20 Production shots that describe the struggles of being in a Musical | Part 2

Following our overwhelming response to our article last year, we have decided to bring this back! Production Pictures that describe the struggles of being in a musical smashed all of our records last year and we had such fun creating it, so here's another one! We hope you all like it as much as last year and enjoy it as much as we enjoyed making it. 

Please note, this article is merely light-hearted entertainment. We respect and adore all the performers and shows involved in this and hope that it is viewed in the same way. 

REVIEW: Motown The Musical at the New Victoria Theatre, Woking

The Motown Record label was one of the most influential record labels ever created, with artists such as Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson, the Temptations, Stevie Wonder and many many more being managed by it in its time. It was only natural that a musical to celebrate this fantastic era of music would be created. ‘Motown the Musical’ is based upon Berry Gordy’s 1994 autobiographyTo Be Loved: The Music, the Magic, the Memories of Motown, and gives a historical insight into what truly happened with the Motown era. Having enjoyed three years in the West End, the UK tour is in full swing.

Motown the Musical features all the hit songs from the era. Sixty six to be precise. All these songs are cut together to tell Berry Gordy’s story of creating the Motown label, giving a full history from humble beginnings to the end of the era. It features his involvement with Diana Ross and the Supremes, his friendship and working relationship with Smokey Robinson and many of the bands that made Motown iconic.

Full casting announced for UK tour of MOTOWN

Casting has been announced for the UK and Ireland tour of Motown the Musical. 

Edward Baruwa (Motown, Les Miserables) will play the leading role of Berry Gordy, while Karis Anderson (member of pop band Stooshe) will play Diana Ross, Nathan Lewis (X-Factor finalist) is Smokey Robinson and Shak Gabbidon-Williams (The Lion King) will be Marvin Gaye. 

The ensemble of the show includes Dayo Adeoye, Scott Armstrong, Simeon Beckett, Natalia Brown, Ethan Davis, Andrew Dillon, Akeem Ellis-Hyman, Christopher Gopaul, Daniel Haswell, Olivia Hibbert, Karis Jack, Michael Jeremiah, Amana Jones, Abz Kareem, Kane Matthews, DeeArna McClean, Matt Mills, Cordell Mosteller, Nicole Nyarambi, Spencer O'Brien, Perry O'Dea, Alex Okoampa, Reece Richards and Emma Robotham-Hunt.

Motown the Musical has music and lyrics from the Motown back catalogue which was founded by Berry Gordy in 1959. Charles Randolph-Wright's production has a live orchestra playing 50 tracks including "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", "I'll Be There", "Dancing In the Street" and "Stop! In the Name of Love".

Motown to close in April after over three years in the West End

In advance of major refurbishments taking place at the Shaftesbury Theatre, Motown The Musical will conclude its run on 20 April 2019 having celebrated over 1330 performances since its London premiere over three years earlier in February 2016. With music and lyrics from the Motown catalogue, book by Motown founder Berry Gordy and directed by Charles Randolph-Wright, Motown the Musical tells the story behind the legendary classic hits. In October this year a previously announced UK tour will begin and in January 2019 Motown the record label will mark its sixtieth anniversary.

The production features a fifteen-piece orchestra playing 50 Motown tracks including Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, I’ll Be There, Dancing In The Street, Stop! In The Name of Love, My Girl and I Heard It through the Grapevine. With just $800 borrowed from his family, Motown founder Berry Gordy, goes from featherweight boxer to heavyweight music mogul, discovering and launching the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye and many more. Motown the Musical uncovers the true story of the legendary record label that changed music history and created the soundtrack of a generation. 

MOTOWN the musical announces new West End cast

The hit West End production of Motown the Musical this weekend will celebrate its second birthday at the Shaftesbury Theatre and announces that from 6 March 2018 the West End cast will be led by Jay Perry as Berry Gordy, Natalie Kassanga as Diana Ross and Carl Spencer as Marvin Gaye. They join David Albury who continues in the role of Smokey Robinson. Cruz Lee-Ojo, 11 years old from Uxbridge also joins the Company to share the role of Young Michael Jackson, Berry Gordy and Stevie Wonder with Tumo Reetsang, 12 years old from Southwark, London. 

Currently booking until 5 January 2019, Motown the Musical, directed by Charles Randolph-Wright, tells the story behind the legendary classic hits. Later this year, a tour of Motown the Musical will play simultaneously around the UK.

Motown the Musical recently launched an online Lottery which allows audiences the opportunity to purchase two great seats at £15 each. Patrons can apply at any time for all performances in a two-week period. Lucky winners will be notified three-five days before their allocated performance and will have 24 hours to purchase their tickets online before the next winner is selected.

Pocket Size Theatre 5th Anniversary: Our Top 10 News Stories!

Our News features and articles are one of our most popular things to post, our readers love being kept in the loop and we've been known to break the news first for quite a few big things! Heres a list of our most popular news articles, some of them surprised us! Follow us on twitter to keep up to date with all of our future news posts! 

@PocketSizeBlog

"Sheena Easton - the Grammy Award winning artist who has sold over 20 million records around the world - is to make her West End debut in the forthcoming production of 42nd Street. Easton, who remains the only artist in history to have top five records on five major Billboard charts.... " 

Click here to read more. 

"Selladoor Worldwide is delighted to announce that they will tour a brand-new production of The Producers this Autumn. The laugh-out-loud musical spectacle opens at Shanghai Culture Square, prior to a 14 week tour of China. This tour marks Selladoor Worldwide’s 8th International tour since 2014..."

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"The Union Theatre is thrilled to announce the cast for the upcoming production of Irving Berlin's ANNIE GET YOUR GUN. GEMMA MACLEAN will head up the company as the infamous, sharp shooting Annie Oakley. Gemma most recently starred as Liz Imbrie in "High Society" at Sonning Mill not long..."

Click here to read more.