Tuesday 29 March 2022
Gemma Collins to Star as Mama Morton in Chicago
David Ian in association with Barry and Fran Weissler are delighted to announce TV personality Gemma ‘The GC’ Collins will star as ‘Mama Morton’ in the acclaimed UK and Ireland tour of the international smash hit musical Chicago. Gemma will join the tour at the Sunderland Empire from Tuesday 31 May 2022, ahead of playing Cardiff New Theatre, Blackpool Winter Gardens, Sheffield Lyceum, Norwich Theatre Royal and New Theatre, Oxford.
David Ian said today, “We were completely stunned by Gemma’s audition for the role. She’s an undeniable force both on and off stage, and we can’t wait to see her portrayal of ‘Mama Morton’ on tour. Audiences across the country are in for a treat.”
Gemma Collins is best known as a media personality and businesswoman, having first featured in the reality series The Only Way Is Essex. She was awarded the 2021 winner of the Best Female Personality at the National Reality Television Awards. Since ‘Essex’ Gemma has appeared in numerous television shows including, I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!, Celebrity Big Brother, Dancing on Ice and All Together Now in which she was a finalist. Most recently Gemma was seen on screens with her intimate Channel 4 documentary, Gemma Collins: Self-Harm & Me. Before finding fame on The Only Way Is Essex, Gemma was a keen performer having studied dance and winning a place at the renowned Sylvia Young Theatre School.
Gemma joins Faye Brookes as ‘Roxie Hart’, Djalenga Scott as ‘Velma Kelly’, Jamie Baughan as ‘Amos Hart’ and B.E. Wong as ‘Mary Sunshine’. The role of ‘Billy Flynn’ will be announced soon. Full tour schedule below. www.chicagothemusical.com
The cast is completed by Ishmail Aaron, Michelle Andrews, Gabby Antrobus, Delycia Belgrave, Joel Benjamin, Tanisha-Mae Brown, Daniel Clift, Callum Fitzgerald, Emily Goodenough, Billie Hardy, Aaron Jenkins, Liam Marcellino, Theo Reece, Hollie Jane Stephens and Harrison Wilde.
Faye Brookes (Roxie Hart) reached the final of last year’s series of ITV’s Dancing On Ice. She is best known for her role as Kate Connor in ITV’s Coronation Street, for which she won a National Television Award. Her theatre credits include Princess Fiona in Shrek and Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, both on national tour, Ann/Edna in That Day We Sang directed by Victoria Wood at Manchester’s Royal Exchange, Liesl in The Sound of Music at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and Frenchy in Grease at the West End’s Piccadilly Theatre. Faye’s other TV credits include Agnes Franklin in Our Girl and Helena in Atlantis, both for the BBC.
Djalenga Scott’s (Velma Kelly) West End credits include Lily St Regis in Annie at the Piccadilly Theatre, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the New London and Chicago at the Adelphi, Cambridge and Garrick Theatres. Her other credits include Anita in the national tour of West Side Story, Rizzo in Grease at Curve Leicester, Magenta in The Rocky Horror Show and Carmen in Fame, both on European tours, the US tour of Batman Live and Bombalurina in Cats at Kilworth House. Djalenga’s screen credits include Scarlett/Esme in Trapped for the BBC and Alexandra in the film I Give It A Year.
Set amidst the razzle-dazzle decadence of the 1920s, Chicago is the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer who murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her. Desperate to avoid conviction, she dupes the public, the media and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by hiring Chicago’s slickest criminal lawyer to transform her malicious crime into a barrage of sensational headlines, the likes of which might just as easily be ripped from today's tabloids.
Created by the musical theatre talents of John Kander, Fred Ebb and legendary choreographer Bob Fosse, Chicago’s sexy, sassy score includes the show-stopping songs “Razzle Dazzle”, “Cell Block Tango”, and “All That Jazz”. Winner of six Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards and a Grammy, Chicago is the longest running American musical in Broadway and West End history.
Since it opened in New York in 1996, Chicago has played in 36 countries worldwide and has been performed in English, Dutch, German, Swedish, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, French, Danish, Japanese and Korean. Worldwide it has been seen by an estimated 33 million people, grossed over $1.7 billion and played over 32,500 performances.
Chicago, which is based on the play by Maurine Dallas Watkins, has a book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb. The 1996 Broadway revival of Chicago was choreographed by Ann Reinking in the style of Bob Fosse, directed by Walter Bobbie, and produced by Barry and Fran Weissler.
Wednesday 18 April 2018
Chicago, Phoenix Theatre | Review
Friday 11 October 2024
Sinitta to join Chicago as Mama Morton in Bradford and Stoke
Sinitta expressed her excitement, saying: I’m so excited to be returning to Chicago. I jumped at the chance to step back into Mama Morton’s shoes for two weeks on the upcoming UK and Ireland tour. To return to the stage with these incredible musicians and a stunning company doing amazing choreography is a dream come true. The role of Mama has certainly been good to me, and I can’t wait to rub shoulders with my merry murderesses again!
Wednesday 12 October 2016
Chicago (UK Tour), Churchill Theatre | Review
Reviewed on Monday 10th October 2016 by Olivia Mitchell
Monday 12 October 2020
The Show Must Go On, The Lost Alhambra | Review
With the fate of theatre hanging precariously right now, in a happy medium and potential loophole, cabaret style nights out appear to be one of the few ways live theatre can still go ahead. One venue which is making this happen (and happen in style) is The Lost Alhambra in Leicester Square. The Show Must Go On is an immersive, cabaret dining experience which packs a punch. The night is complete with a 3 hour show, a 2 course meal, welcome cocktail and bottomless prosecco, you couldn't really ask for more!
Drag performer Poppycock hosts the night alongside some of musical theatre's best stars as they take us through a show via the score and some of the text. At this performance we got the treat of Chicago, which fits wonderfully into the dimly lit space of The Lost Alhambra; upcoming performances include Hairspray, Mamma Mia, Rocky Horror and Priscilla Queen of the Desert.
In theory, this is like any other cabaret but it feels so much stagier than anything I've experienced before. As you walk in you are greeted background music from some of the most popular and current shows, the staff all seem to love theatre and the whole thing feels like an immersive show, full to the brim with theatricality.
The venue itself is an instagrammer's dream, with pink decor, vintage feeling bathrooms and a Photo Booth to document the night (it's £4 and you get an email with the photos and gif as well as your print out keepsake). The luxurious space is perfect to let your troubles slide away, and the unlimited prosecco which starts flowing from the moment of entry doesn't hurt either! Mention must also go to the staff who are excellent at not only being attentive but also create a wonderful atmosphere from the get go. You really feel part of something special and this only helps to get the room buzzing for the upcoming night of performance.
At this performance, Poppycock was the hostess with the mostest, welcoming us with a rousing rendition of Don't Rain on my Parade, before heading full throttle into the night, taking on various roles and perfecting the balance between ringleader, comedian and vocal dynamo. Laura Tyrer reprises her West End role as Velma Kelly, with Haley Flaherty as her partner in crime, Roxie Hart and Oliver Tompsett as the quick talking lawyer, Billy Flynn. Poppycock takes on basically every other role from Amos Hart to Mary Sunshine.
Each of the performers show off their impeccable talent and really transport us to the world of Chicago. An audience full of prosecco can definitely be noisy but the cast do an exceptional job of keeping everyone engaged and giving a truly top notch performance. Particularly impressive is the three-person Cell Block Tango and the energetic, high-kick filled I Can't Do It Alone.
The tickets start at £50 for everything and 1 hour of prosecco, with the top price being £65 for 2 hours of prosecco. It sounds a little pricey but for the amount and quality of the evening it's well worth it; plus the 10pm curfew means you can have an excellent night out and still be in bed at a reasonable time! I would certainly love a trip back, would weekly be too excessive?
The Chicago theme was excellent and the future performances are sure to be just as good. If you're looking for a way to get your theatre fix, look no further than The Show Must Go On. Not only is this a spectacularly wonderful night out but it's also a beacon of hope for the future of theatre. Get yourselves down to Leicester Square and live your best stagey life.
Thursday 20 October 2016
Chicago (UK Tour), New Victoria Theatre | Review
Reviewed on Monday 17th October 2016 by Melanie Mitchell
On Monday the 16th of October I was fortunate to be invited to see Chicago at Woking theatre. The show is based on the play by Maurine Dallas Watkins and the original stage production, directed and choreographed by Bob Fosse.
Sunday 15 July 2018
A Stagey Guide To Singing... Josefina Gabrielle | Chicago | Stagey Sunday
Then I specialised in Classical ballet, so I danced only for quite a few years and, I worked abroad. When I came home to London after about 8 years, I joined Carousel the musical which was being done at the National Theatre. They needed strong ballet dancers so there was this perfect break from one world into the next so then I was surrounded by singing again and kind of got back on the saddle with that.
I had been a soprano and hadn’t really experimented with the musical theatre sound, mixing or belting or anything like that so I learnt a lot about that during my time at Carousel. I learnt a lot about different voice types as I joined different companies and slowly developed a belt voice which was quite daunting at first because it’s quite muscular, you know you can push the wrong way and make yourself hoarse. So that was quite an interesting journey and I think having a typical dancer mentality I pushed it quite a lot which made it strong but compromised it’s flexibility. So that’s been my journey into different sounds!
Josefina Gabrielle and Hugh Jackman as Laurey and Curly in Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel |
Monday 14 October 2024
The Lord of the Rings- A Musical Tale to Premiere at Theatre Royal Plymouth in October 2025
The Lord of the Rings- A Musical Tale is set to embark on a new journey with the critically acclaimed theatrical production, playing exclusively at Theatre Royal Plymouth from 4–11 October 2025. This UK presentation follows its successful seasons in Chicago, Auckland, and Australia. Tickets will be available from 22 October at www.theatreroyal.com.
Originally staged at The Watermill Theatre in 2023, director Paul Hart’s adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s iconic Lord of the Rings trilogy offers a fresh perspective by telling the story through the eyes of the Hobbits. What began as an intimate production has evolved into a breathtaking spectacle designed to fill larger venues. After a highly praised run at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre in the summer of 2024, the production is set to tour in Auckland and Sydney, with additional Asia-Pacific dates on the horizon.
The show will return to the UK with a full British cast before embarking on a European tour, presented by People Entertainment Group. The ensemble features 32 actor-musicians, combining live music with an epic narrative. The production’s score includes contributions from A.R. Rahman (Slumdog Millionaire), Finnish folk band Värttinä, and Tony Award-winner Christopher Nightingale (Matilda the Musical), with book and lyrics by Shaun McKenna and Matthew Warchus.
The story begins as the Hobbits celebrate Bilbo Baggins’ 111th birthday in the Shire, where Bilbo gifts his nephew Frodo the One Ring, setting Frodo on a perilous journey across Middle-earth with the Fellowship by his side. As the Fellowship faces the looming threat of Mordor, the production invites the audience to become part of the Hobbits’ world, journeying with them as they face the epic battle between good and evil.
Producer Kevin Wallace shared his excitement for this production, saying, "Paul's wonderful production invites us all to become Hobbits in the company of Hobbits." Wallace also expressed his enthusiasm for bringing the show back to the UK, where the musical initially began its journey before heading off to wow audiences in the U.S. and beyond.
The original production at The Watermill Theatre, which sold out its 12-week run, received widespread acclaim, winning the WhatsOnStage Award for Best Regional Production and earning eight Broadway World Awards. Critics praised its innovative use of puppetry, projections, and live music, calling the production “exhilarating” and “rewarding” for both Lord of the Rings devotees and newcomers. The musical continued its success with an expanded ensemble and a U.S. premiere at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre in 2024, where it was lauded as a “visual marvel.”
The return of
The Lord of the Rings- A Musical Tale to the UK marks an exciting moment for British audiences. James Mackenzie-Blackman, CEO of Theatre Royal Plymouth, expressed his pride in hosting this exclusive run, saying:
We are incredibly proud to be hosting The Lord of the Rings – A Musical Tale in 2025. It’s a truly unique theatrical experience, combining music, storytelling, and a multi-skilled ensemble of performers.
Director Paul Hart reflected on the journey of the production, saying:
To tell this epic and beloved story onstage, we had to start small and think big—very much like a Hobbit! It’s been an exhilarating journey, and I am thrilled to bring the show back to the UK before we embark on the European tour.
For more information on worldwide productions, visit www.lotrmusical.com
Friday 27 July 2018
In Conversation With... Ian Stroughair aka Velma Celli | Interview
Sunday 13 October 2024
THEATRE NEWS ROUNDUP 6th-12th October 2024
It's been announced that international pop star Sinitta will join the UK and Ireland tour of Chicago as Mama Morton for a strictly limited run.
Full Cast Announced for UK & Ireland Your of Kinky Boots the Musical
Friday 31 March 2023
Cast Announced for 42nd Street Tour
Wednesday 7 June 2017
Rachel Tucker, Live at Zedel | Review
Crazy Coqs, Zedel