by Paul Johnson | Dec 22, 2020
We certainly shouldn’t count on many Christmas shows and pantos and other multiple creative opportunities we usually have.
However, there is still a chance to get creative this lockdown Christmas and make it cheerful and festive. If you are looking for an opportunity to get back to performing, British Youth Music Theatre (BYMT) has released a new and exciting DIY musical ‘Saving Christmas’ that anyone can download and perform at home for their family and friends. Just like DIY, you receive the script, score, performance tracks, vocal guides and everything else you need to put on a show in your living room and all the rest is completely up to your imagination and creativity.
Saving Christmas is a 25-minute, one-person, non-gender specific festive adventure waiting for you to bring to life. It is written from an idea by West End Director Steven Dexter, features Story and Book by Steven Dexter & Elliot Davis, Music by Jimmy Jewell and Lyrics by Elliot Davis, and Orchestration and Music Production Joe Hood. The vocal guides are provided by West End performers and BYMT alumni Kayleigh McKnight (Bend It Like Beckham, Hugh Jackman’s Would Tour) and Luke Bayer (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie) for low and high keys. And the voice of Santa Claus is recorded by West End and film star Simon Callow whom you will get to share the virtual stage with.
Composer and Musical Director Jimmy Jewel said: “Saving Christmas is about hope, it’s about coming together, overcoming your fears. It’s about family and belief. It’s about everything that we as a society have had to do during this crazy year. I miss theatre and I miss performing, and I’m sure you do too. But here is a chance to perform, to sing, dance and act your socks off in front of your family and friends and whoever you want to. It’s a chance to get back on that stage.”
Saving Christmas is the ultimate lockdown Christmas gift ready to be performed by anyone of any age anywhere. Brighten up this lockdown Christmas with your talent and creativity.
The musical is produced by the UK’s largest musical theatre organisation for young people, BYMT, and available for booking here: britishyouthmusictheatre.org/savingchristmas.
by Paul Johnson | Oct 30, 2020
FOLLOWING A SELL OUT RUN AS PART OF THE TURBINE ON THE JETTY SEASON HAIR THE MUSICAL (IN CONCERT) DIRECTED BY ARLENE PHILLIPS WILL DO TWO PERFORMANCES AT THE LONDON PALLADIUM AND THE SOUTHAMPTON MAYFLOWER THEATRE
WHILE THE TURBINE THEATRE WILL RE-OPEN ITS DOORS TO PRESENT ITS FIRST CHRISTMAS PANTOMIME CINDERELLA: THE SOCIALLY DISTANCED BALL RUNNING FROM 27 NOVEMBER TO 23 DECEMBER WRITTEN BY JODIE PRENGER & NEIL HURST AND DIRECTED BY LIZZY CONNOLLY
Following a sell-out run as part of The Turbine on the Jetty season, Hair The Musical (In Concert), directed by Arlene Phillips, will be at the London Palladium on Monday 16 November, for two performances only, before two performances at the Southampton Mayflower on the 19 & 20 November.
Hair The Musical (In Concert) has book and lyrics by Gerome Ragni and James Rado, music by Galt MacDermot, musical direction by Paul Schofield, design by David Shields, lighting design by Andrew Exeter and sound design by Dan Samson. Hair The Musical will once again be directed by Arlene Phillips.
The cast are Aimie Atkinson (Pretty Woman, SiX), Matt Croke (Aladdin, Funny Girl), Lucie Jones (Waitress, Legally Blonde), Luke Bayer (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie), Jordan Luke Gage (Bat Out Of Hell and & Juliet), Grace Mouat (SiX and & Juliet) Nicole Raquel Dennis (Dear Evan Hansen, Waitress) and Layton Williams (Everyone’s Talking About Jamie, Rent).
The American tribal love rock musical Hair celebrates the sixties counterculture in all its barefoot, long-haired, bell-bottomed, beaded and fringed glory. In this specially produced concert version, get ready to groove to an infectiously energetic rock beat with songs like “Aquarius,” “Good Morning, Starshine,” “Hair,” “I Got Life,” and “Let The Sun Shine.” Exploring ideas of identity, community, global responsibility and peace, Hair remains relevant as ever as it examines what it means to be a young person in a changing world.
The Turbine Theatres reopens its doors with its first ever adult pantomime, Cinderella: The Socially Distanced Ball. This hilarious panto has been written by Jodie Prenger and Neil Hurst, and is being directed by Lizzy Connolly.
The cast are Oscar Conlon-Morrey, Rufus Hound, Debbie Kurup, Scott Paige, Sean Parkins and Daisy Wood Davis.
Prepare to have your Christmas socks blown off with this all-star cast, celebrating theatre at its naughtiest. Glittery anti-bac will be at hand, and we promise to get home before midnight.
Please note: This is not for the faint hearted or those easily offended by smut.
Paul Taylor-Mills presents…
Hair The Musical (In Concert)
Address: London Palladium on 16 November at 5pm & 8.45pm
Cinderella: The Socially Distanced Pantomime
Dates: 26 November to 23 December
Address: The Turbine Theatre, Arches Lane, Circus West Village, London, SW11 8AB
Box Office/Tickets: TheTurbineTheatre.com
The Theatre Cafe: The Turbine Theatre ticketing will be powered by The Theatre Cafe, West End’s stagiest destination and social platform.
Website: https://www.theturbinetheatre.com
Facebook/Twitter/Instagram: @TurbineTheatre | #PoweringTheImagination
by Paul Johnson | Sep 29, 2020
West End Musical Drive In, Troubadour Meridian Water, Harbet Road, London N18 3QQ
3rd, 4th, 10th and 17th October 2020
Sing away those Autumn blues this October with an incredible host of West End talent at West End Musical Drive In! Following the recently announced Godspell 50th anniversary concert screening spectacular (4th October), West End Musical Drive In are thrilled to release further casting for the month ahead, continuing to bring the UK’s biggest musical celebration to sold-out audiences.
Musical theatre legends will be grabbing their air guitars to kickstart the proceedings, as previous cast members of We Will Rock You, make audiences go Ga Ga (3rd October). The incredible Oliver Tompsett (Wicked; & Juliet), Lauren Samuels (Bend It Like Beckham; BBC’s Over The Rainbow), Jenny O’Leary (Heathers; Les Misérables) and Amy Bartolomeo (Bat Out of Hell), will rock the car park, with a medley of musical hits.
The excitement continues with Jamie Muscato (Heathers; West Side Story), Sam Tutty (Dear Evan Hansen), Luke Bayer (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie), and Caroline Kay (The Space Between; The Clock Maker’s Daughter) on 10th October, while musical powerhouses Louise Dearman (Wicked) and Rachel Tucker (Wicked; Come From Away) reunite for the first time since their escapades in the Emerald City, defying gravity on 17th October.
Much like their West End Musical Brunch, which sell out months in advance, West End Musical Drive-In is an immersive event where the audience ‘become the cast,’ singing and dancing along with the West End stars who perform a mix of songs from a wide range of musicals. Widening the scope of the audience, guests can also attend the event without a car, in groups of maximum five people – just bring your camping chairs and portable radio and enjoy!
Producer Chris Steward comments, “We are extending what has been the biggest concert series of the summer so audiences can continue to enjoy musical theatre in a safe, contact free and socially distanced environment.”
West End Musical Drive-In
Dates: Saturday 3rd, 10th and 17th October Sunday 4th October
Location: The Drive In, Troubadour Meridian Water, Harbet Road, London N18 3QQ
How to get there: Situated just off the North Circular (A406). Conveniently located and easily accessible for those traveling from London and those travelling from a little further afield.
Website: www.westendmusicaldrivein.co.uk
Tickets: Tickets are priced from £65. Tickets are available here for cars and car-free options: www.westendmusicaldrivein.co.uk
Social Media: #WestEndMusicalDriveIn, @westendmusicalbrunch
Producer: Neighbourhood Events Ltd.
