VIDEO: We Will Rock You at the Dominion Theatre
November 2, 2010
London’s long-running rock musical featuring the songs of legendary band Queen and a book by Ben Elton.
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We Will Rock You at the Dominion Theatre
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ITV’s This Morning – Musicals week
August 25, 2010
Whilst we desperately try to avoid turning on the TV before cocktail hour, sometimes the search for art and beauty (and a good show tune) prevails.
All this week, ITV’s This Morning has been celebrating the West End Musical, with Monday’s show featuring the cast of Mamma Mia! and Tuesday shaking things up with Sister Act.
Today, at 11am, Noel Sullivan, Lauren Samuels and the cast of Grease sang Summer Nights on the show.
And coming up next is the cast of Dirty Dancing tomorrow, Thursday 26 August, and the cast of We Will Rock You on Friday.
THE MICHAEL BALL SHOW
ITV’s The Michael Ball Show, on ITV1 weekdays from 3pm, will feature Cameron Mackintosh today. The theatre impresario will discuss celebrations for the 25th anniversary of Les Miserables, and will be joined by Gareth Gates who is playing Marius in the touring production – soon to come to the Barbican in London.
Lauren Samuels on This Morning
Grease's Noel Sullivan and Lauren Samuels interviewed on This Morning
Casting: Corrie’s Curly hits WWRY
August 16, 2010
Kevin Kennedy, aka Curly Watts from Coronation Street, is to join the cast of We Will Rock You at the Dominion Theatre.
The Queen & Ben Elton rock musical We Will Rock You will see a new cast member join this autumn as TV’s Kevin Kennedy, better known as Curly Watts from ITV soap Coronation Street, will star as Pop from 6 September 2010.
Kennedy has previously toured in the role and his previous stage credits include Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Chicago and The Rocky Horror Show.
Brenda Edwards as Killer Queen
Other new cast in the show include former X-Factor star Brenda Edwards as Killer Queen. Edwards played the role in the recent UK tour and replaces Mazz Murray, who is on maternity leave. Also Ricardo Afonso is returning to the show in the lead role of Galileo, Sarah French plays Scaramouche and Rachel John (Sister Act, The Lion King) will star as Meat from 1 November.
Cast remaining with the show include Alex Bourne as Khashoggi and Ian Carlyle as Britney.
We Will Rock You opened at the Dominion Theatre in May 2002 and has played over 3000 performances, making it the longest-running show at the venue.
SPECIAL OFFER: Save £22.50 on tickets to We Will Rock You at the Dominion Theatre
WE WILL ROCK YOU CAST NOTES
Galileo – Ricardo Afonso
Ricardo returns to the role of Galileo having spent a year away in which he undertook a series of concert and show dates including A Night of a Thousand voices at the Royal Albert Hall, the Queen concerts with the English National Orchestra and as principal singer in Abba Tribute in Portugal. He has also contributed to many well-loved feature films and animations including singing numbers as Robin Hood in Shrek and main title songs for Beauty and the Beast and Duck Tales.
Scaramouche – Sarah French
Having covered the role of Scaramouche at the Dominion before gaining the role in the touring production, Sarah now fully takes on the role in the London production. Sarah has previously been seen in the Olivier Award winning production Sunday in the Park With George, and in the UK touring production of The Rocky Horror Show.
Other theatre work includes the Sondheim 75th Birthday Gala at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. She is also recognized for her TV work including the regular role of Alison Peters in EastEnders and Samantha and Julie in Little Britain.
Pop – Kevin Kennedy
One of TV’s best known and best loved character actors steps into the well-worn sandals of Pop, the hippy librarian who knows the secrets of the “texts” and leads Galileo on a journey of discovery to the Place of Living Rock where the Champions once played. Although most widely recognized for his 20-year long role of Curly Watts, Kevin has all the right credentials to play someone who knows about the history of rock music. Outside of acting, Kevin has himself enjoyed a successful career as a musician: he was bass player in the band Paris Valentinos which also featured Johnny Marr and Andy Rourke who later played in The Smiths, and later formed his own band, Band of Thieves. Then signed by Simon Cowell under his own name, he had a gold selling album, Present Kennedy and today he is an artist signed to Warner Records. Kevin played Pop throughout We Will Rock You’s 2009 UK tour. He has also appeared in the West End as Amos in Chicago the Musical and as both Caractacus Potts and the Child Catcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Killer Queen – Brenda Edwards
Former X Factor finalist Brenda Edwards immediately went from her TV fame into
becoming a much sought after West End actress and TV regular. She was snapped up to play Mama Morton in Chicago the Musical and then created the role of Pearl Pastor in Carmen Jones at the Royal Festival Hall. She wowed audiences around the UK in the touring production of We Will Rock You playing over 300 performances as Killer Queen, a treat she now brings to West End audiences.
Khashoggi – Alex Bourne
Alex is one of We Will Rock You’s longest running cast members having first taken the role of Khashoggi in 2005. Alex’s earlier roles in music theatre have seen him take on some of rock and pop’s greatest performers: he has played Buddy Holly in
Buddy – the Buddy Holly Story, John Lennon, Bruce Springsteen and Bobby Vee in Only the Lonely and Dean Martin in The Rat Pack. Other shows include Grease and The Rocky Horror Show.
Meat – Rachel John
One of the show’s most physically challenging roles, the freedom fighter Meat, falls on Rachel John to play. It is a role that Rachel covered for We Will Rock You’s UK tour playing the role for over 65 performances. Her handling of the role has taken her into the part full-time in the London cast. Previous roles Rachel has covered have included Deloris in Sister Act and Shenzi and Rafiki in The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre.
Britney (‘Brit’) – Ian Carlyle
Continuing in the role of Britney, the hot-headed rebel who gives his all for the love of his ‘baby’, Ian made his West End debut in The Lion King followed by a run in Trevor Nunn’s critically acclaimed production of Porgy and Bess. His other highly noted work includes the UK tour of Miss Saigon and a run of Carmen Jones at the royal Festival Hall.
We Will Rock You tickets at the Dominion Theatre
August 1, 2010
Winner of the Audience Award at the 2011 Olivier Awards, London’s long-running rock musical features the songs of legendary band Queen, with a book by Ben Elton. Now starring Over The Rainbow finalist Lauren Samuels.
Videos: West End Live 2010
June 21, 2010
The weekend of 19 and 20 June 2010 saw the sixth annual West End Live event in Leicester Square, London. Showcasing the best of West End theatre, casts of most major shows performed for a crowd of over 250,000 people.
The Lion King interview at West End Live 2010
Thriller Live interview at West End Live 2010
Wicked interview at West End Live 2010
Jersey Boys Ryan Molloy interview West End Live 2010
Tap Dogs Adam Garcia interview West End Live 2010
Chicago interview West End Live 2010
Mamma Mia interview West End Live 2010
Love Never Dies interview West End Live 2010
Big crowds for West End Live 2010
June 21, 2010
Over 250,000 people gather in Leicester Square for free West End theatre event.
View VIDEOS of West End Live 2010
West End Live, a free event held in the West End this weekend, showcased the best of London theatre and attracted over a quarter of a million people.
Now in its sixth year and the largest free theatre festival in the world, the event featured the casts of some of London’s biggest shows including Thriller Live, Disney’s The Lion King, Legally Blonde, All The Fun Of The Fair, Tap Dogs, We Will Rock You, Billy Elliot, Wicked, Hair, Chicago, Love Never Dies, Avenue Q, Priscilla Queen Of The Desert, Burn the Floor, Grease, Mamma Mia!, Stomp, Dirty Dancing and Jersey Boys.
An array of West End stars performed at the event including Ramin Karimloo (Love Never Dies), Sheridan Smith (Legally Blonde), Patina Miller (Sister Act), Daniel Boys (Wolfboy) and Ryan Molloy (Jersey Boys).
Councillor Robert Davis of Westminster City Council, who organised the event, said: “Without doubt, this has been our biggest and best West End LIVE. We’ve seen spectacular performances from some of the nation’s favourite shows.”
Nica Burns, President of the Society of London Theatre said: “London has the best theatre in the world and West End LIVE is a fantastic opportunity for people to sample some of the West End’s most popular shows for free.” The success of the past weekend suggests that a quarter of a million satisfied theatre fans agree.
View VIDEOS of West End Live 2010
Brenda Edwards to join Queen musical
June 17, 2010
West End star Brenda Edwards is to join hit musical We Will Rock You for a limited season.
Brenda Edwards in We Will Rock You
Brenda Edwards will star as Killer Queen in the show, from Monday 21 June at the Dominion Theatre in London. The former X-Factor finalist will join the cast for a limited ten week season before she embarks on a UK and international tour.
Show co-creator Brian May said: “Brenda is irrepressible, scary, funny, and a killer singer. The lot! She delighted audiences on the WWRY tour of Britain last year. I have no doubt that she will Rock the Dominion.”
Other cast in the long-running show include Garry Lake, Alex Bourne, Peter Murphy, Sabrina Aloueche, Ian Carlyle and Louise Bowden. Brenda Edwards’ previous roles include Mama Morton in Chicago The Musical and Pearl Pastor in Carmen Jones at the Royal Festival Hall.
The musical, which features the songs of Queen and a book and lyrics by Ben Elton, is in its ninth year at the Dominion Theatre and has been seen by more than four million people.
SPECIAL OFFER: Save £22.50 on tickets to see We Will Rock You at the Dominion Theatre in London
West End Live this weekend
June 17, 2010
A free event will be held in London this weekend, showcasing the best of West End theatre.
West End Live will feature the casts of some of London’s biggest shows, performing at a free event this weekend in Leicester Square. On Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 June 2010, hundreds of West End performers will gather to showcase the best of London theatre. Careful juggling by the organisers has enabled the casts of over 25 shows to appear live on a stage in Leicester Square in between performing their matinee and evening performances.
Download and print the West End Live timetable of events.
The line-up for the celebration has now been confirmed, with Brazil! Brazil! launching the weekend at 11am on Saturday.
Shows which have agreed to participate in the family event include Thriller Live, Disney’s The Lion King, Legally Blonde, All The Fun Of The Fair, Tap Dogs, We Will Rock You, Billy Elliot, Wicked, Hair, Chicago, Love Never Dies, Avenue Q, Priscilla Queen Of The Desert, Burn the Floor, Grease, Mamma Mia!, Stomp, Dirty Dancing and Jersey Boys.
West End stars will be out in force to entertain audiences at the event, including Daniel Boys (Wolfboy), who will be hosting proceedings from 12 noon to 6pm on Sunday 20 June, Sheridan Smith (Legally Blonde), Kerry Ellis (Oliver!), Patina Miller (Sister Act) and Hannah Waddingham (Into The Woods).
Saturday’s full line up* is as follows: 11.00am Brazil! Brazil!; 11.15am Dirty Dancing; 11.25am Burn the Floor; 11.35am Wicked; 11.45am We Will Rock You; 12.05pm Billy Elliot; 12.15pm Love Never Dies; 12.30pm Chicago; 12.45pm HAIR; 13.05pm Jersey Boys; 13.25pm Sweet Charity; 13.35pm Grease; 13.50pm Mamma Mia!; 14.00pm Sister Act; 14.10pm Thriller Live; 14.30pm Julie Atherton; 14.40pm Avenue Q; 15.00pm Into the Woods; 15.20pm Fireman Sam; 15.30pm Sylvia Young Theatre School; 15.50pm Burn the Floor; 16:00pm The Big Dance; 16:20pm London Gay Men’s Chorus; 16:35pm Burn The Floor; 16.45pm The Gleeks; 17.10pm Royal Albert Hall; 17.35pm All the Fun of the Fair; 17.45pm STOMP.
On Sunday* there’s more theatrical thrills and spills with: 12.00pm Tap Dogs; 12.15pm Stomp; 12.30pm Thriller Live; 12.55pm Jersey Boys; 13.10pm Priscilla Queen of the Deasert; 13.25pm Legally Blonde; 13.35pm Disney’s The Lion King; 13.50pm Mamma Mia!; 14.00pm West End Kids; 14.15pm Daniel Boys; 14.30pm National Youth Music Theatre; 14.45pm Into the Woods; 15.10pm Mark Jermin Stage School; 15.30pm Fireman Sam; 15.45pm Jack Day; 16.00pm T Mobile Big Dance; 16.20pm West End Gospel Choir; 16.40pm Burn the Floor; 16.50pm SOLT competition; 17.00pm 1916 the Musical; 17.15pm Burn the Floor; 17.25pm Dover Street.
* Timetable and acts subject to change – check West End Live site for details.
To get the party started early, the cast of Wicked will also be performing on Friday 18 June 2010 at Cardinal Place, Victoria between 12.30 and 1pm for a pre West End LIVE performance.
The weekend event will feature exhibits and activities including the London Film Museum, Science Museum, V&A Museum, Little Angel Puppet theatre and Forbidden Planet.
Over a quarter of a million people attended last year’s event in Leicester Square. Running in a variety of formats for a number of years, including the Society of London Theatre’s Fair in the Square events in the 1990s, this year’s two-day event is organised by Westminster City Council.
Saturday 19 June, 11am-6pm and Sunday 20 June, 12noon to 6pm in Leicester Square.
Download and print the West End Live timetable of events.
LINKS: West End Live website
OLIVIER AWARDS – Audience Award Winners
June 2, 2010
OLIVIER AWARDS – Audience Award Winners
Audience Award for Most Popular Show
2012
Winner of the 2012 Olivier Audience Award, Les Miserables is the world’s longest-running musical and continues to go from strength to strength for producer Cameron Mackintosh in Trevor Nunn and John Caird’s blockbuster production.
Queen’s Theatre. BOOK TICKETS
2011
Winner of the Audience Award at the 2011 Olivier Awards, London’s long-running rock musical features the songs of legendary band Queen, with a book by Ben Elton. Now starring Over The Rainbow finalist Lauren Samuels.
Dominion Theatre. BOOK TICKETS
2010
Experience the unforgettable, award-winning musical WICKED and discover that you’ve not been told the whole story about the land of Oz…
Apollo Victoria Theatre. BOOK TICKETS
2002
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera continues to delight millions of people around the world – including the original production at Her Majesty’s Theatre in London. Stars John Owen-Jones.
Her Majesty’s Theatre. BOOK TICKETS
We Will Rock You celebrates 8th Birthday
May 14, 2010
Congratulations to We Will Rock You, which celebrates its 8th birthday today, 14 May 2010.
Already London’s long-running rock musical, We Will Rock You celebrated its birthday on Monday night with a charity gala performance attended by the show’s co-creators – and Queen band members – Brian May and Roger Taylor, who joined the company on stage for the finale.
The producers recently announced that the show has extended its booking period to April 2010 – setting it on course to reach its 10th year.
Using the music of rock legends Queen, and with a book by best-selling author Ben Elton, the show takes place in a futuristic world, Planet Mall, where rock music is banned. Globalisation is complete; everywhere the kids watch the same movies, wear the same fashions and think the same thoughts. Individuality is unthinkable… unless you are a rebel, a Bohemian, who lives in the underbelly and resists the sterile world above. The Bohemians believe instruments still exist somewhere on Planet Mall, they just need a hero to find them. Is Galileo that man?
The show features many of Queen’s greatest hits including Killer Queen, Bohemian Rhapsody, Radio GaGa and the title track.
SPECIAL OFFER: Save £22.50 on tickets to We Will Rock You at the Dominion Theatre in London
