Preview | OKLAHOMA (UK Tour) First look at the cast!

First pictures have been released of the upcoming OKLAHOMA tour, featuring Gary Wilmot as Ali Hakim, Belinda Lang as Aunt Eller, Ashley Day (The Book Of Mormon) as Curly and Charlotte Wakefield (The Sound Of Music) as Laurey. 

Touring the UK after premiering in Northampton, the production visits Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from Tuesday 3 - Saturday 7 March. Click here for tickets. 

Ashley Day & Charlotte Wakefield

The cast also includes Nic Greenshields as Jud Fry, Lucy May Barker as Ado Annie, James O’Connell as Will Parker, Paul Grunert as Andrew Carnes, Kara Lane as Gertie Cummings, Christopher D Hunt as Cord Elam and Barnaby Thompson as Ike Skidmore.

The ensemble features Simon Anthony, Christina Bennington, Robbie Boyle, Katie Marie-Carter, Lisa Dent, Emilie du Leslay, Ian Gareth-Jones, Hannah Grace, Ross Lee Fowkes, Perry O’Dea, Sasi Strallen and Gabriella Stylianou.

Belinda Lang

Hear our friends at The Milk Bar podcast talk to Gary Wilmot about his upcoming role:

The tour is directed by Rachel Kavanaugh - former Artistic Director of the Birmingham REP. She directed An Ideal Husband at the Chichester Festival Theatre last autumn. Other credits include The Sound of Music at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, Love Story in Chichester and the West End, and The Merry Wives of Windsor for the Royal Shakespeare Company. 

Ashley Day

Dance numbers are given the Drew McOnie treatment, the highly acclaimed young choreographer's credits include In the Heights for Southwark Playhouse, The Sound of Music and Chicago for Leicester Curve, Soho Cinders at the Soho Theatre, and Dames at Sea and On the 20th Century at the Union Theatre. He recently launched his own theatre dance company, The McOnie Company.

Gary Wilmot

OKLAHOMA!, with music by Richard Rodgers and book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, was based on the Lynn Riggs play Green Grow the Lilacs and was the first musical written by the duo. It was originally produced on Broadway in 1943 and the Academy Award-winning film was released in 1955. Set in the Oklahoma territory in the early 1900s, the musical tells the story of two sets of star-crossed lovers. Cowboy Curly loves Laurey, Aunt Eller’s niece, but Curly’s rival is the mysterious and dangerous hired hand Jud Fry. Meanwhile, Ado Annie is torn between cowboy Will and peddler Ali Hakim. Their stories are told with the help of some of the best loved songs in musical theatre history, including Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’, I’m Just a Girl Who Cain’t Say No, Surrey With a Fringe on Top, Kansas City, People Will Say We’re in Love and the title song.

Photos by Pamela Raith. Click here for tickets.

SEE THE CAST IN REHEARSAL

Ashley Day

Lucy May Baker and Gary Wilmot

Sasi Strallen, Drew McOnie and cast.

Director Rachel Kavanaugh and Choreographer Drew McOnie

Charlotte Wakefield and Ashley Day

Review | THE PAJAMA GAME (Shaftesbury Theatre) June 2014

Following the success of Sweeney Todd, Singin In The Rain, Another Country and Barnum, The Pajama Game is but another Chichester Festival Theatre production that enjoys the opportunity of a transfer. 

The musical, set in 1950's America begins where a strike is imminent at the Sleep-Tite Pajama Factory. The workers churn out pajamas at a backbreaking pace and demands for a seven-and-a-half cent raise are going unheeded. In the midst of this ordeal, love blossoms between Babe, the grievance committee head, and Sid, the new factory superintendent. 

The Company

For this musical, what's particularly fascinating is the age of the piece in comparison to it's relevance. Of course, love stories are timeless but at the centre of it all is a workforce struggle, seven and a half cents doesn't buy a hell of a lot, it echoes similar situations in once-thriving businesses now. Just as Billy Elliot and The Full Monty tackle similar situations there's comedy right at the heart. Principally, it is Gary Wilmot in the role of Vernon Hines who is ultimately there for the laughs, with comedy knife throwing and a Red Indian outfit! With a great rendition of Think Of The Time I'll Save, Wilmot remains incredibly charming throughout. 

It is Michael Xavier who impresses vocally as Sid Sorokin, at one point there's a clever duet with his own voice on dictaphone.  Xavier is perfectly partnered Lauren Varnham, who covered the role of Babe for the first time at this performance. Beautiful in every sense of the word, she is in fantastically fine voice,  has boundless energy and is perfectly cast, deserving of a lead role. It is a terrible shame that more won't be get the chance to see her in what is definitely her most rounded, mature and captivating role of her career so far. Eugene McCoy is worthy of mention in the role of Union President. 

Michael Xavier

Steam Heat is perhaps one of two choreographic highlights, an incredibly entertaining dance break from the main action packed with daring lifts and exciting tap. The other, Hernando's Hideaway is a perfect example of Stephen Mear's breathtaking choreography. The finale is an uplifting pajama-clad celebration that leaves you singing in the street long afterwards and a desire to get home and slip into some luxury loungewear! 

Richard Eyre's revival of The Pajama Game is an incredibly joyous affair. It's theatre at it's very core, there's nothing overly complicated it's just 2 hours and 40 minutes of serious fun. As far as revivals go, Pajama's is at the top of it's game! 

See The Pajama Game at the Shaftesbury Theatre until Saturday 13 September. Book tickets online here.  "Hurry up, can't waste time!" as they sing...

THE PAJAMAS

You can't do The Pajama Game without pajamas, and who better to turn to than Derek Rose - a company established in 1926, a brand unrivalled in luxury using the finest silks and cottons with unprecedented passion and drive. Derek Rose supplied the pyjamas used in the 1954 production at the London Palladium and have once again provided them for the latest revival of the musical. For three lead roles, The Pajama Game team wanted something a little more unique and custom designs were specially created in consultation with the show’s costume designers and all made in Cheshire, UK. Derek Rose created 7 pairs of men’s and 7 pairs of ladies’ pyjama designs which are from fabrics picked out from their archives and reissued just for the production. To view a full range of products, visit the website here. Below is a particular favourite from the collection, the Duke 1 Navy Cashmere Dressing Gown, fully lined in the finest Italian silks... I wouldn't object if anyone wishes to buy me this!

Find out about the job of the wardrobe department, backstage at the Shaftesbury Theatre with Paula McIntosh

Cast List: Joanna Riding, Michael Xavier, Gary Wilmot, Alexis Owen-Jones, Claire Machin, Colin Stinton, Eugene McCoy, Siôn Lloyd, Jennie Dale, Sharon Wattis, Keisha Amponsa Banson, Lauren Varnham, Helen Ternent, Jo Morris, Nolan Frederick, Richard Jones, Dan Burton, James O'Connell, Pippa Raine, Stuart Winter. 

SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS (Birmingham Hippodrome) Review December 2013

It's Britain's biggest pantomime.... oh yes it is!!! Qdos Pantomimes present possibly the heaviest star line up any show has ever seen, seven lead cast members who sparkle, shine, sing and surpass all expectations in Birmingham Hippodrome's Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs! 

Gok Wan

Mirror, mirror, on the wall... well, not on the wall but magically flying in from the sky is everyone's favourite fashion guru Gok Wan. Dressed like a glittering disco ball the audience go wild at his sight... Definitely a crowd favourite, Gok is rewarded with rapturous applause and hysterical laughter with every appearance. Making his pantomime debut and even tackling the song 'Fabulous Baby' from Sister Act, he ensures every ounce of energy goes into his outrageously camp and thoroughly entertaining Man In The Mirror. 

West End leading man John Partridge is more than made for his Princely part, torn-off sleeves revealing his bulging biceps and just as strong a voice to match. Furthering the quality of a West End musical is Danielle Hope, BBC Over The Rainbow winner and fresh from playing Eponine in Les Misérables there is even a beautiful rendition of On My Own thrown in for good measure. Danielle is a delight and remains perfectly poised throughout the madness, an ideal princess. 

Gary Wilmot is a very impressive first-time dame. With two original songs written by himself he particularly showcases his talent and oozes a genuine warmth, his song about a Brummie Balti is a particular highlight. Dynasty legend Stephanie Beacham is an incredibly strong bad girl as the Wicked Queen. The strongest villain I've certainly seen in panto, she is definitely boo-worthy and deliciously dastardly. 

Stephanie Beacham

Paul Zerdin as Muddles and his sponge friend Sam delight the audience and mock others in equal part. I'm not particularly one for audience participation but tonight's married couple were good sports... they became ventriloquist dummies having mouth masks fitted to their heads. It's likely you've seen the gag before but with added humiliation the laughs keep coming... when the mask was replaced for one that worked! Staged corpsing and deliberate 'things going wrong' are aplenty and an integral part of pantomime now... perhaps this was just one of them. A secondary 'Muddles' or 'Buttons' type character is added to this pantomime in the form of Oddjob played by Matt Slack. More buffoonish than brother Muddles, Oddjob wins audience affection with slapstick routines and obscure facial expressions.

The dwarfs have less stage time than you'd perhaps expect from titular characters but they make the most of time they do have with a catchy song and individual regional accents. Lead by Ewan Goddard they move around the stage in costumes like that of Lord Farquaad in Shrek The Musical. They're a great, young and fresh alternative to traditional dwarfs and work incredibly well - a cute, enjoyable addition to the cast. The large ensemble of 10 dancers are incredibly dynamic and bring life to the already lively orchestration.

John Partridge and Gary Wilmot

The set and backcloths transport you instantly to a fantasy world, gone are the days of lengthy and awkward scene changes, everything happens seamlessly and within an instant here. This show is a plethora of special effects, whirling fireworks, a flying dragon and dazzling costumes. The first half is almost like a variety show, the second half like a musical but with traditional panto values well and truly at the heart of it all. 

You should never question purchasing tickets to the Birmingham pantomime - always a spectacle and Michael Harrison's new production lives up to and exceeds the expectations of previous years. Co-written by Alan McHugh, once again choreographed by Karen Bruce with Associate Director Tom O'Connell and Musical Director Robert Willis completing an expert team behind Qdos Entertainment's leading production. 

Find out more from the cast of Snow White in the podcast below and in my press launch coverage here. 

Don't delay in booking for what is an unmissable family pantomime or you may not be able to look yourself in the mirror! See Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs at Birmingham Hippodrome until Sunday 2 February 2014. You can book tickets by calling 0844 338 500, visiting the box office in person or online here. 

Cast List: Gok Wan, John Partridge, Danielle Hope, Gary Wilmot, Matt Slack, Paul Zerdin and Sam, Stephanie Beacham, Matt Bateman, Tom Brandon, Jon-Scott Clark, Ewan Goddard, Daniel Hope, Conleth Kane, Mark Laverty, Anne Smith, Chloe Ames, Callum Aylott, James Bennett, Michael Burr, Kage Douglas, Stephanie Elstob, Diana Girbau, Charlotte Scally, Luke Swattridge, Marie Walker

SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS (Birmingham Hippodrome) Pantomime Press Launch

In spectacular style Qdos Pantomimes and Birmingham Hippodrome launch a brand new pantomime Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs with an all-star line up that rivals any West End production. The show, which received its press launch on 23 September opens on Thursday 19th December 2013 for a six and a half week run with 77 performances until Sunday 2 February 2014. 

The cast features a dashing prince in the shape of John Partridge (Christian in Eastenders) whose theatrical roles until now have included Rum Tum Tugger in Cats and Electra in Starlight Express. John has recently finished a run as Zach in A Chorus Line at the London Palladium and said: "The Birmingham Hippodrome really is the London Palladium of pantomimes, it's the one to do!" The Birmingham Hippodrome has a long standing reputation as the venue for the UK's premiere pantomime and attracts the largest audience of any other in the world.

Making his panto debut in Birmingham is TV fashion guru Gok Wan as the Man In The Mirror: "This is the first pantomime I've ever performed in and what a touch to be able to get the biggest in the world! I must have done something right.... but we won't go into that!"

Another debut being made in Birmingham this Christmas is Gary Wilmot's Dame. Gary appeared in Cinderella at the Hippodrome in 1995, playing Buttons and has previously played Birmingham as Caractacus Potts in the touring production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. "Pantomime is quite often people's first experience of theatre and in my first time playing Dame I've got to make sure I get it right and make it a great experience for everyone watching."

BBC Over The Rainbow's search for Dorothy winner Danielle Hope was announced at the launch in the title role of Snow White. Danielle shot to fame after winning the Andrew Lloyd Webber reality series and playing Dorothy in The Wizard Of Oz at the London Palladium. Danielle has since appeared as Fantine in the West End production of Les Misérables. "This is my first time in pantomime and my first time in Birmingham! From what I've seen of the town it's huge and the high street looks fab for shopping! It's great for me because it's equidistant from London where I live and Urmston in Manchester where I'm from and my family are!" 

Also featuring in the cast is Dynasty legend Stephanie Beacham as the Wicked Queen who realises panto can have a longer lasting effect than just a few hours entertainment: "Pantomime is family time, bring the children along and get them in young and they'll always be theatre-goers." Ventriloquist Paul Zerdin and puppet friend Sam also star in the show alongside Matt Slack as a new character Oddjob.

This pantomime promises to be highlight of the festive season in Birmingham with an ensemble of physical theatre performers bringing the magnificent seven dwarfs to life as you've never seen in a panto before! Summer may have only just left us but Birmingham Hippodrome is truly in festive fever for the opening of Britain's biggest pantomime. The countdown is on! 

Tickets for Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs are priced between £12 to £39 with discounts and concessions available. Tickets are already selling fast with sales even higher than this time last year for Robinson Crusoe And The Caribbean Pirates. If you haven't already got your tickets click here to book online and select your own seats. Alternatively visit the theatre box office in person or call 0844 338 5000. 

Listen to the pantomime interviews trailer below! 

FULL INTERVIEWS TO FOLLOW SOON!

Photographs by Scott Bird
Group Photograph by Birmingham Hippodrome