Denise Van Outen to take over the role of Velma in Chicago at the Phoenix Theatre

Denise Van Outen, who has previously played the role of Roxie on the West End and Broadway, will return to the show at the Phoenix Theatre as Velma Kelly according to the Daily Mail. 

Her other theatre credits include Tell Me on a Sunday, Rent Remixed and Legally Blonde. She is also a judge on Irelands Got Talent. 

Denise said ‘I’m really excited about it. I remained very good friends with the producers of the show, because when I did the show on Broadway I actually lived in their apartment.

It’s one of those things, it was such a big piece of my life. I was the first celebrity to do Chicago, so it was quite a big gamble for them and because it kind of worked out and went well and I was well received in New York by the Press and the critics, I’ve always had that real love for the show.’

FIRST LOOK: Chess at the London Coliseum

The epic musical love story CHESS starring Michael Ball as Anatoly, Alexandra Burke as Svetlana, Cedric Neal as The Arbiter, Tim Howar as Freddie, Cassidy Janson as Florence and Phillip Browne as Molokov opens tonight, Thursday 26 April 2018 (Press night on Tuesday 1 May 2018) for a strictly limited 5 week season.

This is the first West End production of Chess since 1986. CHESS was written in 1984 by ABBA songwriters Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, and Tim Rice (Jesus Christ Superstar, The Lion King, Evita), and the original London production starred Elaine Paige, Murray Head and Tommy Korberg. That production, which ran for three years at the Prince Edward Theatre, followed a highly successful recording featuring the same stars, and included the international hit singles I Know Him So Well and One Night In Bangkok. Other well-known songs from the score include Anthem, Someone Else’s Story, Heaven Help my Heart and Pity The Child.

CHESS tells a story of love and political intrigue, set against the background of the Cold War in the late 1970s/early 1980s, in which superpowers attempt to manipulate an international chess championship for political ends. Two of the world’s greatest chess masters, one American, one Russian, are in danger of becoming the pawns of their governments as their battle for the world title gets under way. Simultaneously their lives are thrown into further confusion by a Hungarian refugee, a remarkable woman who becomes the centre of their emotional triangle. This mirrors the heightened passions of the political struggles that threaten to destroy lives and loves.

Lets hear it for the Reality Stars!

Within the theatre industry we could all name at least five major shows who have stunt casting in them; wether thats an Ex-Girls aloud member or a TOWIE star trying to make a name for themselves.  Reality TV stars have a bad reputation for coming into musical and 'stealing' other peoples jobs, so we decided to take a look at the reality TV stars who are NAILING it in the world of Theatre.  Take a look and let us know what you think... Tweet us your thoughts! @PocketSizeBlog 

Alexandra Burke 

Alexandra won the 2008 series of The X Factor, she later appeared in the West End and international touring productions of The Bodyguard. She is currently playing Deloris Van Cartier in the UK tour of Sister Act. 

Darius Campbell 

Darius appeared on Pop Idol in 2002, since then he has gone on to appear in many West End musicals including Chicago, Guys and Dolls, From Here to Eternity and most recently Funny Girl alongside Sheridan Smith. 

REVIEW: The Bodyguard at the New Victoria Theatre, starring Alexandra Burke

Since it was announced the massively successful West End production of ‘The Bodyguard’ would be taking on a tour of its own from February 2015, it has sold out performances since day one and has been described as “the hottest ticket in town” by the Sunday Mirror. This smash-hit musical is based on the film of the same name, and features the greatest hits of Whitney Houston. 

                     

I have previously reviewed the World Premiere Cast Recording of this show, which, like this performance, was led by X-Factor superstar Alexandra Burke. I was unimpressed by the album and described it as one of ‘poor variety’ leaving me feeling ‘severely underwhelmed’ and ‘massively disappointed’, however, this show is an absolute knockout. 

ALBUM REVIEW: World premier cast recording of The Bodyguard the Musical, starring Alexandra Burke

I have not seen The Bodyguard film, however, my understanding of it is that it’s fundamentally a love story between international superstar Rachel Marron (played by Whitney Houston), and her bodyguard (Kevin Costner).

It almost goes without saying that Whitney Houston is one of the strongest female vocalists in her genre, but I must preface this review with a warning to anyone who chooses to purchase this soundtrack. Do NOT compare The Bodyguard’s leading lady Alexandra Burke to Whitney Houston, or the entire soundtrack will do nothing but underwhelm and disappoint you…

ALEXANDRA BURKE to star in THE BODYGUARD in UK Tour 2015

Following her sell-out run at the Adelphi Theatre in London’s West End, producers Michael Harrison and David Ian are delighted to announce that three-time Brit nominee and X-Factor winner,Alexandra Burke, will star in the leading role of ‘Rachel Marron’ in the forthcoming UK and Ireland tour of Thea Sharrock’s hit musical THE BODYGUARD. The tour visits Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from Tue 21 April – Sat 2 May 2015.

Alexandra Burke said "I couldn't be happier to be joining the tour and I'm excited to get started. Being on the theatre stage has brought me great happiness. It is an honour to have been asked to join the team and I look forward to creating new and long lasting memories with the cast." 

Alexandra Burke rose to fame after winning the fifth series of The X Factor. Her debut number one single Hallelujah sold over one million copies in the UK, a first for a British female soloist. Burke’s first album, Overcome saw the release of her subsequent number one singles Bad Boys and Start Without You. In 2011 she embarked on her first solo tour and was invited by Beyoncé to support her I Am... Tour. Her second album, Heartbreak on Hold, was released in June 2012 and later this year sees the release of her third studio album.

Alexandra Burke will perform the role of ‘Rachel Marron’ at all evening performances. At the matinee performances, the role of ‘Rachel Marron’ will be played by Zoe Birkett.

Zoe Birkett is probably best known as the highest placing female contestant in ITV’s Pop Idol, 2002. Since then she has appeared in the West End productions of Priscilla Queen of the Desert and originated the female lead in Thriller Live. Her other theatre credits include the Acid Queen in Tommyand Maureen in Rent.

Based on Lawrence Kasdan’s 1992 Oscar nominated Warner Bros. film, THE BODYGUARD, which starred Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner, was nominated for four Laurence Olivier Awards including Best New Musical and Best Set Design and won Best New Musical at the Whatsonstage Awards.

Former Secret Service agent turned bodyguard, Frank Farmer, is hired to protect superstar Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker. Each expects to be in charge; what they don’t expect is to fall in love. A romantic thriller, THE BODYGUARD features a host of irresistible classics including Queen of the Night, So Emotional, One Moment in Time, Saving All My Love, I’m Your Baby Tonight, Run to You, I Have Nothing, I Wanna Dance with Somebody and one of the biggest selling songs of all time – I Will Always Love You.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

THE BODYGUARD

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre,

Lichfield Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 1DE

Performance Dates: Tues 21 April – Sat 2 May 2015.

Performance Times: Mon – Sat 7:30pm, Wed & Sat 2:30pm, extra matinee at 2:30pm Thurs 23 April.

Box Office: 01902 42 92 12

Online: http://www.grandtheatre.co.uk/whats-on/allshows/the-bodyguard/

Tickets from £29.50 - £45.50

FIRST LOOK: New cast joins The Bodyguard, starring Alexandra Burke

Alexandra Burke has joined the cast of the hit West End musical The Bodyguard, playing the leading role of Oscar-nominated superstar Rachel Marron.  Burke plays opposite Tristan Gemmill who continues in the role of Rachel’s bodyguard, Frank Farmer. Alexandra Burke joins the production at the Adelphi Theatre where the show is playing to 30 August 2014. 

The current cast (March 2014) comprises Alexandra Burke (Rachel Marron), Tristan Gemmill (Frank Farmer), Carole Stennett (Nicki Marron), Richard Lloyd King (Bill Devaney), Stephen Marcus (Tony), Dominic Taylor (Sy Spector), Michael Rouse (Stalker) and Stuart Reid (Ray Court).  Ensemble members are Gareth Andrews, Kimball Armes, Christopher Birch, Hannah Fairclough, Robert Gill, Nicky Griffiths, Ben Harrold, Jamie Hughes-Ward, Alex Jackson, Genesis Lynea, Fergal McGoff, Sara Morley, Joelle Moses, David O’Mahoney, Stuart Rogers, Kyle Seeley, Danielle Steers, Katy Stredder and Christopher Terry.

FIRST LOOK: Alexandra Burke stars in The Bodyguard

Alexandra Burke will join the cast of the hit West End musical The Bodyguard, to play the leading role of Oscar-nominated superstar Rachel Marron.  Burke will play opposite Tristan Gemmill who continues in the role of Rachel’s bodyguard, Frank Farmer. Alexandra Burke will join the production at the Adelphi Theatre where the show is playing to 30 August 2014.  Beverley Knight will continue in the role of Rachel Marron until 31 May 2014.

Alexandra Burke said:  “I couldn’t be more excited about joining the cast of The Bodyguard and to play the iconic role of Rachel Marron will be adream come true. I am a massive Whitney Houston fan so to be given the opportunity to play a role made famous by her every night will be a real privilege.  I start rehearsals very soon with my fellow cast mates and thebrilliant creative team and, with a little trepidation, I am looking forward to our first performance in June.”

ALEXANDRA BURKE TO STAR IN THE BODYGUARD

On 2 June this year, Alexandra Burke will join the cast of the hit West End musical The Bodyguard, to play the leading role of Oscar-nominated superstar Rachel Marron.  Burke will play opposite Tristan Gemmill who continues in the role of Rachel’s bodyguard, Frank Farmer.  Alexandra Burke will join the production at the Adelphi Theatre where the show is playing to 30 August 2014.  Beverley Knight will continue in the role of Rachel Marron until 31 May 2014.

Alexandra Burke said:  “I couldn’t be more excited about joining the cast of The Bodyguard and to play the iconic role of Rachel Marron will be adream come true. I am a massive Whitney Houston fan so to be given the opportunity to play a role made famous by her every night will be a real privilege.  I start rehearsals very soon with my fellow cast mates and thebrilliant creative team and, with a little trepidation, I am looking forward to our first performance in June.”