I Can’t Sing! The X Factor Musical

I Can't Sing! The X Factor Musical is to close early at the London Palladium. [caption id="" align="alignright" width="240"] I Can't Sing! at the London Palladium[/caption] Harry Hill's musical spoof of TV talent show The X Factor is to close at the London Palladium. The cast were told on Saturday that the show would close in two weeks time, on 10 May 2014. I Can't Sing! is produced by Stage Entertainment UK, the British arm of the worldwide musical production group responsible for shows including the forthcoming musical Made in Dagenham at the Adelphi Theatre, Sister Act and Singin' in the Rain. In a heartfelt statement from Stage Entertainment UK's chief executive Rebecca Quigley, she said: "We are sad to be bringing I Can't Sing! to a close but are immensely proud to have co-produced the show. The West End can be an unpredictable place as the closure of a number of high profile productions recently has shown. I Can't Sing! has had audiences on their feet night after night, four and five-star reviews from the critics and an amazing company and creative team, but it seems that isn't always enough. To open any big musical, and particularly a brand new British musical comedy at the London Palladium, is no mean feat and hundreds of dedicated people have played a part in bringing this unique and wonderful show to the stage. I thank every one of those people and the audiences who have come to see the production." The comedy musical which parodied The X Factor TV show, is written by Harry Hill with music and additional lyrics by Steve Brown. The show is directed by Sean Foley, choreographed by Kate Prince and designed by Es Devlin. The show went into previews on 5 March 2014 at the London Palladium, and officially opened on 26 March. Reviews were mixed for the show with Charles Spencer in the Telegraph enjoying it as "wildly eccentric and often wonderfully funny", but Michael Billington in the Guardian less sure, saying that it was "uneasily pitched between send-up and celebration". The show stars Nigel Harman as Simon Cowell, alongside Ashley Knight as Louis, Victoria Elliot as Jordy, Cynthia Erivo as Chenice and Alan Morrissey as Max. I Can't Sing! follows another short-lived attempt to set a musical against a TV talent show setting - Viva Forever!, based on the music of the Spice Girls, which had a longer run in the West End at  seven months, but was largely considered a box office and critical failure. Simon Cowell's Syco Entertainment company, who was also a co-producer of the show, said in a statement that: "Alongside Stage Entertainment we'd like to thank the cast and crew who have worked so hard on this show. To everyone at Really Useful Theatres and the ever-supportive staff at the London Palladium, and everyone involved in I Can't Sing!, I'd like to say a huge thanks and the very best of luck with their next venture." Anyone who has purchased tickets for the show for performances after 10 May 2014 should contact their original point of purchase. BOOK SPECIAL OFFER - SAVE 50% ON TICKETS: Book tickets to I Can't Sing! The X Factor Musical at the London Palladium

A round-up of reviews for I Can't Sing! The X Factor Musical at the London Palladium [caption id="" align="alignright" width="240"] I Can't Sing! The X Factor Musical at the London Palladium[/caption] The reviews are in for Harry Hill's musical comedy I Can't Sing! The X Factor Musical - a bonkers night at the theatre! And the general consensus is that it went down well with London's theatre critics, giving the show an X Factor thumbs-up! The Mirror's Rod McPhee was particularly thrilled by the show, giving it Five Stars. There is much sending up of Simon Cowell in the show, with the Mail commenting that the character played by Nigel Harman was "much like the real thing: vain and viperous to the power of camp". The show's zany - often downright surreal humour - from Harry Hill was often praised by the critics. The Times gave the show Four Stars, with Dominic Maxwell saying that the show "boasts some glorious gags and several delectably silly set pieces", although it lacked the satirical edge of shows such as The Book of Mormon to sustain it through some of the script's bum notes, but that "the irreverence grows infectious". Charles Spencer in the Telegraph called the show "wildly eccentric and often wonderfully funny" and that it had a "warmth about it... a big popular hit blessed with real heart and great theatrical panache". Michael Billington in the Guardian was one of the critics who wasn't entirely sure about the show, saying that its closeness to Cowell meant it lacked a killer blow: "I fail to see the point of a show that doesn't know whether it wants to excoriate The X Factor or boost its TV ratings". But overall the show has been a hit with critics. Penned by Harry Hill, with music and lyrics by Steve Brown, I CAN’T SING! The X Factor Musical is directed by Sean Foley, choreographed by Kate Prince and designed by Es Devlin. The show stars Cynthia Erivo, Alan Morrissey, Nigel Harman, Ashley Knight and Victoria Elliot. BOOK Book tickets to I Can't Sing! The X Factor Musical at the London Palladium SPECIAL OFFER: Dinner and Theatre deals now available for I Can't Sing! The X Factor Musical http://storify.com/westendtheatre/i-can-t-sing-the-x-factor-musical-reviews-mash-up

Production photos of I Can't Sing! The X Factor Musical at the London Palladium I Can't Sing! - The X Factor Musical opens this week at the London Palladium. Written by Harry Hill, with music and lyrics by Steve Brown, the show is directed by Sean Foley (The Ladykillers), choreographed by Zoonation’s Kate Prince (Some Like It Hip Hop) and designed by Es Devlin. I CAN’T SING! The X Factor Musical is a musical comedy that takes a look at the antics in front and behind the camera on The X Factor. The show stars Cynthia Erivo (The Color Purple, Sister Act) and Alan Morrissey as two lovestruck hopefuls on the X Factor. Nigel Harman leads the judging panel as Simon Cowell, alongside Ashley Knight as the ever-positive boyband manager Louis and Victoria Elliot as pop queen Jordy. [ngg src="galleries" ids="264" display="basic_imagebrowser"]Photos by Roy Tan

 I Can't Sing! The X Factor Musical at the London Palladium opens this week at the London Palladium I Can't Sing! - the musical parody of The X Factor is in full swing at the London Palladium - opening this Wednesday, 26 March 2014. The Preview period has been well used to iron out a few technical problems with the show, mainly Es Devlin's set resulting in a few cancelled performances and long intervals. Musicals that don't take themselves too seriously are definitely in vogue, from The Book of Mormon to current hit Urinetown, so I Can't Sing! should be well placed to tap into some of this. And there's no one better than Harry Hill- who has written the show with Steve Brown - to extend his TV Burp duties and parody one of the biggest shows on TV. To sure up the show's chances a classy cast has been assembled including Olivier Award winner Nigel Harman as Simon (Cowell!), and extraordinarily talented Cynthia Erivo (The Color Purple, Sister Act) as the wanna-be X Factor star. Add in a top creative team including direction by Sean Foley (The Ladykillers) and choreography by Zoonation’s Kate Prince (Some Like It Hip Hop), and you have a show that stands as good a chance as any to be a hit. BOOK Book tickets to I Can't Sing! The X Factor Musical at the London Palladium

Cast photos for I Can't Sing! The X Factor Musical at the London Palladium Early photos have been released of the main cast of new musical I Can't Sing! The X Factor Musical. The pictures feature Nigel Harman as Simon Cowell, Ashley Knight as Louis Walsh and Victoria Elliot, who plays a character modeled on Cheryl Cole called Jordy. The cast look dead ringers for the real-life X Factor judges, in the new musical penned by TV funnyman Harry Hill and Spend, Spend, Spend composer Steve Brown. The photos also include a sneak behind-the-scenes of the two young leads of the show, Alan Morrissey who plays Max and Cynthia Erivo who plays Chenice, in the recording studio laying down tracks for the cast album. The show kicks off at the London Palladium on 27 February 2014.   PHOTOS [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="590"] I Can't Sing! The X Factor Musical - cast[/caption]   [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="590"] I Can't Sing! The X Factor Musical - cast[/caption]   [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="557"] I Can't Sing! The X Factor Musical - cast[/caption] [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="590"] BEHIND-THE-SCENES: 'Max' (Alan Morrissey) and 'Chenice' (Cynthia Erivo) recording "I Can't Sing" for the cast recording[/caption]  

FIRST LOOK: A brand new poster has been released for forthcoming musical I Can't Sing! The X Factor Musical at the London Palladium. Written by TV funnyman Harry Hill, this big, hilarious new show opens at the London Palladium in March and goes behind-the-scenes of The X Factor TV show. With music and lyrics by Spend, Spend, Spend’s Steve Brown and Simon Cowell on board as a producer, this show looks set to storm the West End. The cast includes Nigel Harman (Olivier Award winner – Shrek The Musical) as a fictional version of Simon Cowell, and talented stars-in-the-making Cynthia Erivo (The Color Purple, Sister Act) and Alan Morrissey as two lovestruck hopefuls on the X Factor. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="590"] New poster for I Can't Sing! The X Factor Musical[/caption]  

This year's Royal Variety Performance at the London Palladium saw the West End's Dame Edna make a surprise appearance, and the casts of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Harry Hill’s I Can’t Sing! - The X Factor Musical and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Stephen Ward perform. The annual Royal Variety Performance in aid of the Entertainment Artistes’ Benevolent Fund was held this Monday 25 November 2013 at the London Palladium attended by Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Nigel Harman as Simon Cowell in a performance from I Can't Sing! The X Factor Musical. Photo copyright: ITV[/caption] Hosted by comedian and actor John Bishop, the show saw Dame Edna, who is currently performing at the Palladium in Eat, Pray, Laugh! Barry Humphries' Farewell Tour, surprised the Royal guests by appearing in the Royal Box at the start of the show. She also did an onstage set. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Dame Edna surprises Prince Charles and Camilla in the Royal Box. Photo copyright: ITV[/caption] West End theatre casts that performed during the night included new musical I Can’t Sing! The X-Factor Musical, which opens at the London Palladium on 27 February 2014. Harry Hill, the show's writer, introduced a musical segment from the show, with Nigel Harman as Simon Cowell being lowered God-like down on to the stage, and the show's star Cynthia Erivo, who plays Chenice, proving that she can definitely sing! The Royal Variety Performance also included a number from Andrew Lloyd Webber's new show at the Aldwych Theatre, Stephen Ward, featuring Alexander Hanson and Charlotte Spencer. The segment was introduced by Andrew Lloyd Webber. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Andrew Lloyd Webber introduces a number from his new musical Stephen Ward[/caption] [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Alexander Hanson and Charlotte Spencer in a number from Andrew Lloyd Webber's new show at the Aldwych Theatre, Stephen Ward[/caption] Also the cast of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, including Douglas Hodge as Willy Wonka, did a set from the show that is currently running at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="590"] Andrew Lloyd Webber talking to Prince Charles and introducing his leading cast members[/caption] Other artists who performed on the show included Strictly Come Dancing champion Flavia Cacace and the cast of Dance ‘Til Dawn, Britain’s Got Talent winners Attraction, Mary J. Blige, Gary Barlow, Jessie J, Rizzle Kicks, Olly Murs, Robbie Williams, John Newman, Caro Emerald, Chas & Dave, Bryn Terfel, Gareth Malone with his new choir Voices and Torvill & Dean. Comedy came from Jason Byrne, Hal Cruttenden, Jimmy Carr  and Seann Walsh. The event will be screened on ITV1 at 7.30pm on Monday 9 December 2013. LINKS Book tickets to Barry Humphries' Farewell Tour at the London Palladium Book tickets to Stephen Ward at the Aldwych Theatre Book tickets to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane Book tickets to I Can't Sing! The X-Factor Musical at the London Palladium VIDEO Watch a sneak preview of the Royal Variety Performance including Dame Edna httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StAJCu19C88

The new musical based on the X Factor, I Can't Sing! will feature Nigel Harman in the show. [caption id="" align="alignright" width="240"] Nigel Harman to star as Simon Cowell in I Can't Sing! The X Factor Musical[/caption] Nigel Harman has been cast to play a fictional version of Simon Cowell in new West End show I Can't Sing! The X Factor Musical, which previews at the London Palladium from 27 February 2014 and opens on 26 March 2014. Cowell told Baz in the Daily Mail today that: "The hardest thing was: how do you find someone who’s good-looking, talented and can look like me?... And then we found Nigel!" Nigel Harman's most recent West End run was as Lord Farquaad in Shrek The Musical at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, for which he won an Olivier Award. Other West End credits for Harman include A Chorus of Disapproval, Guys and Dolls, Mamma Mia! and Tommy. He is most famous to UK audiences for his role in EastEnders, and he is slated to appear in Downton Abbey's new series. The show's star roles go to rising young stars Cynthia Erivo and Alan Morrissey, who will play Chenice and Max, two lovestruck hopefuls on the talent show. the young singer who is at the heart of the show. Cynthia Erivo is currently featuring in The Color Purple at the Menier Chocolate Factory and has appeared in the UK tour of Sister Act. Alan Morrissey has worked at the RSC, Shakespeare's Globe and Bristol Old Vic, with TV credits including playing Nurse Nicky Van Barr in Holby City. The show is getting good word-of-mouth based on the strong creative team that has been pulled together, including music and lyrics by award-winning composer Steve Brown, book and lyrics by TV's Harry Hill, choregoraphy by Zoonation's Kate Prince, Take That and Pet Shop Boys designer Es Devlin and direction by Sean Foley (The Ladykillers). [caption id="" align="alignright" width="140"] Cynthia Erivo takes the lead role in the show[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignright" width="140"] Alan Morrissey to play Max in I Can't Sing![/caption] LINKS Book tickets to I Can't Sing! The X Factor Musical at the London Palladium