Blog / Jonathan Butterell
Check here for the latest musical news with links to all your #StageFaves performers, shows and theatres. Also look out for our regular #GetSocial features and contributions from our syndicate media partners including MyTheatreMates.com and the Musical Theatre Appreciation Society.
Check out the new faces joining the West End cast of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie at London’s Apollo Theatre in March 2020. Rufus Hound is preparing to strut his way into the ever-popular show as Hugo/Loco Chanelle and Katy Brand will be in full teacher mode as Miss Hedge.
2020
Molly Lynch and Oli Higginson will star as Cathy and Jamie in Jonathan O’Boyle’s new production of Jason Robert Brown’s Drama Desk Award-winning musical The Last Five Years when it plays at Southwark Playhouse from 28 February to 28 March 2020.
2019
As building work continues on Southwark Playhouse’s new purpose-built theatre in London’s Elephant and Castle, the venue’s spring 2020 season has been announced, including a major revival of Jason Robert Brown’s musical The Last Five Years directed by Jonathan O’Boyle.
2019
It’s one of the biggest and most demanding roles in the West End and Mountview student Noah Thomas is going to be making his professional debut playing it. Yes, Noah will play Jamie New in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie at London’s Apollo Theatre from 6 January 2020. Everybody’s going to be talking about it.
2019
There’s a new Miss Hedge in town from 17 November 2019 when actress, singer and radio presenter Preeya Kalidas joins the West End cast of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, plus we are thrilled to see that Roy Haylock, best known as his drag alter ego Bianca Del Rio, will reprise the role of Hugo/Loco Chanelle from 9 December.
Save the last dance for Beverley Knight because she will be starring as Faye Treadwell, the legendary manager of one of the world’s greatest vocal groups, The Drifters, in the world premiere of The Drifters Girl, opening for a short season at Newcastle Theatre Royal in September 2020 before transferring to London’s Garrick Theatre the following month.
2019
The feel-good musical sensation Everybody’s Talking About Jamie goes from strength to strength with the announcement of a new booking period at London’s Apollo Theatre until 29 August 2020. Plus producers launch a national search for ‘an outstandingly talented undiscovered young performer’ to play Jamie New after Layton Williams says his farewell on 4 January next year and joins the show’s touring production.
2019
Just look at the fairy tale cast for the UK premiere of the Broadway version of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella, in concert at Cadogan Hall on 20 October. Joining Christine Allado’s Ella will be Jodie Jacobs, Dean John-Wilson, Cedric Neal, Dianne Pilkington, Zoe Rainey and Jac Yarrow. Will you be going to the ball?
2019
Georgie Ashford, James Hume & Alex Lodge are cast in tick, tick... BOOM! at the Bridge House Theatre
Rent composer Jonathan Larson’s autobiographical musical tick, tick… Boom!, directed by Guy Retallack at the Bridge House Theatre from 30 September to 27 October 2019, will star Georgie Ashford, James Hume and Alex Lodge. Does it feel like it’s time to book a ticket?
2019
The classroom calls once again for Layton Williams as Jamie New and EastEnders’ Shane Richie as Hugo/Loco Chanelle with news that the ever-popular West End musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is embarking on its first UK tour in 2020.
2019
Presented at the Edinburgh Fringe by the team behind West End smash Heathers The Musical, the UK premiere of hit US musical Cruel Intentions: The ’90s Musical – based on the cult Hollywood film – has attracted quite a cast including Dominic Andersen, Rebecca Gilhooley, Evelyn Hoskins, Sophie Isaacs and Dean John-Wilson. Are you ready to binge on 90s hits?
When the Chichester Festival Theatre production of Singin’ in the Rain transferred to the West End in 2012 it went on to be a hit with audiences and receive four Olivier nominations. Now it’s back for a five-week summer season at Sadler’s Wells with Adam Cooper returning to the role of Don Lockwood, made so famous by Gene Kelly in the MGM movie. We think the show will make quite a splash.
2019
From soap sets to stilettos, TV and stage actor Bill Ward will take on the role of Hugo/Loco Chanelle in Dan Gillespie Sells and Tom MacRae’s Everybody's Talking About Jamie at London’s Apollo Theatre from 1 July 2019 for a limited season.
2019
Fresh from his success directing Ain’t Misbehavin’ at Southwark Playhouse, Tyrone Huntley will be back in the spotlight, playing the role of Wes in the European premiere of new LGBTQ+ musical The View Upstairs, previewing from 18 July 2019 at London’s Soho Theatre. With Andy Mientus, Declan Bennett, Victoria Hamilton-Barritt, Cedric Neal and John Partridge already in the line-up, it’s turning into quite a cast!
2019
Cruel Intentions: The ‘90s Musical is based on a cult Hollywood movie, it’s packed with 90s pop classics from Britney Spears, Boyz II Men, Christina Aguilera, Natalie Imbruglia, *NSYNC, R.E.M and many more, and it’s having its UK premiere at the 2019 Edinburgh Fringe. What else could we ask for?
Something special is coming: The Pet Shop Boys and Jonathan Harvey are collaborating once more, this time on the world premiere of cabaret show MUSIK at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe with Frances Barber back in the role of Billie Trix from the writers’ musical Closer To Heaven. Plus we are going to get to hear FOUR new Pet Shop Boys songs written especially for the show.
Fresh from her success as a Strictly Come Dancing finalist, Steps star Faye Tozer is putting on those knockoff Jimmy Choos to play the part of Miss Hedge from 6 May to 3 August 2019 in the ever-popular London production of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie at the Apollo Theatre. Will she be in a class of her own?
The dedicated fans of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie have nothing to worry about as the show’s producers have announced that the London run has been extended to Jan 2020. Not only that, but Layton Williams is enjoying playing Jamie New so much that he has pledged to lead the cast – & wear those heels! – right through that time and help celebrate the show’s second West End birthday in November 2019.
2019
It’s had a successful Off-Broadway run and now London audiences are going to get a chance to see young up-and-coming artist Max Vernon’s new LGBTQ+ musical The View Upstairs from 18 July to 31 August 2019 at Soho Theatre. Are you ready to go on ‘an exhilarating journey of seduction and self-exploration’?
2019
Kelly Price stars as the romantically entangled Rose Vibert in Andrew Lloyd Webber's ASPECTS OF LOVE, now transferred to London's Southwark Playhouse from the Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester. We caught up with her to find out more about her Andrew Lloyd Webber journey, her other musical influences and her Shakespeare debut...