It's Simply Massive!

So one forgets how huge this show is! I mean it, it's ginormous.

When you watch the original version of Les Mis, and that's all that's been available til now, it's all quite familiar and one scene runs into the next very smoothly and one iconic image is followed by the next and so on. What we forget is - just how many images there are.

We had our full sing through last week and coupled with being an inspiring sound, it brought home the scale of the challenge at hand. To re-imagine with equal vitality, the pictures of the story of Les Miserables. These are the hurdles we're attempting to jump in a daily basis.

Here's a few tip bits of inside info:

1. We begin on the convict ship "Orion".
2. We have real bails of hay in the farm section of the prologue.
3. The design incorporates more than just Hugo's writing.
4. I get to wear the piece of clothing I wanted most.

"Enigmatic teasing" I hear you cry? Well... yes I suppose it is but you'll just have to come and see the show to find out.

Enjoy coming up with new and inventive Christmas goodies.

A very big thank you...

... to all who came to and supported the cabarets at the Leicester Square Theatre. I was so pleased with how the shows went and flattered by the turnout. Gina and Russell were superb and I could not have done the show without the skills and endeavours of Mike Baxter.

Some news in them;

Russell will be performing in "Frank's Closet" at Hoxton Hall. A new musical that sees Russell don several fabulous diva persona's and truly strut his/her stuff. For more info go to www.hoxtonhall.co.uk

Gina continues to play Christine in the original production of Phantom of the Opera (not the new one!). For all things Beck go to www.ginabeck.co.uk you can even listen to her beautifully sopranoed twitter.

Mike will be joining me, among others, on the International Tour of Les Miserables as a swing and if anyone can do such a job, it's our Mikey.

We start rehearsals for the brand spanking, just out of the box, new smelling production in a week. I will post all the news from the barricade as it happens.

Enjoy Autumn.

New Date added...

News-News-News!!!

I'm adding another date at the Leicester Square Theatre for "How did I get Here...?".

Having sold out the first date we're going to do it all again on the 14th October at the different time of 11pm. The line up will be the same; the wonderful, talented and far too sexy Gina Beck and Russell Whitehead will be singing with me and the dexterous wonder Mike Baxter will be re-tickling our ivories.

Tickets will be available from Tuesday (29th) at www.leicestersquaretheatre.com or by calling 0844 847 2475.

For those of you who have booked for the 4th, I'll see you there and if you can make the 14th then I'll see you then too.

Jon.

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...