Over the Rainbow’s Sophie Evans off to Oz

Who says that it’s all about winning?

Over The Rainbow runner-up Sophie Evans is set to make her West End debut next year playing Dorothy in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s multi-million pound new production of The Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium.

Sophie, 17 and from Tonypandy in Wales, will take over from Over The Rainbow winner Danielle Hope every Tuesday evening and the week of 2 May and the 5 to 17 September, when Ms Hope will be on holiday.

Lord Lloyd-Webber and producer Bill Kenwright made the announcement yesterday at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay. Lloyd Webber’s controversial decision comes in an attempt to learn lessons from his previous TV casting experiences. “People do get sick,” he said, referring to Connie Fisher, star of his 2006 production of The Sound of Music, who was also cast from a BBC One TV show. “[She] had very bad flu and sang through it which she shouldn’t have done, so she was off for a couple of weeks. We didn’t want a repetition of that. We have a responsibility to the girls as well as the audiences”.

Already a number of the other Over The Rainbow finalists have secured parts in shows, including Lauren Samuels, who makes her West End debut next week playing Sandy in Grease at the Piccadilly Theatre, and Steph Fearon, who is currently appearing in Smokey Joe’s Café at the Landor Theatre.

Loyd Webber and Tim Rice to reunite

In an interview with the Daily Mail this week, Lord Lloyd Webber also revealed that he will be reuniting with Tim Rice after 34 years to pen a number of new songs for The Wizard of Oz. Rice and Lloyd Webber are arguably the world’s most successful living composer-lyricists with shows including Evita, Jesus Christ Superstar and Joseph. Lloyd Webber told the paper: “The fact is that The Wizard Of Oz has never really worked in the theatre. The film has one or two holes where in the theatre you need a song. For example, there’s nothing for either of the two witches to sing.”

The Wizard of Oz will follow the success of Wicked at the Apollo Victoria in London, which has broken all box-office records and tells the story of the witches from The Wizard of Oz.

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group will produce the show, with performances starting from 7 February 2011 at the London Palladium. The creative team behind the 2006 revival of The Sound of Music, including director Jeremy Sams, designer Robert Jones and choreographer Arlene Phillips, will work on the show.

The first stage version of L Frank Baum’s classic book was in 1902 starring Anna Laughlin. The 1939 MGM film starring Judy Garland is the most famous version of the show, and was adapted into a stage musical in 1945 by Frank Gabrielson for the St. Louis Municipal Opera.

Book tickets to The Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium

Willy Russell season to transfer

Menier Chocolate Factory’s Willy Russell season to transfer to the Trafalgar Studios

The Menier Chocolate Factory’s double-bill of Willy Russell plays will join his long-running musical Blood Brothers in the West End from 8 July.

Two of Russell’s best known plays,  Educating Rita and Shirley Valentine, which have been a critical success at the Menier, will transfer to the Trafalgar Studios in London for a limited 16 week run.

Educating Rita will star Tim Pigott-Smith, who will replace original cast member Larry Lamb, and Laura Dos-Santos. Shirley Valentine will once again feature TV star Meera Syal.

Educating Rita is directed by Jeremy Sams, who will direct Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s new production of The Wizard of Oz early next year.  Shirley Valentine is directed by Glen Walford, and both shows have designs by Peter McKintosh, lighting by Paul Anderson and sound by David Ogilvy.

Book tickets to Educating Rita at the Trafalgar Studios

Book tickets to Shirley Valentine at the Trafalgar Studios

CREDITS:

EDUCATING RITA:

Tim Pigott-Smith received a 2010 Olivier Award nomination for his performance as Ken Lay in Enron at the Noel Coward Theatre.  His extensive theatre credits include Pygmalion at the Old Vic, Little Nell for the Bath Theatre Royal, Hecuba for the Donmar Warehouse and Mourning Becomes Electra for the National Theatre as well as many productions for the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre and Bristol Old Vic.  On film his credits include Alice in Wonderland, Quantum of Solace, V for Vendetta and Bloody Sunday.  His more recent television credits include The Queen, Midsomer Murders, On Expenses and The Last Flight to Kuwait.

Laura Dos Santos has most recently starred opposite Bill Nighy in the BBC Radio 4 adaptation of Educating Rita, broadcast last Christmas.  Her previous theatre credits include We Will Be Gone at the Camden People’s Theatre, Look Back In Anger at the Jermyn Street Theatre, Stags and Hens at the Royal Court Liverpool, On The Middle Day at the Old Vic Theatre, In Your Hands at the New End Theatre and The Morris at the Liverpool Everyman Theatre.  Her television credits include Bad Girls, Fingersmith, Innocent Party and The Bill.

Jeremy Sams’ directing credits include The King and I at the Royal Albert Hall, The Sound of Music at the Palladium and on tour in the UK, Donkeys’ Years at the Comedy Theatre, The Little Britain live UK tour, Michael Frayn’s Noises Off at the National Theatre which transferred to the West End and Broadway and Spend Spend Spend at the Piccadilly Theatre and on tour nationally.  His many adaptations and translations include The Rehearsal, Mary Stuart, La Bohème, The Magic Flute and The Merry Widow. His composing credits include Jane Austen’s Persuasion, for which he won a BAFTA and The Mother for the BBC, Arcadia for the National Theatre and The Merry Wives of Windsor for the Royal Shakespeare Company as well as the film score for Enduring Love for which he won the Ivor Novello Award for Best Film Score.  He has also adapted the book of the musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

SHIRLEY VALENTINE:

Meera Syal is best known for her television work including Goodness Gracious Me, The Kumars at Number 42 (for which she received a BAFTA nomination for Best Comedy Performance), Life Isn’t All Ha Ha Hee Hee, My Sister Wife and Beautiful People.  Later this year she will be seen in the new series of Dr Who playing geologist Nasreen Chowdhury opposite Matt Smith.  Her theatre work includes Rafta Rafta, The Vagina Monologues and Serious Money.  Syal is currently filming My First Love for Sky Arts Documentaries in which she returns to a past love, jazz singing.  Following her mentoring sessions with Jacqui Dankworth, she performed at Ronnie Scott’s earlier this year.

Glen Walford was Artistic Director of Liverpool Everyman Theatre where she commissioned and directed the world premiere of Shirley Valentine.  During her time as Artistic Director of Ludlow Festival her productions included The Comedy of Errors, Much Ado About Nothing and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.  Walford was the founding Artistic Director of London Bubble Theatre.  She has directed extensively on tour and in London she has directed productions for the Royal Court, Bush, Tricycle and Hampstead Theatres.

WILLY RUSSELL

As well as Educating Rita and Shirley Valentine, both of which were made into major award-winning features films, playwright, lyricist and composer Willy Russell is the author of the long running West End hit Blood Brothers. His other work includes John Paul George Ringo…& Bert, Stags and Hens, One for the Road and Breezeblock Park. His writing for television includes Our Day Out and One Summer. Russell’s plays have been performed in many countries across the globe, winning countless awards as well as academic honours.  Willy Russell’s Our Day Out The Musical will play at the Royal Court Liverpool this Autumn.

Final set for Over The Rainbow

Three contestants named in final of Over The Rainbow in bid to play Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz

And then there were three. The winner of Over The Rainbow, to find a Dorothy to star in Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s new production of The Wizard of Oz, will be announced this Saturday 22 May on BBC One. The climax of a long search to find the new star of the show will start at 7pm, with the results show on the same evening at 8.55pm.

In a tense semi-final on Sunday, Steph Fearon, 21 , from London was evicted from the show. That leaves Lauren Samuels, 22, from London, Sophie Evans, 17, from Wales and Danielle Hope, 17, from Greater Manchester battling it out in final.

The judges were unanimous when asked who “wasn’t Dorothy”, with all three saying Steph.

Each of the girls had to sing a pop song in the semi-final to prove their versatility. Steph sang Rule The World by Take That. On Steph’s performance John said: “I’ve always said I’m looking for a triple threat, and of all the girls left you are definitely that girl. You came to your first audition with a flower on your face for luck. It takes more than luck to make it in this industry, it takes talent and a break. You’ve got the talent and I hope that the public give you a break.”

Charlotte said: “Outstanding vocal performance… it was a man’s song and a classic – so hard to bring something new to it. I love the colour of your voice in the lower register, it could be great for Dorothy.”

Sheila added: “Great – as far as the lyrics go, I don’t know what it all means, but you made it sound like something.”

Andrew Lloyd Webber said: “You did very well with a difficult song, a pop song. I would have played it a bit more innocently as that’s what we are looking for with Dorothy.”

THE FINAL THREE FINALISTS

Before announcing who was in the bottom two, Graham asked each panel member who “wasn’t Dorothy”. The panel were united in their decision, all three saying “Steph.”

Steph and Lauren gained the least amount of public votes, and had to sing a rendition of Another Suitcase In Another Hall from Evita. Then it was up to Andrew Lloyd Webber alone to choose which Dorothy should be saved for another performance.

Andrew said: “I’m glad it’s the last time I have to make this decision. I know you all so well now, it’s like family. I feel dreadful that I have to take a decision on who is best for Dorothy. I’m going to save Lauren.”

On hearing the announcement, Steph said: “I had the best time of my life. I’ve made friends for life. I’ve learnt so much. Thanks to everyone backstage – you’re all amazing. I’ve had the time of my life.”

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s multi-million pound new production of the classic musical will start performances on 29 March 2011 at the London Palladium in the West End. The show will feature a number of new songs specially written by Andrew Lloyd Webber, who said recently that, “the film worked fantastically but we need some new songs for the stage show”. The creative team will consist of direction by Jeremy Sams, design by Robert Jones and choreography by Arlene Phillips.

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group will produce the musical.

Sister Act is currently playing at the theatre, and will now finish at the Palladium on 30 October 2010. It is currently looking for a new West End home.

Book tickets to The Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium

Read more about Over The Rainbow

The Wizard of Oz goes on sale

Tickets to the The Wizard of Oz have officially gone on sale.

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s multi-million pound new production of the classic musical will start performances on 29 March 2011 at the London Palladium in the West End.

The major new show will star the winner of BBC One’s Over the Rainbow, which is currently searching for a Dorothy to appear in the musical

The show will feature a number of new songs specially written by Andrew Lloyd Webber, who said recently that, “the film worked fantastically but we need some new songs for the stage show”. The creative team will consist of direction by Jeremy Sams, design by Robert Jones and choreography by Arlene Phillips.

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group will produce the musical.

Sister Act is currently playing at the theatre, and will now finish at the Palladium on 30 October 2010. It is currently looking for a new West End home.

Lord Webber is currently searching for a lucky newcomer to star in the show, in BBC One’s Over The Rainbow. Five contestants remain – Lauren Samuels, Jessica Robinson, Danielle Hope, Sophie Evans and Steph Fearon.

His company owns the London Palladium alongside a number of theatres in London including the Adelphi, where he recently launched his follow-up to The Phantom of the Opera, Love Never Dies.

Lloyd Webber said: “We are incredibly excited to be adapting The Wizard of Oz for the stage and re-telling this all-time classic family story. I have long been a huge fan of the original movie, the songs and characters and am really looking forward to bringing it to life again.”

Book tickets to The Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium

Read more about Over The Rainbow

Hal Prince to stage new show

New Menier Chocolate Factory season announced. Hal Prince to return to London to direct Mandy Patinkin musical

The new Menier Chocolate Factory season will see a strong line-up of new shows, many of which promise West End and Broadway transfers.

Most high-profile will be a jointly directed Hal Prince and Susan Stroman musical starring Broadway legend Mandy Patinkin, a major coup for the small theatre that has built up a sizeable reputation: its successful production of La Cage Aux Folles starring Douglas Hodge will open on Broadway in 2010.

The musical, Paradise Found, will run at the theatre from 19 May to 26 June before a possible Broadway transfer. Based on Joseph Roth’s novel The Tale Of The 1002nd Night, the show is about a visit the Shah of Persia made to Europe in 1873. Patinkin will play the Shah’s eunuch.

The show features music by Austrian waltz maestro Johann Strauss II and Jonathan Tunick, lyrics by Ellen Fitzhugh and a libretto by Richard Nelson. Composer Tunick is widely known for orchestrating many Broadway musicals, including the works of Stephen Sondheim.

Legendary director Hal Prince was responsible for the premiere productions of Cabaret, Sweeney Todd, A Little Night Music, The Phantom of the Opera, She Loves Me, Company, Follies, Candide, Pacific Overtures, Evita, Parade and Bounce.

Tony-winning director and choreographer Susan Stroman has created shows including The Producers and Young Frankenstein, and last collaborated with Prince on the Broadway revival of Show Boat.

Trevor Nunn directs Aspects of Love

Also in the new season Trevor Nunn follows his successful production of Sondheim’s A Little Night Music, which transferred to the West End and is now playing on Broadway starring Catherine Zeta Jones, by directing a new production of Aspects of Love.

The first major London revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical since Nunn’s original production, the show is based on David Garnett’s novel and originally starred Michael Ball. It tells the story of passion, love and loss across three generations of a family and their companions set against the background of 1940’s France and Italy.

The show will preview from 3 July.

Willy Russell double-bill

Also showcasing at the Menier Chocolate Factory will be a double-bill of Willy Russell plays Shirley Valentine and Educating Rita.

Both award-winning movies, the plays will provide a long overdue London tribute to Willy Russell’s work.  Willy Russell’s most famous stage work is Blood Brothers, which has played in the West End since 1988 and currently stars Spice Girl Melanie C.

Shirley Valentine will star Meera Syal, acclaimed comedienne and actress whose credits include Bombay Dreams and Goodness Gracious Me. The play will be directed by Glen Walford.

Larry Lamb and Laura Dos Santos will star in Educating Rita, directed by Jeremy Sams. Larry Lamb has recently enjoyed two high-profile TV roles in Gavin & Stacey and EastEnders. Relative newcomer Dos Santos appeared in Look Back in Anger at the Jermyn Street Theatre in 2008.

The productions run in rep from 26 March to 8 May.

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