Tuesday 20 September 2011

UPDATE: Cast list for SONG BY SONG at the White Bear

Exciting stuff,

So don't be fooled into thinking that SONG BY SONG will be the same show at the White Bear as it was at the Canal Cafe Theatre...
We have TWO new cast members!
The charming Jonny Muir, and our musical maestro Katy Lipson herself!

So, this is the team:

 Charlotte Bradford is passionate about storytelling, pioneering new music and writing and cabaret. Recent credits include, Bitesize, April Review and Feast of Snacks at The Kings Head and The Space. In 2010, Charlotte appeared in the Sondheim at 80 prom in The Royal Albert Hall and has recently started to branch out into Cabaret. She has written and performed her one woman show Songs my Dad said I should Sing at The Battersea Barge and the Leicester Square Theatre. Charlotte's singing talent has been recognised by The Haymarket Masterclass Scheme (she has been mentored by West End and Broadway stars Janie Dee and Clive Rowe) and also by the BBC. Charlotte trained at East 15 Acting School, and studied music with Colin Sell (of "I'm Sorry I haven't a Clue" fame) and Stephen Douse.


Caroline Hardman is pleased to be performing with Aria Entertainment in her first production as a newly-wed! A 2011 Italia Conti graduate, Caroline's theatre credits include, amongst others: Bette Midler in Burlesque; IC Centenary at the new Wimbledon theatre, April Revue at the Kings Head and The Space,  Glee S’Cool 2, directed by Paul Taylor-Mills, Joanne in company at the Avondale Theatre, Baptista in complete works theatre company's TIE tour of The Taming of the Shrew, and Holly in The Wedding Singer; Countdown at the New Wimbledon Theatre. Recent film credits include: Taboo, a wax productions film and mission, written and directed by Nadia Barbu. When not performing, Caroline is a composer and lyricist both individually and in collaboration with other writers such as Christopher Burr, and Framelight Media's Doug Berwick.

 
Jonny Muir was born in South East London and now lives in Chichester. An early passion for acting and singing led Jonny to study Musical Theatre at The Arden School of Theatre in Manchester, where he graduated with a 1st class Honours degree. Roles at The Arden include: Paul in Red, Hot and Cole, understudy Frederic in The Pirates of Penzance and Twimble in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Since graduation in July this year, he has worked as an assistant on projects for Chichester Festival Youth Theatre. Jonny’s ambition is a career in Musical Theatre, and welcomes this opportunity to perform with Aria Entertainment. 


 Katy’s diverse experiences in the arts include, theatre production; working as a Musical Director, accompanist, vocal coach, composer, singer and piano vocalist. As well as running Aria Entertainment, a promotion, management and production company, Katy also runs the A STAGE KINDLY new musical theatre initiative which has brought to life the music from over 50 new International musicals. As a Musical Director Katy has worked on, News-Revue, Bitesize, The April Revue, Glee-S’cool, The 12 Tenors, No 1 UK Tour Hot Flush, Don't Cry Butterfly, Debut, Encore, Bravo, Ballets Russes, Once On This Island, Cinderella, Soviet Zion and Turkish Delight - The Opera. She has produced over 10 shows with A STAGE KINDLY; most recently a 7 week run of new musical SLAY IT WITH MUSIC. With Aria, she is currently making preparations for a production of The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas at The Union Theatre and with A STAGE KINDLY a one off concert GALA which will play on October 9th at Greenwich Theatre. She will then go on to Musically Direct the UK Tour of It's A Wonderful Life and Puss in Boots in Scotland. She is thrilled to launch Aria Entertainment with these showcases and it is an honour to work with so many talented performers. 

Finally, allow me to introduce our fabulous staging director:
 
Matthew Gould - Director
Matthew spent many years as a performer in shows like Les Miserablés, Cats, Joseph, Sweet Charity and Tommy. For the last 15 months he has focused primarily on Directing and Choreographing. Recently he has had plays in London, Manchester, Leeds and Preston. The play The Fan starring Jenny Logan and Janice Day closed recently having been at the John Gielgud Theatre, RADA as part of the Camden Fringe Festival. In July of this year he was asked to Direct and Choreograph a promotional DVD for a new Martial Arts stage show In the Gutter looking up at the Stars. This will go into full production next year. Also he is director on a new musical being created about the Colombian community in Elephant and Castle by Eminor Productions and is also the Director / Choreographer on a new musical called Heroes which features the music of David Bowie. Heroes will be going into production in early 2012. 
Matthew has recently been at The Landor Theatre choreographing the critically acclaimed production of Ragtime. He is also looking forward to many productions with Aria and Katy Lipson. 

Sunday 18 September 2011

Song by SUNG - Canal Cafe down, White Bear to go!

Last night's performance of SONG BY SONG was greeted by a warm and receptive audience, and what a lovely, intimate venue to perform in!

I was glad to catch up with a number of friends who were in the audience, including the composer of HUNGRY SEA, the lovely Teresa Howard.


"Teresa’s writing career has crossed media as a playwright, scriptwriter, librettist and lyricist. She received a prestigious Writing Fellowship at Winchester School of Art and has worked for the Literary Department of the Royal Court Theatre.
Teresa created and wrote a TV drama series for Talisman Films, London. Her plays have been performed across the UK, including GROCK at Chichester Festival Theatre.
Her focus over the last few years has mainly been musical theatre, collaborating with the award winning composer and orchestrator Steven Edis. Their Pre-Raphaelite musical POSSESSED, has had workshops and showcases at Greenwich Theatre, The Arts Theatre London and Oxford Playhouse, featuring star performers Peter Polycarpou, Anna Francolini and Joseph Millson. Songs from this show have also been performed at international festivals and cabaret shows, including Josie Lawrence’s TRYING IT ON at the Menier Chocolate Factory and A Stage Kindly’s APRIL REVUE at the Kings Head.
Her most recent show is a musical theatre adaptation of Dodie Smith’s I CAPTURE THE CASTLE with Steven Edis, which had a workshop and concert reading at the Royal Academy of Music in 2011, directed by Karen Rabinowitz, and there are now plans to produce the show in 2013 at a regional theatre in the UK. Teresa is also in the process of creating an Anglo/Indian musical theatre show.
Teresa is a member of MMD and the Book, Music and Lyrics (BML) Workshop facilitated by David James, Tim Sutton and David Firman."

 As well as a good chin-wag, Teresa had brought a wedding present! So now my husband and I have a beautiful set of teacups and saucers, for Sunday tea! 

To find out more about HUNGRY SEA, its musical POSSESSED, or its composers Teresa Howard and Steven Edis, why not follow Teresa's Blog PUTTING IT TOGETHER

Watch out for SONG BY SONG's transfer to The White Bear Theatre, Kennington.