PARALLEL PRODUCTIONS GALA LAUNCH (The Battersea Barge) Full Cast Announcement

Parallel Productions today announce full casting for their gala launch at the Battersea Barge on Wednesday 4th September. Joining the already announced Jordan Lee Davies, Sabrina Aloueche, Jeremy Legat and Ambra Caserotti will be:

GARY WOOD (Paul in A Chorus Line, Angel in Rent) 

MATTHEW ROWLAND (Boy George in Taboo, Frank in The Confession Room)

TORI ALLEN-MARTIN (Founder of Interval Productions, Mimi in Rent)

DALE EVANS (Matt in Bare, Onstage Swing in From Here To Eternity)

The cast of the Gala Launch

Also performing on the evening will be:

JOSEPH GIACONE

EMMA HOUSLEY

JODIE BETH MEYER

LAUREN OSBORN

MICHAEL QUINN

BEN SELL

JODIE STEELE

THOMAS SUTCLIFFE

_______________________

The evening will be compered by

DEAN McCULLOUGH

(Dean has recently presented Move It Show at Olympia - London, Belfast Pride and Dance Show Live at the Glasgow SECC. Dean was one of The Glambassadors who reached the live semi-finals on the seventh series of Britain's Got Talent.)

_______________________

The launch event will be a fusion of cabaret and concert, musical theatre and acoustic arrangements. The evening will host a cast of established musical theatre performers, alongside new talent, singing stripped back acoustic versions of musical theatre songs. 

More information on the company and the launch click here. To book tickets click here. 

PARALLEL PRODUCTIONS GALA LAUNCH (The Battersea Barge) West End Switched Off

On Wednesday 4th September 2013 Parallel Productions present their official Gala Launch at the Battersea Barge. The launch event will be a fusion of cabaret and concert, musical theatre and acoustic arrangements. The evening will host a cast of established musical theatre performers, alongside new talent, singing stripped back acoustic versions of musical theatre songs.

Leading the star cast will be Jordan Lee Davies, recently seen on the BBC’s The Voice, as Alan in Bare the Rock Musical, and as Dickon in The Secret Garden. Also confirmed for the initial line up are Jeremy Legat (Frank Cioffi in Curtains, Boq in Wicked), Sabrina Aloueche (Scaramouche in We Will Rock You, Eponine in Les Misérables) and Ambra Caserotti (Lead Vocalist for Streets Project, Joanne in Rent).

Jordan Lee Davies said: "I think the audience are going to love some of the new arrangements of what are staple musical theatre songs. They will be given the 'live lounge' effect." 

The event will also act as the launch for Parallel Productions' project West End Switched Off. This is an exciting series of concerts and recordings that arrange musical theatre into acoustic, 'unplugged' covers, collaborating with a wealth of talented musicians and performers. 

Some of the voices you can expect to hear on the album!

The first album is currently in production and will feature Ian Stroughair (Angel in the 20th anniversary tour of Rent), Dale Evans (Matt in Bare, Onstage Swing in From Here To Eternity), Tori Allen- Martin (founder of Interval Productions, writer and vocalist for Streets Project, Mimi in Rent), Simon Bailey (Jeff in [title of show], Enjolras in Les Misérables, Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera) , Katie Hall (Maria in West Side Story, Christine in The Phantom Of The Opera), Adrian Hansel (Seaweed in Hairspray, Rusty in Starlight Express) and more!

Also featuring on the album is Chlöe Hart who made her West End debut as Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray. She has since appeared in Les Misérables and is currently in Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre. Chlöe said: "When I was approached about taking part in West End Switched Off and learnt what the concept was I was totally excited, I love the idea of songs being rearranged and interpreted differently, and then I was told which song I would be doing and I got very nervous! It's a very VERY well known song and there have been many versions of it done before. However when I heard the new arrangement I got excited again! It's so different to any other version and Kris Rawlinson, our genius arranger and MD had so many brilliant ideas. He also allowed us all to add our own little touches which means it feels really personal. If you are expecting a generic musicals complication album, this is not the one, but if you want something fresh and innovative then go for it! I don't think you'll be disappointed!"

Just had a right laugh recording my track for @WEswitchedoff with @krisrawlinson #lovebeinginthestudio!
— Chloe Hart (@ChloeSJHart) August 19, 2013

Speaking about the company, Ed Theakston (Assistant Producer/Managing Director) said: "As a young company, we've been incredibly lucky to have so much support from so many talented people, particularly our guests on West End Switched Off. They are as thrilled as us because the producer and musical director Kris Rawlinson has come up with a genuinely brilliant idea. From the recording that has already been done, the album is going to be something very special which really sets the tone for our live gigs. This launch really is just the beginning for us. Some majorly exiting things are in the works. We can't wait to share it all with our audiences."

We're making lots of exciting plans for our Launch... Who's excited? We are! Get your tickets for the 4th Sept here: http://t.co/Y5djBFgnZV
— WESTENDswitchedoff (@WEswitchedoff) August 22, 2013

You can book tickets for the gala launch featuring Jordan Lee Davies, Sabrina Aloueche, Jeremy Legat and Ambra Caserotti at the Battersea Barge here. For more information, visit the website.

Review | ANNIE (New Alexandra Theatre Stage Experience) August 2013

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the New Alexandra Theatre's Birmingham Stage Experience. Following the success of Oliver (2009), Fame (2010) and Bugsy Malone (2011) the ever popular summer school returns to the Birmingham this year with Annie. 

The story of an orphan child living a hard knock life in an girls orphanage under the rule of the ever hungover matron Miss Hannigan, Annie is all about the children and with a weak ensemble it just wouldn't work. I imagine many schools and amateur groups have tried and produced mediocre productions but here at Stage Experience what you get is nothing short of a full-blown West End production - the only difference being, the entire cast and many crew are under the age of 24. The team have only two weeks to put the whole production together and it really was an incredibly admirable effort. 

Georgia Millie Price stars as Annie and like a young Bonnie Langford she oozed charm and had a beaming smile from ear to ear (without which, you're never fully dressed). Belting her way through 'Tomorrow' and softly approaching 'Maybe' Price surely showcased her versatility. If she followed in Langford's footsteps to West End and Broadway, it wouldn't come as a surprise. (Also playing Annie on alternate dates is Katie Davie). 

Also dominating the stage is Katie Gladwin as Miss Hannigan with her powerful vocal 'Little Girls' is one of many highlights. Pepper (Olivia Wicks) and Rooster (Ameil Hart) are a great comedy duo. Richard Batham is a very promising Daddy Warbucks and is joined on stage by Rosie Coles as Grace Farrell who is fine voice throughout her faultless performance. 

Danny who plays dog Sandy is the only member of the cast above the age of 24 (in dog years anyway) and has been a member of the professional tour of Annie for 10 years resulting in him receiving the Guinness World Record for the most performances by a dog in any theatrical show. Danny has starred alongside Lesley Joseph and Su Pollard.

Directed and choreographed by Pollyann Tanner who must not have slept a wink over the past 2 weeks to produce a show of this standard, her work and dedication really reflects in the youngsters on stage. Annie is full of energy, enthusiasm, talent and is honestly of a standard that rivals professional touring productions. Throughly enjoyable and so refreshing to see youngsters with so much passion for something they love doing. The sun may come out tomorrow but please don't wait until then to book a ticket - running until Saturday 24th August 2013, book here.

The Cast of Annie, have just had their final dress rehearsal before curtains up on tonights opening show! pic.twitter.com/6UDrgCAX9X
— Alexandra Theatre (@NewAlex_Theatre) August 21, 2013

Cast List: Emily Grace Berry, Emma Bhatti, Katie Davie, Chloe Evans, Phoebe Fletcher, Ellie Gough, Molly Hopkins, Daisy Meade, Olivia Porter, Harriet Millie Price, Naina Reddy, Hannah Swarbrick, Olivia Wicks, Elizabeth Williams, Libby Baskerville, Megan Bird, Kirstie Bowman, Lauren Bowman, Sadie Horton, Brittany Jarman-Watson, Verona-India Braich, Cody Bromley, Bethany Jade Carter, Tanisha Corser, Anya Dupre, Leah Evans, Hermionie Gifford, Jenna Hancock, Ellie Hartley, Lucy-Mae Hill, Courtney Holland, Aurora King-Jones, Chloe Pitt, Jessica Pugliese, Leah Rhodes, Ella Sanders, Kheera Sandhu, Grace Sophie Austin, Kiera Haynes, Nikita Sharma, Sophie Tierney, Phoebe Louise Benson, Hannah Colley, Maisie Paige Ellis, Harriet Gordon, Maisie Lodge, Sophie O'Hara, Teagan Manns, Michaella Panteli, Maisie Robertson, Annie Frances Tabberner, Megan Aldridge, Lauren Barnes, Jasmine Gill, Equiana Givans, Megan Goldby, Lucy Haigh, Emily Miles, Lauren Owen, Molly Phillips, Ellie-May Reilly, Eloise Simpson, Cara Nadine Stuckey, Alisha Twine, Jennifer White, Grant Addis, Thomas Ashen, Gibsa Lee Bah, Elan Butler, Greg Bytheway, Kurran Dhand, Todd Dougan, Charlie Howell, Louie McNally, Alfie Mitcham, Oliver Nicholas, Zachariah Sharif, Lydia Gardiner, Ashley Strain, Sorrel Paris Sutton, Amelia Wallace, Eva Williams, Richard Batham, Rosie Coles, Katie Gladwin, Ameil Hart, Emma Robotham-Hunt, Georgia Millie Price, Nathalie Neill, Thomas Stringer, Hollie Harnes, Chloe Barrett, Shannon Berridge, Joanne Bowman, Thea Butler, Callum Connolly, Frances Corbett, Georgina Curtis, Kirsty Day, Christopher Dover, Felicity Gifford, Leah Ingle, Rebecca Ingram, Taylor Lauren Marshall, Jennifer Reeves, Charlotte Swarbrick, Daniel Taylor, Kimberly Vallance, Lara de Vos, Lucy Williams, Tanya Zero, Jack Booth, Bethan Crisp, Maya Dupre, Emily Burling, Aneira Evans, Chelsea Greathead, Sarahjayne Gibbs, Chloe Gribble, Amy Hollis, Rubi Ingaglia, Emily Lister, Elliot Mann, Joseph Maslin, Jayne Morgan, Jennifer Mortiboy, Kate Mortiboy, Kathryn Nikols, Craig O'Connor, Bradley O'Neill, Michael Reynolds, Lauren Shillingford, Nick Southcott, Amy Louise Stutz, Laura Timothy, Molly Williams.

Technical Project Members: Eleanor Arnot, Corey Baker-Wyatt, Hannah Bruce, peter Davis, Nichola Gray, Erica Groves, Amy Harbach, Ben Hurd-Greenall, Matthew Padbury, Cherry Povall, Oliver Quirke, Luke Stevens, Ella Stewart

EVITA (UK Tour) Review August 2013

EVITA - the musical of Eva Perón, the Spiritual Leader of the Nation of Argentina celebrates it's 35th anniversary this year and after a Broadway revival last year is now touring it's 3rd UK tour within 5 years. 

Similarly to Blood Brothers, we begin at the end of the story with the announcement of Eva Perón's death. A flashback to her early life then progresses through her rise to become the First Lady of Argentina and to the ultimate and tragic end. 

Cynically assessing the immediate mourning of Argentina is Che Guevara - the Argentine Marxist revolutionary. Played in this production by Wet Wet Wet singer Marti Pellow. Che is a demanding sing and Pellow ploughs through the score with ease and holds a mightily impressive last note in 'And The Money Keeps Rolling In'. Mark Heenehan is an impressive Peron and Nic Gibney's impressive vocal range is evident in his few outbursts as Magaldi.  One of the productions highlights is Sarah McNicholas as Peron's Mistress and her beautiful version of 'Another Suitcase In Another Hall'. A strong ensemble play a variety of roles - showcasing their versatility. 

Marti Pellow

The show however belongs to Madalena Alberto who really does capture every moment of Perón's short life with effortless conviction. From the steamy and fast paced partying in Buenos Aires to the tender, fragile final moments upon her deathbed. Incredibly strong and stunning vocal throughout particularly her rendition of 'Don't Cry For Me Argentina' received a rather loud "wow" from the lady next to me who then apologised for her uncontrollable outburst. 

Mark Heenehan and Madalena Alberto

It's very difficult to fault this production but just one very distracting feature was the visibility of stage crew, complete with headsets moving Matthew Wright's stunning set of staircases around and clamping them into position. Surely there are slicker ways to do this, or disguise them. It reminds you that this is only a stage production, breaking the incredibly real situations the cast work so hard to create. 

Applause at the end of a production is what you come to expect, regardless of its overall quality. For quite a while Evita received nothing but a stunned silence as the lights went out. Here the silence speaks louder than any appreciative applause, the tragic but simply beautiful ending does leave you a little choked. Although, I must admit I was the first one to break the silence with a clap!

With Marti Pellow and Madalena Alberto

Evita really is a breathtaking production that you should make a point of seeing for the sheer talent and effort from the entire cast and fine orchestra.

"So what happens now?" .... You book tickets, that's what happens. EVITA runs at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre until Saturday 31st August and you can book tickets here. You can also read my interview with Marti Pellow here. 

Watch ITVCentral News coverage with Marti and Madalena here:

World famous musical, Evita, arrives in Wolverhampton http://t.co/4UJtJOJcwO via @itvnews
— ITV News Central (@ITVCentral) August 20, 2013

Cast List: Marti Pellow, Madalena Alberto, Mark Heenehan, Sarah McNicholas, Nic Gibney, Hannah Grover, Verity Burgess, David Burilin, Joseph Connor, Natalie Day, Joel Elferink, Laura Emmitt, Emily Goodenough, Antony Hewitt, Stuart Maciver, Joe Maxwell, Perry O'Dea, Lizzie Ottley, Ryan Pidgen, Anthony Ray

JERSEY BOYS (Prince Edward Theatre) Review August 2013

Juke Box musicals often get shunned by the critics and particularly so in recent years with the fight to introduce new writing into the West End. With Mamma Mia in it's 14th year and We Will Rock You in it's 12th, there is proof there is a place in theatreland to celebrate music of the great bands. That is of course as long as the content matches in excellence - perhaps where recent Spice Girls musical Viva Forever fell. 

Jersey Boys is definitely one of the shows that gets it just right. The story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons opened in 2005 on Broadway and at the Prince Edward Theatre, London in 2008 and still running in both of it's original homes. 

This is a chronological biography of the boys rise to fame as The Four Seasons, a name in which they took from a bowling alley that turned them down from a job singing in the lounge. Each member of the group takes a turn in narrating a particular season. A young Frankie Vally soon becomes Valli for 'y' according to his wife is a bullsh*t letter. Their relationship is explored and laid bare ending with 'My Eyes Adored You' - sung from the heart by Ryan Molloy who's portrayal of Valli throughout is something of a spectacle itself. Capturing the spirit of Valli whilst retaining individuality this is no mimic but an expert and genius portrayal. 

Tommy De Vito takes us through Spring and his early battles in and out of prison whilst developing a new singing group. Jon Boydon is excellent in the role, particularly gritty as his story develops and darkens racking up large debts with a loan shark. A sharp contrast to the nerdy Bob Gaudio (Edd Post) who is particularly comic towards the end of the first act in "December, 1963 (Oh What A Night)". Covering the role of Nick Massi in the absence of David McGranaghan is Mark Isherwood who makes the role of the bassist his own.  

Edd Post, Ryan Molloy, Jon Boydon & David McGranaghan

"The Crowd Goes Wild" they say... and this isn't an exaggeration. Lengthy applause brought all action to a halt countless times after renditions of 'Walk Like A Man' and 'Working My Way Back To You'. There aren't so many theatrical "wow" moments in Jersey Boys - that's not what this show is. It isn't there to mesmerise you with grand and elaborate sets, nor does it have great big production numbers and show routines but it is a display of excellent vocals, an incredibly solid book which moves at perfect pace resulting in an enjoyable and interesting insight into the four Jersey boys. 

Booking until 9th March 2014 at the Prince Edward Theatre (Book Here) after which the hugely anticipated return of Miss Saigon opens there and from 14th March 2014 Jersey Boys opens at the Piccadilly Theatre (Book Here).

(And they do nice programmes!!)

INTERVIEW with Zizi Strallen - August 2013

If you've seen a West End musical recently, the chances are that you've come across one of four talented sisters. The Strallen's - Scarlett, Summer, Zizi and Saskia have all followed parents Cherida and Sandy and aunt Bonnie Langford into a career in the limelight. I chatted to Zizi about her experiences so far.

So you've found yourself teaching workshops and sharing your expertise to youngsters as part of West End Experience. How did that come about for you? 

Well... I actually fell into it by mistake! I wasn't originally one of the tutors, my friend Amy Thornton was set up to do it but she got a last minute offer to be dance captain in Matilda and so she called me and said "Zi, I can't do these workshops now, will you go and do them...?" and I thought sure, it sounds fun! We were both in Rock Of Ages together, we both had to do the same choreography so fortunately I can offer the same workshop!"

How is it for you, at such a young age yourself being able to give back your expertise to young and aspiring performers?

Even though I am so young still I've been working in the West End since I was 16 so I've got years of experience to pass on to them already. The main thing I always say is it's all about confidence - the best thing to do is believe in yourself and tell the audience that through the way in which you perform. 

And how are the children of Wolverhampton getting on in your workshop? 

The children of Wolverhampton are amazing! They're great and they've not been talking! Usually when you have quite a large group of children to teach they'll all chit chat and you have to stand there for five minutes and wait for them to be quiet. I was worried because I've got an audition coming up and I didn't want to overuse and lose my voice but I've had no problems. The children are great at picking stuff up, they've been so good at learning the choreography and haven't moaned about doing it over and over and over again, they're really eager to learn which is lovely. The thing is with the songs of Rock Of Ages you can't just stand there and sing them - they're really full on and involve lots of energy. 

You've just finished in Merrily We Roll Along and that took the West End by storm - what was that like for you?

It was an amazing experience, I loved it, but originally I didn't really know what I was going up for. I'm not really familiar with many Sondheim shows, I knew a couple of the songs so I went for it and as far as we were concerned at the time it was just going to be a three month run at the Menier Chocolate Factory and then as the show went on the run had completely sold out and there was a great buzz about it! There was this talk that it was going to transfer to the West End and we just expected to finish at the end of February and we finished at the end of July! It was incredible and such an amazing job to be involved in and part of the hype of it. More or less every night we had somebody important coming in to watch it like a director or a casting director or a TV or film star and above all it was just great to do!

What's been your favourite production that you've been in? Or highlights from a few favourites?
Oh this is difficult...! I've been lucky that everything I've done has been so different and varied. My first job was Music Man in Chichester at the Festival Theatre. It was very prim and proper, American accent, blonde wig and I played this really annoying young girl and I had to walk around saying "Ye Gods!" all the time! Then completely different I went into Dirty Dancing and I had to be really sexy and I learnt all this Latin and Ballroom and then I got to carry on dancing by spending a year in Matthew Bourne's dance company and you know what that's like compared to the next job in Rock Of Ages which was thrashing about  - completely diverse career! It's hard to pick a favourite, I've loved it all! 

Are there any productions or roles out there that you'd love to have a go at in the future?

Two of my favourite roles that I could see myself in are Louise in Gypsy and Bianca in Kiss Me Kate... ooh, and maybe Sally Bowles in Cabaret ... but I've just missed out on that time-wise with the new tour!

Zizi and sisters Summer, Saskia and Scarlett (Photo: broadway.com)

What was it like growing up as a Strallen... all singing, all dancing?

Haha, for me it's just normal! That's the thing... I've never known anything else but I can imagine for other people that sounds quite full on. My whole childhood has been around theatre and it really is all I've ever known. That's not to say it's all we ever talk about either, my parents always said to us "keep work work and life life..." They told us not to always bring work home and they really encouraged us to find other hobbies and talk about the news and whatever... They were very particular about that because with our entire family involved in theatre all any of us would have talked about is what was going on on stage or who was annoying who in the dressing room! 

Was there any chance at all that you may have taken a different career path at any point or was it purely theatre that you wanted to do?

Yeah, it's interesting you should say that because when I was eleven and leaving primary school my teacher said to my parents that I should try and get in to this really academic school and at the time I thought "oooh, I don't know about that..." but I went for it anyway and of course I got in didn't I, which really made me want to go - so I did! Basically I was being groomed to be a lawyer... I lasted two terms and then I was like no I can't do this any more it's horrible - I can't do any more maths my brain's going to explode! My two older sisters Scarlett and Summer had gone to Arts Educational in Chiswick and I managed to get a grant from the borough to go there so my parents took me out of my academic scholarship which I'm sure they hated doing! My dad always wanted me to do something normal because he knows how hard this business is and he said "go and make lots of money and do something normal...!" but none of us have! 

So with your older sisters being so successful do you feel a pressure now to live up to the family name and expectation?

I'd be lying if I said I didn't! My sisters and my family have never ever put any pressure on me or each other but I do feel that there's an expectation before I walk in a room. If I was having an off day or just a bit ill, to those people on the panel I'd probably seem particularly bad! When you hear the name Strallen you have a particularly high expectation straight away so if I didn't give it my absolute best or I was a bit iffy that day they'd most probably assume I'm the rubbish one out of us all! But hopefully I live up to the name!"

So what would be some sound Strallen advice that you would give to aspiring musical theatre performers out there?

Don't do it..! Haha, no I'm joking... I would say just keep working. There is nobody that succeeds in this business who hasn't worked their socks off to get there. You have to keep going to singing lessons and train your voice - even when you're professional you can always get better, you can always learn and there are always things to improve. So if you haven't been to a singing lesson in a while - go! Go to your dance classes every day or as often as possible. Keep working on improving yourself and strive to always be the best you can be and then you're improving your chances of a career doing what you love and what you dream of - go for it!

WEST END EXPERIENCE (Wolverhampton Grand Theatre) Rock Of Ages Workshop

This week West End Experience and Wolverhampton Grand Theatre are providing local youngsters with the opportunity to rehearse and perform like a West End professional. The week-long summer school really is the ultimate West End musical theatre experience with with top industry professionals visiting cities all over the country sharing their knowledge and expertise with aspiring performers. 

The programme is co-ordinated by Craig Whiteley who graduated from Mountview Academy with a 1st class BA Hons degree. Craig played Doc in CR7 for the BBC and made his West End debut in the 50th anniversary year of The Mousetrap playing Giles and Trotter. He then went on to play Eddie in Blood Brothers both on the national tour and in the West End. The dance is overseen by Daniela Valvano who trained at Bird College. Her recent credits include understudying the roles of Magenta, Columbia and Janet in the UK tour of The Rocky Horror Show, as well as in Singapore. Daniela was also Carmen Diaz in the Dutch national tour of Fame and Miss Carmichael in the world premiere of The Thorn Birds, a musical. 

Leading today's workshop for the youngsters was Zizi Strallen from the original London cast of Rock Of Ages. 

Zizi in the original cast of Rock Of Ages with Shayne Ward. (Photo by Bettina Strenske)

At 10am the older students sang through "Here I Go Again" - a song from the musical which they had learnt earlier with musical director Charlotte Fane. Some had solos, others provided backing vocals but the voices filled the room with rich harmonies - a powerful sound! One thing was clear, they were all very enthusiastic. After learning the routine from Zizi the students quickly put everything together towards a pretty polished performance. Reminding them that they were in an 80's rock bar, Zizi had them strumming air guitars all over the room with "rock star swagger" as the original choreographer called it. 

It was soon the younger group's turn to sing Don't Stop Believing for Zizi. As before, choreography from the show was given to them and within the hour there was another finished routine. The students had a natural ability for picking up their direction. Energy and focus came from everyone - a dedicated team working towards a concert on Sunday 11th August. 

Grace Gull from Codsall is now taking part for her fourth year: "It's absolutely amazing. The West  End Experience has been running in Wolverhampton for four years and I've been to all of them. This year has to be the biggest and best one yet. It's more challenging and even more demanding - which is great! My favourite workshop so far has been the A Chorus Line with Rebecca Giacopazzi who is dance captain for the show at the London Palladium. We learnt the routine for I Hope I Get it. As well as this week's experience I am in the theatre's Grand Circle Adult Choir which launched this year and I help at the Grand Ambition youth choir which is now in its third successful year. I'm really looking forward to the show on Sunday, I can't wait to perform the A Chorus Line section and sing some harmonies with the professional performers in the Circle Of Life!"

Another fabulous day at @WestEndEx and a lovely workshop with @ZiziStrallen :) #rockofages
— Grace Gull (@GraceGull) August 8, 2013

Too excited for Sunday, performing along side West End performers!! @WolvesGrand @WestEndEx #Stagey #WestEnd
— Daniel Langford (@DanLangford93) August 8, 2013

Grand Theatre Education Officer Louise Bent commented: “West End Summer School is now in its third year at the Grand and it gets bigger and better every year! It’s the most amazing opportunity for local young people to work with the professionals behind some of London’s biggest musicals. Everyone has a great time and talks about it for weeks afterwards - it really is the highlight of the summer for our young theatre fans!

Co-ordinator Craig Whiteley added: "This is my 3rd year of bringing the West End Summer School to Wolverhampton Grand. It is my favourite date in the diary as the kids here are so respectful. They eat, sleep and breath theatre. I previously performed at The Grand with Blood Brothers and from the hundreds of venues on tour it was - without a doubt - the best atmosphere so I just love coming back. Our aim is to feature every child in our concert alongside the stars and we treat the students like professionals which helps us achieve a fantastic final product. The course builds confidence and is a lot of fun. It shows the students how difficult and how rewarding a career in professional theatre can be. You work hard and you get results, you get rewarded!"

Students at @WolvesGrand . Some of the most hard working, disciplined young performers we've had the pleasure of working with! Thank you!
— West End Experience (@WestEndEx) August 8, 2013

You can book tickets to see the concert at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre that culminates the hard work by the whole team. Featuring songs from The Lion King, A Chorus Line, Oliver, Rock Of Ages sung by the students and industry professionals. The concert is on Sunday 11 August at 7pm and you can book tickets here.

For more information about the fantastic scheme of West End Experience, visit their website here.

You can also find information about the theatre's Get-In! youth scheme with activities all year round, special ticket offers and exclusive opportunities here. 

PAUL BUNYAN (Wales Millennium Centre) Birmingham Youngsters to appear with Welsh National Opera's Youth Opera

WNO Youth Opera are celebrating Benjamin Britten's centenary year with a new production of Paul Bunyan on 23 and 24 August at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff. The production features more than 100 singers, orchestral players, technical students, costume makers, dressers and wigs and make-up students all aged between 16 and 25. 

In previous years Welsh National Opera has grown a strong relationship with Birmingham Hippodrome and 10 operas are already on sale for Autumn 2013/Spring 2014 (click here for more information and to book). Amongst the cast and crew of the celebratory production in Cardiff are eight youngsters some of whom are originally from Birmingham while others study in the city.

Rose Liggins (22) – Nuneaton, Warwickshire – Technical (Studying Theatre Design & Production in Trinity Carmarthen)

Joanna Wright (19) – Birmingham (Originally from Somerset) – Technical (Studying Stage Management at Birmingham School of Acting)

Emily Tidbury (21) – Selly Oak (Originally from Christchurch) – Singer (University studying Music in Birmingham University)

Ryan Shore (17) – Stratford-Upon-Avon (Originally from Solihull) – Singer (Stratford-Upon-Avon College studying Performing Arts)

Lauren Morris (22) – Solihull – Singer (Currently studying in University of Birmingham)

Sian Collins – Horn player in orchestra (studying in Birmingham Conservatoire)

Joshua Large – Trombone player in orchestra (studying in Birmingham Conservatoire)

Megan Jowett – Viola player in orchestra (studying in Birmingham Conservatoire)

Aimee Daniel – Singer (studying in Birmingham Conservatoire)

The production of Paul Bunyan marks the first time that the Youth Opera have performed on the Donald Gordon stage of the Wales Millennium Centre and they are joined by Britain's Got Talent finalists Only Boys Aloud as the Lumberjack Chorus. Stephen Fry provides the voice of Bunyan himself. 

Stephen Fry recording the voice over for Paul Bunyan - Photo by Richard Hubert Smith.

QI presenter Stephen Fry is an opera lover and lifelong Richard Wagner fan. He has previously played the Major-Domo in a recording of Ariadne aug Naxos for Chandos Records and provided the translation for Kenneth Branagh's film The Magic Flute. Fry, who has pre-recorded his role, which will be incorporated into the production via voice-over and visual projection said: "As a lifelong opera lover I am thrilled to be part of Welsh National Youth Opera's new production of Paul Bunyan. Harnessing the energy and passion of this young company is an extremely appropriate way to celebrate Benjamin Britten's centenary year and I hope that the young singers, musicians and technical students will spread their enthusiasm for this fantastic art-form to their friends and families."

Only Boys Aloud are hard at work becoming Bunyan's lumberjacks. 

Who else is ready to join the lumberjack crew? #wnobunyan MT @onlyboysaloud Becoming lumberjacks for Paul Bunyan... pic.twitter.com/I55ZDm7hkl
— Welsh National Opera (@WNOtweet) August 5, 2013

It has been WNO's commitment to nurture, develop and support young talent via WNO Youth Opera for more than 10 years. Participants are provided with invaluable practical experience to progress and become professionals in the industry while also giving an opportunity to those who have never been involved in theatre before. 

Performances of Paul Bunyan are on Friday 23 August 2013 at 7:30pm and Saturday 24 August 2013 at 2:30pm & 7:30pm. To book tickets at the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff - call the box office on 02920 636464 or click here to book online.

You can find out about extra events in Birmingham with Welsh National opera by clicking here. 

HAIRSPRAY (UK TOUR) Adrian Hansel replaces Marcus Collins - Cast Announcement

Producers Stage Entertainment announced last week that due to ongoing health problems Marcus Collins has been withdrawn from the UK tour of Hairspray. Collins, who played the role of Seaweed J Stubbs from Manchester in February through to Nottingham in July is currently replaced by Fela Lufadeju, an understudy. The Producers said "we are sorry that Marcus won't be able to carry on with Hairspray and thank him for his amazing performance and the sterling work he's done for this production. Everyone at Stage Entertainment and the touring company will miss him and wishes him the very best for the future." 

Adrian as Seaweed in the London production at the Shaftesbury Theatre

For the final venues in Bristol, Leeds, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Norwich the role of Seaweed will be played by Adrian Hansel who has been rehearsing with the show in Dublin. Hansel who is no stranger to the role was in the original London cast playing Seaweed from the show's opening in October 2007 until it's closure at the Shaftesbury Theatre in March 2010. Previous credits also include 'Hud' in Hair (Pleasance Theatre, London), 'Tyrone Jackson' in Fame (Edinburgh Playhouse and Aldwych Theatre, London) and 'Rusty' in Starlight Express (Apollo Victoria Theatre, London) to name a few. Adrian has also appeared as a soloist on multiple tours with Michael Ball. 

He said: "I actually thought I'd never wear my Seaweed costume again once I'd left the Shaftesbury stage door on my last show! Hairspray was a huge part of my life and I absolutely loved it and I was happy to leave it at that... so when I got asked to replace Marcus Collins and finish the 2013 tour I wasn't all together sure that I really wanted to! I saw the show and after seeing the amazing cast and hearing all the songs again, I thought why not!"

Adrian played alongside three different Motormouth Maybelle's - Johnnie Fiori, Sharon D. Clarke and Sandra Marvin whilst in the London production and is delighted to be reunited with Marvin on the tour.  "I'm really excited to be working with my best friend Sandra Marvin again, she's incredible. The tour will also mean I'm reunited with Wendy Somerville who was in the original London cast. It will be great to work with some fantastic new people too!"

Other casting news includes CHARLES RUHRMUND who replaces Josh Piterman as Corny Collins for the final venues. Charles was the understudy for Corny on the previous UK tour of Hairspray. Other credits include We Will Rock You at the Dominion Theatre, Sonny in Grease at the Piccadilly Theatre and he has recently filmed for the new Muppets movie due for release in early 2014.

The rest of the cast remain unchanged with Mark Benton leading as Edna Turnblad, Freya Sutton as Tracy, Paul Rider as Wilbur, Luke Striffler as Link, Lauren Hood as Penny, Lucy Benjamin as Velma Von Tussle, Gemma Sutton as Amber and Gabrielle Brooks as Little Inez. 

Link Larkin - Luke Striffler is suitably impressed with Baltimore's latest recruit! It should leave you very excited by this latest casting.

@adrianhansel was RUNNING AND TELLING THAT today! #dayum
— Luke Striffler (@striff1207) August 1, 2013

Don't delay in booking to see Adrian back in the role of Seaweed in this limited run until September.

For information and booking for the remaining tour venues visit hairspraythetour.com.