#sophie-may feek

[angelofmusicals87614]

According to this Instagram Post, Adam Pearce will only be with the cast until September 1st, and only as The Bishop. I don't think he will be understudying any of the roles

James Gant's Wife Sophie is returning as a Swing, Jordan Simon Pollard is returning as possible Javert U/S like in the UK Tour, and Adam Pearce is returning as The Bishop and possibly Javert & Thenardier U/S like how he was in the OG version

I think I saw Jordan will be covering both Javert and Thenardier. Nice to see him return as well!

[olivia-y113]

6th September 2017 (Evening)

Sophie-May Feek (2nd cover Fantine), Antony Hansen (2nd cover Jean Valjean)

The silver lining of having to let go of a cast I loved is that I can get excited over cover announcements again. 

Pretty sure this is the first time I’ve gotten two 2nd covers for leading roles. Sophie was a brunette Fantine and Antony was a somewhat agitated Jean Valjean. They were both obviously nervous (and flubbed more than a few lines each) but overall did pretty well. 

[maraschinocheri]

Best of 2017 Countdown #14 :: Celebrating Team Covers in Les Mis London, 2017–2018. [ 15 ]

The West End cast of Les Miserables this year is again teeming with absolutely gorgeous covers, including:

• Adam Bayjou (alternate Valjean); Antony Hansen (2nd Valjean) and Shaq Taylor (1st Javert); and Alice Ellen Wright (1st Fantine); • Jonny Purchase (1st Enjolras) and Ciaran Joyce (2nd Marius); Alice Ellen Wright again (1st Eponine); Rebecca Lafferty (3rd Eponine) and Holly-Anne Hull (1st Cosette); • Sophie-May Feek (2nd Fantine); Katie Kerr (1st Madame Thenardier) and James Hume (1st Thenardier); Catherine Hannay (2nd Cosette) and John Lumsden (1st Marius); • Hugo Chiarella (2nd Thenardier) and Anna McGarahan (2nd Madame Thenardier); Andy Conaghan (1st Grantaire); Oliver Brenin (3rd Valjean); • Lee Van Geleen (2nd Javert); Danny Whitehead (2nd Enjolras) and Jonny Purchase again (emergency Marius); Lauren Soley (2nd Eponine); • Emma Barr (3rd Fantine); Ciaran Joyce again (2nd Grantaire), and Holly-Anne Hull again (emergency Gavroche)

[centrestagereviews]

Actor of the Week:

Sophie-May Feek:

Sophie trained at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. 

Her credits whilst training include: Bertha Rochester (Jane Eyre), Wardrobe Mistress (Kiss Me, Kate) and Jacqueline Kennedy (First Lady Suite).

Her theatre credits include: Sophia (Death Takes a Holiday - Charing Cross Theatre), Sandra (Made in Dagenham - Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch and New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich) and Jackie Tower (Six-Five Rock ‘n’ Roll Express - Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge Wells).

Sophie is currently performing as U/S for Fantine and in the ensemble of London’s Les Miserables.

For more information from Sophie you can follow her on:  Twitter: https://twitter.com/sfeek94?lang=en Or head to the official Les Mis website to book to see her performing: https://www.lesmis.com/uk/about/cast-and-creatives/

Images courtesy of Google Images.

[bootlegz]

les miserables west end audios for trade

All audios recorded by myself.

11th Feb 2017 - (Adam Bayjou cover Valjean) Thomas Aldridge; Adam Bayjou; Oliver Brenin; Lucyelle Cliffe; Andy Conaghan; Chris Cowley; Vinny Coyle; Tamsin Dowsett; Aimée Fisher; Antony Hansen; Steffan Harri; Holly-Anne Hull; Will Jennings; Josie Kemp; Charlotte Kennedy; David Langham; Joanna Loxton; Simon Lynch; Kayleigh McKnight; Felix Mosse; Lucy O’Byrne; Hollie O’Donoghue; Adam Pearce; Jonny Purchase; Sophie Reeves; Katy Secombe; Hayden Tee; Samantha Thomas; Lee Van Geleen; Danny Whitehead and Paul Wilkins.

07th Oct 2017 Matinee - Emma Barr; Adam Bayjou; Oliver Brenin; Ciarán Bowling; Hugo Chiarella; Andy Conaghan; Killian Donnelly; Alice Ellen Wright; Sophie-May Feek; Hyoie O’Grady; Catherine Hannay; Antony Hansen; Holly-Anne Hull; James Hume; Karis Jack; Ciaran Joyce; Charlotte Kennedy; Katie Kerr; Rebecca Lafferty; Jo Loxton; John Lumsden; Anna McGarahan; Steven Meo; Jonny Purchase; Lauren Soley; Carley Stenson; Jacqueline Tate; Shaq Taylor; George Tebbutt; Hayden Tee; Lee Van Geleen; Danny Whitehead and Paul Wilkins.

07th Oct 2017 Evening - (Birthday performance; includes video and photos of birthday speech at the end with John Caird, Alan Boublil, and Claude-Michel Schönberg) Emma Barr; Adam Bayjou; Oliver Brenin; Ciarán Bowling; Hugo Chiarella; Andy Conaghan; Killian Donnelly; Alice Ellen Wright; Sophie-May Feek; Hyoie O’Grady; Catherine Hannay; Antony Hansen; Holly-Anne Hull; James Hume; Karis Jack; Ciaran Joyce; Charlotte Kennedy; Katie Kerr; Rebecca Lafferty; Jo Loxton; John Lumsden; Anna McGarahan; Steven Meo; Jonny Purchase; Lauren Soley; Carley Stenson; Jacqueline Tate; Shaq Taylor; George Tebbutt; Hayden Tee; Lee Van Geleen; Danny Whitehead and Paul Wilkins.

21st Oct 2017 - (Shaq Taylor cover Javert; James Hume cover Thenardier; Holly Ann Hull cover Cosette; Hugo Chiarella cover Bamatabois) Emma Barr; Adam Bayjou; Oliver Brenin; Ciarán Bowling; Hugo Chiarella; Andy Conaghan; Killian Donnelly; Alice Ellen Wright; Sophie-May Feek; Hyoie O’Grady; Catherine Hannay; Antony Hansen; Holly-Anne Hull; James Hume; Karis Jack; Ciaran Joyce; Katie Kerr; Rebecca Lafferty; Jo Loxton; John Lumsden; Anna McGarahan; Jonny Purchase; Lauren Soley; Carley Stenson; Jacqueline Tate; Shaq Taylor; George Tebbutt; Lee Van Geleen; Danny Whitehead and Paul Wilkins.

13th Nov 2017 - (Adam Bayjou cover Valjean; Shaq Taylor cover Javert; Oliver Brenin cover Factory Foreman; Hugo Chiarella cover Bamatabois) Emma Barr; Adam Bayjou; Oliver Brenin; Ciarán Bowling; Hugo Chiarella; Andy Conaghan; Alice Ellen Wright; Sophie-May Feek; Hyoie O’Grady; Catherine Hannay; Antony Hansen; Holly-Anne Hull; Karis Jack; Ciaran Joyce; Charlotte Kennedy; Katie Kerr; Rebecca Lafferty; Jo Loxton; John Lumsden; Anna McGarahan; Steven Meo; Jonny Purchase; Lauren Soley; Carley Stenson; Jacqueline Tate; Shaq Taylor; George Tebbutt; Lee Van Geleen; Danny Whitehead and Paul Wilkins.

14th Dec 2017 - (Holly Ann Hull cover Cosette) Emma Barr; Adam Bayjou; Oliver Brenin; Ciarán Bowling; Hugo Chiarella; Andy Conaghan; Killian Donnelly; Alice Ellen Wright; Sophie-May Feek; Hyoie O’Grady; Catherine Hannay; Antony Hansen; Holly-Anne Hull; James Hume; Karis Jack; Ciaran Joyce; Katie Kerr; Rebecca Lafferty; Jo Loxton; John Lumsden; Anna McGarahan; Steven Meo; Jonny Purchase; Lauren Soley; Carley Stenson; Jacqueline Tate; Shaq Taylor; George Tebbutt; Hayden Tee; Lee Van Geleen; Danny Whitehead and Paul Wilkins.

10th Jan 2018 - (Adam Bayjou cover Valjean; Shaq Taylor cover Javert; Alice Ellen Wright cover Eponine; James Hume cover Thenardier; Andy Conaghan cover Grantaire; Danny Whitehead cover Bamatabois; Lee Van Geleen cover Factory Foreman) Emma Barr; Adam Bayjou; Oliver Brenin; Ciarán Bowling; Andy Conaghan; Alice Ellen Wright; Sophie-May Feek; Hyoie O’Grady; Catherine Hannay; Antony Hansen; Holly-Anne Hull; James Hume; Ciaran Joyce; Charlotte Kennedy; Katie Kerr; Rebecca Lafferty; Jo Loxton; John Lumsden; Anna McGarahan; Jonny Purchase; Lauren Soley; Carley Stenson; Jacqueline Tate; Shaq Taylor; George Tebbutt; Lee Van Geleen; Danny Whitehead and Paul Wilkins.

11th Jan 2018 - (Adam Bayjou cover Valjean; Lee Van Geleen cover Javert; Alice Ellen Wright cover Eponine; James Hume cover Thenardier; Andy Conaghan cover Grantaire; Danny Whitehead cover Bamatabois; Oliver Brenin cover Factory Foreman) Emma Barr; Adam Bayjou; Oliver Brenin; Ciarán Bowling; Andy Conaghan; Alice Ellen Wright; Sophie-May Feek; Hyoie O’Grady; Catherine Hannay; Antony Hansen; Holly-Anne Hull; James Hume; Ciaran Joyce; Charlotte Kennedy; Katie Kerr; Rebecca Lafferty; Jo Loxton; John Lumsden; Anna McGarahan; Jonny Purchase; Lauren Soley; Carley Stenson; Jacqueline Tate; George Tebbutt; Lee Van Geleen; Danny Whitehead and Paul Wilkins.

12th Jan 2018 - (Alice Ellen Wright cover Eponine; Andy Conaghan cover Grantaire; Emma Barr cover Factory Girl) Emma Barr; Adam Bayjou; Oliver Brenin; Ciarán Bowling; Andy Conaghan; Killian Donnelly; Alice Ellen Wright; Sophie-May Feek; Hyoie O’Grady; Catherine Hannay; Antony Hansen; Holly-Anne Hull; James Hume; Ciaran Joyce; Charlotte Kennedy; Katie Kerr; Rebecca Lafferty; Jo Loxton; John Lumsden; Steven Meo; Jonny Purchase; Lauren Soley; Carley Stenson; Jacqueline Tate; Shaq Taylor; George Tebbutt; Hayden Tee; Lee Van Geleen; Danny Whitehead and Paul Wilkins.

ACT ONE ONLY 19th Jan 2018 - (Andy Conaghan cover Grantaire; Emma Barr cover Factory Girl; Lee Van Geleen cover Factory Foreman) Emma Barr; Oliver Brenin; Ciarán Bowling; Andy Conaghan; Killian Donnelly; Alice Ellen Wright; Sophie-May Feek; Hyoie O’Grady; Catherine Hannay; Antony Hansen; Holly-Anne Hull; James Hume; Karis Jack; Ciaran Joyce; Charlotte Kennedy; Katie Kerr; Rebecca Lafferty; Jo Loxton; John Lumsden; Steven Meo; Jonny Purchase; Lauren Soley; Carley Stenson; Jacqueline Tate; Shaq Taylor; George Tebbutt; Hayden Tee; Lee Van Geleen; Danny Whitehead and Paul Wilkins.

20th Jan 2018 - Hayden Tee’s final performance as Javert - (John Lumsden cover Marius; Andy Conaghan cover Grantaire; Emma Barr cover Factory Girl) Emma Barr; Adam Bayjou; Oliver Brenin; Ciarán Bowling; Andy Conaghan; Killian Donnelly; Alice Ellen Wright; Sophie-May Feek; Hyoie O’Grady; Catherine Hannay; Antony Hansen; Holly-Anne Hull; James Hume; Karis Jack; Ciaran Joyce; Charlotte Kennedy; Katie Kerr; Rebecca Lafferty; Jo Loxton; John Lumsden; Steven Meo; Jonny Purchase; Lauren Soley; Carley Stenson; Jacqueline Tate; Shaq Taylor; George Tebbutt; Hayden Tee; Lee Van Geleen and Danny Whitehead.

29th Jan 2018 - (Adam Bayjou cover Valjean; Alice Ellen Wright cover Eponine; Lee Van Geleen cover Factory Foreman) Emma Barr; Adam Bayjou; Oliver Brenin; Ciarán Bowling; Hugo Chiarella; Andy Conaghan; Alice Ellen Wright; Sophie-May Feek; Hyoie O’Grady; Catherine Hannay; Antony Hansen; Holly-Anne Hull; James Hume; Ciaran Joyce; Charlotte Kennedy; Katie Kerr; Rebecca Lafferty; Jo Loxton; John Lumsden; Anna McGarahan; Steven Meo; Jonny Purchase; Lauren Soley; Carley Stenson; Jacqueline Tate; Shaq Taylor; George Tebbutt; David Thaxton; Lee Van Geleen; Danny Whitehead and Paul Wilkins.

19th Feb 2018 - (Adam Bayjou cover Valjean; Andy Conaghan cover Grantaire; Lee Van Geleen cover Factory Foreman) Emma Barr; Adam Bayjou; Oliver Brenin; Ciarán Bowling; Andy Conaghan; Alice Ellen Wright; Sophie-May Feek; Hyoie O’Grady; Catherine Hannay; Antony Hansen; Holly-Anne Hull; James Hume; Karis Jack; Ciaran Joyce; Charlotte Kennedy; Katie Kerr; Rebecca Lafferty; Jo Loxton; John Lumsden; Anna McGarahan; Steven Meo; Jonny Purchase; Lauren Soley; Carley Stenson; Jacqueline Tate; Shaq Taylor; George Tebbutt; David Thaxton; Lee Van Geleen; Danny Whitehead and Paul Wilkins.

05th May 2018 - (Alice Ellen Wright cover Fantine; James Hume cover Thenardier; Danny Whitehead cover Enjolras; Hugo Chiarella cover Bamatabois) Emma Barr; Adam Bayjou; Oliver Brenin; Ciarán Bowling; Hugo Chiarella; Andy Conaghan; Killian Donnelly; Alice Ellen Wright; Sophie-May Feek; Catherine Hannay; Antony Hansen; Holly-Anne Hull; James Hume; Karis Jack; Ciaran Joyce; Charlotte Kennedy; Katie Kerr; Rebecca Lafferty; Jo Loxton; John Lumsden; Anna McGarahan; Steven Meo; Lauren Soley; Carley Stenson; Jacqueline Tate; Shaq Taylor; George Tebbutt; David Thaxton; Lee Van Geleen; Danny Whitehead and Paul Wilkins.

17th May 2018 - (Shaq Taylor cover Javert; Jonny Purchase cover Enjolras) Emma Barr; Adam Bayjou; Oliver Brenin; Ciarán Bowling; Hugo Chiarella; Andy Conaghan; Killian Donnelly; Alice Ellen Wright; Sophie-May Feek; Catherine Hannay; Antony Hansen; Holly-Anne Hull; James Hume; Karis Jack; Ciaran Joyce; Charlotte Kennedy; Katie Kerr; Rebecca Lafferty; Jo Loxton; John Lumsden; Anna McGarahan; Steven Meo; Jonny Purchase; Lauren Soley; Carley Stenson; Jacqueline Tate; Shaq Taylor; George Tebbutt; Lee Van Geleen; Danny Whitehead and Paul Wilkins.

09th June 2018 - 2017-2018 cast muck-up matinee - Emma Barr; Adam Bayjou; Oliver Brenin; Ciarán Bowling; Hugo Chiarella; Andy Conaghan; Killian Donnelly; Alice Ellen Wright; Sophie-May Feek; Hyoie O’Grady; Catherine Hannay; Antony Hansen; Holly-Anne Hull; James Hume; Karis Jack; Ciaran Joyce; Charlotte Kennedy; Katie Kerr; Rebecca Lafferty; Jo Loxton; John Lumsden; Anna McGarahan; Steven Meo; Jonny Purchase; Lauren Soley; Carley Stenson; Jacqueline Tate; Shaq Taylor; George Tebbutt; David Thaxton; Lee Van Geleen; Danny Whitehead and Paul Wilkins.

09th June 2018 Evening - Final show of 2017-2018 cast - Emma Barr; Adam Bayjou; Oliver Brenin; Ciarán Bowling; Hugo Chiarella; Andy Conaghan; Killian Donnelly; Alice Ellen Wright; Sophie-May Feek; Hyoie O’Grady; Catherine Hannay; Antony Hansen; Holly-Anne Hull; James Hume; Karis Jack; Ciaran Joyce; Charlotte Kennedy; Katie Kerr; Rebecca Lafferty; Jo Loxton; John Lumsden; Anna McGarahan; Steven Meo; Jonny Purchase; Lauren Soley; Carley Stenson; Jacqueline Tate; Shaq Taylor; George Tebbutt; David Thaxton; Lee Van Geleen; Danny Whitehead and Paul Wilkins.

11th June 2018 - First show of 2018-2019/Final original production cast - Tegan Bannister; Emma Barr; Adam Bayjou; Ciarán Bowling; Oliver Brenin; Dean Chisnall; Grace Farrell; Sophie-May Feek; Adam Filipe; Antony Hansen; Sam Harrison; Barnaby Hughes; James Hume; Ciaran Joyce; Katie Kerr; Rebecca Lafferty; Sarah Lark, Hannah Grace Lawson; Jessica Lee; Jo Loxton; Anna McGarahan; Steven Meo; Toby Miles; James Nicholson; Amara Okereke; Vivien Parry; Carley Stenson; Elena Skye; David Thaxton; Ben Tyler; Joe Vetch; Raymond Walsh and Andrew York

26th July 2018 - (Adam Bayjou cover Valjean; Katie Kerr cover Madame Thenardier; Andrew York cover Bishop of Digne; Antony Hansen cover Factory Foreman) Tegan Bannister; Emma Barr; Adam Bayjou; Ciarán Bowling; Oliver Brenin; Grace Farrell; Sophie-May Feek; Adam Filipe; Antony Hansen; Sam Harrison; Barnaby Hughes; Bradley Jaden; Ciaran Joyce; Katie Kerr; Rebecca Lafferty; Sarah Lark, Hannah Grace Lawson; Jessica Lee; Jo Loxton; Anna McGarahan; Steven Meo; Toby Miles; James Nicholson; Amara Okereke; Carley Stenson; Elena Skye; Ben Tyler; Joe Vetch; Raymond Walsh and Andrew York

23rd Oct 2018 - (Adam Bayjou cover Valjean; Jessica Lee cover Eponine; Adam Filipe cover Grantaire; Antony Hansen cover Factory Foreman) Tegan Bannister; Emma Barr; Adam Bayjou; Ciarán Bowling; Oliver Brenin; Grace Farrell; Sophie-May Feek; Adam Filipe; Antony Hansen; Sam Harrison; Barnaby Hughes; James Hume; Bradley Jaden; Ciaran Joyce; Katie Kerr; Rebecca Lafferty; Sarah Lark, Hannah Grace Lawson; Jessica Lee; Jo Loxton; Anna McGarahan; Steven Meo; Toby Miles; James Nicholson; Amara Okereke; Vivien Parry; Carley Stenson; Ben Tyler; Joe Vetch and Andrew York

29th June 2019 Matinee - (Grace Farrell cover Fantine; Joe Vetch cover Enjolras; Ciarán Bowling cover Bamatabois; Emma Barr cover Factory Girl) Tegan Bannister; Adam Bayjou; Oliver Brenin; Dean Chisnall; Sophie-May Feek; Adam Filipe; Antony Hansen; Barnaby Hughes; James Hume; Bradley Jaden; Ciaran Joyce; Katie Kerr; Rebecca Lafferty; Sarah Lark, Hannah Grace Lawson; Jessica Lee; Jo Loxton; Steven Meo; Toby Miles; James Nicholson; Amara Okereke; Vivien Parry; Elena Skye; Ben Tyler; Raymond Walsh and Andrew York

29th June 2019 Evening- (Grace Farrell cover Fantine; Joe Vetch cover Enjolras; Ciarán Bowling cover Bamatabois; Emma Barr cover Factory Girl) Tegan Bannister; Adam Bayjou; Oliver Brenin; Dean Chisnall; Sophie-May Feek; Adam Filipe; Antony Hansen; Barnaby Hughes; James Hume; Bradley Jaden; Ciaran Joyce; Katie Kerr; Rebecca Lafferty; Sarah Lark, Hannah Grace Lawson; Jessica Lee; Jo Loxton; Steven Meo; Toby Miles; James Nicholson; Amara Okereke; Vivien Parry; Elena Skye; Ben Tyler; Raymond Walsh and Andrew York

13th July 2019 Matinee - Tegan Bannister; Emma Barr; Adam Bayjou; Ciarán Bowling; Oliver Brenin; Dean Chisnall; Grace Farrell; Sophie-May Feek; Adam Filipe; Antony Hansen; Sam Harrison; Barnaby Hughes; James Hume; Bradley Jaden; Ciaran Joyce; Katie Kerr; Rebecca Lafferty; Sarah Lark, Hannah Grace Lawson; Jessica Lee; Jo Loxton; Anna McGarahan; Steven Meo; Toby Miles; James Nicholson; Amara Okereke; Vivien Parry; Carley Stenson; Elena Skye; Ben Tyler; Joe Vetch; Raymond Walsh and Andrew York

13th July 2019 Evening - Final performance of 2018-2019 cast; final original production performance; includes speech from Dean Chisnall at the end - Tegan Bannister; Emma Barr; Adam Bayjou; Ciarán Bowling; Oliver Brenin; Dean Chisnall; Grace Farrell; Sophie-May Feek; Adam Filipe; Antony Hansen; Sam Harrison; Barnaby Hughes; James Hume; Bradley Jaden; Ciaran Joyce; Katie Kerr; Rebecca Lafferty; Sarah Lark, Hannah Grace Lawson; Jessica Lee; Jo Loxton; Anna McGarahan; Steven Meo; Toby Miles; James Nicholson; Amara Okereke; Vivien Parry; Carley Stenson; Elena Skye; Ben Tyler; Joe Vetch; Raymond Walsh and Andrew York

[asdamagicbiscuits]

Death Takes A Holiday Review 13.2.2017

So having seen Death Takes A Holiday a few times I thought I should now sit down and discuss my thoughts on the show. I will try not to post spoilers for those who don’t know the story or who have yet to see the show.

Well firstly it’s a Maury Yeston musical directed by Thom Sunderland and produced by Danielle Tarento, I consider these three the magic trio for I have loved their previous work I’ve seen and anything they do is sure to be a hit with me. The score is completely stunning and the musical themes running through the show are so beautifully played by the orchestra, directed by Dean Austin. The company which Danielle has put together execute the show so well. The vocals on the hugely talented cast of 14 are outstanding and it creates a powerful wall of sound when they are all singing together. Thom’s direction is genius and with those three names attached to any show it makes it simply unmissable theatre.

One of the great things about the show is the pairings of people and their relationships with each other and the other characters. Evangelina and Dario, played by the brilliant Gay Soper, whose comic timing is faultlessly perfect, and Anthony Cable bring such a warmth to the stage; December Time is a gorgeous number and the story they portray in it is wonderful. Brilliant acting throughout from them both and Anthony does, what I like to call, a ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ moment in the show. During Pavane Evangelina calls Dario Mario again and the spark in Anthony’s eyes dimmed a little and the small look of sadness there at having go back to how it was before that weekend was heartbreaking to watch. That was a genius touch, you can’t teach stuff like that.

Kathryn Akin and Mark Inscoe bounce off each other so well as Stephanie and Vittorio Lamberti. Adore watching them on stage, Kathryn’s solo is stunning, it really hits you that this family is still grieving for the loss of their son and no matter how much time passes a mother can never get over the death of a child. Mark’s reactions are top notch, so natural and believable. Loved his interaction with Ken throughout the show, thought they were well matched as the head of house and the head of the staff, shared some great looks between one another. Helen Turner who plays Alice Lamberti is a joy to watch. Her vocals are out of this world and I love watching her dance in Shimmy Like They Do In Paree and Life Is A Joy, she really catches your attention and you find yourself watching her perform with a smile on your face.

Zoe Doano as Grazia is quite possibly one of the best castings I have seen to date, if ever. What makes me say that? Well allow me to explain. Zoe has such an organic, natural quality about her acting. Nothing about her performance feels forced and all the acting decisions she makes have been well thought through and her interaction with the rest of the characters in the show is great. When I watched the More and More promo video I knew that Zoe’s beautiful soprano would be shown in the brightest of lights in the show. Songs such as How Will I Know, Who Is This Man and Alone Here With You, really allow Zoe to use a wide variety of her vocal range. I love how fiesty and strong Grazia is and the journey which she goes on is brilliantly portrayed by Zoe.

I wanted two things from James Gant as Death. A solid vocal and a load of energy in Alive! He delivered both, effortlessly! Like with Zoe, Yeston’s score showcases James’ range to the max and allows him to put that fabulous belt to full use. Alive, packed with energy, and I Thought I Could Live were strong and powerful. Loved the little vocal slide (glissando is the proper technical musical term but more people know it as a slide) during the first section of More and More. He has great on stage chemistry with Zoe and the acting flowed well, very natural. I also loved the slightly dangerous edge he had as well which he filtered into his tone at particular moments during the show, it very clearly said he was not a man to be messed with. Nicely done Mr Gant! However, this being me I found something I would have liked corrected. (Well he can’t be perfect on his first show, he’d have nowhere to go otherwise!! :P) His right thumb was sticking up when in hold during Life Is A Joy. Although, if that’s the only criticism I have, it says a lot about how much good was in his performance.

The whole company delivers strong performances but two people who steal the show every time are Scarlett Courtney as Daisy and Sophie-May Feek as Sophia. Scarlett’s reactions and what she says in the show subtly links into her story so well which you see come to a head in the second act. Her duet with Ashley Stillburn is heartbreakingly beautiful and the end of the number the look in her eyes would break the hardest of hearts. Scarlett has a beautiful voice and her acting through song is exceptional. Even when she may not be the main focus of the scene Scarlett pulls attention and you find yourself drawn into her story. She has great comic timing. Sophie has a great stage presence about her and she plays the fun, flirty maid of house so well. Acting and comic timing is en-pointe and her dancing is brilliant. Sophie has excellent lines and a lovely elegant poise about her, when she dances, in Life Is A Joy at the end Sophie and Samuel Thomas share a lovely moment of togetherness. After they stop dancing everyone is standing watching the last part of the number and Sophie and Sam stayed in their own unique bubble they created which was a really sweet moment, then looked at each other, got a bit embarrassed and moved away. It was such a great touch to add and it was like they were the couple of the household staff. (I do now want to know the entire backstory of this so Sophie and Samuel be prepared for me to ask you about this! :P)

Sophie, Trudi Camilleri and Matthew McDonald play the household staff led by Ken Christiansen as Fidele. As a little team they all work together so well and in the moment in Pavane and the reprise of Life Is A Joy you get the sense they are a little unit and have a lot of fun together onstage. As a side note I love that Lorenzo goes from chauffeur to footman to gardener to mechanic and seems to be doing every job possible. I liked it a lot!

I have to mention Samuel and his solo, Roberto’s Eyes, which he sings as Major Eric Fenton. Wow. I’m so in awe. Everything about it is perfection from the acting through song to the vocal which he absolutely nails. I didn’t want the song to end, one of many highlights for me during the show!

In my opinion you’d be mad to miss Death Takes A Holiday. A musical like no other I’ve ever seen. It runs at the Charing Cross Theatre until 4th March.

Thanks for reading and until next time, Cheerio!

[queenstheatre]

Announcement of New Star Cast of Les Miserables

The popular London Westend production of Les Miserables is all set for major cast change from Monday 11 June 2018. The award winning London show has already entered its record breaking 33rd year at the Queen’s Theatre. Recently, a major announcement has been made by Cameron Mackintosh.

The role of Jean Valjean will be portrayed by Dean Chisnall, Maris will be portrayed by Toby Miles, Elena Skye as ‘Eponine’, Vivien Parry as ‘Madame Thénardier’, Samuel Edwards as 'Enjolras' and Amara Okereke as ‘Cosette’, whereas Steven Meo will continue portraying as ‘Thénardier’ and Carley Stenson as ‘Fantine’. Until 21st July, David Thaxton will continue portraying the role of ‘Javert’, whereas Bradley Jaden will portray the role of ‘Javert’ from Monday 23 July.

The new star cast of Les Miserables from Monday 11 June 2018 the company will be Tegan Bannister; Emma Barr; Adam Bayjou; Ciarán Bowling; Oliver Brenin; Dean Chisnall; Grace Farrell; Sophie-May Feek; Adam Filipe; Antony Hanson; Sam Harrison; Barnaby Hughes; James Hume; Ciaran Joyce; Katie Kerr; Rebecca Lafferty; Sarah Lark, Hannah Grace Lawson; Jessica Lee; Jo Loxton; Anna McGarahan; Steven Meo; Toby Miles; James Nicholson; Amara Okereke; Vivien Parry; Carley Stenson; Elena Skye; David Thaxton; Ben Tyler; Joe Vetch; Raymond Walsh and Andrew York

Dean Chisnall is a renowned name in theatrical shows as some of his recent works include the UK tour of “Blood Brothers” “The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 ¾ The Musical” at the Menier Chocolate Factory; “Working” at the Southwark Playhouse; “Shrek” at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane and UK tour; “Love Never Dies” at the Adelphi Theatre; “La Cage Aux Folles” at the Playhouse Theatre and “Never Forget” at the Savoy Theatre.

Bradley Jaden is known for portraying some wonderful role such as the UK tour of “Ghost The Musical”; “Shrek The Musical” at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane; “The Blues Brothers” at the Edinburgh Festival and Stiles and Drewe’s “Peter Pan” at the West Yorkshire Playhouse.  His TV credits include “Emmerdale” on ITV and “Sugar Rush” on Channel 4. He is currently portraying the role of ‘Fiyero’ in “Wicked” at the Victoria Apollo Theatre.  

[londontheatre]

Les Misérables. David Thaxton as Javert. Photo by Johan Persson.

Cameron Mackintosh is delighted to announce that from Monday 22nd January 2018, David Thaxton will return to the cast of Les Misérables at the Queen’s Theatre in the role of ‘Javert’.

David Thaxton previously played ‘Javert’ in 2014, and has also played the role of ‘Enjolras’ in “Les Misérables” at the Queen’s Theatre. His additional theatre credits include ‘Giorgio’ in “Passion” at the Donmar Warehouse, for which he won an Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical, ‘Pilate’ in “Jesus Christ Superstar” at the Regent’s Park Theatre, ‘Raoul’ in “Love Never Dies” at the Adelphi and ‘Major John Howard’ in “Only The Brave” at Wales Millennium Centre.

David will join Olivier Award nominee Killian Donnelly as ‘Jean Valjean’, Carley Stenson as ‘Fantine’, Steven Meo as ‘Thénardier’, Karis Jack as ‘Eponine’, Jacqueline Tate as ‘Madame Thénardier”, Hyoie O’Grady as ‘Enjolras’, Paul Wilkins as ‘Marius’ and Charlotte Kennedy as ‘Cosette’.

From 22nd January 2018 the full company will be: Emma Barr; Adam Bayjou; Oliver Brenin; Ciarán Bowling; Hugo Chiarella; Andy Conaghan; Killian Donnelly; Alice Ellen Wright; Sophie-May Feek; Hyoie O’Grady; Catherine Hannay; Antony Hansen; Holly-Anne Hull; James Hume; Karis Jack; Ciaran Joyce; Charlotte Kennedy; Katie Kerr; Rebecca Lafferty; Jo Loxton; John Lumsden; Anna McGarahan; Steven Meo; Jonny Purchase; Lauren Soley; Carley Stenson; Jacqueline Tate; Shaq Taylor; George Tebbutt; David Thaxton; Lee Van Geleen; Danny Whitehead and Paul Wilkins.

Killian Donnelly most recently played the role of ‘Charlie Price’ in “Kinky Boots” on Broadway, a role he originated at the Adelphi Theatre in the West End in 2015, for which he was nominated for an Olivier Award. His other theatre credits include: ‘Jackie Day’ in “Donegal”, a new play by Frank McGuinness, at the Abbey Theatre, Dublin and ‘Huey’ in the original London cast of “Memphis” at the Shaftesbury Theatre for which he was also nominated for an Olivier Award. He created the role of ‘Deco’ in “The Commitments” at the Palace Theatre and has also played ‘Tony’ in “Billy Elliot” at the Victoria Palace Theatre as well as ’Raoul’ in “The Phantom of the Opera” at Her Majesty’s Theatre. He first joined the company of “Les Misérables” in 2008, going onto play the role of ‘Enjolras’ from 2009 to 2011. In 2010, he played the role of ‘Courfeyrac’ in the “25th Anniversary Concert of Les Misérables” at The O2 Arena and also played the role of ‘Combeferre’ in the multi-award-winning film of the show, released in 2012.

Carley Stenson’s West End credits include ‘Elle Woods’ in “Legally Blonde”, ‘Princess Fiona’ in “Shrek The Musical” and ‘Lady of the Lake’ in “Spamalot”. Carley also starred as ‘Christine Colgate’ in the tour of “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels”. She is probably best known for playing the regular role of ‘Steph Cunningham’ in Channel 4’s Hollyoaks, for which she was nominated for several awards during her 10 years with the show.

Steven Meo’s previous theatre credits include “Pride & Prejudice” at The Regents Park Open Air Theatre and on UK tour; “The Taming of the Shrew”, “Boeing Boeing”, “Portrait of the Artist as a Young Dog” all for Theatre Clwyd; “The Distance” for Sheffield Crucible/Orange Tree Theatre and “Flesh and Blood” for Hampstead Theatre and on tour.

Karis Jack’s theatre credits include “The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin” at the Theatre Royal, Stratford East & Belgrade Theatre, Coventry; “Baddies: The Musical” at the Unicorn Theatre’ “Hairspray” at Curve, Leicester and on UK tour; “Little Shop of Horrors” at the Salisbury Playhouse and Mercury Theatre, Colchester; and “Urinetown: The Musical” at the Apollo Theatre and St James Theatre.

Jacqueline Tate’s previous theatre credits include: “Allegro” at the Southwark Playhouse; “Avenue Q” at the Wyndham’s Theatre, Gielgud Theatre and national tour; “South Pacific” at The Barbican Theatre and UK tour; “The Phantom of The Opera” at Her Majesty’s Theatre and “My Fair Lady” and “Evita” on international tour.

Hyoie O’Grady is making his professional and West End debut in “Les Misérables”.

Paul Wilkins has previously played the role of ‘Marius’ in “Les Misérables” in Manila, Singapore and Dubai. He made his West End debut in “Les Misérables” in 2015.

Charlotte Kennedy made her West End debut in “Les Misérables” in 2015. She has also appeared in “Elaine Paige in Concert” at the Royal Albert Hall.

Currently booking until Saturday 20 October 2018 Performances: Monday – Saturday at 7.30pm Matinees – Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2.30pm

http://ift.tt/2j8msKM London Theatre 1

[sophiem-bct]

Shared Playgrounds Week4

This week: 

We entered the Xchallenge. 

Contacted schools about getting some drawings from children for ptototyping. 

Individually selected our best research points from each topic. 

5 main research points from each person, and my thoughts on the information selected/found.

Kylie’s: top 5 facts for Prisoner Integration and Rehab:

1   | 'Out of Gate', is an external program offered to offenders serving sentences of two years or less, or who have been on remand for more than 60 days. From this program, 67% of prisoners who complete this program, remain out of prison for six months and 53% for 12 months, which is a small-scale reduction against a sample of comparable offenders who did not engage in the service.

2  | The period of transition from custody to community can be very stressful. The period of incarceration may itself have had several “collateral effects”. They may have lost their livelihood, personal belongings, ability to maintain housing for themselves and family, and lost important relationships and social networks. This can result to homelessness/lack of motivation to change.

3  | Since 1990, an average of 590,400 inmates have been released annually from state and federal prisons. The Department of Justice’s (DOJ’s) Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) has estimated that nearly three quarters of all released prisoners will be rearrested within five years of their release and about 6 in 10 will be re-convicted. 

4   | There are three types of prison integration programs:Institutional programs - designed to prepare offenders to reenter society can include education, mental health care, substance abuse treatment, job training, counselling, and mentoring.     Surveillance-based programs - centered on supervision of offenders in the community following release from confinement. On their own, with advice. (Parole) Assistance based programs - Offenders afflicted by mental illness encounter particular problems upon release into the community.

5   | The conventional wisdom is that post-release employment is one of the most important elements for an ex-offender to successfully transition back into the community. Released prisoners frequently identify employment as one of the most important factors in their efforts to stay crimefree after incarceration. Five studies examined the effects of programs that provided job training and/or post-release employment services for prisoners. Of these five studies, only two found that the program helped reduce recidivism, though neither program had a significant effect on post-release employment.

Katriel’s: Top 5 Facts for Sustainability & Materials: 

1. Using a special machine called a Protocycler, recyclable plastics (such as plastic bottles) can be ground up and extruded into spools of filament to be used in 3D printing machines. 3D print offcuts and unwanted 3D prints can also be used, creating a "closed loop" system of production.

2. Tyres are a major problem in New Zealand currently because there is no solid recycling scheme in place to deal with them. Mountains of them are collecting in landfills and hidden areas of the countryside, posing a fire hazard and leaching harmful chemicals into the soil. Meanwhile, overseas, tyres are actually being recycled to make rubber mats.

3. Recycling 1kg of cotton saves 20,000 litres of water - as cotton is a very water-intensive crop. It also accounts for about a quarter of the pesticides used in the US, which directly impacts bee populations - so recycling cotton is particularly helpful in reducing environmental impacts. 

4. The creation of synthetic fibres - such as polyester - produce harmful emissions including volatile organic compounds, particulate matter, and acid gases such as hydrogen chloride, all of which can cause or aggravate respiratory disease, which serves as another reason we should be recycling synthetic fibres.

5. Ministry for the Environment figures show 100 million kilos of textile waste is thrown into the country’s (New Zealand's) rubbish dumps yearly. That’s the equivalent of every person in New Zealand chucking about 145 medium-sized men’s T-shirts a year.

Amanda’s: Top 7 points on poverty:

1.    Child poverty “can lead to serious and prolonged mental illness in children” (Feek, 2017), that can eventuate into a problematic adulthood that has a negative effect on both the individual and society as a whole (Peters & Besley, 2014). 2.    Poverty rates are consistently higher for those aged 0-11 years old, compared to children 12-17 (Feek, 2017). This is Doodle Dolls target market.

3.    Child poverty rates are increasing at a rapid rate. As Roy (2016) states, “one-third of the country’s children, or 300,000, now live below the poverty line – 45,000 more than a year ago”

4.    Stuff (2016) estimates that “…90,000 kids are living in severe poverty” and that “New Zealand has a goal to halve poverty by 2030"

5.    Peters & Besley (2014) state that “New Zealand has substantial rates of child poverty and material deprivation. These rates significantly exceed those of many other developed countries and, at least on some measures, are much worse than three decades ago. The evidence suggests that child poverty, especially when experienced in early childhood and/or when persistent and severe, can be very damaging —both to the children directly affected and society as a whole. Amongst other things, child poverty contributes to the large educational achievement gaps between children from lower and higher SES backgrounds. For such reasons, there is a powerful case for reducing child poverty. I have argued that decision-makers have the available policy tools to alleviate child poverty and mitigate its effects–at least to some extent. The issue, in other words, is not the means, but the political will.”

6.    Sadly, “NZ has the worst teen suicide rate of the developed world, with 16 suicides per 100,000 in 2016" (Fyres, 2017)

7.    Feek (2017) suggests that “Prevention is the key; which can be aided by policies that support better incomes…“. Hopefully Doodle Dolls will be the beginning of a solution to end New Zealand’s dismal child poverty rates.

Sophie’s: Top facts/info for child Psychology and Toys. 

1. Children’s Drawing development at each age (finding the perfect age group) 18m to 3 years = scribbles 2 to 4 years = more complex, still unrealistic (colors don’t match objects eg. Grass drawn in purple) 5 to 8 years = Colors match and everything is generally more realistic and proportional. At this age children often draw things the same each time e.g. a house. 9 to 11 years = they become easily frustrated when cant draw things realistically and will likely state “I cant draw.” (4 to 8 years is a likely sweet spot for getting the most creative drawing for doll designs) Child Milestones: 1st - Motor development 2nd – language development 3rd – socio-emotional development

2. Children with access to a variety of toys were found to reach higher levels of intellectual achievement, regardless of the children’s sex, race, or social class (Bradley 1985, Elardo 1975).

3. The availability of toys intended for social play increased social interaction by disabled children in an inclusive preschool (Driscoll 2009).

4. Variety is the key. Children play longer when a variety of toys is available. The careful selection of toys can lead children to play with others, to cooperate, or to develop particular skills.

5. Play has been defined as any activity freely chosen, intrinsically motivated, and personally directed. Play is the lens through which children experience their world, and the world of others. If deprived of play, children will suffer both in the present and in the long term. Play increases brain development and growth, establishes new neural connections, and in a sense makes the player more intelligent. It improves the ability to perceive others’ emotional state and to adapt to ever-changing circumstances. Play is more frequent during the periods of most rapid brain growth.

6. What is acquired through play is not specific information but a general mind set towards solving problems that includes both abstraction and combinatorial flexibility where children string bits of behaviour together to form novel solutions to problems requiring the restructuring of thought or action… A child who is not being stimulated, by being ... played with, and who has few opportunities to explore his or her surroundings, may fail to link up fully those neural connections and pathways which will be needed for later learning.’ (Sutton-Smith 1997).

7. Neuroscientist Jaak Panksepp found that play stimulates production of a protein, ‘brain-derived neurotrophic factor’, in the amygdala and the prefrontal cortex, which are responsible for organising, monitoring, and planning for the future. In one study, two hours a day of play with objects produced changes in the brain weight and efficiency of experimental animals (Panksepp 2003, Rosenzweig 1976).

8. “Between the ages of around one and twelve, many children manifest a deep attachment to a stuffed soft object, normally shaped into a bear, a rabbit or – less often – a penguin.” “Children invent identities for their soft toys giving them voices and ways of addressing them. They often have conversations with their toys in a tone that they subconsciously crave to hear (compassion). Mental wellbeing depends on your inner voice so if you speak to yourself with love then you will feel loved.” ‘No one else can understand me like bunny can. We should honour stuffed animals for what they really are: tools to help us on our first steps in the vital business of knowing how to look after ourselves.

9. color affects us in many areas of life, including our health, our sense of well being, and our feelings.

...............................................................................................................

Below is the email I sent to the head of Michael Park Primary School asking to meet with some student and get them to draw a creature/character for us to get a better understanding of what children can produce and at what age. As well it gives us some designs to do our prototyping with. I made it very clear that we would not be taking their designs and making them into dolls for free, only for prototyping.

Hi there Donna Bainbridge,

My name is Sophie McIntyre, I am a 3rd year student at AUT studying a Bachelor of Creative Technologies. I also went to Steiner kindergarten and primary school, then Waiheke High for Secondary education.

I am collaborating with 3 other students on a project called "Doodle Dolls". Doodle Dolls is a socially and environmentally sustainable business that makes soft toys, created to look exactly like characters young children creatively imagine and draw for us.

Our aim is to select New Zealand children with financial hardship to design these toys. A percentage of the revenue made from selling these toys will go towards a future fund for these children to help support them with fundamental needs such as food and education. The second main element of this business idea, is that we intend to make these toys out of recycled and sustainable materials.

"We want this business to give as much as possible and take as little as possible".

We are currently in the research and development stage of the business and are looking for young (under 10 year) children to participate in drawing characters for us, so as to gage an idea of what we may receive in the future. Meaning if students at Michael Park participate their drawings will be used for prototyping and will not be used to create dolls to sell.

It would be greatly appreciated if students in class 4 or below (preferably a mix of 4-8yrs) could take a short amount of time this week to participate in drawing a wonderful, colourful imagined character/creature/animal.

The reason why I would love to get MPS students designs (for the prototyping stage) is because steiner's philosophy and curriculum has a really big focus on imagination and creativity. To add to this we are aiming to have the designs lovely and colourful (no black), as colour stimulates creativity and influences emotions. So the fact that Steiner Students only use vibrant colour crayons and pencils is perfect.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Kind Regards,

References: 

[steve298]

Death Takes A Holiday: A brilliant, melancholy musical

Death Takes A Holiday: A brilliant, melancholy musical

New musical Death Takes A Holiday is a brilliant production full of fantastic songs, charismatic characters and will keep you wondering just how it will end. Director: Thom Southerland Starring: Zoe Doano, Chris Peluso, Mark Inscoe, James Gant, Kathryn Akin, Ashley Stillburn, Scarlett Courtney, Matthew McDonald, Helen Turner, Sophie-May Feek, Trudi Camilleri, Anthony Cable, Gay Soper and Samuel…

[centrestagereviews]

Les Miserables Cast Change

The London production of Les Miserables has announced it’s new cast which will take over at the Queens Theatre from Monday 11th June. 

Dean Chisnall will lead the production in the role of Jean Valjean with Toby Miles joining as Marius, Elena Skye as Eponine, Vivien Parry as Madame Thenardier and Amara Okereke as Cosette. 

David Thaxton will continue to star as Javert till the 21st July and from 23rd July Bradley Jaden will take over.  Carly Stenson will continue to star as Fantine and Steven Meo will continue to star as Thenardier. 

The ensemble will be made up by: Tegan Bannister, Emma Barr, Adam Bayjou, Ciaran Bowling, Oliver Brenin, Grace Farrell, Sophie-May Feek, Adam Filipe, Antony Hanson, Sam Harrison, Barnaby Hughes, James Hume, Ciaran Joyce, Katie Kerr, Rebecca Lafferty, Sarah Lark, Hannah Grace Lawson, Jessica Lee, Jo Loxton, Anna McGarahan, James Nicholson, Ben Tyler, Joe Betch, Raymond Walsh and Andrew York. 

 Further casting is to be announced at a later date.

For more information or to book tickets to see either the current or the new cast head to the official Les Miserables website. 

Image courtesy of Google Images.

[maraschinocheri]

I had a handful of messages overnight asking about the new London cast of Les Mis, but I'm afraid I don't actually have that much information! The announcement of the full cast came out earlier than usual, and most of the actors in the ensemble are indeed just announcing themselves as "ensemble" members (and saying which principal roles they're covering, if they are), not saying their named roles. I do like to know for sure which actors are playing the Amis before I create a picset of them, which I why I haven't created one yet.

So here is what I do know, as of this moment, beyond the principals:

eta: These are now set. Here are the new Amis, as well.

Adam Bayjou: Foreman/Claquesous and alternate Valjean Ciaran Bowling: Swing Oliver Brenin: Swing and 3rd cover Valjean Hugo Chiarella: Grantaire and 2nd cover Thenardier; 1st cover Bamatabois Andy Conaghan: Babet, Bishop, and 1st cover Grantaire Antony Hansen: Courfeyrac and 2nd cover Valjean, 2nd cover Bishop James Hume: Bamatabois, Lesgles, and 1st cover Thenardier Ciaran Joyce: Montparnasse/Bahorel, 2nd cover Marius, 2nd cover Grantaire John Lumsden: Joly and 1st cover Marius Jonny Purchase: Feuilly and 1st cover Enjolras; 3rd/emergency cover Marius Shaq Taylor: Prouvaire and 1st cover Javert George Tebbutt: Swing, 3rd cover Bishop Lee Van Geleen: Brujon, 2nd cover Javert; 1st cover Bishop; cover Foreman Danny Whitehead: Combeferre and 2nd cover Enjolras

Emma Barr: 1st cover Factory Girl and 3rd cover Fantine Sophie-May Feek: 2nd cover Fantine and 3rd cover Factory Girl Catherine Hannay: 2nd cover Cosette Holly-Anne Hull: 1st cover Cosette and emergency cover Gavroche Katie Kerr: 1st cover Madame Thenardier Rebecca Lafferty: Swing and 3rd cover Eponine Sarah Lark: Swing (maternity leave cover for Jo Loxton) Jo Loxton: Swing and 2nd cover Factory Girl Anna McGarahan: Factory Girl; 2nd cover Madame Thenardier Lauren Soley: 2nd cover Eponine Alice Ellen Wright: 1st cover Eponine, 1st cover Fantine

I’ll update when/if I trip over more information. eta: Oh, auto-spellcheckers are so not helpful. Apologies for any misspellings that remain.

[olivia-y113]

Les Mis cast change 2017/18

New casting has been announced for the West End production of Les Misérables with Killian Donnelly set to return to the show to play Jean Valjean and Carley Stenson lined up to play Fantine. Donnelly is currently playing Charlie Price in Kinky Boots on Broadway, a role he originated in the West End. His other West End credits include Billy Elliot, The Commitments, Memphis and The Phantom of the Opera. He has also previously understudied the roles of Jean Valjean and Javert in Les Misérables. Stenson is best known for playing Steph Cunningham on Hollyoaks. Her theatre credits include Legally Blonde, Shrek and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Further cast changes, which will take effect on 12 June, include Steven Meo as Thénardier, Karis Jack as Éponine, Jacqueline Tate as Madame Thénardier and Hyoie O'Grady as Enjolras. Hayden Tee returns to play Javert. Paul Wilkins will continue in the role of Marius and Charlotte Kennedy as Cosette. The full company also includes: Emma Barr, Adam Bayjou, Oliver Brenin, Ciarán Bowling, Hugo Chiarella, Andy Conaghan, Alice Ellen Wright, Sophie-May Feek, Catherine Hannay, Antony Hansen, Holly-Anne Hull, James Hume, Ciaran Joyce, Katie Kerr, Rebecca Lafferty, Jo Loxton, John Lumsden, Anna McGarahan, Jonny Purchase, Lauren Soley, Shaq Taylor, George Tebbutt, Lee Van Geleen and Danny Whitehead. Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil's musical is based on Victor Hugo's 1862 novel. It includes the songs "I Dreamed a Dream", "On My Own" and "One Day More". The world's longest running musical, Les Misérables is now in its 32nd year. It originally opened at the Barbican before moving to the Palace Theatre and then its current home, the Queen's Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue.

[londontheatre]

Killian Donnelly

From Monday 12th June 2017, there will be major cast changes at the West End production of “LES MISÉRABLES” at the Queen’s Theatre, which is now in its record-breaking 33rd year.

Cameron Mackintosh is delighted to announce that Killian Donnelly will star as ‘Jean Valjean’. He joins “Les Misérables” fresh from Broadway where he is currently playing the lead role of ‘Charlie Price’ in “Kinky Boots”. West End leading lady and former Hollyoaks star Carley Stenson, will join the company as ‘Fantine’ and Hayden Tee returns to play ‘Javert’ from 17 July having performed the role at The Queen’s Theatre until 22 April this year.

Also joining the company are Steven Meo as ‘Thénardier’; Karis Jack as ‘Eponine’, Jacqueline Tate as ‘Madame Thénardier’ and Hyoie O’Grady as ‘Enjolras’. Paul Wilkins will continue in the role of ‘Marius’ and Charlotte Kennedy will continue in the role of ‘Cosette’ having both originally joined the company in 2015.

From 17 July 2017 the full company will be: Emma Barr; Adam Bayjou; Oliver Brenin; Ciarán Bowling; Hugo Chiarella; Andy Conaghan; Killian Donnelly; Alice Ellen Wright; Sophie-May Feek; Hyoie O’Grady; Catherine Hannay; Antony Hansen; Holly-Anne Hull; James Hume; Karis Jack; Ciaran Joyce; Charlotte Kennedy; Katie Kerr; Rebecca Lafferty; Jo Loxton; John Lumsden; Anna McGarahan; Steven Meo; Jonny Purchase; Lauren Soley; Carley Stenson; Jacqueline Tate; Shaq Taylor; George Tebbutt; Hayden Tee; Lee Van Geleen; Danny Whitehead and Paul Wilkins.

Killian Donnelly is currently playing the role of ‘Charlie Price’ in “Kinky Boots” on Broadway, a role he originated at the Adelphi Theatre in the West End in 2015, for which he was nominated for an Olivier Award. His other theatre credits include: ‘Jackie Day’ in “Donegal”, a new play by Frank McGuinness, at the Abbey Theatre, Dublin and ‘Huey’ in the original London cast of “Memphis” at the Shaftesbury Theatre for which he was also nominated for an Olivier Award. He created the role of ‘Deco’ in “The Commitments” at the Palace Theatre and has also played ‘Tony’ in “Billy Elliot” at the Victoria Palace Theatre as well as’ Raoul’ in “The Phantom of the Opera” at Her Majesty’s Theatre. He first joined the company of “Les Misérables” in 2008, going on to play the role of ‘Enjolras’ from 2009 to 2011. In 2010, he played the role of ‘Courfeyrac’ in the “25th Anniversary Concert of Les Misérables” at The O2 Arena and also played the role of ‘Combeferre’ in the multi-award-winning film of the show, released in 2012.

Carley Stenson

Carley Stenson’s West End credits include ‘Elle Woods’ in “Legally Blonde”, ‘Princess Fiona’ in “Shrek The Musical” and ‘Lady of the Lake’ in “Spamalot”. Carley also starred as ‘Christine Colgate’ in the tour of “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels”. She is probably best known for playing the regular role of ‘Steph Cunningham’ in Channel 4’s Hollyoaks, for which she was nominated for several awards during her 10 years with the show.

Hayden Tee returns to the West End production of Les Misérables having played the role of ‘Javert’ in the West End from 9 January 2017 to 22 April 2017. He has previously played the role on Broadway and in Dubai. He has also previously played the role of ‘Marius’. His other theatre credits include: “South Pacific”; “Little Women”; “Titanic”; “Cats” and “Into the Woods”.

Steven Meo’s previous theatre credits include “Pride & Prejudice” at The Regents Park Open Air Theatre and on UK tour; “The Taming of the Shrew”, “Boeing Boeing”, “Portrait of the Artist as a Young Dog” all for Theatre Clwyd; “The Distance” for Sheffield Crucible/Orange Tree Theatre and “Flesh and Blood” for Hampstead Theatre and on tour.

Karis Jack’s theatre credits include “The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin” at the Theatre Royal, Stratford East & Belgrade Theatre, Coventry; “Baddies: The Musical” at the Unicorn Theatre’ “Hairspray” at Curve, Leicester and on UK tour; “Little Shop of Horrors” at the Salisbury Playhouse and Mercury Theatre, Colchester; and “Urinetown: The Musical” at the Apollo Theatre and St James Theatre.

Jacqueline Tate’s previous theatre credits include: “Allegro” at the Southwark Playhouse; “Avenue Q” at the Wyndham’s Theatre, Gielgud Theatre and national tour; “South Pacific” at The Barbican Theatre and UK tour; “The Phantom of The Opera” at Her Majesty’s Theatre and “My Fair Lady” and “Evita” on international tour.

Hyoie O’Grady is making his professional and West End debut in “Les Misérables”.

Paul Wilkins has previously played the role of ‘Marius’ in “Les Misérables” in Manila, Singapore and Dubai. He made his West End debut in “Les Misérables” in 2015.

Charlotte Kennedy made her West End debut in “Les Misérables” in 2015. She has also appeared in “Elaine Paige in Concert” at the Royal Albert Hall.

Currently booking till 14th October 2017

Queen’s Theatre 51 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 6BA

http://ift.tt/2qmaLhE LondonTheatre1.com

[centrestagereviews]

Les Miserables Major West End Cast Change

From Monday the 12th of June 2017 London’s production of Les Miserables will feature a new company of stars. 

The production will be lead by Les Mis alumini Killian Donnelly who will take over the role of Valjean. Killian can be classed as Les Mis royalty as he first joined the production in 2008 as an understudy before going on to play Enjolras from 2009 till 2011. In 2010 he played Courfeyrac in the 25th Anniversary Concert at The 02 Arena and then went on to play Combeferre in the film adaptation directed by Tom Hooper which was released in 2012.  

Killian will be joined by Hayden Tee as Javert (who will be returning after covering the same role earlier this year), Carley Stenson as Fantine, Steven Meo as Thenardier, Karis Jack as Eponine, Jacqueline Tate as Madame Thenardier, and Hyoie O’Grady as Enjolras. Paul Wilkins will continue to play Marius and Charlotte Kennedy will continue as Cosette.

From 17 July 2017 the company will also include: Emma Barr, Adam Bayjou, Oliver Brenin, Ciarán Bowling, Hugo Chiarella, Andy Conaghan, Alice Ellen Wright, Sophie-May Feek, Catherine Hannay, Antony Hansen, Holly-Anne Hull, James Hume, Ciaran Joyce, Katie Kerr, Rebecca Lafferty, Jo Loxton, John Lumsden, Anna McGarahan, Jonny Purchase, Lauren Soley, Shaq Taylor; George Tebbutt, Lee Van Geleen and Danny Whitehead.

For more information or to book tickets to see the new cast in action head to the official Les Miserables website. Images courtesy of Google Images.

[londontheatre]

Producers have announced details of two planned cast changes in the European première production of the musical Death Takes A Holiday at Charing Cross Theatre.

A soaring story of the preciousness of life and the overwhelming power of love, Death Takes A Holiday continues its limited season to Saturday 4th March.

From Monday 13th February, James Gant will take over in the central role of Death from Chris Peluso, who is leaving the production as planned for the UK tour of Funny Girl. James played Etches in Titanic (at Charing Cross Theatre); Mr Bumble in Oliver! (Leicester Curve); Rohna and Zinnowitz in Grand Hotel (Southwark Playhouse); and was cover Javert in Les Misérables (Queen’s Theatre).

Gant’s current role of manservant Fidele will now be played by Ken Christiansen, who has been shortlisted twice as Best Supporting Male Performance in the 2016 Offies for The Fix and The Rise & Fall of Little Voice.

Death Takes A Holiday, directed by Thom Southerland, has a lush, romantic score by multi-Tony Award-winner Maury Yeston (Titanic, Nine) and a book by multi-Tony Award-winners Thomas Meehan and Peter Stone. It is based on the 1928 Italian play of the same name, which also inspired the movie, Meet Joe Black, starring Brad Pitt.

In Northern Italy, shortly after World War One, Death disguises himself as a handsome young prince to try to understand why life is so precious and death so feared. But when he unexpectedly falls in love with a newly engaged young woman, this mysterious stranger discovers that love may in fact be stronger than death. Death Takes A Holiday was nominated for 11 Drama Desk Awards when it premièred Off Broadway in 2011.

Death Takes A Holiday also features Zoë Doano and Gay Soper, Kathryn Akin, Anthony Cable, Trudi Camilleri, Scarlett Courtney, Sophie-May Feek, James Gant, Matthew McDonald, Ashley Stillburn, Samuel Thomas, Helen Turner.

Creative team: Director Thom Southerland, Set Designer Morgan Large, Costume Designer Jonathan Lipman, Lighting Designer Matt Daw, Sound Designer Andrew Johnson, Choreographer Sam Spencer-Lane, Musical Director Dean Austin, Casting Director Danielle Tarento.

Death Takes A Holiday is the third Charing Cross Theatre production, following Titanic and Ragtime, produced by Danielle Tarento, Steven M. Levy, Sean Sweeney and Vaughan Williams.

Charing Cross Theatre The Arches, Villiers Street, London, WC2N 6NL Booking Until: 4th Mar 2017

http://ift.tt/2g2LEe4 LondonTheatre1.com