Out of the Red and into the Black

As a few people have asked me this question, I thought that it was probably time that I announced the next show I will be performing in.

I will be returning to the barricade playing the role of Enjolras on the 25Th Anniversary International Tour of Les Miserables.

I will be joining this new production that already has a Stella cast attached; including John Owen Jones (Valjean), Earl Carpenter (Javert) and Gareth Gates (Marius). This is one of the most exciting projects that could think to be involved in. Not only do I get to rediscover the musical I love, but I have the challenge of a new role, set and costume design, cast and staging to play with. I could not be more excited.

The tour dates can be found on www.lesmis.com/tour.htm and tickets are on sale now. Updates to my site will follow soon. We're working a new design for the site that will launch later in the year with new features, pictures and videos, another thing I'm excited about.

The Leicester Square Theatre cabaret "How did I get here...?" has sold out, so thank you to any of you who bought tickets and I'll see you there.

ps - Check out www.whatsonintheatre.com for a great ad a friend of mine put up!

Small Change...

Hello all,

Sad news - due to a double booking, Nancy Sullivan has had to withdraw from the cabaret in October.

Happy news - taking her place will be Russell Whitehead, formally of "Chicago" and star of the recent Union theatre production of "Pirates of Penzance".

I'm very excited about Russell joining us and have been told by the theatre that tickets are selling really well.

Better get back to rehearsals...

How did I get Here?

So, the project I hinted at in my last blog entry has now been confirmed and I can let y'all know what I've been up to.

I am planning a Cabaret at the Leicester Square Theatre on October 4th at 4.30. It'll be an evening of musical numbers relating (however loosely) to myself. Our guest performers on that night will be:

Nancy Sullivan (Les Miserables' Eponine) http://www.nancysullivan.co.uk/
Gina Beck (Phantom of the Opera's Christine) http://www.ginabeck.co.uk/

and will be Musically directed by Mike Baxter (who's very talented)

It'll be in the basement space at the theatre, which is only 50 seats. The box office is open now and tickets are £12.50. To book go to http://www.leicestersquaretheatre.com/ and look at "Events -Basement" or call 0844 847 2475.



I'm very excited about it. Posters will find their way around very soon so look out for em!

Your haven't heard it til...

... you've heard Les Mis with a 50 piece orchestra. The score is so majestic when you can hear all of the orchestrations played that well and that loud!

I am, of course referring to the Les Miserables in concert that I took part in last weekend on the Ilse of Wight. In spite of the rain it was truly one of the most special evenings of my life. If anyone reading this was there then you'll know what I'm talking about. Singing that role with that orchestra in those grounds with that cast and a load of fireworks at the end was an astounding assault on the senses. One that is likely to take some beating in the future.

I've been having a summer holiday over the last few weeks and I've a few theatrical recommendations for y'all. Firstly the Union Theatre's all male production of "Pirates of Penzance". Not being the worlds greatest Gilbert and Sullivan fan, I was apprehensive about watching this show. By the end my face hurt from smiling and hands from clapping. What you get with this production is 2 hours of pure joyous silliness. Unashamed and skillfully delivered by a wonderful, all singing (at times in the girls octave!) all dancing cast. This Victorian romp is on for another week so if you can get down to see it as the space only holds 60 and tickets are going fast. www.uniontheatre.org.

Next for a dramatic change of pace, the Landor's new play "Stockwell". This is a verbatim piece, documenting the inquest into the 2005 shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes on the London Tube at Stockwell station. It is an hour and 40 mins without an interval and I've never had my attention held so well by a piece of theatre. Another must see for fringe fans.

I'll be in touch soon with a new project I'm working on for the Autumn. Watch this space...

Tommorow came.

So,

My adventure in 19th Century France is over. The last shows were, as always, extremely emotional. I can't begin to describe how much I am going to miss the people, the show and being made to look chiseled by all that wonderful make up and costume. I do however get a small swan song next month in the Les Miserables in concert on the Ilse of Wight with the cast of Les Mis and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. For more info go to:

www.bsolive.com/concerts/concertdetails.htm?concertid=156063

Last week I attended a special screening of the final cut of Chess in Concert, which I performed in last year. The DVD is available to buy now via amazon and dress circle and I can tell you that it looks truly great. Adam Pascal sounds especially incredible and Josh Groban's Anthem is a sight and sound to behold. Order yours now!

For those of you who have keener ears, you may have picked up my voice on the new Danone Activia adverts. We'll get hold of a copy and post it on the videos section. If you haven't noticed that it's me then I suggest you stay up all night watching TV until it comes on again and listen really hard.

We'll be redesigning the website over the next few weeks so it may go down from time to time, for this I apologise in advance.

Til next time...

Avenue Update

Hi,

It's been a while since the last blog as I've been really quite swamped with the gentle balancing act of juggling 2 musicals. Performing Les Miserables at night and rehearsing Avenue Q in the day. A confusing and exhausting combination.

My brief return to the world of Puppet sex will be on Monday and I could not be more excited. The cast, with the exception of the ever wonderful Julie Atherton, are new to me and it's a privilege to work with them all. The nerves are beginning to kick in as the day approaches but they have made me feel so welcome and I hope the show has as much success at the Gielgud as at the Noel Coward.

I'll be back on the Barricades on Tuesday and will be performing for the rest of the run, which finishes for me on June 20th.

As always I'll keep you updated as to any future plans I have after Les Mis. And if you can get to the Isle of Wight for Les Miserables in Concert on the 26th July then I'll see you there.

Jon.

Chess trailer

Hi,

For those of you who weren't lucky enough to see Chess in Concert live last year, they have made an extremely cool looking DVD and an equally cool trailer to go with it. Here's the link to see it:

http://www.icethesite.com/default.aspx?articleID=310

Blink and you'll miss it but you can see Adam Pascal push past me and gosh is it Dramatic! Enjoy.

I will be finishing Les Miserables on the 20th of June. I've had an amazing time, but before I finnish I'm off to play with the puppets. I've started rehearsing already and it feels great to be back with the fussy ones.

My arm hurts but it's all worth it.

Jon.