My Theatre Awards 2012

Following up from my own personal awards for the shows I saw in 2011, I am continuing by doing it again for 2012. The winners will be in highlighted and in bold.

Best Leading Actress In A Play: (2011 winner - Iris Roberts)
Lisa Dillon - Katharina (Taming Of The Shrew)
Pippa Nixon - The Bastard (King John)
Meera Syal - Beatrice (Much Ado About Nothing)
Sheridan Smith - Hedda Gabler (Hedda Gabler)
Jessica Robinson - Little Voice (The Rise And Fall Of Little Voice)
Alexandra Gilbreath - Alice Ford (The Merry Wives Of Windsor)

Pippa Nixon as The Bastard in King John

Best Leading Actor In A Play: (2011 winner - James McArdle)
David Caves - Petruchio (Taming Of The Shrew)
Jonathan Slinger - Prospero (The Tempest)
Alex Waldmann - King John (King John)
Felix Hayes - Dromio of Ephesus/ Bruce MacKinnon - Dromio Of Syracuse (The Comedy Of Errors)
Paul Bhattacharjee - Benedick (Much Abo About Nothing)
Patterson Joseph - Brutus (Julius Caesar)
Rufus Hound - Francis Henshall (One Man Two Guvnors)
Joe Dixon - Tu'an Gu (The Orphan Of Zhao)
Michael Hodgson - Manny Rat (The Mouse And His Child)
Gethin Anthony - Grigory (Boris Godunov)
John Ramm - Frank Ford (The Merry Wives Of Windsor)

Michael Hodgson as Manny Rat in The Mouse And His Child

Best Supporting Actress In A Play: (2011 winner - Lucy Briggs-Owen)
Susie Trayling - Constance (King John)
Elizabeth Cadwallader - Bianca (Taming Of The Shrew)
Emily Taafe - Lucina (The Comedy Of Errors)
Siobhan Redmond - Elizabeth Woodville (Richard III)
Amara Khan - Hero (Much Ado About Nothing)
Amy Booth Steel - Dolly (One Man Two Guvnors)
Lucy Briggs-Owen - The Princess (The Orphan Of Zhao)
Julia Innocenti - Ralphie/Mrs Crow (The Mouse And His Child)
Naomi Sheldon - Seal/Donkey (The Mouse And His Child)
Anita Dobson - Mistress Quickly (The Merry Wives Of Windsor)

Suzie Trayling as Constance in King John

Best Supporting Actor In A Play: (2011 winner - Martin Hutson)
John Stahl - King Philip Of France (King John)
Mark Rylance - Olivia (Twelfth Night)
Daniel Lapaine - Eilert Loevborg (Hedda Gabler)
Jonathan Slinger - Malvolio (Twelfth Night)
Mark Holgate -  Macla (A Soldier In Every Son)
Ray Fearon - Mark Anthony (Julius Caesar)
Sagar Arya - Claudio (Much Ado About Nothing)
Stephen Fry - Malvolio (Twelfth Night)
Peter Claufield - Alfie (One Man Two Guvnors)
Graham Turner - Dr Cheng Ying (The Orphan Of Zhao)
Lloyd Hutchinson - Boris Godunov (Boris Goduvno)
Desmond Barritt - Sir John Falstaff (The Merry Wives Of Windsor)

Ray Fearson as Mark Anthony in Julius Caesar

Best Set Designer: (2011 winner - Borkur Jonsson)
Sara Perks - Gyspy
Rob Howell - Matilda 
Ruth Sutcliffe - Taming Of The Shrew 
Jon Bausor - The Comedy Of Errors/The Tempest/Twelfth Night
Tom Piper - Much Ado About Nothing 
Anthony Ward - Sweeney Todd 
Libby Watson - The Sound Of Music
Morgan Large - The Rise And Fall Of Little Voice
Nikki Turner - The Orphan Of Zhao
Angela Davies - The Mouse and His Child
Max Jones - The Merry Wives Of Windsor
Scott Pask  - Finding Neverland

The Merry Wives Of Windsor.

Best Costume Design:
Himani Dehlvi - Much Ado About Nothing
Eloise Kazan - A Soldier In Every Son
Sara Perks - Gypsy
Simon Higlett - Wonderful Town 
Anthony Ward - Oliver!
Anthony Ward - Sweeney Todd 
Jenny Tiramani - Twelfth Night (Shakespeare's Globe)
Nikki Turner - The Orphan Of Zhao 

An example of the costumes in A Soldier In Every Son

Best Choreographry: (2011 winner  - Andrew Wright)
Matthew Bourne - Oliver!
David Needham - Gypsy
Peter Darling - Matilda
Andrew Wright - Wonderful Town
Denni Sayers - Sweeney Todd
Richard Jones - Steel Pier
David Needham - Hello, Dolly!

Wonderful Town

Best Solo/Concert Performance: (2011 winner - Ramin Karimloo)
Alfie Boe: Bring Him Home Live (UK Tour)
Ramin Karimloo: The Road To Find Out (UK Tour)
Little Women In Concert (Playhouse Theatre)
The West End Men (UK Tour)

Best Supporting Actress In A Musical: (2011 winner - Hannah Waddingham)
Victoria-Hamilton Barritt - Louise/Gypsy Rose Lee (Gypsy)
Lauren Ward - Miss Honey (Matilda)
Jemma Alexander - Madame Defarge (A Tale Of Two Cities)
Lucy May Barker - Johanna (Sweeney Todd)
Jan Hartley - Mother Abbess (The Sound Of Music)
Sierra Boggess - Fantine (Les Miserables)
Lisa-Anne Wood - Precious McGuire (Steel Pier)
Aimie Atkinson - Shelby Stevens (Steel Pier)
Laura Pitt-Pulford - Irene Mulloy (Hello, Dolly!)

Victoria-Hamilton Barritt as Louise/Gypsy Rose Lee in Gypsy

Best Supporting Actor In A Musical: (2011 winner - Simon Lipkin)
David Fleeshman - Herbie (Gypsy)
Iain Fletcher - Bill Sikes (Oliver!)
Paul Kaye - Mr Wormwood (Matilda)
Jonathan Ansell - Charles Darnay (A Tale Of Two Cities)
Jon Boydon - Tommy DeVito (Jersey Boys)
John Bowe - Judge Turpin (Sweeney Todd)
Tam Mutu - Javert (Les Miserables)
Oliver Boot - Captain Hook (Finding Neverland)
Michael Xavier - Cornelius Hackl (Hello, Dolly!)

Oliver Boot (left) as Captain Hook in Finding Neverland

Best Leading Actress In A Musical: (2011 winner - Natalie Andreou)
Caroline O'Connor - Mama Rose (Gypsy)
Sophia Kiely - Matilda (Matilda)
Samantha Barks - Nancy (Oliver!)
Lauren Samuels - Scaramouche (We Will Rock You)
Connie Fisher - Ruth (Wonderful Town)
Imelda Staunton - Mrs Lovett (Sweeney Todd)
Rosalie Craig - Sylvia Lleweyn Davies (Finding Neverland)
Helena Blackman - Maria (The Sound Of Music)
Sarah Galbraith - Rita Racine (Steel Pier)
Janie Dee - Dolly Levi (Hello, Dolly!)

Sophia Kiely as Matilda in Matilda The Musical.

Best Leading Actor In A Musical: (2011 winner - Ramin Karimloo)
Bertie Carvel - Miss Trunchball (Matilda)
Michael Howe - Sydney Carton (A Tale Of Two Cities)
Michael Xavier - Bob Baker (Wonderful Town)
Iwan Lewis - Emmett (Legally Blonde)
Ryan Molloy - Frankie Valli (Jersey Boys)
Michael Ball - Sweeney Todd (Sweeney Todd)
Geronimo Rauch - Valjean (Les Miserables)
Julian Ovenden - J M Barrie (Finding Neverland)

Bertie Carvel as Miss Trunchball in Matilda

Best Understudy Performance: (2011 winner - Tabitha Webb)
Scott Monello - Galelio (We Will Rock You)
Ankur Bahl - Dromio Of Ephesus/Dromio Of Syracuse (The Comedy Of Errors)
Felix Hayes - Malvolio (Twelfth Night)
Sandy Moffat - Stacee Jaxx (Rock Of Ages)
Amy Ross - Elle Woods (Legally Blonde)
Mark Theodore - Brutus (Julius Caesar)
Philip Andrew - Ray Say (The Rise And Fall Of Little Voice)
Ryan O'Gorman - Bill Sikes (Oliver!) 

Ankur Bahl getting his wig fitted.

Best Royal Shakespeare Company Production: (2011 winner - Heart Of Robin Hood)
The Comedy Of Errors (Royal Shakespeare Theatre and Roundhouse)
King John (Swan Theatre)
Twelfth Night (Royal Shakespeare Theatre and Roundhouse)
A Soldier In Every Son (Swan Theatre)
Julius Caesar (Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Noel Coward Theatre and UK Tour)
Much Ado About Nothing (Royal Shakespeare Theatre and Noel Coward Theatre)
The Orphan Of Zhao (Swan Theatre)
The Mouse And His Child (Royal Shakespeare Theatre)
The Merry Wives Of Windsor (Royal Shakespeare Theatre)

King John

Best Play (not RSC):
Doctor In The House (UK Tour)
Calender Girls (UK Tour)
Hysteria (UK Tour)
Hedda Gabler (Old Vic, London)
The Rise And Fall Of Little Voice (UK Tour)
Twelfth Night (Globe Theatre and Apollo Theatre, London)
One Man Two Guvnors (UK Tour)

Twelfth Night

Best Touring Produciton/Regional Show: (2011 winner - 42nd Street)
Gypsy (Curve Theatre)
Oliver! (UK Tour)
Wonderful Town (UK Tour)
Joseph (UK Tour)
Finding Neverland (Curve Theatre)
The Rise And Fall Of Little Voice (UK Tour)
One Man Two Guvnors (UK Tour)
Hello, Dolly! (Curve Theatre)

Gypsy

Best New* Musical: (2011 winner - Rock Of Ages)
Oliver! (UK Tour)
Matilda (Cambridge Theatre)
Gypsy (Curve Theatre)
Tale Of Two Cities (Charing Cross Theatre)
Wonderful Town (UK Tour)
Jersey Boys (Prince Edward Theatre)
Sweeney Todd (Adelphi Theatre)
Finding Neverland (Curve Theatre)
Steel Pier (Union Theatre)
Hello, Dolly! (Curve Theatre)

Matilda The Musical

*first time I'd seen this show hence why I class it as new.

Much Ado About Nothing - Royal Shakespeare Company - Social Media Call

The Royal Shakespeare Companies production of Much Ado About Nothing has just transferred to London's West End and begun its limited run at the Noel Coward Theatre. The show which has adopted a modern day Indian setting begun life at the Courtyard Theatre in Stratford-Upon-Avon. For the show the RSC ran it's second Social Media Call, and lucky I was able to attend (as I was previously for the Social Media Call for A Soldier In Every Son, click here to read my blog on it).

I was lucky enough to see the production twice in Stratford and on both occasions I highly enjoyed it. The Indian setting works superbly for the peice, it adds fantastic colour, music and atmosphere to the production. A fantastic company led by Meera Syal (as Beatrice) and Paul Bhattacharjee (as Benedick) act superbly throughout. You get the heart and humour of a great play throughout this version directed by Iqbal Khan and a superb set designed by Tom Piper.

For those unaware of a social media call (not many theatres do them, but I highly think it's something they should consider with sites like twitter and facebook being so popular and a great marketing drive for any show), we were invited in the audiotorium of the theatre and we were to watch a scene from the play (Act Two, Scene 3) and then have a question and answer session with the members of the company from the scene. For this we were allowed to video and take pictures, and I did both. Below is my video of the scene.

The scene feautred Sagar Arya (Claudio), Raj Bajaj (Balthasar), Paul Bhattacharjee (Benedick), Shiv Grewal (Don Pedro), Madhav Sharma (Leonato) and Anjana Vasan (Maid). It's a supeb scene that starts setting up Benedick by making him believe that Beatrice is in love with him. A fascinating Q+A followed the scene, for which the director, Iqbal Khan joined the company on stage. The Q+A mainly focused on the Indian setting and was great to hear some of the ideas by the actors and director.

I also got the joy of meeting another actor from the company, Muzz Khan, with whom I discussed how easy it was or a show to transfer from a theatre like the Courtyard to the Noel Coward, mainly due to the staging, the Courtyard you have the stage and the audience around 3 sides of it to playing to the Noel Coward where the audience is only in front of the stage.

On the whole I'd highly recommend that you all go and see a fantastic production, as the press reviews come out for the show in London and the couple I've seen being positive, I see no reason that you don't see it. Theres also £5 tickets for 16-25 year olds (ask at the box office).  (see links below for how to book tickets). Also if you get the chance to attend a social media call for any production (but especially an RSC one) I'd recommend highly that you attend.

Below I've included pictures from the social media call:

Setting Up

Introducing the actors

Performing the scene; L-R, Paul Bhattacharjee, Anjana Vasan, Madhav Sharma and Sagar Arya

Q+A; L-R, Raj Bajaj (Balthasar), Madhav Sharma (Leonato), Paul Bhattacharjee (Benedick), Sagar Arya (Claudio), Shiv Grewel (Don Pedro) and Iqbal Khan (Director)

Sagar Arya (Claudio), Shiv Grewel and Iqbal Khan (Director)

Raj Bajaj (Balthasar), Madhav Sharma (Leonato), Paul Bhattacharjee (Benedick)

Madhav Sharma (Leonato) and Paul Bhattacharjee (Benedick)

Paul Bhattacharjee (Benedick)

Madhav Sharma (Leonato), Paul Bhattacharjee (Benedick), Sagar Arya (Claudio), Shiv Grewel (Don Pedro)

View of the set.

Find out more about the Production - RSC Official Website
To Book Tickets for the Production at the Noel Coward Theatre - Delfont Mackintosh Tickets Site

A Soldier In Every Son Social Media

To get to attend any Royal Shakspeare Company production is a real joy, but to get to attend their first ever Social Media Call an even bigger one. The social media call for A Soldier In Every Son was the RSC's first, and hopefully something they do again as I found it highly enjoyable and educational.

The play itself, "A Soldier In Every Son", written by the playwright Luis Mario Moncada and translated into English by Gary Owen, completes the trio of plays under the banner of "The Nations At War" trilogy. (The two other productions being Shakespearen plays, Richard III and King John) A play thats part of the World Shakespeare Festival and combines both the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre Company Of Mexico.

Set in the Aztec Empire in 15th-century Mexico in a style inspired by Shakespeare’s history plays, the follows three tribes, The Acolhaus, The Tepanecas and The Aztecs and feautures various names that can sometimes be hard to prounounce, Ixtilxochiltl, Nezahualcoyotl and Tlacaelel, being a few examples. These names take nothing away from the peice, in fact as I discussed with my father after reading the reviews, some of which said the names made the peice almost impossible to follow, you wouldn't have gone to 15th Century Mexico and found Aztecs walking around called Dave/Bob or anything alike.Throughout the peice there's a lot of killing, and plotting going on, and it's easily followable and visually stunningly staged.

The Social Media call itself, involved two of the actors Alex Waldmann (Ixtlixochitl/Nezahualcoyotl) and Susie Trayling (Tecpa/Macuetzin) who performed Scene 3 from the play for us in attendence to film/photograph. After one run through they ran it through again and this was followed by a question and answer session, with Luke Kernaghan (Assistant Director), Alex Waldmann, Susie Trayling and Diego Jáuregui (Techotlala/Tlacalel). Diego being one of the 6 Mexican actors.

                                   video clip of Scene 3 of the play from the Social Media Call

The Q and A was fascinating to be in attendance of, with a varied set of questions being asked, we learnt how long the process of putting the costumes/make up on takes (somewhere around 2 hours), more of the origins of the play itself, the fact that the period in history in the play isn't taught in schools in Mexico. We also learnt that this company are going off to play the production in Mexico, initially in English with subtitles and then the productions (sets/costumes) will go into the rep of the National Theatre Company in Mexico.

It was a fascinating behind the scenes look at a fantastic production that I highly recommend you all go and see while you have the chance. Below are a few pictures from the Social Media Call. For the fall set visit my facebook photo album -

Susie Trayling (Tecpa) and Alex Waldmann (Ixtlixochitl) performing Scene 3

Susie Trayling (Tecpa) and Alex Waldmann (Ixtlixochitl) performing Scene 3

Alex Waldmann (Ixtlixochitl) performing Scene 3

Alex Waldmann (Ixtlixochitl) performing Scene 3

Susie Trayling (Tecpa) and Alex Waldmann (Ixtlixochitl) performing Scene 3

Luke Kernaghan (Assitant Director), Alex Waldmann (Ixtlixochitl/Nezahualcoyotl), Diego Jáuregui (Techotlala/Tlacalel) and Susie Trayling (Tecpa/Macuetzin) during the Q and A

Susie Trayling during the Q and A

Diego Jáuregui during the Q and A

Alex Waldmann during the Q and A

Q and A

Luke Kernaghan (Assitant Director), Alex Waldmann (Ixtlixochitl/Nezahualcoyotl), Diego Jáuregui (Techotlala/Tlacalel) and Susie Trayling (Tecpa/Macuetzin) during the Q and A

A Soldier In Every Son plays at the Swan Theatre, Stratford-Upon-Avon, until Saturday 28th July. Tickets avaliable http://www.rsc.org.uk/whats-on/a-soldier-in-every-son/, and for 16-25 year olds you can get tickets for £5

My 2011 Theatre Awards...

Decided to do a little blog of my whom I'd award awards to for the shows that I saw in 2011. In each category I've done my own nominations and picked the winners, the winners are in capitals and bold type. Have tried to include an picture or video of the winner below each category too..


Best Leading Actress In A Play:
Pippa Nixon (Titania) - Midsummer Nights Dream (RSC)
IRIS ROBERTS (MARION/MARTIN) - HEART OF ROBIN HOOD (RSC)

Best Leading Actor In A Play:
Jo Stone-Fewings (Oberon) - Midsummer Nights Dream (RSC)
JAMES MCARDLE (ROBIN HOOD) - HEART OF ROBIN HOOD (RSC)

James McArdle and Iris Roberts in The Heart Of Robin Hood

Best Supporting Actress In A Play:
LUCY BRIGGS-OWEN (HELENA) - MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM (RSC)
Flora Montgomery (Alice) - Heart Of Robin Hood (RSC)

Lucy Briggs-Owen as Helena in A Midsummer Nights Dream

Best Supporting Actor In A Play:
MARTIN HUTSON (PRINCE JOHN) - HEART OF ROBIN HOOD (RSC)
Tim Treloar (Guy Of Gisbourne) - Heart Of Robin Hood (RSC)
Felix Hayes (Bottom - understudy) - Midsummer Nights Dream (RSC)

Martin Huston as Prince John in The Heart Of Robin Hood

Best Set Designer:
Tim Hatley - Betty Blue Eyes
Rob Jones - The Wizard Of Oz
BORKUR JONSSON - HEART OF ROBIN HOOD (RSC)
Beowulf Boritt - Rock Of Ages
Tim Hatley - Shrek

The Mighty Oak set above the stage

Best Choreographer:
Kelly Devine - Rock Of Ages
Stephen Mear - Betty Blue Eyes
Arlene Phillips - The Wizard Of Oz
ANDREW WRIGHT - 42nd STREET

The 4nd Street Company

Best Solo Performance:
Lee Mead - Solo Tour
Kerry Ellis - Anthems Tour
Ian McKellen - Back At The Belgrade
John Barrowman - Solo Tour
RAMIN KARIMLOO - AN NIGHT WITH THE PHANTOM TOUR

Best Supporting Actress In A Musical:
HANNAH WADDINGHAM (THE WICKED WITCH OF THE WEST) - THE WIZARD OF OZ
Haley Flaherty (Meg Giry) - Love Never Dies
Lisa-Anne Wood (Cosette) - Les Miserables
Caroline Sheen (Fantine) - Les Miserables
Ann Emery (Mother Dear)- Betty Blue Eyes
Jodie Jacobs (Regina/Candi) - Rock Of Ages
Ria Jones (Dorothy Block) - 42nd Street

Hannah Waddingham as the Wicked Witch Of The West in The Wizard Of Oz

Best Supporting Actor In A Music:
Todd Carty (Patsy) - Spamalot
David Thaxton (Raoul) - Love Never Dies
Hadley Fraser (Javert) - Les Miserables
Matt Lucas (Monsieur Thenardier) - Les Miserables
Nigel Harman (Lord Farquaad) - Shrek
Jack Edwards (Henry Allardyce) - Betty Blue Eyes
SIMON LIPKIN (LONNY) - ROCK OF AGES

Simon Lipkin as Lonny in Rock Of Ages.

Best Leading Actress In A Musical:
Sarah French (Scaramouche) - We Will Rock You
Celia Graham (Christine Daae) - Love Never Dies
Rachel Jerram (Kate Monster) - Avenue Q
Tabitha Webb (Christine Daae - understudy) - The Phantom Of The Opera
Sarah Lancashire - Betty Blue Eyes
NATALIE ANDREOU (SHERRIE) - ROCK OF AGES
Daisy Maywood (Peggy Sawyer) - 42nd Street

Natalie Andreou as Sherrie in Rock Of Ages

Best Leading Actor In A Musical:
RAMIN KARIMLOO (PHANTOM) - LOVE NEVER DIES
Scott Davies (Phantom - understudy) - Phantom Of The Opera
Alfie Boe (Jean Valjean) - Les Miserables
Nigel Lindsay (Shrek) - Shrek The Musical
Reece Shearsmith (Gilbert Chilvers) - Betty Blue Eyes
Oliver Tompsett (Drew) - Rock Of Ages

Best Understudy Performance:
Dean Chisnall (Raoul) - Love Never Dies
Ross Hunter (Galileo) - We Will Rock You
Scott Davies (Phantom) - The Phantom Of The Opera
TABITHA WEBB (CHRISTINE DAAE) - THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
Alice Fearn (Fiona) - Shrek The Musical
Nathan Amzi (Lonny) - Rock Of Ages

Tabitha Webb as Christine Daae in The Phantom Of The Opera

Best Play:
A Midsummer Nights Dream - RSC
A Midsummer Nights Dream - Filter
THE HEART OF ROBIN HOOD - RSC

Best Touring Produciton/Non-West End Show:
Spamalot - UK Tour
Avenue Q - UK Tour
42nd STREET - CURVE THEATRE
Sound Of Music - UK Tour

42nd Street Advert

Best Non-New Musical:
LOVE NEVER DIES
Les Miserables
Phantom Of The Opera
We Will Rock You

Best New Musical:
The Umbrella's Of Cherbourg - Curve Theatre/Gielgud Theatre
Betty Blue Eyes - Novello Theatre
Shrek The Musical - Theatre Royal Drury Lane
The Wizard Of Oz - London Palladium
ROCK OF AGES - Shaftesbury Theatre
42nd Street - Curve Theatre

I hope you enjoyed reading these, all these are obviously only my personal opinion...

Shows I Saw in 2011...

Being 2 weeks into a new year now, I've decided to blog up all the shows (musicals, plays, comedy gigs and music concerts) I saw in the previous year,  and pick out which were the best and the best performances I saw... also included some of the pictures from the year, not put too many though or this blog would be massive...


January 2011

Legally Blonde x2 (8th January) - Savoy Theatre, London. Musical. Starring - Sheridan Smith, Simon Thomas, Alex Gaumond, Peter Davison, Sorelle Marsh, Siobhan Dillon, Susan McFadden, Carley Stenson, Ibinabo Jack and Chris Ellis-Stanton

Me and Gina Beck outside the Savoy (8th Jan)

Aladdin (26th January - Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton. Pantomime. Starring - Christopher Biggins, Paul Zerdin, James Barron, Lora Munro, Paul Rivers, Sammy Andrews, Stephen McCarthy.




February 2011

The Umbrellas Of Cherbourg (11th February) - Curve Theatre, Leicester. Musical. Starring - Joanne Riding, Meow Meow, Carly Bawden, Andrew Durand, Domonic Marsh.


Patrick Monahan (16th February) - Little Theatre, Leicester. Stand Up Comedy.


Greg Davies and Friends (18th February) - DeMontfort Hall, Leicester. Stand Up Comedy. Line Up included - Greg Davies, Rhod Gilbert, Lloyd Langford, Jon Richardson


Lee Mead Live (22nd February) - Sage, Gateshead. Concert. Support from Laura Wright.


Love Never Dies (23rd February) - Adelphi Theatre, London. Musical. Starring - Ramin Karimloo, Sierra Boggess, Dean Chisnall, Janet Mooney, Summer Strallen, Adam Pearce, Jami Reid-Quarrell, Niamh Perry.

Me and Dean Chisnall after Love Never Dies (23rd February)

The Wizard Of Oz (23rd February) - London Palladium, London. Musical. Starring - Danielle Hope, Michael Crawford, Hannah Waddingham, Emily Tierney, Paul Keating, Edward Baker-Duly, David Ganly.


We Will Rock You (24th February) - Dominion Theatre, London. Musical. Starring - Sarah French, Ross Hunter, Tricia Adele Turner, Alex Bourne, Ian Carlyle, Rachel John, Kevin Kennedy.

Me and Sarah French after We Will Rock You (24th February)

Lee Mead Live (25th February) - DeMontfort Hall, Leicester. Concert. Support from Laura Wright.


March 2011

Two Pints Of Lager and a Packet Of Crisps (11th March) - BBC Television Centre, London. TV Recording. Starring - Will Mellor, Natalie Casey, Luke Gell, Freddie Hogan, Georgia Henshaw.




April 2011


Spamalot (13th April) - DeMontfort Hall, Leicester. Musical. Starring - Phil Jupitus, Jessica Martin, Todd Carty, Samuel Holmes, Simon Lipkin, Graham MacDuff.

Me and Phil Jupitus after Spamalot (13th April)

Spamalot (14th April) - DeMontfort Hall, Leicester. Musical. Starring - Phil Jupitus, Jessica Martin, Todd Carty, Samuel Holmes, Simon Lipkin, Graham MacDuff, David Langham.


Dancing On Ice (20th April) - Captial FM Arena, Nottingham. Ice Skating Show. Starring - Jayne Torvill, Christopher Dean, Laura Hamilton, Sam Attwater, Hayley Tamaddon, Chloe Madley, Dave Vitty, Denise Welch, Johnson Beharry VC, Vanilla Ice.


Dancing On Ice (27th April) - Captial FM Arena, Nottingham. Ice Skating Show. Starring - Jayne Torvill, Christopher Dean, Laura Hamilton, Sam Attwater, Hayley Tamaddon, Chloe Madley, Dave Vitty, Denise Welch, Johnson Beharry VC, Vanilla Ice.

Me and Laura Hamilton after Dancing On Ice (27th April)

May 2011 

Kerry Ellis (and Brian May): Anthems Live (5th May) - Sage, Gateshead. Concert. Support from Vintage Trouble.


The Sound Of Music (19th May) - Kings Theatre, Glasgow. Musical. Starring - Verity Rushworth, Jason Donovan, Marilyn Hill Smith, Martin Callaghan.

Me and Verity Rushworth after The Sound Of Music (19th May)

Love Never Dies (28th May) - Adelphi Theatre, London. Musical. Starring - Ramin Karimloo, Celia Graham, David Thaxton, Haley Flaherty, Liz Robertson, Adam Pearce, Charles Brunton, Tracey Penn, Daniel Dowling.

Micky Flanagan: The Out Out Tour (31st May) - DeMontfort Hall, Leicester. Stand Up Comedy.


June 2011

Take That: Progress Live (3rd June) - City Of Manchester Stadium, Manchester. Concert. Support from The Pet Shop Boys

Take That: Progress Live (3rd June)

Avenue Q (4th June) - Lowry Theatre, Salford. Musical. Starring - Adam Pettigrew, Rachel Jerram, Jacqueline Tate, Chris Thatcher.

West End Live (18th June) - Trafalgar Square, London. Musical Concert.

Love Never Dies (18th June) - Adelphi Theatre, London. Musical. Starring - Ramin Karimloo, Celia Graham, Tim Walton, Grace Holdstock, Liz Robertson, Adam Pearce, Charles Brunton, Tracey Penn, Jack Costello.

Me and Ramin Karimloo after Love Never Dies (18th June)

West End Live (19th June) - Trafalgar Square, London. Musical Concert.

Love Never Dies (25th June) - Adelphi Theatre, London. Musical. Starring - Ramin Karimloo, Celia Graham, David Thaxton, Haley Flaherty, Liz Robertson, Adam Pearce, Charles Brunton, Tracey Penn, Daniel Dowling.

The Merry Wives Of Windsor (27th June) - Cinema DeLux, Leicester. Cinema Playback, Play. Starring - Christopher Benjamin, Michael Garner, Ceri-Lyn Cissone, Andrew Havill, Serena Evan, Sarah Woodward, Gerard McCarthy, Nathan Amzi.


July 2011

Love Never Dies (9th July) - Adelphi Theatre, London. Musical. Starring - Ramin Karimloo, Celia Graham, David Thaxton, Haley Flaherty, Liz Robertson, Simon Ray Harvey, Charles Brunton, Zaza Warren, Jack Costello.

Me and Haley Flaherty after Love Never Dies (9th July)

Patrick Monahan (10th July) - The Guildhall, Leicester. Stand Up Comedy.


August 2011


Dress Circle Benefit Gala (7th August) - Her Majesty's Theatre, London. Musical Concert. Starring - Aled Jones (host), Ramin Karimloo, Samantha Barks, Rebecca Caine, Frances Ruffelle, Ellen Green, and many more.

The Phantom Of The Opera (9th August) - Her Majesty's Theatre, London. Musical. Starring - Tabitha Webb, Scott Davies, Will Barrat, Wendy Ferguson, Rohan Tickell, Anna Forbes, Barry James, Gareth Snook.

Me and Tabitha Webb after The Phantom Of The Opera (9th August)

Les Miserables (9th August) - Queen's Theatre, London. Musical. Starring - Alfie Boe, Hadley Fraser, Craig Mather, Lisa Anne Wood, Alexia Khadime, Caroline Sheen, Matt Lucas, Leanne Rodgers, Liam Tamne.

Me and Hadley Fraser after Les Miserables (9th August)

Shrek The Musical (13th August) - Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London. Musical. Starring - Nigel Lindsay, Alice Fearn, Nigel Harman, Richard Blackwood, Landi Oshinowo.


Love Never Dies (13th August) - Adelphi Theatre, London. Musical. Starring - Ramin Karimloo, Celia Graham, David Thaxton, Haley Flaherty, Liz Robertson, Adam Pearce, Charles Brunton, Tracey Penn, Jack Costello.

Me and Ramin Karimloo after Love Never Dies (13th August)

The Wizard Of Oz (14th August) - London Palladium, London. Musical. Starring - Danielle Hope, Michael Crawford, Hannah Waddingham, Emily Tierney, Paul Keating, Edward Baker-Duly, David Ganly.

Love Never Dies (26th August) - Adelphi Theatre, London. Musical. Starring - Ramin Karimloo, Celia Graham, David Thaxton, Haley Flaherty, Liz Robertson, Adam Pearce, Charles Brunton, Tracey Penn, Daniel Dowling.


September 2011

Midsummer Nights Dream (1st September) - Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-Upon-Avon. Play. Starring - Pippa Nixon, Jo Stone-Fewings, Lucy Briggs-Owen, Matti Houghton, Nathaniel Martello-White, Alex Hassell, Michael Grady-Hall.

Ian McKellen: Back At The Belgrade (4th September) - Belgrade Theatre, Coventry. Talk Show (history of his career)

Show Me The Funny Live (18th September) - Playhouse, Nottingham. Stand Up Comedy. Featuring Patrick Monahan, Tiffany Stevenson, Dan Mitchell.

Me and Patrick Monahan after Show Me The Funny Live (18th September)

Betty Blue Eyes (24th September) - Novello Theatre, London. Musical. Starring - Reece Shearsmith, Sarah Lancashire, Jack Edwards, Adrian Scarborough, David Bamber.

The Royal Shakespeare Company at 50: A Musical 50 Years (25th September) - Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-Upon-Avon. Musical Concert. Featuring - Desmond Barritt, Annette McLaughlin, Ian Hughes, Rosalie Craig, Michael Xavier, Helena Raeburn, Adrianna Bertola, David McGranaghan, Rebecca Brewer, Claire Foster.


October 2011

The Phantom Of The Opera: 25th Anniversary Concert (2nd October) - Vue Cinema, Leicester. Live Cinema Beamback, Musical. Starring Ramin Karimloo, Sierra Boggess, Hadley Fraser, Wendy Ferguson, Wynne Evans, Daisy Maywood, Liz Robertson, Gareth Snook, Barry James.

Josh Groban: Straight To Your Tour (12th October) - Symphony Hall, Birmingham. Concert.

Rock Of Ages (19th October) - Shaftesbury Theatre, London. Musical. Starring Oliver Thompsett, Natalie Andreou, Shayne Ward, Justin Lee Collins, Simon Lipkin, Jodie Jacobs, Sandy Moffat, Rohan Tickell, Nathan Amzi

Me and Oliver Tompsett after Rock Of Ages (19th October)

John Barrowman (23rd October) - DeMontfort Hall, Leicester. Concert. Featuring Jodie Prenger.

Joe Pasquale (28th October) - Civic Hall, Bedworth. Stand Up Comedy

Me and Joe Pasquale after his Stand Up Show (28th October)

Ramin Karimloo: A Night With The Phantom (29th October) - Symphony Hall, Birmingham. Concert. Featuring Celia Graham and Olivia Archbold

The Phantom Of The Opera: 25th Anniversary Concert (30th October) - Vue Cinema, Leicester. Cinema Beamback, Musical. Starring Ramin Karimloo, Sierra Boggess, Hadley Fraser, Wendy Ferguson, Wynne Evans, Daisy Maywood, Liz Robertson, Gareth Snook, Barry James.


November 2011

Midsummer Nights Dream (1st November) - Curve Theatre, Leicester. Play. Starring - Filter Theatre Company.

John Barrowman (3rd November) - Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham. Concert. Featuring Jodie Prenger.

The Heart Of Robin Hood (21st November) - Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-Upon-Avon. Play. Starring - James McArdle, Iris Roberts, Martin Hutson, Rόbert Lučkay, Flora Montgomery, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, Darwin Shaw, Tim Treloar, Michael Walter.

Rock Of Ages (23rd November) - Shaftesbury Theatre, London. Musical. Starring Oliver Thompsett, Natalie Andreou, Shayne Ward, Justin Lee Collins, Nathan Amzi, Jodie Jacobs, Sandy Moffat, Rohan Tickell.

Me and Natalie Andreou after Rock Of Ages (23rd November)

December 2011

The Heart Of Robin Hood (13th December) - Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-Upon-Avon. Play. Starring - James McArdle, Iris Roberts, Martin Hutson, Rόbert Lučkay, Flora Montgomery, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, Darwin Shaw, Tim Treloar, Michael Walter.

The Heart Of Robin Hood (15th December) - Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-Upon-Avon. Play. Starring - James McArdle, Iris Roberts, Martin Hutson, Rόbert Lučkay, Flora Montgomery, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, Darwin Shaw, Tim Treloar, Michael Walter.

42nd Street (20th December) - Curve Theatre, Leicester. Musical. Starring - Daisy Maywood, Tim Flavin, Ria Jones, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Ross Finnie, Lisa Donmall Reeve, Francis Haugen

The Heart Of Robin Hood (22nd December) - Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-Upon-Avon. Play. Starring - James McArdle, Iris Roberts, Martin Hutson, Rόbert Lučkay, Flora Montgomery, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, Darwin Shaw, Tim Treloar, Michael Walter.

Me and Martin Hutson after The Heart Of Robin Hood (22nd December)

Aladdin (30th December) - Milton Keynes Theatre, Milton Keynes. Pantomime. Starring - Gareth Gates, Nicola Brazil, Paul Burling, Adam Pearce, John Barr, Anita Dobson. 



Best Of...

Musicals:
Rock Of Ages,  Love Never Dies, Betty Blue Eyes, Les Miserables, 42nd Street.

Plays:
The Heart Of Robin Hood, Midsummer Nights Dream (RSC)

Concerts:
Take That: Progress Live, RSC at 50: A Musical 50 Years, Ramin Karimloo: Night With The Phantom, Dress Circle Gala.

Male Performances:
Ramin Karimloo in Love Never Dies, Oliver Thompsett in Rock Of Ages, Simon Lipkin/Nathan Amzi in Rock Of Ages, Hadley Fraser in Les Miserables, Alfie Boe in Les Miserables, James McArdle in The Heart Of Robin Hood, Tim Flavin in 42nd Street, David Thaxton in Love Never Dies

Female Performances:
Celia Graham/Sierra Boggess in Love Never Dies, Tabitha Webb in The Phantom Of The Opera, Haley Flaherty in Love Never Dies, Daisy Maywood in 42nd Street, Iris Roberts in The Heart Of Robin Hood, Sarah Lancashire in Betty Blue Eyes, Natalie Andreou in Rock Of Ages, Hannah Waddingham in The Wizard Of Oz.