Photos: Ghost The Musical Press Night at the Piccadilly Theatre in London
July 20, 2011
Major new West End show Ghost The Musical enjoyed a glittering premiere at the Piccadilly Theatre last night.
Denise Van Outen at the press night for Ghost The Musical
A host of well-known stage and screen stars came together to celebrate the big-budget new movie-to-stage musical including Michael Ball, Arlene Phillips, Denise Van Outen, JLS and Frank Skinner.
Van Outen said that she “loved” the show, with Marvin from JLS congratulating star Richard Fleeshman, saying: “The boys and I were truly blown away last night.. well done mate”.
Ghost The Musical stars Richard Fleeshman(Legally Blonde, Coronation Street) as Sam, originally played on screen by the late Patrick Swayze, and hot Broadway starlet Caissie Levy (Hair, Wicked) as Molly, originally played by Demi Moore. Joining Fleeshman and Levy is West End star Sharon D Clarke as Oda Mae Brown, played in the movie by Whoopi Goldberg, and Andrew Langtree as Carl.
Ghost The Musical is directed by Matthew Warchus (Deathtrap, La Bete), with music and lyrics by legendary pop and rock writers Dave Stewart (Eurythmics) and Glen Ballard (writer of Michael Jackson’s Man in the Mirror). The show also features the classic song from the movie, Unchained Melody.
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LEE MEAD in Legally Blonde The Musical
June 1, 2011
West End star Lee Mead joins the cast of Legally Blonde The Musical at the Savoy Theatre.
Lee Mead. Photo: © Roy Tan
Legally Blonde is on a roll!
The show has already scooped three 2011 Olivier Awards including Best New Musical. And now the multi-talented actor Lee Mead is joining the cast from 20 June 2011 in the role of Emmett.
Lee Mead’s story is a classic showbiz tale for the 21st Century: a chorus boy struggling to break into the big time enlists on a TV talent show and ends up a star.
Mead came to prominence by winning BBC One’s talent show Any Dream Will Do in 2007, and going on star in Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s major revival of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Adelphi Theatre. However, before winning the show he was a jobbing West End actor having played in a number of musicals including The Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon and Tommy.
He left Joseph in 2009 to release a successful solo album and then took the title role in the UK tour of Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime. He released a second album and has performed around the UK whilst also starring as Fiyero in Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre last year.
Lee Mead is married to TV and stage performer Denise Van Outen, who was on the judging panel for Any Dream Will Do. They married in April 2009 and have recently had a baby daughter, Betsy.
And in a bid to keep it in the family Denise is currently starring as beautician Paulette in the show – although there may not be a cross-over between the two performers. Other cast include Susan McFadden as Elle Woods, Siobhan Dillon as Vivienne and Peter Davison as Professor Callahan.
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Natalie Casey to join Legally Blonde
March 23, 2011
TV and stage actress Natalie Casey is to take over as Paulette in Legally Blonde The Musical, replacing Denise Van Outen.
Natalie Casey (right) and Maria Friedman in The Invisible Man
Comedy actress Natalie Casey, who starred in BBC sitcom Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, will join the West End cast of Legally Blonde the Musical at the Savoy Theatre in London from 26 April 2011, playing ditzy beautician Paulette Buonofonté.
She takes over from Denise Van Outen, who joined the show in October and will leave on 23 April, well before her real-life husband Lee Mead joins the cast in mid June to play Emmett Forrest.
Natalie will star alongside a cast that includes Susan McFadden as Elle Woods, Carley Stenson as Margot, Nicola Brazil as Serena, Siobhan Dillon as Vivienne and Peter Davison as Professor Callahan.
Legally Blonde The Musical, which started at the Savoy Theatre in December 2009, recently won an Olivier Award for Best New Musical.
Natalie Casey’s last London stage appearance was in The Invisible Man at the Menier Chocolate Factory, and her other theatre credits include Oklahoma for Chichester, Well at the Apollo Theatre, Fame at the Shaftesbury Theatre and Hobson’s Choice at the Watermill Theatre.
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Natalie Casey Joins The Cast Of The Olivier Award Winning Legally Blonde The Musical
March 23, 2011
From 26 April 2011 Natalie Casey will join the west end cast of the Olivier award-wining Legally Blonde The Musical to play ditzy beautician Paulette Buonofonté. She joins Susan McFadden as Elle Woods, Carley Stenson as Margot, Nicola Brazil as Serena, Siobhan Dillon as Vivienne and Peter Davison as Professor Callahan. Natalie Casey takes over the role from Denise Van Outen, whose last performance will be Saturday 23 April. From mid-June Lee Mead will join the west end cast to play Emmett Forrest.
Earlier this month Legally Blonde The Musical, which opened at the Savoy Theatre in December 2009 and is currently booking until 31 March 2012, won three 2011 Laurence Olivier Awards including Best New Musical.
College sweetheart and homecoming queen Elle Woods doesn’t take no for an answer. So when her boyfriend Warner dumps her for someone serious, Elle puts down the credit card, hits the books, and heads for Harvard Law! Along the way, Elle proves that being true to yourself never goes out of style.
Natalie Casey is best known on television for playing Donna in the BBC’s Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps. On stage she has been seen in The Invisible Man at the Menier Chocolate Factory, Oklahoma for Chichester Festival Theatre, Well at the Apollo Theatre, Fame at the Shaftesbury Theatre and Hobson’s Choice at the Watermill Theatre. Her other television credits include Dave Shakespeare, Missing, Hollyoaks, Head Jam, Girls Night In and Chopratown. On film she played Shirley Temple in Chicago Joe and the Showgirl.
The current full cast is Stephane Anelli (Padamadan, Nikos), Emma Bateman (Stenographer), Nicola Brazil (Serena), Thomas Camilleri (Carlos), Peter Davison (Professor Callahan) Siobhan Dillon (Vivienne Kensington), Chris Ellis-Stanton (Grandmaster Chad, Dewey, Kyle), Kimmy Edwards (Judge, Saleswoman), Alex Gaumond (Emmett), Ibinabo Jack (Pilar), Suzie McAdam (Enid), Susan McFadden (Elle Woods), Sorelle Marsh (Courtney, Mom, Whitney), Sean Mulligan (Pforzheimer), Dawn Sievewright (Kate, Chutney), Carley Stenson (Margot), Lincoln Stone (Dad, Winthrop, Reporter), Simon Thomas (Warner), Robbie Towns (Aaron), Dominic Tribuzio (Kiki), Denise Van Outen (Paulette), Tamara Wall (Brooke), Stephen Webb (Lowell) and Tara Young (District Attorney) as well as Jonathan Mawson, Jane McMurtrie, Lucy Miller, Ruthie Stephenson and Gregor Stewart as swings.
Directed and choreographed by Tony Award-winning Jerry Mitchell, Legally Blonde The Musical has music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin, book by Heather Hach, set design by David Rockwell, costume design by Gregg Barnes, lighting design by Kenneth Posner and Paul Miller, sound design by ACME Sound Partners and orchestrations by Christopher Jahnke.
Legally Blonde The Musical is produced in the West End by Sonia Friedman Productions, Robert G. Bartner, Ambassador Theatre Group, Bud Martin, Adam Zotovich, Jamie Hendry Productions, Matthew Byam Shaw and Act Productions.
Release issued by: Premier PR
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Lee Mead to join Legally Blonde
March 17, 2011
West End star Lee Mead is to join the hit musical Legally Blonde at the Savoy Theatre in London.
Lee Mead to star in Legally Blonde
Mead will take over from Alex Gaumond in the role of Emmett Forrest from 20 June 2011, joining a cast that includes Susan McFadden as Elle Woods, Siobhan Dillon as Vivienne and Peter Davison as Professor Callahan. Lee Mead’s wife Denise Van Outen is currently playing Paulette in the show, although may have left the production before Lee starts in the role.
Alex Gaumond, who was up for a best supporting Olivier Award this year, has been in the show since it started at the Savoy in 2009 and will leave on 18 June.
Legally Blonde recently scooped three 2011 Olivier Awards including Best New Musical, Best Actress in a Musical for Sheridan Smith and Best Performance is a Supporting Role in a Musical for Jill Halfpenny.
Lee was last seen in the West End as Fiyero in Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre. He rose to fame after winning the BBC talent show Any Dream Will Do leading to a starring role in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Adelphi Theatre. Other roles include The Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty’s Theatre and UK tours of Miss Saigon and Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime.
Legally Blonde is directed and choreographed by Tony Award-winning Jerry Mitchell, who is currently working on big new Broadway show Catch Me If You Can.
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LEGALLY BLONDE CAST LIST
Stephane Anelli (Padamadan, Nikos), Emma Bateman (Stenographer), Nicola Brazil (Serena), Thomas Camilleri (Carlos), Peter Davison (Professor Callahan) Siobhan Dillon (Vivienne Kensington), Chris Ellis-Stanton (Grandmaster Chad, Dewey, Kyle), Kimmy Edwards (Judge, Saleswoman), Alex Gaumond (Emmett), Ibinabo Jack (Pilar), Suzie McAdam (Enid), Susan McFadden (Elle Woods), Sorelle Marsh (Courtney, Mom, Whitney), Aoife Mulholland (Brooke), Sean Mulligan (Pforzheimer), Dawn Sievewright (Kate, Chutney), Carley Stenson (Margot), Lincoln Stone (Dad, Winthrop, Reporter), Simon Thomas (Warner), Robbie Towns (Aaron), Dominic Tribuzio (Kiki), Denise Van Outen (Paulette), Tamara Wall (District Attorney) and Stephen Webb (Lowell), as well as Jonathan Mawson, Jane McMurtrie, Lucy Miller, Ruthie Stephenson and Gregor Stewart as swings.
SPECIAL OFFER: Save £26 on tickets to Legally Blonde at the Savoy Theatre in London
Lee Mead To Join Legally Blonde The Musical As The Show Celebrates Recent Wins At The 2011 Laurence Olivier Awards
March 17, 2011
From mid-June Lee Mead will join the west end cast of the Olivier award-wining Legally Blonde The Musical to play Emmett Forrest. He joins Susan McFadden as Elle Woods, Carley Stenson as Margot, Nicola Brazil as Serena, Siobhan Dillon as Vivienne and Peter Davison as Professor Callahan. Alex Gaumond, who has played the role of Emmett since the UK premiere of the show, has now extended his run until mid-June when Mead will take over.
Legally Blonde The Musical opened at the Savoy Theatre in December 2009 and has been playing to packed audiences ever since. In addition to winning the 2011 Laurence Olivier Awards for Best New Musical, Best Actress in a Musical (Sheridan Smith) and Best Performance is a Supporting Role in a Musical (Jill Halfpenny), Legally Blonde The Musical is now booking until 31 March 2011.
College sweetheart and homecoming queen Elle Woods doesn’t take no for an answer. So when her boyfriend Warner dumps her for someone serious, Elle puts down the credit card, hits the books, and heads for Harvard Law! Along the way, Elle proves that being true to yourself never goes out of style.
The current full cast is Stephane Anelli (Padamadan, Nikos), Emma Bateman (Stenographer), Nicola Brazil (Serena), Thomas Camilleri (Carlos), Peter Davison (Professor Callahan) Siobhan Dillon (Vivienne Kensington), Chris Ellis-Stanton (Grandmaster Chad, Dewey, Kyle), Kimmy Edwards (Judge, Saleswoman), Alex Gaumond (Emmett), Ibinabo Jack (Pilar), Suzie McAdam (Enid), Susan McFadden (Elle Woods), Sorelle Marsh (Courtney, Mom, Whitney), Aoife Mulholland (Brooke), Sean Mulligan (Pforzheimer), Dawn Sievewright (Kate, Chutney), Carley Stenson (Margot), Lincoln Stone (Dad, Winthrop, Reporter), Simon Thomas (Warner), Robbie Towns (Aaron), Dominic Tribuzio (Kiki), Denise Van Outen (Paulette), Tamara Wall (District Attorney) and Stephen Webb (Lowell), as well as Jonathan Mawson, Jane McMurtrie, Lucy Miller, Ruthie Stephenson and Gregor Stewart as swings.
Lee Mead played the title role in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Adelphi Theatre from 2007 to early 2009, after winning BBC One’s Any Dream Will Do. In 2007 he released his debut solo album, Lee Mead, followed in 2009 by Nothing Else Matters. Most recently he starred as Fiyero in the West End production of Wicked. His previous theatre credits include Lord Arthur Savile in Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime on tour in the UK; The Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty’s Theatre; Miss Saigon on tour in the UK and Tommy.
Directed and choreographed by Tony Award-winning Jerry Mitchell, Legally Blonde The Musical has music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin, book by Heather Hach, set design by David Rockwell, costume design by Gregg Barnes, lighting design by Kenneth Posner and Paul Miller, sound design by ACME Sound Partners and orchestrations by Christopher Jahnke.
Legally Blonde The Musical is produced in the West End by Sonia Friedman Productions, Robert G. Bartner, Ambassador Theatre Group, Bud Martin, Adam Zotovich, Jamie Hendry Productions, Matthew Byam Shaw and Act Productions.
Release issued by: Premier PR
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Susan McFadden to star in Legally Blonde
December 20, 2010
Sheridan Smith to leave Legally Blonde on 8 January; Susan McFadden to take the lead.
Susan McFadden
Susan McFadden is to take over from Sheridan Smith in the lead role of Elle Woods in the West End production of Legally Blonde at the Savoy Theatre.
The Irish actress, who won ITV talent show Grease is the Word in 2007 and played Sandy in the current production of Grease at the Piccadilly Theatre, has been covering the role of Elle and playing the part of Serena in Legally Blonde since October. She will take over from Sheridan Smith from 10 January 2011.
McFadden, who has been cast in a number of shows produced by Legally Blonde co-producer Ambassador Theatres, has extensive theatre credits in both the UK and Ireland including a national tour of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Cinderella at the Theatre Royal Wakefield, Jack and the Beanstalk at the Gaiety Theatre Dublin, plus Singin’ in the Rain, Annie, Dance of Desire and Brighton Beach Memoirs.
The rest of the Legally Blonde principal cast will continue to appear in the show, including Denise Van Outen as Paulette, Simon Thomas as Warner, Alex Gaumond as Emmett, Siobhan Dillon as Vivienne, Carley Stenson as Margot, Aoife Mulholland as Brooke and Peter Davison as Callahan.
The comedy musical, which opened in January, is based on the movie starring Reese Witherspoon about college sweetheart and homecoming queen Elle Woods, who goes all out to prove to her ex-boyfriend Warner that she’s more than just a dumb blonde – by joining him at Harvard Law School.
The show is directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell, with music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin, book by Heather Hach, set design by David Rockwell, costume design by Gregg Barnes, lighting design by Kenneth Posner and Paul Miller, sound design by ACME Sound Partners and orchestrations by Christopher Jahnke.
Book tickets to Legally Blonde at the Savoy Theatre in London
Simon Thomas to star in Legally Blonde
September 21, 2010
Up and coming musicals star Simon Thomas is to join the cast of Legally Blonde the Musical at the Savoy Theatre in London.
Simon Thomas to star in Legally Blonde
The actor will take over from Richard Fleeshman in the show from 25 October 2010, playing Warner Huntington III. Richard’s last performance will be on 23 October.
Simon Thomas’s recent theatre credits include playing Rapunzel’s Prince in Sondheim’s Into the Woods at the Open Air Theatre, the lead in Disney’s Tarzan at the Neue Flora in Hamburg, plus roles in Marguerite, Make Me A Song and Merry Wives Of Windsor for the RSC.
Also joining the show on the 25th is Denise Van Outen, who takes over from Jill Halfpenny as hairdresser Paulette, Siobhan Dillon and Hollyoaks star Carley Stenson, alongside the current cast that includes the star of the show Sheridan Smith, Alex Gaumond and Peter Davison.
Legally Blonde The Musical is currently booking until 22 October 2011 at the Savoy Theatre.
The comedy musical, which opened in January this year, is based on the movie starring Reese Witherspoon about college sweetheart and homecoming queen Elle Woods (Sheridan Smith), who goes all out to prove to her ex-boyfriend Warner (Simon Thomas) that she’s more than just a dumb blonde – by joining him at Harvard Law School.
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MORE IMAGES
Simon Thomas in Into The Woods
DENISE VAN OUTEN in Legally Blonde
September 15, 2010
Denise Van Outen joins the cast of Legally Blonde at the Savoy Theatre
It’s good to see Denise coming back to the stage. After spending the last few years coaxing and mentoring performers-in-waiting on a number of TV talent shows, including the BBC’s I’d Do Anything and Any Dream Will Do, NBC’s Grease Is The Word and Sky’s Hairspray: The School Musical and Grease: Summer School Musical, she will join the West End cast of Legally Blonde from 25 October 2010, taking over from Jill Halfpenny as Paulette.
It will also mean that she’ll be treading the West End boards alongside her husband, Lee Mead, who is currently wowing them in Wicked at the Apollo Victoria.
Denise is no stage novice, having appeared in numerous plays and musicals including Tell Me On A Sunday, Chicago, Rent, Les Miserables, Stop The World I Want to Get Off, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Play What I Wrote.
On TV her acting credits include Hotel Babylon, Empress’ New Clothes, Where the Heart Is and Murder in Mind, and on film she has played roles in One Careful Owner, Are You Ready for Love, Manilla Envelopes and Love, Honour and Obey.
Welcome back Denise.
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Sheridan Stays Blonde, Van Outen joins
August 27, 2010
Legally Blonde star Sheridan Smith to stay with the hit show, plus a new cast joins from 25 October including Denise Van Outen, Siobhan Dillon and Carley Stenson.
Sheridan Smith
The gorgeous, multi-talented star of Legally Blonde, has decided to extend her run in the show at the Savoy Theatre in London.
Sheridan Smith had originally announced her departure from the Broadway musical on Twitter and was scheduled to leave on 23 October 2010, but will now continue in the lead role until 9 January 2011.
Sheridan Smith said in a statement that, “I absolutely love playing Elle Woods, it’s been one of the highlights of my career so far, and I’m thrilled that the audiences love the show as much as I do. When (producer) Sonia Friedman asked me to stay for a little bit longer, I couldn’t resist the thought of a pink, chihuahua filled Christmas!”
A new cast will also join the show from 25 October, including Denise Van Outen taking over from Jill Halfpenny as hairdresser Paulette, and Siobhan Dillon and Hollyoaks star Carley Stenson.
Van Outen, who is married to Lee Mead (Wicked), has appeared in numerous musicals including Tell Me on a Sunday, Rent: Remixed, Chicago and Les Miserables.
Siobhan Dillon, who will play Vivienne, came to prominence after appearing in TV talent show How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?, and has performed in Grease in the West End. Carley Stenson will star as Margot, and is best known for playing Steph Cunningham in Hollyoaks. This will be her West End stage debut.
The comedy musical, which opened in January this year, is based on the movie starring Reese Witherspoon about college sweetheart and homecoming queen Elle Woods (Sheridan Smith), who goes all out to prove to her ex-boyfriend Warner (Richard Fleeshman) that she’s more than just a dumb blonde – by joining him at Harvard Law School.
Sheridan Smith is best known for her award-winning TV roles including Two Pints of Lager & A Packet of Crisps, Grown Ups, Love Soup, Benidorm and Gavin and Stacey. Stage roles include Into the Woods at the Donmar Warehouse, Audrey in the Menier Chocolate Factory’s production of Little Shop of Horrors and Hermia in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Bianca in The Taming of the Shrew at the Open Air Theatre Regent’s Park.
Sheridan recently performed in a workshop version of a new musical based on Helen Fielding’s book Bridget Jones’s Diary, with music by Lily Allen, fuelling rumours that she may be up for a role in the show. Stephen Daldry, director of the film and stage version of Billy Elliot, will helm the project if it goes ahead. The show would also reunite Daldry with producers of the Bridget Jones and Billy Elliot films and stage shows Working Title Films, plus choreographer Peter Darling.
Other cast starting in the show from 25 October include Stephane Anelli (Padamadan, Nikos), Emma Bateman (Stenographer), Thomas Camilleri (Carlos), Chris Ellis-Stanton (Grandmaster Chad, Dewey, Kyle), Kimmy Edwards (Judge, Saleswoman), Ibinabo Jack (Pilar), Suzie McAdam (Enid), Andy Mace (Dad, Winthrop, Reporter), Susan McFadden (Serena), Sorelle Marsh (Courtney, Mom, Whitney), Aoife Mulholland (Brooke), Sean Mulligan (Pforzheimer), Dawn Sievewright (Kate, Chutney), Robbie Towns (Aaron), Dominic Tribuzio (Kiki), Tamara Wall (District Attorney) and Stephen Webb (Lowell), as well as Jonathan Mawson, Jane McMurtrie, Lucy Miller, Ruthie Stephenson and Gregor Stewart as swings.
SPECIAL OFFER: Save £14 on tickets to Legally Blonde at the Savoy Theatre in London
LEGALLY BLONDE CAST RECORDING
The London cast recording of Legally Blonde The Musical, which was recorded live at the Savoy Theatre, was released last week by First Night Records and is doing brisk business.
Buy the London cast recording of Legally Blonde
