It was announced this week that Sophie Evans, runner up in BBC’s Over the Rainbow, will be the alternate Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium. She will play the role on Tuesday evenings and during Danielle Hope’s scheduled holidays.

I suppose this doesn’t come as a big surprise; when Jodie Prenger won the role of Nancy in Oliver! at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, the understudy part was offered runner up Jessie Buckley (who turned it down and went on to get a part in A Little Night Music.)

It’s a smart move for Sophie to take this part as she will gain invaluable stage experience. And looking at How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? finalist Aoife Mullholland (who was understudy in The Sound Of Music) she has gone on to roles in Chicago and Legally Blonde. It could prove to be a great stepping stone for Sophie.

I suppose the question is: do the public feel cheated that the other finalists are still being cast (in some respect) in the show? The public obviously wanted Danielle. As we’ve seen before with The Sound Of Music star Connie Fisher, it’s irresponsible to demand 8 performances a week. Some performances will have to use an alternate or risk exhausting the lead performer. But those who did not vote for Sophie and paid to vote for Danielle will still be getting Sophie at least once a week.

Personally I would like to see both and compare. What do you think?

Buy Wizard of Oz tickets here.

Just stay with me for a moment….yes I am referring to the TV show.

I had heard the buzz regarding the new show Glee, but didn’t really take much notice. Did I really want to watch another American high school show that portrayed a totally unrealistic view of the rather traumatic place that high school really is? With Gossip Girl and 90210 already occupying my time, I dismissed the idea immediately. But when I visited my sister in Canada at Christmas time, Glee was the topic on everyone’s lips - she was raving about the show. I knew that it was set to premiere in the UK soon, and when I saw the adverts on E4, I recorded some episodes for a rainy day.

I finally got around to watching some of the show this weekend…..and it is fantastic. I had no idea that every episode features songs from musicals as well as contemporary chart toppers. So far, I have heard renditions of You’re The One That I Want from Grease, Mr Cellophane from Chicago, Maybe This Time from Cabaret, and On My Own from Les Miserables. And apparently in one of the coming episodes the cast sings Defying Gravity from Wicked.

Combined with edgy humour, Glee is the perfect balance between hip comedy and musical revue. Yes the characters are stereotypes (think jock, cheerleader and primadonna) but how else do you visually portray the complexities of the high school hierarchy so easily?

Despite its comedic narrative and characters, at its core, I think Glee is a great promoter of musical theatre; just as Subo’s performances of I Dreamed a Dream managed to breathe a new life into Les Miserables, this show highlights some great musical theatre numbers that are not usually emphasised in mainstream media. 

Next episode is on tonight….I can’t wait.

Deep down inside, we all knew it would happen, yet again.

At the beginning of July I mentioned the heat wave gripping Britain. People rejoiced; finally we would have a decent summer! We could go outside and enjoy ourselves and be warm and dry!

Ha ha ha. I should have realised a long time ago. Just because we have 3 days of 30 degree weather doesn’t mean that the annual summer monsoons wouldn’t come back. And they have with a vengeance. For instance, we at Discount Theatre towers had a prime viewpoint for the Harry Potter film premiere the other week; however, with the thunder, lightning and torrential rain beating on the windows there really wasn’t much we could see. Not even Emma Watson’s underwear.

Anyways, before we drown, let’s move on to the important stuff.

More blondes will be joining Sheridan Smith on stage at the Savoy Theatre this December. It was announced that Reality TV stars Susan McFadden and Aoife Mulholland will perform in the Broadway hit Legally Blonde.

McFadden participated in the ITV show Grease Is the Word and won the part of Sandy. She starred in the production of Grease at the Piccadilly Theatre with Danny Bayne in 2007/2008. McFadden’s brother is Brian McFadden of West Life fame, so the music talent runs in the family.

Mulholland was also a contestant on a reality television show, the BBC program, How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? She placed a very impressive 4th with Connie Fisher eventually winning the role of the Maria in The Sound Of Music. Mulholland then went on to star as Roxie Hart the West End production of Chicago and also became the alternate Maria in the Sound Of Music, performing two shows a week.

Throw in Duncan James from boyband Blue and Legally Blonde The Musical is shaping up to have quite a nice little cast. Best to get in early if you are a fan of one or all of these talented actors. Buy your Legally Blonde tickets here.

 

Welcome back to Discount Theatre’s podcast, your source of all the latest theatre news, interviews and gossip as well as some information about great offers on West End Shows.

This month, we bring you the news and gossip, including:

The announcement of Anna Friel’s and John Barrowman’s return to the West End;

The triumph of a British musical that stormed Broadway;

And the surprise veteran West End show that is raking in the ticket sales.

We also managed to interview controversial talk show host Jerry Springer who is appearing in Chicago as smooth talking lawyer Billy Flynn. Stay tuned to find out how he feels about his West End stage debut and performing in such a successful musical.

Firstly, let’s find out what’s been happening in the world of theatre over the last month.

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Show Notes

The News

• Breakfast at Tiffany’s - Anna Friel will star as the iconic Holly Golightly in the stage adaptation of Breakfast at Tiffany’s at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. Friel was most recently seen in the quirky US TV show Pushing Daisies, and was in the UK soap Brookside. Breakfast At Tiffany’s will preview on the 9th September and is booking until the 9th January 2010. Book now to ensure you get your tickets.
• An Inspector Calls - Following the early closure of Spring Awakening, it has been announced that An Inspector Calls will play a limited engagement at the Novello Theatre from the 22nd September. Steven Daldry’s award winning production, has had extensive West End runs and tours, and is reportedly the longest running revival of a play in history. An Inspector Calls is booking until the 14th November.
• La Cage Aux Folles - John Barrowman of Dr Who and Torchwood fame will join the production of La Cage aux Folles at the Playhouse Theatre on the 14th September and will play the role of Albin until the 28th November. La Cage is currently playing to rave reviews with Roger Allam and Phillip Quast who will continue until the 12th September as the manager and drag queen who run the flamboyant nightclub. La Cage Aux Folles is booking until 9th January 2010.
• La Clique - Last month we brought you the sad news that acclaimed entertainment show La Clique had been ousted from its home at the Hippodrome to make way for a casino and restaurant. It has been now been confirmed that after a little break, La Clique will be back and will play over the Christmas Season at the Roundhouse Theatre, previewing on the 19th November and booking until 17th January 2010. If you still want to catch the current run at the Hippodrome, La Clique is running there until the 27th June and there are still great discounts. Offer: General admission seats normally £29.50 are reduced to £22.55
• Billy Elliot - The Broadway production of Billy Elliot has been nominated for 15 Tony awards in New York, thrashing the competition. Despite initial concerns over the American audience being able to understand the Geordie accent, it seems that the heart warming story of a boy ballet dancer, told through Lee Hall’s amazing script, Elton John’s award winning music, and Matthew Bourne’s stunning choreography, has won over the critics and the masses. The Tony award winners will be announced on the 15th June, so we wish Billy good luck. You don’t need to go to New York to see the show though- it is still playing in London at the Victoria Palace Theatre and is booking until 3rd April 2010. Offer: Until the 19th June Tickets are reduced from £60 to only £39.50 Monday to Thursday evenings.
• We Will Rock You - Finally, congratulations to the musical We Will Rock You as it celebrated its 7th birthday last month. Dubbed the Queen musical, We Will Rock You is still packing them in at the Dominion theatre. If you haven’t seen the show, and you may be one of the few, there’s no excuse not to rock out to one of London’s best selling shows. Tickets are on sale until 27th March 2010. Offer: Top price tickets normally £55 are discounted to only £32.50 Monday to Friday evenings.

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Spotlight Show

• A Little Night Music - The Sondheim musical opened at the Menier Chocolate factory to rave reviews which prompted a west end transfer to the Garrick Theatre in March, joining other Chocolate Factory success La Cage aux Folles.

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Chicago – Jerry Springer Interview

This month’s star interview is with Jerry Springer who is making his West End debut as Billy Flynn in Chicago. Chicago is the longest running American musical in London with a staggering 10 years under its belt. Springer’s character, Billy Flynn is a smooth talking lawyer who advises a series of beautiful and devious murderesses how to escape jail sentences and earn a fortune from their experiences – Max Clifford anyone? Charlie sat down with Jerry as he prepared for the role:

Offer: Jerry Springer stars as Billy Flynn until 11th July but Chicago is booking until 30th October 2010. Top price tickets normally £55 are reduced to £37.50 Monday to Friday and Saturday matinees.

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Gossip

• Les Mis/Susan Boyle - By now the whole world has seen Susan Boyle sing an amazing version of “I Dreamed a Dream” from Les Miserables on Britain’s Got Talent, and we have noticed a knock on effect from the You Tube sensation, resulting in sales for Les Mis going through the roof. Who knew that a performance on a talent show, could turn into some free PR for a West End musical? Although Boyle reprised her performance of “I Dreamed a Dream” in the Britain’s Got Talent Final on Saturday night, she was edged out by dance group Diversity, whose creativity and choreography blew, what was thought to be a one horse race, wide open. Regardless of Boyle’s second place finish (and some nasty run-ins with the press), Les Miserables can thank her for some free advertising; people are now flocking to see the musical which contains the song that launched Susan Boyle into stardom.

• Bridget Jones - It appears that another film will become a musical. Apparently Helen Fielding who wrote both Bridget Jones novels is working on a script for a musical version. It’s unlikely that Renee Zellwiger, Colin Firth and Hugh Grant will reprise their roles on stage but it is likely that audiences will love a musical version of Bridget Jones, and love it just the way it is.

• Love Never Dies - Andrew Lloyd Webber’s sequel to The Phantom of The Opera was due to have a simultaneous premiere in London, New York and Shanghai this year, but it looks like that has now been put off until 2010. The new musical, titled Love Never Dies will see the Phantom and his muse Christine return, but this time the locale will be Coney Island in New York.

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Offer of  the week

• Priscilla Queen Of The Desert - Until the end of June there is a fabulous offer on the fabulous Priscilla Queen Of The Desert. Jason Donovan stars in this rollicking and colourful stage adaptation of the cult film, which will have you dancing in the aisles. Be quick, because seating is limited.

Offer:
Top price tickets are normally £59.25 but until the end of June, they are reduced to only £39.75 for Monday to Wednesday and Thursday matinee performances.

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We’ll be back next month with more news, reviews and interviews about all of the events happening in London’s West End. In the meantime, don’t forget to check out www.discounttheatre.com, for great offers to suit everyone. Until next time…

It’s been a winning formula for a couple of years now…

Take a hit West End musical, and transform it into a high budget glitzy movie starring Renee Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones or Pears Brosnan. Then sit back on your private yacht with the champagne and Honeyz all around, and watch the $$$$ roll in.

I can almost hear the unscrupulous movie producers’ distorted minds ticking over through the din of cocaine-induced jitters and gurning: “It worked with Chicago, now let’s do it with The Producers. It kind of worked with The Producers, now let’s do it with Mamma Mia!. And by God did it work with Mamma Mia!, let’s do it with Wicked next fall.”

So basically this concept works out great for all involved, Catherine Zeta-Jones is happy because she becomes even more worthy of her marriage to ‘alleged’ sex addict Michael Douglas; the movie producers are happy because they can pay the tab on their lives of sin and debauchery; and the shows are grateful for the additional interest, because there is no denying that movie exposure puts fresh pink booty on seats.

But an interesting role reversal has been taking place recently, because now it seems that kind and virtuous West End theatre producers (who seem in most ways to be the direct opposites of their movie counterparts) are returning the favour, and using some of cinemas best-loved offerings as inspiration for new shows. The first of these being Rain Man at the Apollo Theatre, based on the Oscar-winning film staring Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman, closely followed by Edward Scissorhands in December (although it was actually on stage a while back, too), and an exciting production of Sister Act proposed for the New Year. Read more