Russell Watson Archives - North West End UK

19May

By Lewis DownhamNo Comments

North West

Chicago – New Wimbledon Theatre

New Wimbledon Theatre had it coming as the show razzle dazzled its way onto the stage, with popular musical hits such as Cell Block Tango, Mister Cellophane and many more. The show is set in 1920’s Chicago and follows the story of Roxie Hart (Faye Brookes) and Velma Kelly (Djalenga Scott) as they battle for a space on the front of the newspaper to gain fame and stardom, after murdering various lovers after not getting their way. Billy Flynn (Russell Watson) takes the case of the two stars. The set for this production was stripped back, which by no means takes away from the show but frames the stage and band quite literally as they take centre stage while being immersed into the show and given a character of their own. Interacting with the cast led by Andrew Hilton (Musical Director)...

11May

By Paul ClarkeNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Chicago – Leeds Grand Theatre

I’ve seen umpteen versions of this show, including one on Broadway that made a star of Ruthie Henshall, but the visceral energy and precise steps of All That Jazz may still be for me the greatest opening number of them all. And if ever there was a show ahead of its time, then it’s this one about two morally bankrupt murderesses Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart - aided by dodgy attorney Billy Flynn - who merrily manipulate the media in prohibition murder capital Chicago creating their own web of (mis)truths to escape the noose. It seems that Kander and Ebb were not only a pair of geniuses, they were also soothsayers predicting in this wry and often arch show the age of fake news, and people famous for being nothing other than being morons on vacuous channels like Tik Tok or Instagram. I...

15Mar

By Angela KellyNo Comments

North West

Chicago – The Regent, Stoke

Originally directed by Bob Fosse, based on the play by Maurine Dallas Watkins and with music by John Kander, ‘Chicago’ graced the stage of the Regent Theatre in Stoke on Monday night. Directed originally by Walter Bobbie and with a recreation of the original direction by Stacey Haynes, ‘Chicago’ was set in the decadent 1920s and tells the story of the flamboyant ‘Roxie Hart’ (Faye Brookes) whose lover is murdered when he threatens to leave her. The story unfolds as she is desperate to avoid conviction. With several well-known names in this particular cast, the surprise of the night was the role of classical tenor, Russell Watson. Whilst his vocals were never in doubt, his acting was unknown but from his performance with ‘the Girls’ to ‘All I care about’ it was evident he would not disa...

11Feb

By Luke StephensonNo Comments

North West

Chicago – Liverpool Empire

Last night in Liverpool the cast of Chicago set out to give the audience a little Razzle Dazzle as the production kicks off on its tour. This show has a glorious score and a brilliant cast to match. The synopsis of the story is Roxie Hart played by Faye Brookes is arrested for murdering Fred Casely. However, she always dreams of being a show girl. After being arrested she’s put in the Cook County jail we’re she meets shows girl Velma Kelly (Djalenga Scott). Needing to get out of the clink before she is headed for the death penalty, she asks the keeper of keys Matron Mamma Morton (Sheila Ferguson) for help and after a few expensive calls, in comes Billy Flynn (Russell Watson), who for 5000 dollars will represent Roxy. Part of the plan will be to win over journalists one in particular is...

Katrina And The Waves And All Star Line-Up To Shine At Hale Barns Carnival

29Jun

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

Katrina And The Waves And All Star Line-Up To Shine At Hale Barns Carnival

Hale Barns Carnival will step back into the Eighties next month with a stellar line-up of musical favourites headlined by Katrina and the Waves. This year’s Hale Barns takes place across the weekend of Friday 16th July, Saturday 17th July and Sunday 18th July 2021 – and will be a socially distanced event with extra Covid-safe measures in place. The Eighties extravaganza on Sunday 18th July is the brilliant finale to three unmissable nights of music promised at the annual Cheshire event which raises thousands of pounds for good causes. And just announced is Brother Beyond featuring Nathan Moore who will also perform live on the evening. Katrina and the Waves were formed in the early 1980s and scored a massive international hit in 1985 with the irrepressible Walking on Sunshine....

Boney M, Russell Watson, Katrina And The Waves And 5 Star Headline Hale Barns Carnival 2021

10May

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

Boney M, Russell Watson, Katrina And The Waves And 5 Star Headline Hale Barns Carnival 2021

Hale Barns Carnival returns for 2021 – and the hugely popular festival is bigger than ever with a brilliant line-up over three unmissable nights. When it was staged in 2019 the festival raised more than £100,000 for the local community. This year’s event takes place across the weekend of Friday 16 July, Saturday 17 July and Sunday 18 July 2021 – with demand for tickets meaning the live music has been extended to three evenings for the first time. Organisers are delighted to announce the headline live acts performing at Hale Barns Carnival 2021 are disco legends Boney M – featuring Maizie Williams, opera vocalist Russell Watson, and 80s favourites Katrina and the Waves and 5 Star featuring Denise Pearson. And as another new addition for 2021 a preview party concert at the Garri...