| There have been several high profile musical | | | | Catskills in the USA as the basis of the story and |
| productions debuting in the West End recently to | | | | has successfully adapted it for this stage |
| varying degrees of critical acclaim. But, regardless | | | | production. Josef Brown, who played the lead in |
| of whether the autumn openings continue their | | | | the Australian production of 2004, stars as Johnny |
| runs into 2008, musicals look set to dominate the | | | | joined by Sarah Manton as Baby. |
| West End box office over the next few years. | | | | Another former film now gracing the West End |
| Prominent amongst the successful new shows | | | | stage ‘Desperately seeking Susan’, which |
| unveiled recently include ‘Hairspray’. The | | | | originally starred Madonna and Rosanna Arquette |
| musical opened in late October in London’s | | | | in the celluloid version, is not doing quite so well in |
| West End to rave reviews and has recently | | | | the stage adaptation that features the music of |
| extended its run by seven months as a result. | | | | Blondie. The production recently premiered at the |
| First opened on Broadway in August 2002 at the | | | | Novello Theatre and is currently booking until |
| Simons Theatre where it is still playing to packed | | | | mid-April 2008, although judging by the |
| audiences this American import is now booking | | | | unfavourable reviews it may ultimately record a |
| until 25th October 2008 at the Shaftesbury | | | | shorter run that that. |
| Theatre. West End veteran warbler Michael Ball | | | | Conversely, Grease is taking the West End by |
| stars as cross-dresser Edna Turnblad with | | | | storm. Originally a 70’s film musical starring |
| comedian-turned-actor Mel Smith supporting as | | | | John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, this |
| “her husband” Wilbur and newcomer | | | | production has made a successful transition to the |
| Leanne Jones plays Tracy, their daughter. | | | | West End stage and looks set to enjoy a long run |
| Following its success on Broadway, Hairspray has | | | | until the end of the decade. |
| been made into a Hollywood feature film starring | | | | As well as modern musicals, classics such as |
| John Travolta. | | | | Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s Joseph have |
| Indeed, productions based on films, or vice-versa, | | | | undergone a successful revival thanks to the BBC |
| appear to be all the rage in the West End. Dirty | | | | talent show ‘Any dream will do’ which |
| Dancing, another recent addition to the West End | | | | has given 26-year-old winner Lee Mead the |
| theatres, has also extended its booking period until | | | | starring role in his West End debut. That must be |
| April 2009, after a successful opening in late | | | | one of the besttheatre breaks for a young actor |
| October. Writer of the film’s screenplay | | | | since the last BBC talent winner Connie Fisher |
| Eleanor Bergstein used her own childhood | | | | captured the lead role of Maria in the Sound of |
| experiences of holidaying with her family in the | | | | Music! |