Jenny Ell - Page 8

Caroline Sheen is one of our busiest and most popular musical theatre actresses. She has an unbelievable string of credits to her name including the title role in Mary Poppins, Fantine/Eponine in Les Miserables, Truly Scrumptious in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Jennifer in the Original Cast of The Witches of Eastwick. She is currently in rehearsals for Crazy For You where she is playing Polly alongside Tom Chambers as Bobby. BWW:UK catches up with Caroline to chat about her time so far at the Watermill.

Following the announcement last week about the return of I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, there has been a lot of excitement buzzing about. After a sell-out and critically acclaimed run last year, the demand for a revival had been duly noted. Fortunately, for the theatre-going public, the production is returning to the Arts Theatre for one day only on Monday 15th August. BWW:UK spoke to Director Kirk Jameson about the show's previous success and why he's looking forward to revisiting I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change one last time.

Prior to their run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this summer, White Slate Theatre are currently previewing their new show Captured. A two-hander, the writing by Jenna May Hobbs focuses on Isaac and Sophie - estranged five years ago but drawn back to one another in the present. Suzanna Ward directs this exploration of two people who viewed their relationship in a different way; love was undoubtedly there but was it amplified through a camera lens?

Hartshorn - Hook Productions is thrilled to announce the reunion of last year's critically- acclaimed cast in I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change. The production, nominated for Best Revival in last year's Broadway World Awards, will return for two performances at the Arts Theatre on Monday 15th August.

Alongside performing as Raoul eight times a week in The Phantom of the Opera in the West End, Nadim Naaman has somehow found the time to record his second album, Sides, with independent record label Auburn Jam Music. The CD is split into two sections; the first being original songs penned by Naaman himself and the second half consisting of personal favourites from musical theatre including ones that have shaped his career until this point.

From Charles Dickens' classic novel A Tale of Two Cities stems the musical, Two Cities. The show opened in London's West End in February 1969 where it received a mixed reception from the critics. However, many who watched the production fed back positive comments which increased the interest and continued to get people through the door. Sadly though, Two Cities had already been given its closing notice.

As Long As I Have Music is the debut album from both Rob Eyles and Robert Gould. It is a compilation of their music including numbers from their highly acclaimed musical A Pebble for Aaron (finalist for Stiles and Drewe's Mentorship Award) and their upcoming show The Wonderful Musician, based on the Grimm Brothers' fairy tale.

Richard Adams' best-selling novel Watership Down is opening shortly at the picturesque Watermill Theatre; not far away from the location that inspired the well-loved story. Towards the end of the rehearsal period, BWW:UK speaks to James Backway who is playing Hazel in this stage adaptation. He was mostly recently seen in War Horse in the West End where he played Albert until the production closed.

As part of Fertility Fest, Gareth Farr's new play The Quiet House has its world premiere at Birmingham Rep this week. This co-production - also between Echo Presents and Park Theatre - is the exploration of a happily married couple in their mid-thirties who are desperate to have a child. After years of trying to conceive, they turn to fertility treatment. The play follows their painful struggle (often literally) towards their ultimate desire and the impact this has on their relationship.

Ramin Karimloo is a leading man at the forefront of the musical theatre industry worldwide. He is most fondly known for playing the Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera and Jean Valjean in Les Miserables. He appeared in the 25th Anniversary celebrations for both productions and has won a multitude of awards, plus nominations for an Olivier award in 2011 and a Tony Award in 2014. Ramin is going to be performing in a one-off solo concert with his band at the London Palladium in July. BWW:UK chats to Ramin about the concert and his future ambitions.

Having opened Off-Broadway in 2005, The Great American Trailer Park Musical has been performed across the US, Australia and Europe. It's had a bit of a hiatus over the last couple of years but Garry Lake and Waterloo East Theatre have brought the show to London where it is currently enjoying a limited run. BWW:UK recently caught up with cast member Jemma Alexander to talk about the show.

Birmingham-based company Stan's Cafe have been creating new theatre for 25 years. After successes such as The Just Price of Flowers and The Cardinals, they return to the Rep with their brand new and original production - Made Up. In collaboration with the theatre, Made Up is a story told through a series of live make up transformations and the relationship between an actress and her make up artist.

Inspired by the true story of the first South Asian recipient of the Victoria Cross, soldier Khudadad Khan single handedly held off advancing enemy troops at the battle of Ypres (or Wipers) in the First World War, whilst a group of British and South Asian soldiers took refuge in a disused barn. Ishy Din's remarkable new play does not solely focus on Khan but he's consistently referred to in extremely high regard. The four soldiers who uphold the story have been ordered to take sanctuary until the gunfire ceases but until that time, they must find a way of pulling together to survive.

Family gatherings and occasions are frequently tarnished by disagreements; none more so than at weddings, christenings and funerals when extended families are often brought together. Joshua Harmon's play Bad Jews takes place following a family funeral and an heirloom belonging to the deceased is being fought over. This dark situational comedy is set in a plush studio apartment in Manhattan where cousins are staying overnight amidst the Jewish commemorations following their Grandfather's passing.

For their 30th album release, SimG Records have announced their new concept album Ms. A Song Cycle, created in aid of MS Society UK. The aim is to increase awareness and raise funds for this brilliant charity and worthwhile cause.

Honouring the contribution of the million South Asian soldiers who fought alongside the British during World War I, celebrated playwright Ishy Din presents his powerful new play, Wipers, at the Belgrade Theatre Coventry later this month. The show premiered at Curve, Leicester last month is currently on a short UK tour.

Celebrating the music of The Who, one of the most iconic bands of all time, Sensation is about to embark on a UK tour featuring fantastic singers and a live band. In the midst of rehearsals, BWW:UK speaks to Musical Director Kevin Oliver Jones and vocalist Leanne Jarvis who was a finalist on Season 2 of BBC's The Voice.

Jon Robyns has had a sensational career in musical theatre over the last twelve years and has a CV that most performers could only dream of. He had had leading roles in productions such as Avenue Q, Les Miserables, Spamalot and Memphis to name but a few. Currently, he is playing Emmett Forrest in Curve's production of Legally Blonde in Leicester. BWW:UK speak to Robyns about his time on the show thus far, as well as career highlights and future goals.

With the rise of shows like Bombay Dreams and the smash-hit West End musical Bend It Like Beckham ushering in a new dawn for the British musical, the nation's appetite for Bollywood spectacle shows no signs of slowing. It is from this rich cinematic culture that life-long Bollywood fan and Theatre Director Samir Bhamra drew inspiration for his latest musical mash-up, Bring On The Bollywood.