Owen Jones News

The UK editor-in-chief reflects on the ups and downs of West End theatre in 2013. So, another busy year in the West End - and a busy year for BWW:UK. I've been the editor-in-chief of BWW:UK for nearly five years now, working closely with our US newdesk (and dealing with that inconvenient time difference), and overseeing our ever-expanding reviewing squad (as well as our London writers, we also have a team at the Edinburgh Festival every year, and regional reviewers in cities around the UK including Glasgow, Birmingham, Sheffield and Bristol).

The Canadian production of Les Miserables begins previews at the end of the week, boasting an incredibly talented cast from across the country, and a 'borrowed' West End star in the role of Javert. Earl Carpenter hails from the U.K., where he has been wowing musical theatre audiences for over fifteen years. He speaks with BWW about coming to perform in Toronto, the 'new' version of Les Miserables, and working with former West End colleague Ramin Karimloo.

The Canadian production of Les Miserables begins previews at the end of the week, boasting an incredibly talented cast from across the country, and a 'borrowed' West End star in the role of Javert. Earl Carpenter hails from the U.K., where he has been wowing musical theatre audiences for over fifteen years. He speaks with BWW about coming to perform in Toronto, the 'new' version of Les Miserables, and working with former West End colleague Ramin Karimloo.

In the video below, stage vet Ramin Karimloo (Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, Love Never Dies) talks about the #YourVoice Competition to support BBC Children in Need and records the song 'Why Am I Falling'. Click to watch!

The sixth Singers Soiree charity concert has announced its transfer from Battersea Barge to the St Giles-in-the-Fields church, just off of Tottenham Court Road on 6 September. Not only does this new venue offer a much more central location but it also boats a seating capacity of more than 10 times the previous venue (moving from 70 to 700 seats).

Scott Alan played a packed venue at Indigo O2 in London on Sunday 4th August. The event produced by Amzi Entertainment presents 'The Songs of Scott Alan'. Check out the performance photos below!

On August 4th, acclaimed composer and lyricist Scott Alan wil return for his biggest concert yet at the IndigO2 Theatre Arena at the O2. The 7pm concert, produced by Amzi Entertainment, will feature a 15 piece orchestra and feature song selections from Alan's four albums, 'Dreaming Wide Awake,' 'Keys,' 'What I Wanna Be When I Grow Up,' and 'LIVE.' The concert will have a very special finale. Scroll down for a sneak peek at Alan and the cast in rehearsal!

Members from the current West End casts of long-running hits THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA and LES MISERABLES will convene to join former footballers and some A-list stars at Hayes Lane in Bromley for a special charity soccer game to benefit the Great Ormond Street Hospital.

The cast list for Amzi Entertainment presents 'The Songs of Scott Alan' is presently: Willemijn Verkaik, Richard Fleeshman, Ricardo Afonso, John Owen-Jones, Shoshana Bean, Cynthia Erivo, Simon Bailey, Scott Garnham, Greg Oliver, Nathan James, Anton Zetterholm, Riccardo Greco, Siobhan Dillon, Ashleigh Gray, Julie Atherton, Jodie Jacobs, Katie Paine, Annalene Beechey, Chloe Hart, Sophie Thierens and contest winners Nathan Lodge and Holly-Anne Hull.

The Les Miserables company have been asked by the lovely people at BWW:UK to blog about the forthcoming charity football match between Les Miserables and The Phantom Of The Opera. As the organiser of the event, I have decided to go first, so here goes…

The soprano tells us about life on the road with the trio of masked men, and reflects on her favourite roles...

Award-winning and record-breaking musical theatre star John Owen-Jones (LES MISERABLES, Phantom of the Opera) will join the previously announced cast of Momentous Musicals as a special guest star for each of its 2013 tour dates dates at New Wimbledon Theatre on Wednesday 17 July, the Princess Theatre, Torquay on Friday 19 July, the Alhambra Theatre, Bradford on Monday 22 July, and the Palace Theatre, Manchester on Thursday 25 July.

The longest-running show in Broadway history, Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera, directed by Harold Prince and produced by Cameron Mackintosh and The Really Useful Theatre Company, Inc., will welcome West End star and Platinum-selling Swedish recording star Peter Joback to the New York cast this summer. Mr. Joback will assume the title role for a limited engagement from today, April 29 through Saturday, August 24, 2012.

HighTide Festival Theatre will announce full casting for its 2013 season (see below for full details). Also HighTide is pleased to announce further 'In Conversation' events with writer and director Stephen Poliakoff CBE, and playwright and novelist Michael Frayn. Author and broadcaster Kate Mosse will conduct the conversation with Michael Frayn, whilst television presenter Rick Edwards will hostconversations with Stephen Poliakoff and (previously announced) Roger Michell.

Now one of the most successful movie musicals of all time, LES MISERABLES triumphantly arrives on DVD and Blu-ray today, so it is an exceptionally apropos time to assess the many vaunted virtues and the legendary history of this spectacular mega musical and pay tribute to some of the best versions of some of its famous anthems now that we can, well, bring it home.

The cast and creative team of The Phantom of the Opera just celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the show last weekendat the Majestic Theatre. The special evening featured an extended curtain call with remarks from producer Cameron Mackintosh and director Harold Prince, a specially-taped video greeting from composer Andrew Lloyd Webber (in London and unable to attend due to a back procedure) and original West End and Broadway star Sarah Brightman (their first joint interview in 30 years), a note from original Phantom Michael Crawford and on-stage post-show performances from current stars Hugh Panaro and Sierra Boggess, joined by international 'Phantoms' John Owen Jones, Ramin Karimloo and Peter Joback. Check out photos of the show's director Hal Prince in the BroadwayWorld.com series 'In The Spotlight' by acclaimed photographer Walter McBride below!

The cast and creative team of The Phantom of the Opera just celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the show last weekendat the Majestic Theatre. The special evening featured an extended curtain call with remarks from producer Cameron Mackintosh and director Harold Prince, a specially-taped video greeting from composer Andrew Lloyd Webber (in London and unable to attend due to a back procedure) and original West End and Broadway star Sarah Brightman (their first joint interview in 30 years), a note from original Phantom Michael Crawford and on-stage post-show performances from current stars Hugh Panaro and Sierra Boggess, joined by international 'Phantoms' John Owen Jones, Ramin Karimloo and Peter Joback. Check out photos of the show's producer Cameron Mackintosh in the BroadwayWorld.com series 'In The Spotlight' by acclaimed photographer Walter McBride below!

The cast and creative team of The Phantom of the Opera just celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the show last weekendat the Majestic Theatre. The special evening featured an extended curtain call with remarks from producer Cameron Mackintosh and director Harold Prince, a specially-taped video greeting from composer Andrew Lloyd Webber (in London and unable to attend due to a back procedure) and original West End and Broadway star Sarah Brightman (their first joint interview in 30 years), a note from original Phantom Michael Crawford and on-stage post-show performances from current stars Hugh Panaro and Sierra Boggess, joined by international 'Phantoms' John Owen Jones, Ramin Karimloo and Peter Joback. Check out photos of the show's original Christine, Sarah Brightman, in the BroadwayWorld.com series 'In The Spotlight' by acclaimed photographer Walter McBride below!

Lloyd Webber and Brightman recorded an interview together in London that was played for the audience at the special performance an dyou can check out what they had to say about the show's early days below!

BroadwayWorld.com was there for all the festivities, and in the video below, Richard Ridge chats with current stars Sierra Boggess, Hugh Panaro, and Kyle Barisich at the big after paty at the New York Public Library. Plus Phantom veterans Ramin Karimloo, Kevin Gray, Rebecca Luker, and Howard McGillin chat about the milestone event. Check it out below!