Dexter acts superior in Sister Act
August 24, 2010 by admin
Filed under News, News - Featured
Sally Dexter will join the cast of Sister Act next month at the London Palladium when she becomes the third actress to play Mother Superior in the hit musical.
Sally Dexter in Bad Girls
The multi-talented actress will join the cast of the show following Whoopi Goldberg’s current run in the role.
Dexter, who has appeared in numerous plays and musicals including Billy Elliot and Bad Girls, was last at the Palladium playing Nancy in Cameron Mackintosh’s 1994 production of Oliver!
The show is slated to end at the London Palladium on 30 October 2010, earlier than its original 1 January closing date. It will make way for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s big-budget new production of The Wizard of Oz. Sister Act is expected to go on to Broadway.
The part of Mother Superior was originated by Sheila Hancock in the musical, which is based on the hit movie.
Special offer: Save £24 on tickets to Sister Act at the London Palladium
The Wizard of Oz
July 29, 2010 by admin
Filed under Group Bookings, Matinee Days, New Shows, Shows, Sunday Shows, Twitter Watch West End Shows
The Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium
The show will start performances on 29 March 2011 at the London Palladium (CLICK HERE TO BOOK TICKETS). Sister Act is currently playing at the theatre.
Sign up here for news, casting and ticketing information on The Wizard Of Oz.
Lord Webber is currently searching for a lucky newcomer to star in the show, in BBC One’s Over The Rainbow. 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.
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. In 1987 the RSC produced a new stage musical version which was much closer to the film, and starred Imelda Staunton as Dorothy, who was nominated for an Olivier award for Outstanding Performance of the Year by an Actress in a Musical.
Andrew Lloyd Webber will look to add some new songs to the stage show: “The film worked fantastically but we need some new songs for the stage show”, said Lloyd Webber.
BOOK TICKETS TO THE WIZARD OF OZ AT THE LONDON PALLADIUM
Lauren Samuels in Grease TONIGHT
Over The Rainbow finalist Lauren Samuels starts run in Grease
Lauren Samuels as Sandy in Grease
Good luck to Lauren Samuels tonight, who starts her run as Sandy in Grease at the Piccadilly Theatre in London.
Lauren came third in Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s recent BBC One talent search Over The Rainbow to find a Dorothy for his new production of The Wizard of Oz – starting next year at the London Palladium.
She makes her West End debut in Grease tonight, 26 July, alongside Noel Sullivan as Danny and Siubhan Harrison as Rizzo.
A number of Lauren’s fellow Over The Rainbow Dorothys are expected to attend the show.
Grease is now in its third year in the West End and has been seen by over 1 million people. The show is now booking to September 2011.
Lauren takes over from Siobhan Dillon, who was also discovered through an Andrew Lloyd Webber TV talent searched – How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?
Other cast in the show include Matthew Goodgame, Lucas Rush, Hayley Gallivan, Benjamin Ibbott, Faye Brookes, Bennett Andrews, Robyn Mellor, Michael Vinsen, Susannah Allman, Kerry Winter, Stephanie Powell and Jason Capewell.
SPECIAL OFFER: Save £21 on tickets to Grease at the Piccadilly Theatre in London
Over the Rainbow’s Sophie Evans off to Oz
Who says that it’s all about winning?
Sophie Evans
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
Lauren Samuels to star in Grease
June 29, 2010 by admin
Filed under Casting, News, News - Featured
Over The Rainbow finalist Lauren Samuels to play Sandy in Grease
Lauren Samuels to star in Grease
A new leading lady will join the cast of long-running musical Grease at the Piccadilly Theatre from 26 July, as rising young star Lauren Samuels takes the role of Sandy.
Lauren came third in Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s recent BBC One talent search Over The Rainbow to find a Dorothy for his new production of The Wizard of Oz – starting next year at the London Palladium.
She will make her West End debut in the show alongside Noel Sullivan as Danny and Siubhan Harrison as Rizzo.
Lauren trained at the Guildford School of Acting and last year made her professional stage debut as Wendy in the Christmas production of Peter Pan at the Curve in Leicester. She said today: “I am so unbelievably excited to be joining the wonderful cast of Grease. It was one of the first musicals I was taken to see as a young child and so to be given the opportunity to recreate the iconic role of Sandy and to make my West End debut in the show, is a dream come true. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world!”
The longest ever run of a show at the Piccadilly Theatre in London, Grease is now in its third year and has been seen by over 1 million people.
Other cast in the show include Matthew Goodgame, Lucas Rush, Hayley Gallivan, Benjamin Ibbott, Faye Brookes, Bennett Andrews, Robyn Mellor, Michael Vinsen, Susannah Allman, Kerry Winter, Stephanie Powell and Jason Capewell.
SPECIAL OFFER: Save £21 on tickets to Grease at the Piccadilly Theatre in London
Wizard of Oz West End
The show will start performances on 29 March 2011 at the London Palladium (CLICK HERE TO BOOK TICKETS). Sister Act is currently playing at the theatre.
Sign up here for further news, casting and ticketing information on The Wizard Of Oz.
Lord Webber has been searching for a lucky newcomer to star in the show in BBC One’s Over The Rainbow, and the winner has now been announced as DANIELLE HOPE, 18 years old from Greater Manchester. She will pop on the ruby slippers and star as Dorothy at the London Palladium for a magical new production of 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. In 1987 the RSC produced a new stage musical version which was much closer to the film, and starred Imelda Staunton as Dorothy, who was nominated for an Olivier award for Outstanding Performance of the Year by an Actress in a Musical.
Andrew Lloyd Webber will look to add some new songs to the stage show: “The film worked fantastically but we need some new songs for the stage show”, said Lloyd Webber.
BOOK TICKETS TO THE WIZARD OF OZ AT THE LONDON PALLADIUM
FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE WIZARD OF OZ:
Advice on staging productions of The Wizard of Oz
About the first (1902) stage play of The Wizard of Oz
History of stage productions of The Wizard of Oz
Wizard of Oz – Stage adaptations
The screenplay of the classic MGM film
Website celebrating The Wizard of Oz – including a FAQs section
Over The Rainbow – Tickets
The show will start performances on 29 March 2011 at the London Palladium (CLICK HERE TO BOOK TICKETS). Sister Act is currently playing at the theatre.
Sign up here for further news, casting and ticketing information on The Wizard Of Oz.
Lord Webber has been searching for a lucky newcomer to star in the show in BBC One’s Over The Rainbow, and the winner has now been announced as DANIELLE HOPE, 18 years old from Greater Manchester. She will pop on the ruby slippers and star as Dorothy at the London Palladium for a magical new production of 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. In 1987 the RSC produced a new stage musical version which was much closer to the film, and starred Imelda Staunton as Dorothy, who was nominated for an Olivier award for Outstanding Performance of the Year by an Actress in a Musical.
Andrew Lloyd Webber will look to add some new songs to the stage show: “The film worked fantastically but we need some new songs for the stage show”, said Lloyd Webber.
BOOK TICKETS TO THE WIZARD OF OZ AT THE LONDON PALLADIUM
FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE WIZARD OF OZ:
Advice on staging productions of The Wizard of Oz
About the first (1902) stage play of The Wizard of Oz
History of stage productions of The Wizard of Oz
Wizard of Oz – Stage adaptations
The screenplay of the classic MGM film
Website celebrating The Wizard of Oz – including a FAQs section
Danielle Hope wins role of Dorothy
May 23, 2010 by admin
Filed under Casting, News, News - Featured
Newcomer Danielle Hope has won Over The Rainbow to star as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz
Danielle Hope, winner of Over The Rainbow
An 18-year-old student from Greater Manchester has won the BBC One talent show Over The Rainbow, winning the star role of Dorothy in Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s multi-million pound production of The Wizard of Oz.
In a closely fought final show, Danielle won the right to wear Dorothy’s ruby slippers against 17-year-old Sophie Evans from south Wales.
The new production of the classic musical will be staged in March 2011 at the London Palladium.
Last night’s final also saw the part of Dorothy’s dog Toto cast for the West End show, with Mini Schnauzer “Dangerous Dave” winning the part.
Danielle said last night: “All I can say is thank you, it feels like not enough but I am just so grateful.”
Andrew Lloyd Webber, judge on the show and producer of the West End musical, said that, “you’re the most fantastic, talented kid with a huge future ahead. Now the hard work starts”.
Danielle is a a full-time student in Knutsford, and recently quit her part time job as a waitress to focus on her studies and her dream of becoming a renowned entertainer and Broadway performer.
Her big passion is drama, but she has danced in front of large audiences at local dance festivals, including BBC African Dance Project at Bridgewater Hall, and the Dance House Annual Cheshire Platform. Danielle takes dance classes at least six times a week to hone her skills.
Book tickets to The Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium
DANIELLE HOPE in The Wizard of Oz
May 17, 2010 by admin
Filed under Cast, Female Stars, New stars on the rise, Star Watch
Danielle Hope, star of The Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium
The final of Over The Rainbow saw Danielle Hope become the winning Dorothy to star in Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s multi-million pound new production of classic musical The Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium.
17 year old Danielle from Greater Manchester is a full-time student in Knutsford, and recently quit her part time job as a waitress to focus on her studies and her dream of becoming a renowned entertainer and Broadway performer.
Danielle’s family are very large and spread out, but are very supportive of her. They try to remain realistic about her career choices as she gets into the notoriously difficult show-business industry, but they’re always there to cheer her on – especially her Nanna.
Her big passion is drama, but she has danced in front of large audiences at local dance festivals, including BBC African Dance Project at Bridgewater Hall, and the Dance House Annual Cheshire Platform. Danielle takes dance classes at least six times a week to hone her skills.
Book tickets to The Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium
Final set for Over The Rainbow
May 17, 2010 by admin
Filed under News, News - Featured
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
