THE THREE BILLY GOATS GRUFF – Original Cast Recording (SimG Records) Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ The music score is a delightful mixture of bouncy numbers for the goats and some more macabre tunes for the Troll.
Tag Archives | michael xavier
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre partners with The Theatre Channel for Rodgers and Hammerstein special
Theatre-lovers will be offered a glimpse behind the scenes of Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s upcoming revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic Carousel as part of a special episode of the pay-to-stream musical theatre flavoured web series, The Theatre Channel. Created by The Theatre Channel in partnership with Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, Episode 7: […]
Line-Up for Theatre Channel’s Broadway-centred January episode
Adam Blanshay Productions and The Theatre Café have announced an all-star line-up for the Broadway-flavoured January instalment in the pay-to-stream musical theatre flavoured web series, The Theatre Channel. Due to premiere on 29 January 2021, The Theatre Channel – The Golden Era Of Broadway Episode will feature: Freddie Fox (TV’s White House Farm, The Judas […]
Anderson and Petty announce virtual concert A Christmas Wish in aid of Acting For Others
Songwriters Anderson and Petty have announced A Christmas Wish, a virtual concert with West End stars from Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Six: The Musical, Wicked and more, available to stream at select times from 17-20 December 2020. The concert is hosted by Ben Stock and Hilary O’Neil and is in aid of theatrical charity Acting For Others who provide emotional and financial support to […]
Check out the new video for the just-released charity single from #CheerUpCharlie & West End Friends
‘You Will Be Found’ by #CheerUpCharlie & West End Friends, a fundraising charity single in aid of youth charity The Diana Award, has been released today (15 November 2020) by Auburn Jam Music to tie in with the start of National Anti-Bullying Week, which runs from 16-20 November. The star-studded single is led by ten-year-old Charlie Kristensen […]
Anti-bullying campaigner Charlie and West End friends feature on charity single
Inspirational young anti-bullying campaigner Charlie Kristensen is joining forces with a host of West End stars to release a charity fundraising single to mark the start of National Anti-Bullying Week (16-20 November 2020). Available from 15 November, the recording of ‘You Will Be Found’ from Dear Evan Hansen features the Berkshire 10-year-old along with a number […]
Elaine Paige and Bernadette Peters will host first West End Woofs animal adoption event
Musical theatre royalty from both sides of the Atlantic will unite to host the UK’s first virtual dog and cat adoption event this month. Co-hosted by the West End’s Elaine Paige and Broadway’s Bernadette Peters, West End Woofs will be a UK-based version of Broadway Barks, the annual star-studded animal adoption event benefiting New York […]
Charlie Kristensen chats with the stars in new online series
Inspirational young anti-bullying campaigner Charlie Kristensen has launched a series of lockdown interviews with star guests on his YouTube channel. Supported by The Theatre Café, Musical Chairs with #CheerUpCharlie! features the Berkshire 10-year-old chatting with a range of interviewees from the UK and the US. The Musical Chairs line-up to date includes: Iain Armitage, Luke […]
Star-studded online concert Kings Of Broadway 2020 will celebrate the work of Jule Styne, Jerry Herman & Stephen Sondheim
Kings Of Broadway 2020, an online concert celebrating the music of the legendary Broadway composers Jule Styne, Jerry Herman and Stephen Sondheim (the latter two whose lyrics will also be celebrated), will premiere at 7pm on Sunday 31 May 2020 via the ‘Quick Fantastic’ channel on YouTube. The evening will feature a cross section of […]
Dame Vera Lynn headlines morale-boosting music video ‘We’ll Meet Again
Alfie Boe has joined the previously announced line-up of socially distanced West End stars for a unique video version of ‘We’ll Meet Again’ featuring a special message of love and best wishes from Dame Vera Lynn. The inspirational face and voice of the Second world War is working her magic once again in a special […]
West End stars join Dame Vera Lynn for We’ll Meet Again video
Dame Vera Lynn is uniting with a host of socially distanced West End stars for a special morale-boosting video aimed at the theatre industry. The inspirational face and voice of the Second World War will work her magic once again by providing a personal message of love and best wishes for a unique video version […]
Love Story anniversary concert moved to September
The 10th anniversary concert performance of the Chichester Festival Theatre production of Love Story has been postponed until 20 September 2020 as the country battles the coronavirus. Originally scheduled to play London’s Cadogan Hall on 17 May, Love Story: 10th Anniversary Concert features original cast members Michael D. Xavier, Emma Williams and Peter Polycarpou. Xavier (Sunset […]
Star-packed music video accompanies Dan and Laura Curtis song which raises funds for Help For Heroes
Judi Dench, Paul McCartney, Whoopi Goldberg and Steve Martin are among a glittering group of stars who have joined a host of West End favourites in a very special musical video tribute to servicemen and women around the world. Aimed at raising funds for UK charity Help The Heroes, The Hero – A West End […]
Plans to launch UK’s first Theatre Convention – StageCon – in November 2018
Some of the West End’s biggest names are lined up to attend the UK’s first ever theatre convention in London in November. Inspired by BroadwayCon, the annual theatre convention in New York which offers theatre fans the chance to get closer than ever to the stars and shows they love, StageCon will be held over […]
Star-studded celebration for Mousetrap Theatre Projects
The stars came out on Sunday 18 March to help theatre education charity Mousetrap Theatre Projects celebrate its 21st anniversary. Hosted by Christopher Biggins and Harriet Thorpe, the star-studded fundraising gala at the Prince of Wales Theatre featured guest stars Beau Dermott, Patricia Hodge, Tyrone Huntley, Samantha Spiro, David Suchet, Rachel Tucker and Michael Xavier. […]
Mousetrap Theatre Projects marks 21 years with special event
Christopher Biggins and Harriet Thorpe will host a star-studded charity gala celebrating the 21st anniversary of Mousetrap Theatre Projects next month. The special event at the Prince of Wales Theatre on Sunday 18 March, will feature performances from guest stars including: David Suchet, Patricia Hodge, Michael Xavier, Samantha Spiro, Beau Dermott, Tyrone Huntley and Rachel […]
The Barricade Boys – Christmas Cabaret – The Other Palace
The Barricade Boys – Christmas Cabaret continues at The Other Palace, London until 23 December. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩ The Barricade Boys are back for a festive three-week season at The Other Palace. The quartet was launched by Scott Garnham and Simon Schofield in 2015 and brings together some of […]
West End favourites line up to join The Barricade Boys’ Christmas shows
Les Misérables-inspired male vocal group The Barricade Boys has revealed a star-studded list of guest stars lined up to join them during their festive three-week season at the Studio at The Other Palace next month. School of Rock’s Gary Trainor will take to the stage with the group on the first night (5 December), with […]
Prince of Broadway – Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, New York
Prince of Broadway continues at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, New York until 22 October. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Imagine leafing through a richly embellished scrapbook, in which just about every entry or memento comes magically – and vibrantly – to life. That’s the happy delirium that may well overtake […]
Exclusive interview and images – Michael Xavier is ready for his close-up on Broadway
Two-time Olivier Award nominee MICHAEL XAVIER has been enjoying his Broadway debut, playing the character of Joe Gillis opposite Glenn Close in Sunset Boulevard at the Palace Theatre, New York for a limited season (the production closes this weekend). He previously took on the role at the London Coliseum in April 2016. Next he joins […]
Sunset Boulevard – Palace Theatre, New York
Sunset Boulevard continues at the Palace Theatre, New York until 25 June. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ In her latest incarnation, Norma Desmond is totally heart-breaking. The narcissistic ferocity of the queen of silent movies has been softened. Her eccentricities are at times almost endearing rather than frightening. She can be haughty […]
Bumblescratch – Adelphi Theatre
Bumblescratch premiered in a one-off gala performance at the Adelphi Theatre, London. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩ Robert J Sherman took the bold – some might say ill-advised – step of effectively workshopping the latest incarnation of his new musical Bumblescratch in front of a large paying crowd at a charity […]
Some Enchanted Evening – Cadogan Hall, London
Some Enchanted Evening continues until 20 August at the Cadogan Hall, London. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩ Spanning over 60 years, the career of composer Richard Rodgers, in his partnerships with Lorenz Hart and Oscar Hammerstein II, is celebrated by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, a choir from Arts Educational Schools, […]
Interview – Michael Xavier on Richard Rodgers tribute, Some Enchanted Evening
This week West End leading man MICHAEL XAVIER will join Ruthie Henshall, Lesley Garrett and Gary Wilmot in Some Enchanted Evening, a series of concerts at Cadogan Hall celebrating the timeless music of Broadway legend Richard Rodgers. Presented by Garrett, the four performances running from 18 August until 20 August will feature the four vocalists […]
Bumblescratch gala concert – Darren Day, Michael Xavier and Jessica Martin star
Darren Day will star alongside Michael Xavier and Jessica Martin in the special gala charity concert of Robert J. Sherman’s new musical Bumblescratch at the Adelphi Theatre. The performance is in aid of Variety, the children’s charity, and is staged as part of commemorations for the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of London, which raged in the East […]
Alternate Norma Desmond Ria Jones wins over Sunset Boulevard audience
Actress and singer Ria Jones stepped into the spotlight this week to take over the leading role in Sunset Boulevard and won over an audience angered by the news that award-winning actress Glenn Close was too ill to perform (Pictures: Kevin Wilson). Jones, who had ironically been involved in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s early workshops for […]
Sunset Boulevard – London Coliseum
Sunset Boulevard continues at the London Coliseum until 7 May. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩ The golden age of Hollywood, when silent pictures gave way to ‘talkies’, has been a fertile ground for storytelling in the past. Singin’ in the Rain gave us a comedic take on the screen starlet who […]
Sunset Boulevard starring Glenn Close – first production images
Today (1 April 2016) previews begin for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard at ENO’s London Coliseum. Joining Glenn Close (Norma Desmond), Michael Xavier (Joe Gillis), Siobhan Dillon (Betty Shaefer) and Fred Johanson (Max Von Mayerling) are Anna Woodside as Hedda Hopper, Emily Bull as Hedy Lamarr, Julian Forsyth as Cecil B DeMille, Mark Goldthorp as Sheldrake, Fenton Gray as Manfred, […]
Sunset Boulevard – full cast revealed as show begins rehearsals
Today (22 February 2016) rehearsals for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard begin at the English National Opera Rehearsal Studios as the full cast was announced. Joining Glenn Close, Michael Xavier, Siobhan Dillon and Fred Johanson in Sunset Boulevard, are Anna Woodside as Hedda Hopper and Emily Bull as Hedy Lamarr who will work alongside the […]
Sunset Boulevard at ENO – Michael Xavier, Siobhan Dillon and Fred Johanson join Glenn Close in cast
Michael Xavier, Siobhan Dillon and Fred Johanson will join Glenn Close in Andrew Lloyd Webber, Don Black and Christopher Hampton’s Sunset Boulevard, the second production in the partnership between English National Opera (ENO) and the GradeLinnit Company. Lonny Price will direct the strictly limited run of 43 performances at ENO’s London Coliseum which begins on 1 April 2016 with press night on 4 April, with the final performance on 7 May. The full ENO […]
Show Boat – Crucible Theatre, Sheffield
Show Boat continues at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield until 23 January. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩ The finest moment in Sheffield Theatres’ (Crucible) production of Show Boat is the result of an understated absence. In Act II, Julie LaVerne (Rebecca Trehearn), now raddled by drink, disappointment and who knows what else, hovers […]
Interview – Gina Beck embraces the sweeping melodies of Show Boat at the Crucible Sheffield
Show Boat, this year’s Christmas production at Sheffield Theatres, opens tonight (16 December). Spanning 40 pivotal years in American history, the epic musical by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II follows the lives and loves of three generations aboard a show boat as it plies the Mississippi River. Among those characters is Magnolia Hawks, played by actress and […]
Hey, Old Friends! – An 85th Birthday Tribute to Stephen Sondheim – Theatre Royal Drury Lane
Hey, Old Friends! – An 85th Birthday Tribute to Stephen Sondheim at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩ Galas such as this one to celebrate composer/lyricist Stephen Sondheim’s 85th birthday are notoriously difficult to pull off. Everything from the tricky issue of performers’ availability to limited […]
Gypsy comes out top at the UK Theatre Awards 2015
The acclaimed Chichester Festival Theatre revival of the classic Gypsy has claimed the top musical theatre awards in this year’s UK Theatre Awards. The production has been named Best Musical Production while its star Imelda Staunton takes home the award for Best Performance in a Musical for her showstopping portrayal of Momma Rose. The show […]
Sam Bailey in Concert – Lyric Theatre, London
Sam Bailey in Concert was presented at the Lyric Theatre, London. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩ For a pop supremo who claims to dislike musical theatre, Simon Cowell heads a media empire that has propelled an increasingly large number of performers towards the genre. The very first series of The X […]
Sheffield Crucible staging of Show Boat extended due to popular demand
The Sheffield Theatres’ upcoming production of the Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II musical Show Boat at the Crucible Theatre has been extended for an extra week in response to high demand for tickets. The show, which is being directed by Sheffield Theatres’ artistic director Daniel Evans, opens on 10 December (press night is 16 December) and will […]
Interview – Sam Bailey – a passion for musical theatre leads to dream West End concert
SAM BAILEY, the 2013 winner of X Factor, is to perform a one-off concert of musical theatre songs, Sam Bailey – Live in the West End, at London’s Lyric Theatre on 12 October, with guest stars including Collabro, Michael Xavier and Scott Alan. She talked to Ollie Wilson about the show and her love of musical theatre. How did […]
X Factor winner Sam Bailey West End concert – guests includes Michael Xavier and Scott Alan
Sam Bailey, who won ITV’s The X Factor in 2013, will take the stage in London’s West End for the first time in her career for a one-off concert at the Lyric Theatre. Bailey and a plethora of special guests will perform an evening of musical theatre on 12 October 2015. Winners of Britain’s Got Talent, Collabro; two-time Olivier Award nominee Michael Xavier; and US […]
Show Boat at Sheffield Crucible – Michael Xavier and Gina Beck lead cast
Sheffield Theatres artistic director Daniel Evans will stage a new production of Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II’s musical Show Boat at the Crucible Theatre from 10 December 2015 to 16 January 2016 (press night is 16 December). Spanning 40 pivotal years in American history, this epic musical follows the lives and loves of three generations aboard a show boat as it plies the Mississippi […]
Sweet Charity – Cadogan Hall
Sweet Charity was performed at the Cadogan Hall, London. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩ As this year’s summer musical, the Cadogan Hall treated us to a concert version of Sweet Charity, just five years after the last London revival of this classic show transferred from the Menier Chocolate Factory to the Haymarket. Adapted by […]
Jenna Russell and Maria Friedman join line-up for Sondheim 85th Birthday Tribute
A star-studded West End cast of more than 50 principals, a 40-piece orchestra led by Gareth Valentine and an ensemble of over 50, including a chorus from ArtsEd, will celebrate the songs and shows of Stephen Sondheim in Hey, Old Friends! An 85th Birthday Tribute to Stephen Sondheim at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane on Sunday 25 […]
Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year 2015/Stiles & Drewe Prize – Garrick Theatre
Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year competition/Stiles & Drewe Best New Song prize at the Garrick Theatre, London. Hats off, here they come, those Beautiful Girls! Yes, girl power ruled the roost at the Sondheim Society’s student ‘Oscars’ for the second year running and, to rub it in, they grabbed runner-up honours as […]
Elaine Paige judges the Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year
Twelve student finalists from top drama schools across the UK will compete for the title of this year’s Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year (SSSSPOTY), on Sunday 17 May at 3pm at the Garrick Theatre in London’s West End. Each student will sing a song by Stephen Sondheim and, at his personal request, […]
Sweet Charity concert – Denise Van Outen and Michael Xavier lead cast
London’s Cadogan Hall presents the concert version of Sweet Charity with musical theatre performers Denise Van Outen, Michael Xavier, Kimberley Walsh and Kerry Ellis (Wednesday 19 August to Saturday 22 August 2015). The soloists are joined by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra and Arts Ed Chorale, under musical director Richard Balcombe. The creative team is completed by stage director Paul Foster and choreographer Matt Flint. Sweet Charity, with music by Cy Coleman […]
Assassins – Michael Xavier and Anna Francolini join cast
Michael Xavier and Anna Francolini are joining the cast of Jamie Lloyd’s production of Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman’s Assassins at London’s Menier Chocolate Factory from 10 February. Xavier takes over the role of John Wilkes Booth from Aaron Tveit. The latter is leaving the run due to a change in his schedule for the […]
The Pajama Game – Gary Wilmot joins cast at Shaftesbury Theatre
The Pajama Game continues at the Shaftesbury Theatre, London until 13 September. There was a little bit of musical chairs going on in the casting department last week at The Pajama Game. While the evening was all about actor Gary Wilmot taking over the role of Vernon Hines (the Sleep-Tite pajama factory’s time and motion […]
The Pajama Game – listen to Xavier and Riding in action
For all those looking forward to the West End transfer of Chichester Festival Theatre’s staging of The Pajama Game, opening at the Shaftesbury Theatre on 13 May, there is now a song from the production available to listen to for the first time. ‘Hey There’, sung by the show’s co-stars Joanna Riding and Michael Xavier […]
Polycarpou and Wilmot confirmed for The Pajama Game
Peter Polycarpou, Gary Wilmot and Colin Stinton join the cast of the West End transfer of Chichester Festival Theatre’s production of The Pajama Game, directed by Richard Eyre. Polycarpou and Stinton reprise their roles as Vernon Hines and Hasler, with Wilmot taking over the role of Vernon Hines from 2 June. They join the previously […]
Chichester Pajama Game hits West End in May 2014
Chichester Festival Theatre’s production of The Pajama Game, directed by Richard Eyre, transfers to the West End on 1 May (press night is 13 May), playing at the Shaftesbury Theatre until 13 September 2014. The musical will move in when the current show residing there – From Here to Eternity – closes. In 1950s America, […]
Collaborations – The Songs of Elliot Davis
On 23 September, SimG Records – the leading independent label devoted to new writers and artists – is to release Collaborations – The Songs of Elliot Davis. Collaborations brings together some of the best songwriters in the music industry with an array of performers currently working in the West End, and is sold in aid of the […]
