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John Owen-Jones

Single ‘Rise Like A Phoenix’ released 9 March 2015

Sweeney Todd at the ENO – Easter 2015

www.johnowenjones.com

Award winning performer John Owen-Jones (Les Miserables/Phantom of The Opera) releases new single ‘Rise Like A Phoenix’ in February 2015. A second track ‘Bread Of Heaven’ is also on the single CD. Both tracks are taken from his forthcoming album ‘RISE’ which is released on the 2nd March 2015.

The single, ‘Rise Like A Phoenix’ is familiar to most as the song that won Eurovision 2014. The song was chosen by John following a search for a Bond-esque track for the album.  Composer Grant Olding suggested the track and John vaguely knew it but “when I listened to it properly, I just knew I had to record it. I liked the song so much it even inspired the name of the album”. ‘Bread of Heaven’ (re-imagined in the style of rock band Queen!) is a Welsh favourite that has been taken to heart by Welsh rugby fans as they look forward to the forthcoming Six Nations and Rugby World Cup tournaments.

‘RISE’ features twelve new tracks reflecting John’s lifelong love for music. Staying true to the West End and Broadway star’s theatrical roots, the album also broadens out to the worlds of gospel, soul, classic rock and, of course, Eurovision!  The album ‘RISE’ has two duets featuring West End stars Ruthie Henshall (currently in Billy Elliot) and Madalena Alberto (recently seen in Evita).

John will return to the London stage during Easter to play the role of ‘Pirelli’ in the English National Opera “staged concert” production of ‘Sweeney Todd’. The critically acclaimed production was a sell out for its short run at the Lincoln Center in New York last year and will have a strictly limited run of 13 performances at the London Coliseum Theatre from March 30th to April 12th. John will join previously announced stars Bryn Terfel (Sweeney Todd), Emma Thompson (Mrs Lovett).

John Owen-Jones has previously released two solo albums on the Sain label ‘John Owen-Jones’ in 2009 and ‘Unmasked’ in 2011. John, from Burry Port in South Wales, has enjoyed critical acclaim for his record breaking and award winning performances in the lead role of Jean Valjean in ‘Les Miserables’ (he remains the youngest actor to have played the role) and the title role in ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ (more performances in the role in the West End than any other actor).

Tour dates with Katherine Jenkins as Special Guest and Welsh dates

Wed 11 Feb Cambridge Corn Exchange
Thu 12 Feb Guildford G Live
Sat 14 Feb Nottingham Royal Concert Hall
Sun 15 Feb Brighton Dome
Tue 17 Feb London Royal Festival Hall
Wed 18 Feb Bristol Colston Hall
Fri 20 Feb Plymouth Pavilions
Sat 21 Feb Bournemouth International Centre
Mon 23 Feb Sheffield City Hall
Wed 25 Feb York Barbican
Thu 26 Feb Edinburgh Usher Hall

Sat 28 Feb Gateshead Sage 1
Sun 1 Mar Wales At No. 1, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff
Mon 02 Mar Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
Tue 03 Mar Manchester Bridgewater Hall
Thu 05 Mar Llandudno Venue Cymru Theatre

Sat 07 Mar Birmingham Symphony Hall

Sun 08 Mar Birmingham Symphony Hall

Tue 10 Mar Ipswich Regent

Wed 11 Mar Southend Cliff Pavilion

Fri 13 Mar Oxford New Theatre

Sat 14 Mar Cardiff Motorpoint Arena

Mar 30 – April 12                    Sweeney Todd, Coliseum Theatre, London

Sat 18 April                        Morriston Orpheus Choir Gala Concert,

                                               Brangwyn Hall, Swansea

 

www.johnowenjones.com

 

 

Newcastle Theatre Royal is celebrating being the first theatre in the country to be honoured with the Autism Access Award from The National Autistic Society (NAS).

The award has been granted following a year-long project working with local schools, families and specialists to develop an all-inclusive approach to theatre in relation to the specific needs of theatre-goers with autism.

Newcastle Theatre Royal has already pioneered a highly popular programme of ‘relaxed performances, which this season includes Shrek The Musical and the ever-popular Theatre Royal pantomime, Dick Whittington.These specialist performances include tailored sound and lighting effects as well as a less formal, more supportive atmosphere in order to reduce anxiety levels.

 But this award from the NAS moves a step beyond these specialist performances and looks at making the theatre and its productions accessible at any time of the year. Director of the NAS Accreditation scheme, Robert Pritchett, said: “Newcastle Theatre Royal’s engagement with local autism groups has enabled them to receive accurate and honest feedback that has supported them to establish new ways of working and viewing accessibility within the theatre.

“The Theatre Royal has made an enthusiastic and effective leap into the world of autism, the impact it has had on those that it has supported to come through its doors can be seen throughout all the positive feedback it receives and the success stories they have. It will be with excitement and anticipation that we await the coming year and see the developments and feedback that come from access to more public performances.”

Chief Executive of the Newcastle Theatre Royal, Philip Bernays, said: “We are extremely proud to be the first theatre in the UK to be granted this award from the National Autistic Society and we are very grateful for all the support and guidance they have given us.

“The whole team here at the Theatre have worked extremely hard towards this award and the positive feedback from our audience members with special needs makes all that hard work worthwhile.”

For more information on the Theatre Royal’s relaxed performances, please visit www.theatreroyal.co.uk or call our Group Sales on 08448 11 21 22.

 

Choreographer, Director and fellow northerner Lee Proud answered 20 questions

Some favourites

Favourite show (whether you have been in it or not)?

My Favourite show changes with my mood but I think if I had to choose, it would be Cats. I saved up for the LP when I was 11 and I wore it out. Gillian Lynne’s choreography for Cats still inspires, fascinates and moves me. The show completely fired my imagination at a young age and made me believe in the magic of theatre.

Favourite book?

My favourite book is The Stand by Stephen King. It’s an epic read and full of both supernatural and human drama. I also love anything by Irvine Welsh

Favourite theatre?

Favourite Theatre is probably Live Theatre in Newcastle my home town. Such a warm atmosphere and always an interesting and diverse programme

Favourite song?

My favourite song is Only Yesterday by The Carpenters. The optimism of the lyric married with the heartbreakingly sad orchestration reminds me that nothing lasts forever.

Favourite music?

Favourite music. It sounds clichéd but if I like it I like it! However, I love country music and I adore kd lang.

Favourite food?

I LOVE food. My favourite is a ham and pease pudding stottie!!! (Geordie delicacy!!)

Favourite line from any show?

My Favourite line from a show has to be in Gypsy when Mamma Rose says to Louise in the dressing room just before Louise’s debut strip – “Just remember, you’re a lady. And you are going to be a star”!  It’s such a great line…a very desperate situation but stoic, final and utterly camp!

If you could be anyone else for the day, who would it be?

If I could be anyone else for the day? This is hard…hmmm..I’d probably be the Pope and be deliberately photographed coming out of every gay bar in London with a host of bare chested fellas… (to really annoy the religious anti gay lobby)

How did you get into choreographing?

I always liked choreographing, but I became the resident choreographer on Billy Elliot the Musical and I was massively influenced by Peter Darling whom I worked with closely for 7 years. As you get to a certain age you realise you have to re-invent your path within the industry you love.

You do a lot in the regions, do you believe they are equally as important as the west end?

I absolutely believe the regions are every bit as important as the West End if not more so. It is the frontline of theatre

What show would you love to choreograph ?

I’d love to choreograph Dreamgirls!!!! If any directors are listening out there!!!

I saw Gas Light on Grey Street which you directed so do you prefer choreographing or directing?

I like both. Choreography is more difficult physically, but they are equally mentally demanding. I tend to think my choreography through from a directors perspective though in terms of what is making the character tick. Why are they dancing is always the question, so the intention of the character is always driven through my work.

How did you get to write the degree course in Musical Theatre at Newcastle College?

I was the head of Musical Theatre at Newcastle College at the time they were bringing in the degree course so it seemed natural with my experience that I write it.

With your association with Newcastle how did you feel when the council slashed the Arts budget?

I was absolutely shocked, sad and angry. I just couldn’t believe it!! Thank God for Lee Hall!

If you weren’t a choreographer/director what would you be?

I would definitely work with homeless animals! Or any animals!!

What advice would you give 16 year old Lee?

Don’t smoke (I quit 5 years ago and it’s the best thing I ever did)

What was the last stage show you saw and really enjoyed?

Memphis. It was superb! It gave me the feeling I used to have as a youth when I was just in awe of everyone on the stage

Would you like to dance on stage rather than choreograph?

No, not any more.

With knowing the part have you ever had to step into a part due to performers indisposition?

Yes, I re staged material from Billy Elliot for The Alan Titchmarsh show on ITV. We got to the studio and one of the men called in sick. I was mortified but I stepped in and I was fierce!!!​

Can you tell us what you will be up to next?

I’m currently in rehearsals for the UK and Ireland tour of The Producers. Following this, I’m back to Reykjavik to check on Billy Elliot which I recently re-choreographed, then its off on holiday to Italy at Easter followed by three hugely exciting major projects lined up to be announced shortly which take me through to next year.

More news on leeproud.co.uk and @leeproud

KATHERINE JENKINS OBE

2015 UK TOUR

Award-winning West End and Broadway performer

JOHN OWEN-JONES

Announced as special guest

 

KATHERINE’S TENTH STUDIO ALBUM

‘HOME SWEET HOME’

RELEASED NOVEMBER 17TH

CELEBRATING HER 10TH ANNIVERSARY IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY 

 

Katherine Jenkins will return to the live arena with a full 21 date UK tour for 2015, culminating at a huge show in her homeland on Saturday 14th March. It has just been confirmed that Award-winning West End and Broadway performer JOHN OWEN-JONES (Les Miserables/Phantom of The Opera) will be appearing a special guest on the whole tour.

 

Katherine’s new tour follows the eagerly anticipated release of her landmark new classical album ‘Home Sweet Home’ on November 17th, through Decca Records. Cherished as one of Britain’s favourite singers, Welsh mezzo soprano Katherine Jenkins has achieved meteoric success as the world’s most prolific classical crossover artist her nine studio albums have sold in excess of eight million copies and gone platinum all around the world.

 

She has received numerous accolades for her recordings, including two Classical BRITs for the coveted Album of the Year Award. In 2013, Katherine headlined the Queen’s Coronation Festival at Buckingham Palace and was awarded an OBE at the 2014 New Year’s Honours List for her services to music and charity. Katherine has also cemented her position as one of the UK’s greatest exports and in 2013 toured South Africa, the US, China, Abu Dhabi and Europe.

 

Katherine says, “Performing live for my fans is what I love most about being an artist.  I’m so thrilled to be going on tour next year, getting to see you all and performing my new album. I can’t wait.”

 

New album ‘Home Sweet Home’ reflects Katherine’s return to her classical roots and marks a milestone in Katherine’s astonishing career, it has been ten years since the release of her debut offering ‘Premiere’ in 2004 – one of the fastest selling classical albums of all time. Produced by Patrick Hamilton and recorded at the legendary Abbey Road Studios ‘Home Sweet Home’ sees key collaborations including international star and violin virtuoso David Garrett (Ode To Joy) and Britain’s best loved tenor, Alfie Boe (Barcelona).

 

Katherine’s ‘Home Sweet Home’ tour will see her perform tracks off the new album plus favourites featured throughout her extraordinary career.

 

Special guest John Owen-Jones has enjoyed critical acclaim for his award winning performances in the lead role of Jean Valjean in ‘Les Miserables’ (he remains the youngest actor to have played the role) and the title role in The Phantom of the Opera. John will perform much loved songs such as ‘Bring Him Home’ from Les Miserables and ‘Music of The Night’ from The Phantom Of The Opera. After recently returning from the Far East (his first solo show in Tokyo sold out in a record nine minutes!) John is currently in the studio recording his third album for release in March 2015. John says:

 

“Having been a fan of her work for a long time, I am absolutely delighted to be appearing alongside Katherine on what I’m sure will be a hugely successful tour.  I can’t wait to be on the tour next spring and sing in some of the finest venues in the country.  I’ll also get to hear Katherine sing every night!”

 

Tickets for Katherine Jenkin’s Home Sweet Home tour are onsale now and are available at www.gigsandtours.com  / www.ticketmaster.co.uk and 24 cc hotlines 0844 811 0051 / 0844 826 2826.

 

Full dates below:

Wed 11-Feb-2015 – Cambridge Corn Exchange

Thu 12-Feb-2015 – Guildford G Live

Sat 14-Feb-2015 – Nottingham Royal Concert Hall

Sun 15-Feb-2015 – Brighton Dome

Tue 17-Feb-2015 – London Royal Festival Hall

Wed 18-Feb-2015 – Bristol Colston Hall

Fri 20-Feb-2015 – Plymouth Pavilions

Sat 21-Feb-2015 – Bournemouth International Centre

Mon 23-Feb-2015 – Sheffield City Hall

Wed 25-Feb-2015 – York Barbican

Thu 26-Feb-2015 – Edinburgh Usher Hall

Sat 28-Feb-2015 – Gateshead Sage 1

Mon 02-Mar-2015 – Liverpool Philharmonic Hall

Tue 03-Mar-2015 – Manchester Bridgewater Hall

Thu 05-Mar-2015 – Llandudno Venue Cymru Theatre

Sat 07-Mar-2015 – Birmingham Symphony Hall

Sun 08-Mar-2015 – Birmingham Symphony Hall

Tue 10-Mar-2015 – Ipswich Regent

Wed 11-Mar-2015 – Southend Cliff Pavilion

Fri 13-Mar-2015 – Oxford New Theatre

Sat 14-Mar-2015 – Cardiff Motorpoint Arena

 

www.katherinejenkins.co.uk

twitter.com/kathjenkins

www.johnowenjones.com

Prince of Wales Theatre, London – 15 February 2015

Awards concerts are an experience, almost like a show for a show.  Entering the theatre via the red carpet with flashes going off everywhere makes you feel incredibly important and glamorous.

Sitting in the bar, mingling with the great and the good of the theatre world and celeb spotting before the show begins is as entertaining as watching the performances.

But the time came to take our seats in the stalls and watch one of the best concerts by far.

Mel Giedroyc started the evening off with her hilarious song and dance routine “My West End Dream” and then Steve Furst joined her on stage for a comical and amusing presentation of the awards.

For me, one of the best musical numbers of the night is Sophie Louise Dann singing Ideal World from Made In Dagenham.  Dann has an outstanding voice and this one shows off her amazing vocals.  But all the vocals tonight are of world class standard and Beverley Knight belts out a song from the fabulous Memphis  and from Miss Saigon, Rachelle Ann Go and Eva Noblezada give us Movie in my Mind.

By the interval the audience are all itching to see Tom Hiddleston and David Tennant in the stalls bar.  And then its back to the awards.

Starting off part two we have a sensational Rodgers and Hammerstein tribute to start us off.  Followed by a show stopping performance from Victoria Hamilton-Barritt, Nathan Amzi and the talented cast of In The Heights; a breathtaking performance from Dogfight’s Laura Jane Matthewson and a thrilling ensemble piece from Sweeney Todd.  All too soon we end the show but boy what an ending by Melanie La Barrie, Amy Lennox and the phenomenal Anna Jane Casey.

Miss Saigon won the night with 9 awards.  But there were some fabulous surprises with the winners and some excellent acceptance speeches.  These are the only awards voted for entirely by the public and it makes the show all the more interesting for it.

Full Winners List

 

Not exactly a show but still worthy of a review is the Theatre Cafe on Shaftesbury Avenue.  Diagonally opposite the Queens Theatre home of Les Miserables, this lovely little cafe is so worth a visit.

With the walls adorned with posters, pictures and props from the shows, show music playing in the background (Legally Blonde when we visited) and added extra’s like dressing room mirrors in the stage door toilets.

The staff were lovely, the prices reasonable and the cakes superb.

And there is also the chance to book theatre tickets with your drink, as you can use one of the many booking tablets to see availability and prices and best deals.

It is a really wonderful little place, a gem in the heart of the West End not to be missed

Arts Theatre, London – 14 February 2015

Its a strange phenomenon, paying good money to be scared silly.  As you sit in the auditorium waiting for the show to start the atmosphere begins to build.  The drip of water, the scary music, all psychologically designed to build the mood before the show begins.  And the conspiracy of fear grows, as we introduce ourselves to random strangers so that when we jump and scream and cry on their shoulder, we are slightly more intimate than crying on a completely random stranger.

From a technical aspect, the show is fascinating.  Relying on minimal lighting and the imagination of the audience to carry it through.  From a visual, sat in the audience, aspect the show is spine-chillingly frightening.  You are warned from the beginning that the show is not for a nervous disposition but the strongest and bravest would find it hard not to jump at the shocking twists and turns that this show puts you through.

The show is pure brilliance, well written, well acted and technically outstanding.  Its closing soon so if you want to see it, and you really should, get there soon