There’s got to be a first time for everyone, even West End stars. Here’s the low-down on the first show-biz experiences of actor and singer Jon Lee, currently starring in Jersey Boys at the Prince Edward Theatre.

Jon Lee

My First audition…
was for Oliver! My parents drove me to London, we were living in Devon at the time. I remember the queue going round the block. It was at the Lyric theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue. There were so many kids there. I came away feeling really nervous as I wanted to audition for the part of Oliver! but they were only letting all the kids sing a verse of Consider Yourself that day.

My First job…
was Oliver! After about 6 more auditions and I got the part! Think I had just turned 12.

My First kiss…
was at the bottom of the playing field when I was 11 or 12. There was a little hill that went down into a ditch full of stinging nettles and brambles…. And who said romance was dead?

My First time on stage…
not including school plays, was with my local amateur dramatics group in Newton Abbot. I think it was The Boyfriend although with the amount of pancake make-up and lipstick, it could have been La Cage Aux Folles!

Jon Lee as Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys. Photo: Hugo Glendinning

My First celebrity encounter…
was Jonathan Pryce who was playing Fagin at the time. I had no idea who he was so I wasn’t daunted or star struck at all. He was such a lovely man, so friendly. He always used to make me laugh on stage.

My First visit to see a West End show…
My folks took me to see Les Mis, I remember watching the show, pointing at Marius and saying to my Dad “I’m gonna play that role one day”

Jon Lee’s career spans theatre, TV, film and music, from playing lead roles in Cameron Mackintosh’s productions of Oliver! and Les Miserables, to appearing in BBC TV’s EastEnders and as a member of internationally successful pop group S Club 7. He is currently starring as Frankie Valli in the West End production of the Broadway hit show Jersey Boys.

LINKS

Book tickets to Jersey Boys at the Prince Edward Theatre in London

Jon Lee’s official website

LINKS

More News on West End Live

View West End Live photos of Rock of Ages and Betty Blue Eyes

View West End Live photos of The Wizard of Oz and Crazy For You

Book tickets to Ghost The Musical at the Piccadilly Theatre

Book tickets to Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre

Book tickets to Jersey Boys at the Prince Edward Theatre

In London, the cast of JERSEY BOYS is led by Ryan Molloy as Frankie Valli, Matthew Wycliffe as Bob Gaudio, Jon Boydon as Tommy DeVito and Eugene McCoy as Nick Massi. Jon Lee plays the role of Frankie Valli at certain performances. The cast also includes Carl Au, Charlie Bull, Mark Carroll, Michael Conway, Chris Gardner, Lucinda Gill, Lauren Hall, Trina Hill, Mark Isherwood, Paul Iveson, Stuart Milligan, Tom Oakley, Jake Samuels, Jo Servi, Wayne Smith, Ben Wheeler and Rachael Wooding.

JERSEY BOYS is the remarkable true story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons and their rise to stardom from the wrong side of the tracks. These four boys from New Jersey became one of the most successful bands in pop history, were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and sold 100 million records worldwide, all before they turned 30. The show is packed with their hits, including ‘Beggin’’, ‘Sherry’, ‘Walk Like A Man’, ‘December, 1963 (Oh What a Night)’, ‘Big Girls Don’t Cry’, ‘My Eyes Adored You’, ‘Let’s Hang On (To What We’ve Got)’, ‘Bye Bye Baby’, ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off You’, ‘Working My Way Back to You’, ‘Fallen Angel’, ‘Rag Doll’ and ‘Who Loves You’.

JERSEY BOYS has 54 major international awards to its name and originally opened on Broadway in 2006. The show opened in London’s West End in 2008, where it has so far been seen by over 1.5 million people at more than 1300 performances. As well as still running on Broadway and in the West End, JERSEY BOYS can be seen on a National Tour of the United States and in Australia.

JERSEY BOYS is written by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, with music by Bob Gaudio and lyrics by Bob Crewe. The London production is staged by the entire original Broadway creative team, led by director Des McAnuff and choreographer Sergio Trujillo. JERSEY BOYS has scenic design by Klara Zieglerova, costume design by Jess Goldstein, lighting by Howell Binkley, sound by Steve Canyon Kennedy and projections design by Michael Clark. The orchestrations are by Steve Orich and the music supervision and vocal arrangements by Ron Melrose.

JERSEY BOYS is produced by Dodger Theatricals, Joseph J. Grano, Tamara and Kevin Kinsella, Pelican Group, in association with Latitude Link and Rick Steiner, and a small group of UK colleagues.

Release issued by: Amanda Malpass Media

LINKS

SPECIAL OFFER: Book tickets to Jersey Boys at the Prince Edward Theatre in London

LISTINGS: See more London theatre Sunday shows

JERSEY BOYS is the feel-good musical that has smashed all box office records at the Prince Edward Theatre in London and won over 53 major awards around the world, including the Olivier Award for BEST NEW MUSICAL.

This internationally acclaimed hit musical tells the incredible story of the rise to stardom of one of the most successful bands in pop music history – Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.

Discover how these four New Jersey boys form the wrong side of the tracks invented their own unique sound, were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and sold 100 million records worldwide. With spectacular performances of all their hits, JERSEY BOYS is the electrifying true life story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons; the mob, the heartaches, the triumphs and the music.

This sensational production features many of the bands worldwide hits, including: BEGGIN‘, CAN’T TAKE MY EYES OFF YOU, OH WHAT A NIGHT, WALK LIKE A MAN, BYE BYE BABY (BABY GOODBYE), SHERRY, BIG GIRLS DON’T CRY and many more.

JERSEY BOYS has now been seen by over 4 million people worldwide.

‘Oh what a night of magical memories….This is an utterly wonderful show full of vitality, pace and power’ Daily Express.

‘Let’s hear it for the Boys…..I suspect, be some time before London says Bye Bye Baby (Baby Goodbye) to the phenomenal Jersey Boys’ Daily Telegraph.

Jersey Boys follows the rags-to-riches tale of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons as they work their way from the streets of Newark to the heights of stardom, and features such hits as ‘Sherry,’ ‘Big Girls Don’t Cry,’ ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You,’ ‘Oh, What a Night’ and many more.

Directed by Des McAnuff, with a book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice and music and lyrics by Bob Crewe and The Four Seasons’ own Bob Gaudio, it has won four Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Actor in a Musical, Best Featured Actor in a Musical and Best Lighting Design of a Musical. McAnuff is on board for the London version of the show, as are the Broadway creative team: choreographer Sergio Trujillo, production designer Klara Zieglerova, lighting designer Binkley and costume designer Jess Goldstein.

BOOK NOW: Save £22.50 on tickets to see  Jersey Boys at the Prince Edward Theatre
Offer valid Tuesday to Thursday evenings and Tuesday and Sunday matinees 3 May to the 19 June 2011

Recent press advertising for We Will Rock You

Voting ends just before midnight tonight, Wednesday 9 March 2011.

The short list of shows are Billy Elliot the Musical, Jersey Boy, Les Misérables and We Will Rock You. They received more votes than the 14 other eligible shows in the Audience Award category, and were voted for by members of the theatregoing public.

The winner will be announced at the Olivier Awards at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane on Sunday 13 March.

All four musicals have been promoting their nominations, with shows such as Jersey Boys and We Will Rock You taking out press advertising to canvas theatregoer’s votes.

LINKS

Olivier Awards microsite

Olivier Awards – voting

Olivier Awards – nominations

Gareth Gates in Les Miserables - on the short list for the Olivier Audience Award

The short list of shows are Billy Elliot the Musical, Jersey Boy, Les Misérables and We Will Rock You. They received more votes than the 14 other eligible shows in the Audience Award category, and were voted for by members of the theatregoing public.

Voting has now reopened to choose the winner, until 9 March 2011. The winner will be announced at the Olivier Awards at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane on Sunday 13 March.

Queen musical We Will Rock You and Billy Elliot both made it on to the short list last year but were beaten by Wicked as the Audience Award winner 2010. Wicked was not included in the awards line-up this year. The nomination of Les Misérables follows the show’s recent win at the Whatsonstage Awards for its 25th anniversary O2 concert and UK touring production. Jersey Boys is the biographical musical telling the story and featuring the music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, which opened at the Prince Edward theatre in 2008.

Also on Elaine Paige’s show this Sunday, a new song written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice for the new London Palladium production of The Wizard of Oz was given its world premiere. Red Shoes Blues was sung by Hannah Waddingham, who plays the Wicked Witch of the West in the show alongside Danielle Hope as Dorothy and Michael Crawford as the Wizard.

LINKS

Olivier Awards microsite

Olivier Awards – nominations

LISTEN: Red Shoes Blues from The Wizard of Oz, sung by Hannah Waddingham

LISTEN: Elaine Paige announces the Olivier Audience Award short list

Westendtheatre.com catches up with uber-talented young actor Tom Lorcan, who is currently playing Billy’s brother Tony in Billy Elliot at the Victoria Palace Theatre in London.

Tom Lorcan

What was your first professional theatre experience?

I watched a play at the West Yorkshire Playhouse called Dealers Choice when I was about 16 with my Dad. It was the first time I had been to the theatre because I wasn’t really interested as I was growing up. I’ve still got the programme.

If someone could only see one musical or play before they die, what should it be?

Well, I would have to say Billy Elliot at the Victoria Palace Theatre of course…! But other than that I would say War Horse would be a good choice. It’s really something special and ticks all the boxes.

What’s your favourite West End theatre and why?

I love the Prince Edward Theatre. I was in the original Jersey Boys cast and made some life-long friends on that job. I’ve got loads of happy memories from the place.

What would be your profession if you hadn’t chosen the theatre and entertainment industry?

I wanted to play for Leeds United but I was just never good enough. And for a little while I thought about being a journalist. I found my way into acting quite lazily because I couldn’t think of anything else to do!

Tom Lorcan as Tony (right) and Martin Marquez as Dad in Billy Elliot. Photo: Alistair Muir

What dream acting job would make you feel like you’d made it to the very top?

I don’t really define success by how big the job or the role is. My goal is just to keep working and to have as varied and interesting a career as I can. I wouldn’t say no to a season or two at the RSC though… but I’m happy as long as I’m busy.

Which do you love best? The first day of rehearsals, the first night of the show or the last night?

Definitely the first night… You work so hard in rehearsal for weeks and weeks to create something for an audience, and then suddenly you are on stage and they are sat there watching you, and you are filled with nerves and adrenaline, and it all goes by in a flash and you are taking a bow. It’s a blur but it’s an amazing feeling.

What’s your favourite iPhone app?

At the moment it’s a close call between the game Flight Control or my Twitter App – I’ve become addicted to both recently.

What do you think is the secret to Billy Elliot the Musical’s success around the world?

We all have a fantasy of achieving our dreams as we grow up, and Billy is a boy who battles against the odds whilst surrounded by such a tragic and desperate situation. It’s a show full of heart and it tells people that they can succeed no matter what their background. Anyone can relate to it.

Book tickets to Billy Elliot at the Victoria Palace Theatre

Celebrate winter with our great new hotel and theatre promotion, with blockbuster shows including Love Never Dies, Legally Blonde, Priscilla, Jersey Boys and Billy Elliot.

Westendtheatre.com has partnered with 18 top London shows and a range of Central London hotels to offers visitors to the city a fabulous winter treat.

Running until the end of March 2011, you can book a free room in a central London hotel when buying a top-price theatre ticket to one of a selection of shows.

Prices start at just £45 ($70 USD / €55 Euros) per person for a three star hotel, continental breakfast and a best seat to a major West End show, based on two people sharing.

An amazing selection of big-budget West End musicals are featured in the promotion including: Andrew Lloyd Webber’s sequel to the Phantom of the Opera – Love Never Dies; Legally Blonde, based on the smash-hit movie; Tony award-winning Elton John musical Billy Elliot; a new musical adaptation of Love Story; fabulous, spectacular show Priscilla Queen of the Desert; Jersey Boys featuring the music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons; Dirty Dancing; sexy, sassy Kander and Ebb show Chicago; joyous 1960s musical Dreamboats and Petticoats; Grease The Musical; Willy Russell’s powerful musical Blood Brothers; theatre, dance and percussion show Stomp; and Michael Jackson tribute show Thriller Live.

Comedy and drama included in the promotion ranges from a riotously funny adaptation of The 39 Steps, to Samantha Bond in Oscar Wilde’s An Ideal Husband, terrifying thriller The Woman in Black, and classic comedy When We Are Married.

BOOK NOW

See all shows in the promotion and book now

Terms and conditions of the promotion:

Prices are per person and based on two people sharing a twin or double room in one of our chosen Central London 3* hotels. Valid for select performances and subject to availability. Once booked, the package is non transferable and cannot be exchanged or refunded. All prices include VAT and all other transaction and booking fees. Selected shows are subject to a £5 supplement. For full terms and conditions visit www.westendtheatre.com/theatre-breaks

Book tickets to Jersey Boys
More information about the show
More information about the Prince Edward Theatre

VIDEO

Jersey Boys at the Prince Edward Theatre

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soCAC9SSvcw

LINKS

Watch more videos on West End Theatre TV

A boom in theatre building in the Art Deco 1930′s has resulted in six West End theatres celebrating their 80th anniversaries in 2010.

September proves a particularly important month, with three theatres celebrating their 80th: the Cambridge Theatre on Earlham Street on 4 September; Charing Cross Road’s Phoenix Theatre on 24 September; and the Trafalgar Studios on Whitehall, formerly known as the Whitehall Theatre, on 29 September.

Already this year the Prince Edward Theatre has celebrated its 80th birthday on 3 April, and later in the year the Apollo Victoria Theatre will mark its 80th on 15 October and the Adelphi Theatre on 3 December.

London Palladium in 1912, courtesy of The Theatres Trust

Celebrations will include a charity gala for the Apollo Victoria on 10 October featuring the cast of the venue’s current show, Wicked, and past productions including Starlight Express.

Advisory Body, The Theatres Trust, commented on the anniversaries: “The West End theatres that celebrate their 80th anniversaries this year are among the UK’s best examples of art deco and moderne style venues. Each is distinctive and unique, built to appeal to a public eager for entertainment, plays, films, variety and musicals. It is a mark of their quality that they continue to do so to this day.”

2010 also marks theatrical milestones for a number of other venues, notably the 100th anniversary of the famous London Palladium on 26 December. A special Facebook page has been set up for the London Palladium’s centenary allowing theatregoers and theatre professionals to remember the historic venue. Also, on Radio 2 this autumn a two-part documentary series, The London Palladium Story, will tell the story of the theatre, narrated by Michael Grade.

Also this year the Peacock Theatre, originally called the Royalty Theatre, will celebrate its 40th birthday in June, and the former Leicester Square Theatre, now the Odeon West End cinema, will turn 80.

QUICK THEATRE FACTS

Adelphi Theatre

Opened: 3 December 1930

Designed: Ernest Schaufelberg, incorporating parts of the former Sans Pareil theatre

Location: Strand, London, WC2E 7NA Adelphi Theatre Map

First production: Ever Green by Benn W. Levy and Lorenz Hart

Current production: Love Never Dies

Apollo Victoria Theatre

Opened: 15 October 1930

Designed: E. Wamsley Lewis and W E Trent

Location: 17 Wilton Road, London, SW1V 1LL Apollo Victoria Theatre Map

First production: originally opened as a cinema (film: George Arlis in Old English)

Current production: Wicked

Cambridge Theatre

Opened: 4 September 1930

Designed: Wimperis, Simpson and Guthrie with Serge Chermayeff

Location: Earlham Street, London, WC2 9HU Cambridge Theatre Map

First production: Charlot’s Masquerade by Ronald Jeans

Current production: Chicago

London Palladium

Opened: 26 December 1910

Designed: Frank Matcham

Location: London Palladium, Argyll Street, London, W1F 7TF London Palladium Map

First production: A Variety Show and one act play called The Conspiracy.

Current production: Sister Act

Peacock Theatre

Opened: June 1960

Designed: Lewis Solomon and Kaye and Partners

Location: Portugal Street, London, WC2A 2HT Peacock Theatre Map

First production: opened as a cinema

Current productions: include La Boheme, Euridice

Phoenix Theatre

Opened: 24 September 1930

Designed: Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, Bertie Crew, and Cecil Masey, with Theodore Komisarjevsky

Location: Charing Cross Road, London, WC2H 0JP Phoenix Theatre Map

First production: Noel Coward’s Private Lives

Current production: Blood Brothers

Prince Edward

Opened: 3 April 1930

Designed: Edward A. Stone with Marc-Henri and Laverdet and Gaston Laverdet

Location: Old Compton Street, London, W1D 4HS Prince Edward Theatre Map

First production: Rio Rita by Harry Tierney

Current production: Jersey Boys

Trafalgar Studios

Opened: 29 September 1930

Designed: Edward A. Stone with Marc-Henri and Laverdet and Gaston Laverdet

Location: Whitehall, London, SW1A 2DY Trafalgar Studios Map

First production: The Way To Treat A Woman by Walter Hackett

Current productions: include Shirley Valentine, Educating Rita, State Fair

LINKS:

The Theatres Trust

Arthur Lloyd website