Christina Bianco Archives - North West End UK

Hugh Panaro: Man Without a Mask – Crazy Coqs

9Sep

By Michelle KnightNo Comments

London

Hugh Panaro: Man Without a Mask – Crazy Coqs

He is not shy about sharing his feelings about the roles he didn’t get before becoming one of Broadway’s greatest stars. This show is perfectly pitched at a level to introduce the Broadway greats of time gone by and bring on ‘The Girls’. In this production Hugh sings with Christina Bianco an American actress, singer and impressionist, best known for her theatre work and impersonations of the stars like Barbara Streisand, Judy Garland and Lady Gaga. She has received acclaim in the role of Fanny Brice in the Paris premiere of Funny Girl. She duets A Little Fall of Rain with Hugh in a touching tribute, followed by a rendition of her unique style of comedic impersonations bringing to the stage; Liza Minnelli, Julie Andrews to name a few. Offering a flavour of true American cabaret to th...

The Rise and Fall of Little Voice – Richmond Theatre

30Jun

By Alan Stuart MalinNo Comments

London

The Rise and Fall of Little Voice – Richmond Theatre

‘The Rise and Fall of Little Voice’ by Jim Cartwright comes to West London’s Richmond Theatre this week as part of a national tour. An award winning, life-affirming play, originally introduced to the stage in 1992, but made famous by the screen adaptation starting Jane Horrocks and Brenda Blethyn. The story of Little Voice (LV) and Mari Hoff, a timeless classic exploring the highs and the lows of small-town dreams, family rivalry and finding your voice in a noisy world. The current production, directed by Bronagh Lagan has so much potential, and promises an uplifting and timeless tale. With a seasoned cast including the brilliant Shobna Gulati (Mari Hoff), Ian Kelsey (Ray Say), and Fiona Mulvaney (Sadie), plus the mega talented international sensation, Christina Bianco in the lead role ...

The Rise and Fall of Little Voice – Blackpool Grand

16Jun

By Coral MourantNo Comments

North West

The Rise and Fall of Little Voice – Blackpool Grand

Jim Cartwright's 90's hit “The Rise and Fall of Little Voice” tells the story of one talented girl and her reluctant rise to stardom in her local Northern town. It feels fitting to be back in Blackpool, surrounded by cabaret bars and illuminations, and this production deserves to be bringing in all the crowds here. This Olivier award winning play has had many revivals including a film starring Jane Horrocks and Michael Caine. It’s easy to see why, as the story of Little Voice is a charming tale of family, humour and small town dreams. At the heart of the play is LV herself; a young recluse who constantly listens to her late father's record collection. Overheard imitating the divas she adores, LV is forced to perform and struggles to find her own voice in the chaos and noise. The s...

The Rise and Fall of Little Voice –Theatre Royal Wakefield

24May

By Tracey BellNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

The Rise and Fall of Little Voice –Theatre Royal Wakefield

Looking forward to an evening of Comedy- Drama, one of Britain’s greatest modern plays whilst initially appearing superficial is anything but, with its dark and subversive message underpinning the blatant humour. Jim Cartwright’s Golden Globe winning 1998 film of Little Voice (written to showcase the vocal talents of Jane Horrocks) was originally proceeded by the 1992 Olivier award winning stage release. This is the story of trying to find your own voice in a world of desperate noise. Sara Perk’s imposing set is impressive, replicating a two-storey dilapidated terrace house, where we see both upstairs and down concurrently (it took 12 hours to erect the stage manager told me, a tall order on a touring production). The 80’s touches of furniture and décor and are just right, and the conce...

The Rise and Fall of Little Voice – Liverpool Playhouse

17May

By Lou SteggalsNo Comments

North West

The Rise and Fall of Little Voice – Liverpool Playhouse

A Cinderella story where Cinders never wanted to go to the ball in the first place, and is much happier at home, listening to music in her PJs with a cup of tea thank-you-very-much, sounds like a very modern take for a fairy tale. Yet ‘The Rise and Fall of Little Voice’ has solidly morphed into period theatre. Penned by Jim Cartwright, this regularly revived tale introduces us Laura ‘LV’ Hoff, a reclusive young girl who retreats from the world dominated by her brash and bawdy mother, Mari, preferring the company of her late father’s record collection of ‘diva’ songstresses – Judy Garland, Barbra Streisand, Shirley Bassey and more. Her hidden talent for mimicking the singers soon catches the ear of wannabe empresario Ray Say, who pushes LV to perform publicly. The show’s success lives...

Rehearsals start for The Rise and Fall of Little Voice UK Tour

25Feb

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

Rehearsals start for The Rise and Fall of Little Voice UK Tour

Rehearsals have started this week for the new UK touring production of The Rise and Fall of Little Voice by Jim Cartwright. Directed by Bronagh Lagan (Cruise, West End) and starring international YouTube sensation Christina Bianco (Funny Girl, Theatre Marigny Paris) in the title role alongside Shobna Gulati (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Coronation Street, Dinnerladies) as Mari Hoff, Ian Kelsey (Coronation Street, Emmerdale, Doctors) as Ray Say, Akshay Gulati (East is East; The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, Bolton Octagon) as Billy, William Ilkley (War Horse, UK/ International Tour, The Full Monty, UK Tour) as Mr Boo, Fiona Mulvaney (The Ferryman, West End; Silent Witness, BBC) as Sadie, and James Robert Moore (All That, Lion and Unicorn; Fanny & Stella, Above the Stag) as Phone Ma...

The Rise And Fall of Little Voice set to tour the UK in 2022

22Jul

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

The Rise And Fall of Little Voice set to tour the UK in 2022

Producers Katy Lipson and Glass Half Full Productions are thrilled to announce the UK tour of a brand-new production of Jim Cartwright’s The Rise And Fall of Little Voice directed by Bronagh Lagan (Cruise, West End). Two-time Drama Desk nominee Christina Bianco, whose extraordinary diva videos have been viewed over 25million times on YouTube to great international acclaim, will play LV. Shobna Gulati, whose work includes Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (West End/film), Cinderella (Lyric Hammersmith), Coronation Street and Dinner Ladies will play Mari Hoff. While Ian Kelsey, much loved for his many leading roles in the West End and on TV including Coronation Street, Emmerdale, Doctors and Casualty will play Ray Say. The Rise and Fall of Little Voice will open in S...