The People’s Choice award winners Lee Mead and Connie Fisher will duet this Christmas on a BBC1 Xmas special, descibed by the BBC as entertainment extravaganza - it’s certainly one to watch this festive holiday

Aired on Christmas day this 60 minute special will include an interview with the theatre legend Andrew Lloyd Webber and festive songs from the talented Denise Van Outen and John Barrowman.

Mead and Fisher’s duet is expected to form the centrepiece of the show, however the reality TV winners will also be reunited with some of the other finalists such as Lewis Bradley and Aoife Mulholland.

Fans of “Any Dream Will Do” and “How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria” will absolutely love this christmas special, don’t miss your chance to see your favorite theatre stars singing festive classics this holiday.

Technorati Tags: andrew lloyd webber, any dream will do, connie fisher, denise van outen, how do you solve a problem like maria, john barrowman, joseph, lee mead, the sound of music

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Werner Von Trapp, a member of the family made famous by the legendary film The Sound of Music, has died in his home aged 91.
Werner, depicted by Kurt in his stepmother’s novel The Story of the Trapp Family Singers, was second oldest son of the Von Trapp children. Along with his six siblings, father and step mother, Werner comprised the world renowned Trapp Family Singers whom inspired the film The Sound of Music.
Werner and his family found home in the United States, in which he served in the United States Armed Forces and then became a dairy farmer before retiring in Vermont.
The legend of the Von Trapp family still lives on today with the West End version of The Sound of Music proving popular with both adults and children alike.

Technorati Tags: sound of music, von trapp family, werner von trapp

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When Graham Norton let slip last night that Andrew Lloyd Webber may be deciding to do another TV casting show - our ears pricked up!
Music man Webber has a great selection of shows to choose from, Jesus Christ Superstar, Cats, Evita and Bombay Dreams would all work and bring in budding actors from near and far.
However we all know that the legend himself has been writing a sequel to Phantom of the Opera and we couldn’t help but wonder if this is the next musical to have a TV talent show star as the lead?
We shall keep you informed of any more news leaks on this story, but for now here are some clips from the past two Webber reality TV shows

Technorati Tags: andrew lloyd webber, any dream will do, connie fisher, graham norton, how do you solve a problem like maria, lee mead, musical auditions, musicals, reality tv musicals, reality tv shows

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Andrew Lloyd Webber’s protégés scooped the top awards at this years People’s Choice Theatre Awards, Lee Mead (unsurprisingly) received ‘Favorite Theatre Actor’ and Connie Fisher won the ‘Favorite Theatre Actress Award’. Both Mead and Fisher were shocked that they’d won but were grateful to the public for appreciating their talents - ahem I’m sure women everywhere appreciate Lee’s talents in more ways than one!
Daniel Radcliff’s nude scenes helped score Equus the ‘Favorite Play Award’ and the spellbinding show Wicked conjured up ‘Favorite Musical’ and ‘Favorite Theatre Moment’.
However the most shocking award of the night had to be ‘The Favorite Pre-theatre Dinner Award’, in my opinion the public had pretty much hit the nail on the head when dishing out these awards but when ‘The Favorite Pre-theatre Dinner Award’ was announced I was left slightly confused! Drum roll please………….The Pizza Express Haymarket, now don’t get me wrong - I do love Pizza Express, I just think that the pre-theatre restaurant should be as divine as the theatre and as delectable as the show. There are hundreds of delicious restaurants to choose from in this area that serve mouthwatering dishes for reasonable prices in luxurious settings, maybe I’m bias as we sell some amazing restaurants in our packages but they are definitely worth a try before a theatre show.
Nevertheless the awards went to deserving winners and a good night was had by one and all!

Technorati Tags: connie fisher, Daniel Radcliff, equuis, lee mead, the peoples choice awards, theatre awards, wicked

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I went to see Rent at the Duke of York’s theatre on Tuesday night and having seen the Broadway version I was excited at the prospect of seeing such an immense show in the West End.

Roger, played by Luke Evans was phenomenal, every time he sang I got goose bumps and don’t get me started on the raunchy Tango scene between Joanna (Francesca Jackson) and Mark (Oliver Thornton)…..I come over all faint thinking about it, someone get me a bucket of cold water! That man is ridiculously attractive, not to mention ripped! There was some eye candy for the boys too, Denise Van Outen oozed sex appeal from the moment she appeared at the end of Act One but she slightly destroyed it for me with her lack lustre American accent and stand up style discussion with the audience; some poor girl was dragged to her feet, whilst Denise discussed her presence..let’s just say she was gifted in a certain department!

Elements of the show were particularly jarring and I am still none too sure about the “techno twist”…just as a warning this show uses a fair amount of strobe lighting so beware! I think for anyone new to the production, read up about the show before you go as the story is not as clear as its Broadway counterpart. Fans of Siobhan Donaghy turn away now…to be honest I was surprised as she gave a very mediocre performance and her voice was nowhere near what I was expecting, Francesca Jackson was by far the best female singer (that includes Denise Van Outen!).

Overall I was a little disappointed, the elements were all there but I was left feeling a little deflated. I think the production will improve as they relax into their new roles but it is not one I would see again - although I will definitely be signing up for anything Oliver and Luke appear in again!

Check out Oliver Thornton in Les Misérables as Enjolras:

Technorati Tags: denise van outen, duke of yorks theatre, francesca jackson, luke evans, oliver thornton, Rent, rent musical, Siobhan Donaghy

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We’ve heard some exciting news on the grapevine - Hugh Jackman has been short listed to play Rhett Butler in Gone with the Wind, yes ladies that’s right, the dashing actor who starred in X-Men, Van Helsing, The Prestige and Swordfish.

Now for the bad news……he is set to star in the Broadway version of Gone with the Wind, however Show and Stay is hot on the heels of this breaking news and will be the first to let you know if he decides to grace a West End stage as well.

One things for sure, if Hugh does land the role of the charming Rhett Bulter - women everywhere will be stampeding to the theatre, pants and love letters in hand!

Here is a clip of Hugh Jackman and his vocal talents at the Tony Awards.

Technorati Tags: broadway, gone with the wind, hugh jackman, rhett butler, west end

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One of the greatest love stories of all time has now been adapted for the stage, Gone With The Wind will breeze it’s way into the West End next year.
This thrilling tale follows Scarlett O’Hara and her passionate but rocky relationship with the unpredictable yet charming Rhett Butler. Set against the backdrop of the Civil War, it’s a captivating journey of romance and tragedy.

This 1939 classic is one of many legendary films that have been adapted for the theatre this year, following in the footsteps of Hairspray, Desperately Seeking Susan and Grease - Gone with the Wind is set to be a huge hit in the bright lights of the West End.

I’m sure after watching the stage version of this superb film you’ll be left saying “frankly my dear I DO give a damn” about this show!

Here is a snippet of the movie for you to enjoy

Technorati Tags: gone with teh wind theatre adaptation, gone with the wind, gone with the wind in the west end, west end

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Alright, so you’ve seen the show and maybe you’ve sung along to the tunes too? But it’s a big leap from singing along to making the step up to actually getting on stage with the cast of Wicked. Still think you’ve got the minerals to do it? Then take a look at the WannabeWicked offer with Orange and see if you can win this amazing opportunity…

Why not let me know how you get on, whether you hit the wrong key or were note-perfect… i want to hear how it went. So i know whether anyone is going to be competition for me - i can’t see it happening!

You can choose from five Wicked tunes written by Stephen Schwartz to impress the voting public - so will it be a ‘Popular’ song choice or will the customers of Orange want you to stop singing ‘For Good’? Have a go for your chance to win this fantastic prize including a walk-on appearance with full costume, backstage tour, hotel stay as well as much more fun and frolics to be had. I would say it’s a wicked prize but how clichéd would that be…

Take a look at this video to get yourself in the mood and maybe have a bit of a reality check if you’re not quite up to the standards of the professionals but then again with the public voting who knows what’s going to happen!!

Technorati Tags: orange mobile, orange wannabe wicked, singing wicked songs, stephen schwartz, wicked, wicked competition, wicked the musical, wizard of oz

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Another one bites the dust, well another five bite the dust - as a whole host of new cast members join the London production of We Will Rock You!! As the smash hit rocks into its seventh year in the West End, only Killer Queen and Khashoggi are still played by the same actors… with Galileo, Scaramouche, Pop, Badass Britney and Meat all being replaced!!

The changes took place yesterday (October 1st) so if you have seen the new cast at the Dominion, drop me a comment and let us know how they did… I am keen to hear your opinions and see if the new cast can maintain the high standards.

Richard Afonso will take on the role of Galileo with Lain Gray replacing the previous Badass Britney, both having performed in We Will Rock You lower down the cast list! These two must be feeling under pressure having watched from a safer position as others performed the roles so well - but let’s hope they step up create a kind of magic for the crowds to remember forever.

If you’ve got any information about the other cast members or any We Will Rock You news, let me know and share it with the other theatre fans!!

Take a look at the ORIGINAL and THE BEST - Freddie Mercury and Queen performing We Will Rock You at Live Aid. This was the greatest rock performance by any band in the history of music… feel free to disagree but you will be wrong and i will not take you seriously!!

Technorati Tags: dominion theatre, queen musical, we will rock you

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