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‘It’s refreshing’: WAITRESS – New Wimbledon Theatre & Touring ★★★★

In London theatre, Musicals, Opinion, Other Recent Articles, Reviews, Touring by Elaine ChapmanLeave a Comment

New Wimbledon Theatre has opened its doors with the West End smash hit production Waitress starring Lucie Jones as Jenna and ex Busted star Matt Willis in the role of Dr Pomatter. The book by Jessie Nelson tells the story about Jenna’s escape from an unhappy violent controlling relationship into the happier life that she works extremely hard to achieve. Alongside her are the two fellow waitresses Becky (Sandra Marvin), Dawn (Evelyn Hoskins) and the long-suffering diner manager Cal (Christopher D Hunt).

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NEWS: Full casting announced for Les Misérables – The Staged Concert

In London theatre, Musicals, News, Press Releases by Press Releases

The principal cast for the return of Les Misérables – The Staged Concert at London’s Sondheim Theatre on 20 May 2021 will be Jon Robyns as Jean Valjean, Bradley Jaden as Javert, Lucie Jones as Fantine, Gerard Carey as Thénardier, Josefina Gabrielle as Madame Thénardier, Shan Ako as Éponine, Harry Apps as Marius, Jamie Muscato as Enjolras and Charlie Burn as Cosette, with Dean Chisnall playing the role of Jean Valjean at certain performances.

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Mark Shenton looks to the future with his pick of the next generation of rising stars

In Audio, Broadway, Features, London theatre, Musicals, Online shows, Opinion, Plays by Mark ShentonLeave a Comment

In four previous episodes of my weekly #ShenTens podcast, and their accompanying columns here, I’ve chosen my top ten favourite leading ladies and leading men respectively in both Broadway and West End musicals. Now I turn to rising stars — the next generation of performers who are already making their mark in London. (I’ll get to Broadway when it returns to business itself).

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Star casting in & out of lockdown – the debate continues

In Broadway, Features, London theatre, Musicals, Online shows, Opinion, Plays by Mark ShentonLeave a Comment

Theatre may have migrated online for now (though here’s hoping that we’ll be back in the stalls and not just our armchairs or desks soon). Even though online theatre has created a much more level playing field in terms of opportunities for people and productions to be seen, with the smallest theatres like the Barn competing with the biggest like the National for audiences, star casting is STILL a thing.

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NEWS: Jacqueline Jossa, Matt Jay-Willis, Lucie Jones, Sandra Marvin, Cedric Neal & more join Brian Conley in A Christmas Carol at the Dominion Theatre

In London theatre, Musicals, Native, News, Press Releases by Press Releases

A star cast including Jacqueline Jossa, Matt Jay-Willis, Lucie Jones and Cedric Neal will join Brian Conley in the new, musical staged concert of Alan Menken, Lynn Ahrens and Mike Ockrent’s A Christmas Carol, which is set to play a strictly limited season at London’s Dominion Theatre from 7 December 2020 to 2 January 2021 (press night is 14 December).