SINGIN' IN THE RAIN (UK Tour) Review March 2014

Chichester Festival Theatre have produced some excellent productions in recent years - including Sweeney Todd, Another Country soon to open at the Trafalgar Studios, The Pyjama Game opening at the Shaftesbury Theatre and Cameron Mackintosh's revival of Barnum which is about to embark on a UK tour. Singin' In The Rain enjoyed success in Chichester in 2011, the West End in 2012 and now a tour of the UK and Ireland is making a splash in Birmingham. 

Singin' In The Rain tells the story of the first Hollywood musical, when the silver screen found its voice and left silent movies - and some of its stars – behind. This show leaves none of it's stars behind and from the outset you are whisked away to the Hollywood glamour of 1920's Los Angeles. The magic of the MGM musicals is truly at the heart of the show - I don't recall a time when I've ever been so enchanted at the theatre, which is easily done with the grandeur of Jonathan Church's production.

Before you can talk about anything more, the choreography by Andrew Wright must be credited for taking the show from one that looks great to one that is great - and so full of energy. Even without the rain these dancers were dripping, with sweat. Scenes that are concentrated heavily with dialogue benefit greatly from an injection of incredibly creative, complex and breathtaking routines. The tap is fast and furious, both the dance kind and the water kind. 14,000 litres of soak the stage (and the first few rows of the auditorium) in a spectacular finale - a downpour that provokes a well earned standing ovation.

James Leece as Don Lockwood

Following in the soggy footsteps of Gene Kelly is James Leece as Don Lockwood. A charming performance, Leece is great to watch, particularly when splashing around in the title song or when together with Amy Ellen Richardson who is a delight as Kathy Selden. The perfect face of Hollywood glamour, Richardson excels not only in her irresistible presence but is in fine voice throughout.

It is Make Em Laugh that perhaps receives the loudest applause for a dry routine, perfectly executed within split seconds of comic timing, the incredible Stephane Anelli is difficult to move your attention from as the buffoonish Cosmo Brown, relishing the role for all it's worth. Also scene-stealing is Faye Tozer ("from Steps") as movie star Lina Lamont. With a ghastly shrill voice she earns raucous laughs with her song What's Wrong With Me? - ironically, the character can't sing and the fact that Tozer isn't given the opportunity to showcase her vocal talent here is somewhat of a shame.

Faye Tozer as Lina Lamont

The story may induce times where you're left thinking "just hurry up and rain!" but in it's entirety you can't possibly have seen this show better than it it's presented here. There is an incredible orchestra that guide you through an evening of Hollywood glamour presented only by the most dynamic ensemble.

Go on, splash the cash on a ticket to the show that showers you with nothing but pure talent and class. Book tickets online here - runs until Saturday 5 April at Birmingham Hippodrome. 

View the show's trailer:

Cast List: James Leece, Amy Ellen Richardson, Stephane Anelli, Maxwell Caufield, Faye Tozer, Jacqueline Clarke, Paul Grunert, Luke Dowling, Jenny Legg, Kim Strommen, Abigail Brodie, Adam Denman, Rebecca Fennelly, Olivia Fines, Lauren Hall, Aimee Hodnett, Nia Jermin, Sammy Kelly, Joshua Lovell, Matthew Malthouse, Phil Marriott, Tom Partridge, Tom Woods, Albey Brookes, Matt Crandon, Lucy James, Soeli Parry

INTERVIEW with Sandra Marvin - March 2014

Sandra Marvin's theatre credits not only include her critically acclaimed performances of Miss Motormouth Maybelle in Hairspray in the West End and Tour but she recently appeared as Matron Mama Morton in Paul Kerryson's Chicago at the Leicester Curve. Amongst other theatre credits that include Porgy and Bess, Ragtime, A Midsummer Night's Dream and The Lion King at Disneyland Paris, Sandra can also be heard on the Oscar-winning soundtrack of the recent blockbuster film Gravity. If that wasn't enough, Sandra is now headlining her own cabaret show... 

You're about to do your first solo cabaret after quite while in some incredible productions. Lets start with last year - the majority of which was spent on tour with Hairspray. You're no stranger to Motormouth Maybelle having played the role in two UK tours and in the West End, how do you look back on your time with the show?

I have the fondest of memories of my time in Hairspray! It really is a timeless, funny, witty amazing show with the best music and biggest heart! And the people! I've met the most fantastic people, & many of my best friends on this job. To this day we all still have reunions to share the Hairspray family love! So much love for past casts, crew and creatives. Also nothing but love for the role of Miss Motormouth Maybelle! I'll always be "Big, Blonde and Beautiful!" - 'lol' ... Also getting the chance to sing "I know Where I've Been", such an honour. Loved being blonde!

And most recently you took on the role of Mama Morton in Chicago at the Leicester Curve - I believe this was always a dream role of yours? How was that experience for you?

Yes, she was one of my dream roles. Years ago, the first theatrical demo I recorded was "When You're Good to Mama", so finally being able to play her was certainly a dream come true. Also working with Paul Kerryson, we were given the opportunity to revisit the original play of Chicago and rediscover who our characters were and play their different traits. It was all very exciting and the fresh new choreography by Drew McOnie just topped it off! And such an amazing cast!

Sandra as Mama Morton, Chicago at Leicester Curve.

I've never known a theatre audience erupt quite like at the end of your song in Hairspray - I Know Where I've Been. You've more than proved that you've got an incredible voice. Do you remember a time when perhaps you discovered singing and worked and worked at it, or have you always known that this voice was there inside?

Ah, Thank you Scott! All I know is that I've just always loved singing! Whether it was when I was a kid singing along with my dad's old records, to this present day. Whether I'm on stage or letting rip whilst washing up the dishes! Singing lifts my spirits, and I hope that I can share that with people when I sing. I still have singing lessons now with my teacher Tom Pearce. I think it's good to make sure you keep up a good technique, but other than that, it's all about singing from the heart. "I Know Where I've Been" is a beautiful, powerful song that means a lot to me.

Who are your musical inspirations? Was there anyone or anything that inspired you to follow this career?

Well I'm the only musical one in my family, though they certainly introduced to some incredible vocalists from a young age. My mum and dad adored Tina Turner and Dolly Parton. Both phenomenal artists. There was of course also Whitney, Aretha and Ella too. But it was my sister who introduced me to Barbra Streisand's first album and I was hooked from then. I still adore all of these artists now and I'll be paying homage to many of them on Sunday too.

Besides these roles, you've appeared as a guest singer for Michael Ball, you've done intimate West End cabarets as part of a line up - but now it's all about you! What can you tell us about your cabaret show at Lauderdale House?

My passion for music is so varied, so I'll be singing jazz, musical theatre, soul, rock, acid jazz...! Many of my favourite songs to share with you all. But mostly Sunday will be a fun, laid back, intimate celebration of music that inspires me and touches the soul.

Sandra as Motormouth Maybelle in Hairspray, Shaftesbury Theatre.

For your upcoming concert, Sunday Sessions, you're re-united with your Hairspray-son Adrian Hansel, who played Seaweed, what does it mean to have him alongside you?

Adrian is actually my musical brother from another mother! We both have a love for very much the same type of music, though he's so much more current than I am. He often surprises me with a mix of "songs you don't know, but should know" playlist of the most amazing songs that become fast favourites. It's an absolute honour to have him with me, as not only has he one of the most stunning voices I've ever heard, he's also one of my dearest friends.

Is there anyone else we can expect to see as a guest?

I'm also excited and honoured to have Amy Diamond with me too who absolutely has the voice of an angel! My amazing MD Peter White, and Jonathan Cooper (the funkiest bass in town) and Dave Gonella (percussion).. All amazingly talented musicians so I'm excited to be working with again. We're gonna rock Lauderdale House!

Finally, what's next for Sandra? Anything you'd like to do?
I'm also singing Friday and Saturday 21st/ 22nd March at soul/jazz bar Hideaway, Streatham. Ooooooh and there is something that I'm excited about to be announced soon! 

You can book ticket's for Sandra's cabaret by clicking here or by calling 020 8348 8716. Sunday Sessions features Adrian Hansel and Amy Diamond at Lauderdale House on Sunday 23 March - 4:30pm. 

LET IT BE (UK Tour) Review March 2014

After a triumphant run in the West End, Let It Be is now giving the regions a taste of Beatlemania. 

Known as 'The Beatles Musical' - this is more of a glorified tribute show, but this concert-like performance is one hell of a crowd-pleaser. There isn't much to say about it: four guys who closely resemble each band-member take you chronologically through the Beatles back-catalogue of hits. What is clever is that the story is told through news reports and real TV footage from the archives that fill in the time between set changes. With each change of scenery is a change of venue and often country. You journey from the humble beginnings of The Cavern, their appearance on the Royal Variety Performance of 1963 at the Prince Of Wales Theatre - where this show played in late 2012 and into America. 

At times you are reminded that this is but a reflection upon the 60's, a conscious imitation with reference to CD's and Ringo's narration of Thomas The Tank Engine. Where the show perhaps lacks is with dialogue between the boys, it's very much imitation of live performance after live performance, it may have been interesting to delve deeper into the backstories but for the hardcore fan it's crowd-pleasing hit after hit. 

I can't say that I ever listen to The Beatles and have never really taken an interest in their music but there's something euphoric about a large group of people singing along and swaying to Hey Jude! Not that I gained much in the way of nostalgia as I wasn't there to begin with but what this does offer is the chance to live and experience the 60's in what felt authentic. 

The absence of Yellow Submarine (one of the only Beatles songs I know!) wasn't too disappointing - the show is more than packed with hits including the title song Let It Be, I Want To Hold Your Hand, Strawberry Fields Forever, Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds, Hard Day's Night, Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band and When I'm 64 to name but a few... 

Beatles-wise this is as good as you'll get. Even with my little Beatles experience I was able to enjoy this all-round quality production. You'll be standing, clapping and waving your arms and flags before you know it! You can see the show at Birmingham New Alexandra Theatre until Saturday 22 March. Book tickets here. 

Cast List: Emanuele Angeletti, Michael Bramwell, John Brosnan, Ben Cullingworth, James Fox, Michael Gagliano, Steve Seere, Reuven Gershon, Graham Harvey, Stephen Hill, Paul Mannion, Luke Roberts (Each performance of the show is performed by five members of the company.)

PARALLEL PRODUCTIONS (St James Studio) West End Switched Off Album Launch

Parallel Productions today announce the first in a series of albums that arrange musical theatre songs that you know – and a few that you may not – into unheard acoustic, 'unplugged' covers, collaborating with a wealth of talented musicians and performers. 

West End Switched Off will feature a range of familiar faces on the album including Ashleigh Gray, recently seen as Stephanie in Cool Rider and as Standby Elphaba in Wicked, Chlöe Hart who until recently was appearing in Wicked and previously played Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray, Adrian Hansel who was recently seen as Seaweed in Hairspray, Jodie Steele, currently appearing as Carmen Diaz in the UK Tour of Fame and recently seen as Mimi in Rent, and Jordan Lee Davies, recently seen on the BBC’s The Voice and as Alan in Bare the Rock Musical.

Some of the guests involved with the album and the launch include Chöe Hart, Dale Evans, Jodie Steele, Ian Stroughair, Adrian Hansel, Dean John-Wilson, Jordan Lee Davies and Ashley Gray. 

The album will be launched in style with an intimate evening of entertainment at the St James Studio on Sunday 27th April at 6.30pm, with tickets available from just £15. Accompanied by a live band, there will be a stellar line up of guests which already includes Chlöe Hart (Hairspray), Emma Hatton (Wicked), Dean John-Wilson (From Here To Eternity), Dale Evans (Miss Saigon, From Here to Eternity), Ian Stroughair (Rent 20th Anniversary Tour, Chicago) and Jordan Lee Davies (The Voice). The launch night will give the audience the chance to have an up-close and personal experience of some of the never before heard tracks on the album before the official release. The album itself will be available for purchase as a CD or digital download on iTunes, Amazon and other platforms from Monday 28th April.

This launch follows on from the success of charity project A Very West End Christmas, that saw an unprecedented number of musical theatre stars come together in the final months of last year to record the five-track EP including a version of Do They Know It's Christmas. Feel festive all over again and listen to the song below:

You can book tickets for the launch at the St James Studio on 27th April here. For more information, visit the website.