Marisha Wallace Archives - North West End UK

21Jul

By Gemma PrinceNo Comments

London

Hairspray – London Coliseum

Re-opening at one of London’s biggest theatres, the Coliseum, the West End revival of multi-award-winning musical Hairspray, set in the 1960s, tells the story of young girl Tracy Turnblad who strives to challenge racial discrimination on her favourite TV show. Following theatre’s highly anticipated return to full capacity after over a year of struggles, from the opening number “Good Morning Baltimore” this talented cast truly delivered an exceptional fun-filled evening as if nothing had changed. Jerry Mitchell’s high-energy choreography, David Rockwell’s eye-catching set and William Ivey Long’s colourful costumes offered a warm welcome back to live performance that the industry truly deserved. By the end of the final number “You Can’t Stop The Beat” everyone was dancing and singing ...

Les Dennis joins the huge-hearted Hairspray at the London Coliseum

9May

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

Les Dennis joins the huge-hearted Hairspray at the London Coliseum

Entertainment legend Les Dennis is to join the huge-hearted new production of Hairspray the Musical which is set to play a limited season at the magnificent London Coliseum from Monday 21st June – Wednesday 29th September 2021. As a comedian, impressionist, game show host, reality TV star, soap, screen and stage actor, Les Dennis’ showbiz career has spanned 50 years. Now, he is to return to the West End in the multi-award-winning smash hit musical as Wilbur Turnblad having previously performed the role on tour. He stars alongside Michael Ball, who returns to his legendary, Olivier Award-winning role of Edna Turnblad. Les replaces Paul Merton in the role of Wilbur. Following the delay to the production because of the pandemic, Paul is unfortunately not able to join the company due to...

BKLYN: The Musical – Lambert Jackson/Stream.Theatre

24Mar

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

REVIEWS

BKLYN: The Musical – Lambert Jackson/Stream.Theatre

Towards the end of Schoenfeld and McPherson’s sidewalk fairytale a character warns that sometimes memories are better than reality. Throughout lockdown the option to stream shows has provided a theatrical lifeline, entertaining audiences whilst providing the theatres and production companies some much needed money. However, sometimes these productions felt like pale imitations of the live versions we crave. BKLYN takes a cinematic swipe at the streamed musical, some of the theatrical trappings are visible (Leo Munby’s tight trio of a band, chunky stage lights at the edge of the action) but the show is carried by Dean Johnson’s attempts to create something more innovative than a love song to an empty theatre. The dilapidated warehouse setting works well with A...

The Theatre Channel- Episode 5: The Classics of Broadway

1Mar

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

REVIEWS

The Theatre Channel- Episode 5: The Classics of Broadway

Anyone visiting London for some musical theatre magic will have likely stumbled across The Theatre Café, the West End’s best-loved stagey coffee shop. In association with Adam Blanshay Productions, it’s now offering an access-all-areas peek behind the curtains as part of The Theatre Channel, a new web series brimming with all-singing, all-dancing performances filmed on location. Freddie Fox introduces Week Five- The Classics of Broadway- with excerpts from ‘Willkommen’ and ‘Money’ from Cabaret. He dominates the auditorium with an eerie presence: fitting choreography from Bill Deamer, also directing the episode, sees Fox crawling over the seats and making it rain from the Dress Circle. While his wide eyes and sinister grin replicate the original Emcee, his tattered outfit screamed ‘caug...

Musical Powerhouse Marisha Wallace Announces 2021 UK Tour

7Dec

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

Musical Powerhouse Marisha Wallace Announces 2021 UK Tour

West End and Broadway sensation Marisha Wallace is delighted to announce an all-new UK tour for 2021. The musical powerhouse – who has dazzled both the Royal Variety Performance and Strictly Come Dancing in recent days – is heading out on a six-date tour next autumn. The announcement follows the release of Marisha’s stunning new album ‘Tomorrow’. Named BBC Radio 2 Album of the Week, ‘Tomorrow’ is a wonderful collection of uplifting show songs and sing-along pop classics delivered by one of the most instantly recognisable and beloved voices of a generation. Marisha, the star of such smash-hit stage shows as Dreamgirls, Waitress, Aladdin and The Book of Mormon, will play these unmissable dates: Friday 24th SeptemberIlkley – King’s HallMonday 27th SeptemberLondon – Arts TheatreTh...

6Dec

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

Strictly Does Musicals

It is our favourite week of the year, Strictly Come Dancing's Musical Week! We've put together all the performances from the Saturday night for you plus Sunday's appearance from the &Juliet West End cast. Who was your favourite? First up was a stunning opening number from the professionals with a mega-mix from Priscilla Queen of the Desert! https://www.youtube.com/embed/TdPbyupc-y0 Maisie Smith and Gorka Marquez Jive to Little Shop of Horrors from Little Shop of Horrors. https://www.youtube.com/embed/-e68uG83MCA Bill Bailey and Oti Mabuse Argentine Tango to Phantom of the Opera from Phantom of the Opera. https://www.youtube.com/embed/GxcbH3-BmFA Ranvir Singh and Giovanni Pernice Viennese Waltz to She Used To Be Mine from Waitress. https://www.yout...

Dreamgirls and Hairspray star Marisha Wallace releases her debut album

22Nov

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

Interviews

Dreamgirls and Hairspray star Marisha Wallace releases her debut album

One of the staples of musical theatre is the rags to riches story and Marisha Wallace is living proof of that making her way from a rural farm in North Carolina to starring in the West End. Then when she was recovering from COVID-19 her home recorded version of Tomorrow went viral and Decca Records signed her to make an album. But her first really big break came in this country after she’d just finished Something Rotten on Broadway when she was asked to understudy Effie White in the West End version of Dreamgirls. “I had five days to rehearse and go on for the role because Amber Riley had gotten pneumonia,” recalls Marisha. “You know, usually when Effie comes out everyone goes ‘Yeah’ and my first night they go ‘oh’ as they didn’t know who I was. I'm telling you eve...

Hairspray to play rescheduled 2021 season dates at the London Coliseum

28Jun

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

Hairspray to play rescheduled 2021 season dates at the London Coliseum

The producers of Hairspray the Musical have announced today rescheduled performance dates for the multi award-winning smash hit musical at the London Coliseum. The production will now begin performances on Thursday 22nd April 2021 and play a strictly limited 19-week season to Sunday 29th August. Until 26th July 2020, all existing ticket holders have priority to move their tickets to a new date. All new ticket purchases can be made from 10am on 27th July. See www.hairspraythemusical.co.uk for all ticket information. The production will star Michael Ball, who returns to his legendary, Olivier Award winning role of Edna Turnblad, alongside one of the UK’s greatest comedians, Paul Merton, who will be making his West End musical debut as Edna’s husband, W...