Joe Gillis’ in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard and ‘Arnaud du Thil’ in Martin Guerre, both directed and staged by Craig Revel Horwood at the Watermill Theatre in Newbury. Sunset Boulevard transferred to the West End’s Comedy Theatre where it won 4 Olivier Award nominations including Best Company Performance.

Derek Hagen (Johnny Cash)

Derek Hagen’s London theatre credits include ENRON, directed by Rupert Goold; Carousel, directed by Lyndsay Posner; Gone With the Wind, directed by Trevor Nunn and Wonderful Town, at Grange Park Opera, directed by Anthony McDonald. His television and film appearances include: D-Da; Amazing Grace and The Tiger and the Snow.

Francesca Jackson (Dyanne)

Francesca Jackson starred as ‘Petra’ in A Little Night Music opposite Leslie Caron and Greta Scacchi at Le Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. Her other theatre appearances include: Dreamboats and Petticoats (Playhouse Theatre and UK tour); Can’t Smile Without You and Tonight’s The Night (UK Tours). Francesca was one of the finalists in the BBC’s I’d Do Anything.

Robert Britton Lyons (Carl Perkins)

Robert Britton Lyons is making his West End debut in Million Dollar Quartet. He made his Broadway debut playing ‘Carl Perkins’ in Million Dollar Quartet at the Nederlander Theatre, the role he created and has played in all previous productions of the show. A singer-songwriter from Seattle, Rob has shared the stage with musicians including Pearl Jam; Harvey Danger; Santana and others.

Michael Malarkey (Elvis Presley)

Michael Malarkey is making his West End debut playing ‘Elvis Presley’ in Million Dollar Quartet. He was born in Beirut, Lebanon and raised in Yellow Springs, Ohio. He trained at LAMDA and made his professional stage debut in Laurie Sansom’s acclaimed productions of Eugene O’Neill’s Beyond The Horizon and Tennessee Williams’ Spring Storm at the Royal & Derngate in Northampton, which transferred to the National Theatre.

Adam Riley (Fluke, Drums)

Adam Riley has performed and recorded with an array of artists such as King Salsa; Cubana Bop; Tanita Tikaram and Down to the Bone. He also wrote and performed a duet for Gary Husband in the Rhythm Sticks Festival 2000. Adam’s television appearances include comedy series Bo Selecta as Craig David’s long-suffering drummer, ‘Colin’.

Steven Bor (u/s Carl Perkins)

Steven Bor has previously played ‘Buddy Holly’ on numerous occasions including Buddy Holly and the Cricketers (UK Tour) and Rave On: The Buddy Holly Story for Paul Elliott/P&O Aurora. He played ‘Brad’ in Hairspray (Shaftesbury Theatre) and was a member of the Supergroup on Don’t Stop Believing (Channel Five).

Justin Brett (Alternate Johnny Cash)

Justin Brett is making his West End debut in Million Dollar Quartet. His recent theatre appearances include Robin Hood (Theatr Clywd); ‘Dick Barton’ in Dick Barton Special Agent; ‘Captain Tempest’ in Return to the Forbidden Planet (Oldham Coliseum and Tour) and Blue/Orange (Octagon, Bolton), for which he was nominated ‘Best Actor’ at the 2006 MEN Awards. Television includes: Peep Show; Pulling and Gory Greek Gods. Films include: War Horse; Gulliver’s Travels and The Fallen.

Sharon Clancy (u/s Dyanne)

Sharon Clancy has appeared in numerous musicals including: The Blues Brothers; Over the Threshold; Grease; Tonight’s The Night; Zing Went The Strings, Mamma Mia!; Jesus Christ Superstar and Rent. Her many film and television appearances include: Doctors and Rekindled.

Matthew Empson (Jerry Lee Lewis at certain performances)

Matthew Empson is making his West End debut in Million Dollar Quartet. He began singing and playing piano at the age of eight and by fourteen he was playing solo sets in Jazz clubs. He soon formed his own band, joined several others and subsequently played in Las Vegas.

Kevin Mains (Elvis Presley at certain performances)

Kevin Mains is making his West End debut in Million Dollar Quartet. He trained at Langside College in Glasgow and his recent theatre credits include: Romeo and Juliet (Open Book Theatre); The Pillowman; The Lieutenant Of Inishmore; One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest; Mary Queen Of Scots Got Her Head Chopped Off and Sugar (XLC). Television includes: Zig Zag Love with Robert Carlyle; River City and How Do I Get Up There?

Oliver Seymour-Marsh (Carl Perkins at certain performances)

Oliver Seymour-Marsh is making his West End debut in Million Dollar Quartet. He starred as ‘Buddy Holly’ in Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story on UK national tour and also played the role for Moonlight Musicals in Lubbock, Texas. He has also starred in Dreamboats and Petticoats (UK tour) and made numerous appearances at the Queen’s Theatre in Hornchurch including: Aladdin; The Mysterie of Maria Marten and A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum.

Noël Coward Theatre, St Martin’s Lane, London WC2N 4AU

Previews from: Tuesday 8 February 2011
Opening Night: Monday 28 February 2011
First booking period to: Saturday 1 October 2011

Release issued by: Amanda Malpass Media

LINKS

Book tickets to Million Dollar Quartet at the Noel Coward Theatre in London