Rachel Tucker to join Louise Dearman for Side Show concert performance
Louise Dearman will reprise her performance as Daisy Hilton in a one-night-only concert performance of Broadway musical Side Show at the London Palladium early next year.
Dearman (Guys and Dolls, Piccadilly Theatre/UK tour, Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat, UK tour), the first actress to star as both Glinda and Elphaba in the hit musical Wicked, will return to the role she previously played in the UK premiere production at the Southwark Playhouse in 2016. Dearman will star alongside another Wicked alumni Rachel Tucker (Come From Away, West End/Broadway, We Will Rock You, Dominion Theatre) as Daisy’s conjoined twin Violet. The actress who starred as Elphaba in the West End and on Broadway is currently playing Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard at the Savoy Theatre on Monday nights.
Presented by Lambert Jackson and Positive Sum, the concert performance on 3 March 2024 will be directed by Emma Butler with Adam Hoskins as musical director.
Dearman and Tucker will be joined by Bradley Jaden (Old Friends, Gielgud Theatre, Les Misérables, Sondheim Theatre) as Terry and Tosh Wanogho-Maud (Ain’t Too Proud, Prince Edward Theatre, Dreamgirls, Savoy Theatre) as Buddy. Further casting will be announced at a later date.
Inspired by the true story of the 1920s Vaudeville stars, the Hilton conjoined twins, Side Show features a score by Dreamgirls composer Henry Kreiger and a book and lyrics by Bill Russell. The show was nominated for four Tony awards when it first opened in New York in 1997. The production features additional book material by screenwriter and director Bill Condon who reworked the show for its 2014 Broadway revival.
London debut for new inspirational musical GOLDA
GOLDA, a new musical inspired by the moving story of a Ukrainian artist and refugee who found sanctuary in the UK will receive its world premiere in London later this month.
A collaboration between Golda Amirova, a Ukrainian singer and composer of Jewish descent, director Pavlo Bondarenko, an internationally recognised Ukrainian choreographer, and Alexandrina Markvo, the creative producer and director of the London-based music, art and theatre production company Bird&Carrot Productions, the immersive musical will debut at the Tabernacle Theatre in Notting Hill on 28 and 29 November. The production will embark on a tour in January 2024.
Blending Ukrainian, English, Hebrew, Russian and Yiddish music, the production will feature Amirova accompanied by five virtuoso musicians; Yevhenii Kostyts, Sam Leak, Kourosh Kanani, Matyas Hofecker, Tobie Medland and four contemporary dancers; Kateryna Nazaruk, Julia Boguslavets, Eryck Brahmania and Oliver Chapman.
Announcing the production, Amirova said: “The story we convey is not only my personal one. Over the past two years, it has become a shared experience for hundreds of thousands of individuals who were abruptly compelled to drastically transform their lives – leaving their homelands to escape the ravages of war, resulting in the loss of everything they held dear. It requires immense resilience to embark on a fresh start, to maintain faith in a brighter future, and to stand firm against devastation and loss. I am hoping that our show can help people discover that resilience within themselves.”
Describing the project Bird&Carrot’s Markvo said: “What captivated me first and foremost was Golda’s talent, and her personal story touched me deeply. Before the war, she had a successful career in her homeland, Ukraine. But I am confident that she has everything it takes to become an international star, and it is an honour for me to introduce her to the London audience.
“Golda comes from Odessa, an amazingly multicultural city with a pronounced Jewish heritage. Working on this show has given me the opportunity to pay tribute to my own Ukrainian and Jewish roots. We managed to assemble a unique international team of talented individuals from different countries, united by their aversion to war. Together, they have created a performance that reflects the pain and hope of the times we are all experiencing now.”
The creative team includes dramaturge Anna Rulevskaya and production designer Nina Kobiashvili. Golda’s spectacular dress has been designed by the renowned fashion designer, David Koma.
Kerry Ellis – Queen of the West End tour
Musical theatre favourite Kerry Ellis will hit the road for a new UK tour next autumn. Presented by Away With Media, the Kerry Ellis – Queen of the West End tour will run from 25 September until 24 November 2024. The tour will open at Thornden Hall in Eastleigh, with final date due to be played at the Floral Pavilion in New Brighton.
An award winner for her performance as the first British Elphaba in Wicked and the originator of the role of Meat in We Will Rock, Ellis has starred in some of the West End’s biggest hits including Miss Saigon, My Fair Lady, Les Misérables and Anything Goes.
Ellis commented: “I am really looking forward to this tour – I can’t wait to share my stories, as well as perform some West End favourites. It will be an opportunity to really get to know my fans – and for them to get to know me – in an intimate setting.”
With over 20 years in West End theatre to her credit, Ellis has also recorded four studio albums and toured the world as a solo artist and with her close friend, Queen’s Brian May.
Jake Shears and Rebecca Lucy Taylor to remain in Cabaret roles into 2024
Music stars Jake Shears and Rebecca Lucy Taylor aka Self Esteem will remain in their starring roles in the multi award-winning Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club until 27 January 2024.
The pair who joined the hit show in late September to play The Emcee and Sally Bowles respectively will continue to star alongside Nathan Ives-Moiba as Clifford Bradshaw, Beverley Klein as Fraulein Schneider, Teddy Kempner as Herr Schultz, Jessica Kirton as Fraulein Kost/Fritzie and Wilf Scolding as Ernst Ludwig. Nic Myers plays alternate Sally Bowles (currently scheduled to perform once a week).
The cast is completed by Liv Alexander as Texas, Natalie Chua as Frenchie, Laura Delany as Rosie, Taite-Elliot Drew as Hans, Damon Gould as Victor, El Haq Latief as Helga, Grant Neal as Herman/Max, Hicaro Nicolai as Lulu and Travis Ross as Bobby, with Rebecca Lisewski, Ela Lisondra, Nic Myers, Andy Rees, Toby Turpin and Patrick Wilden.
The prologue company is made up of Rachel Benson, Ami Benton, Onyemachi Ejimofor, Joseph Hardy, Liz Kamille, Andrew Linnie, Aine McLoughlin, Jack William Parry, Jazmyn Raikes, Oliver Stockley and Ena Yamaguchi.
Presented by Ambassador Theatre Group and Underbelly, the unique new version of the classic musical began performances at the in-the-round 550 capacity venue in December 2021. The production won a record-breaking seven Olivier Awards – the most for any musical revival in Olivier history – and three prestigious Critics Circle Awards.
Rebecca Frecknall heads a creative team that includes set and costume designer Tom Scutt and choreographer Julia Cheng. Musical supervision is by Jennifer Whyte, with musical direction by Ben Ferguson, lighting design by Isabella Byrd and sound design by Nick Lidster. The casting director is Stuart Burt, the associate director and prologue director is Jordan Fein, and the prologue composer and musical director is Angus MacRae.
The production was recently extended again with tickets made available for performances up to 28 September 2024.
Based on Christopher Isherwood’s 1939 semi-autobiographical book Goodbye to Berlin and the stage adaptation I Am a Camera by playwright and director John Van Druten, Cabaret features music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb.
Stars to shine again in London when West End Musical Christmas returns
The popular West End Musical Christmas will return to London for another star-packed celebration of musical theatre this festive season.
Following on from two previous sold-out concerts, this year’s all-singing and all-dancing West End Musical Christmas will be unwrapped at the Adelphi Theatre on The Strand on 12 December.
Presented by the award-winning team behind crowd pleasing events including West End Musical Brunch, West End Musical Drive-In, West End Musical Celebration and the musical theatre fan convention Musical Con, the festive performance will feature West End stars including Alice Fearn (Come From Away, Wicked), Ben Forster (Jesus Christ Superstar, The Phantom of the Opera), Trevor Dion Nicholas (Next to Normal, Hamilton), Tosh Wanogho-Maud (Ain’t Too Proud, The Drifters Girl) and Shanay Holmes (Miss Saigon, Get Up Stand Up).
With more special Christmas stars to be announced, West End Musical Christmas is produced by Chris Steward and Holmes for West End Musical Productions.
First casting news for Bonnie & Clyde tour
Former Coronation Street regular and one-time Strictly Come Dancing contestant Catherine Tyldesley will make her musical theatre debut in the UK and Ireland tour of the hit West End production of Bonnie & Clyde The Musical.
Tyldesley will share the role of Blanche Barrow with ex Hollyoaks and Holby City regular Daisy Wood-David across the tour which will open at Leicester Curve on 22 February 2024.
Another former soap actor, ex-EastEnders actor Danny Hatchard will also make his musical theatre debut in the production, sharing the role of Clyde Barrow with Heathers and Newsies star Alex James-Hatton. They will performe opposite Katie Tonkinson (Bat Out of Hell, West End/international tour) as Bonnie Parker.
The cast will also include Sam Ferriday (Heathers, West End, The Cher Show, UK tour) as Marvin ‘Buck’ Barrow, with Jaz Ellington (The Voice UK, Eurovision: You Decide) as the Preacher from 22 February until 27 July 2024 and Nate Landskroner (Waitress, UK tour, Heathers, West End) alternating the role of Clyde Barrow at midweek matinee performances. Further casting will be announced soon.
Directed by Nick Winston, the production received its West End premiere at the Arts Theatre in 2022 after the same producers, the DLAP group, presented two sold-out performances of Bonnie and Clyde In Concert at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. The production returned to the West End earlier this year, playing a limited season at the Garrick Theatre.
Following Leicester Curve the tour will head for the Orchard Theatre in Dartford, the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, the Theatre Royal in Norwich, Sunderland Empire, the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff, Southampton Mayflower, His Majesty’s Theatre in Aberdeen, King’s Theatre in Glasgow, New Victoria Theatre in Woking, Bath Theatre Royal, Manchester Palace Theatre, Nottingham Theatre Royal, the Cliffs Pavilion in Southend, Belfast Grand Theatre, Bradford Alhambra Theatre, Milton Keynes Theatre, Blackpool Winter Gardens, Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Cheltenham Everyman, Bord Gais in Dublin, Brighton Theatre Royal, Birmingham Hippodrome, Kings Theatre in Portsmouth, the Swan Theatre in High Wycombe, Newcastle Theatre Royal, Sheffiled Lyceum and Northampton’s Royal & Derngate.
The production’s creative team also includes set and costume designer Philip Whitcomb, musical supervisor Katy Richardson, with original arrangements and orchestrations by John McDaniel, additional arrangements and orchestrations by Jen Green, lighting design by Zoe Spurr, sound design by Tom Marshall, video design by Nina Dunn, wig design by Darren Ware and casting by Jim Arnold.
Featuring music by Frank Wildhorn, lyrics by Don Black and book by Ivan Menchell, the musical version of the story of one of America’s most infamous criminal couples had a short run on Broadway at the end of 2011.
Angela Thomas
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