We are delighted to say that Christopher Shutt has won a Tony Award for his (we know we're biased, outstanding) sound design for War Horse. The show has gone down a storm in its revamped format and is nominated in several categories. Winners were announced on 12 June.
Finally we are allowed to reveal that Caroline Sheen is returning to Les Miserables, joining the new cast that includes Alfie Boe and Matt Lucas. She previously played Eponine but this time round will shake off her healthy "Spoonful-of-Sugar-Mary-Poppins" aura to play the wronged and doomed Fantine. Caroline is currently in rehearsals and the first performance of the new cast is on 23 June. She is thrilled to be returning to the show which had such an influence on her growing up and has always meant so much to her.
Liz Crowther, Imogen Doel, Christopher Ettridge and Jo Stone-Fewings are all at the RSC in the Green company, i.e. the company performing Cardenio (dir: Greg Doran), The City Madam (dir: Dominic Hill), A Midsummer Night's Dream (dir: Nancy Meckler) and Marat/Sade (dir: Anthony Neilson). Cardenio and The City Madam have already opened in the Swan to rave reviews while the Dream and Marat/Sade will open in the new theatre on 4 August and 28 October respectively. But what are they playing, we hear you cry! Well, here goes... Liz Crowther plays the Duenna (the strict chaperone) in Cardenio, Millicent (an ingratiating maid who runs a brothel on the side) in The City Madam and then goes into rehearsals for Marat/Sade. Imogen Doel will be playing a Fairy in A Midsummer Night's Dream and then Charlotte Corday in Marat/Sade. Christopher Ettridge is playing the Duke (a strict father) in Cardenio, Holdfast (a fastidious and some might say camp steward) in The City Madam and then also goes into Marat/Sade. Last but by no means least is Jo Stone-Fewings, who plays the enormous role of Luke Frugal in The City Madam and then will play Oberon in A Midsummer Night's Dream.
"...Jo Stone-Fewings's enchanting, slippery performance as Luke..." Michael Coveney, Independent, 12.05.11
"Dominic Hill's cast are buoyantly energised, with Stone-Fewings a mercurial lead..." Kate Bassett, Independent on Sunday, 15.05.11
"In particular, Jo Stone-Fewings as the pauper brother elevated to riches beyond his wildest dreams fives a wired, charismatic performance that keeps you guessing about his true nature for a satisfyingly long time." Charles Spencer, Daily Telegraph, 13.05.11
"Christopher Ettridge is a delightfully camp Steward..." Libby Purves, The Times, 13.05.11
"Jo Stone-Fewings gives a fine performance as the shape-shifting Luke. He starts out as a pious, Tartuffe-like hypocrite. Later, rasping out his consonants like Olivier in full ironic tilt, he conveys venomous egotism." Michael Billington, Guardian, 12.05.11
Rebecca Faulkenberry will be making her Broadway debut this spring. She has been on tour in the States with the '80s rock monolith musical Rock of Ages since autumn 2010 but now the producers have decided to bring it back to Broadway and have taken Rebecca off the tour to come in with it, joining a company which comprises most of the original Broadway cast. Rebecca plays the lead girl, Sherrie, who discovers love and rock in a club on Sunset Strip in the late '80s. She opens at the Helen Hayes Theatre on 22 March - we hope she has the best time and look forward to seeing her later in the year.
Following his return to the new, updated 25th anniversary production of Les Miserables (in a truly outstanding performance as Jean Valjean) new client John Owen-Jones has now returned to the role he has played more times than any other performer, that of the Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera. John will now play until 17 March 2012.
