Tobias Turley wins ITV’s Mamma Mia! I Have a
Dream public vote to play the role of Sky in the
West End

Following the televised competition, rising West End star Tobias Turley, represented by BBA Management, has won the public vote for ITV’s Mamma Mia! I Have a Dream alongside Stevie Doc. The live final took place at the Novello Theatre yesterday with Tobias singing his heart out to land one of the most sought-after leading man roles in the West End. He has danced, sung and acted his way through challenges, songs and sand to find his Sophie to whisk down the aisle.

This marks the start of a hugely promising career for the young talent who will be thanking audiences for taking a chance on him. Following his graduation in musical theatre from Guildford School of Acting, he performed the role of Kurt in Heathers The Musical (The Other Palace) and he is raring to take on his next challenge performing in the global smash-hit Mamma Mia! as Sky.

Tobias Turley comments, I genuinely have no words, I’m speechless. I feel so grateful to everyone at home who voted for me, and to everyone who has worked on this show for always being so kind to me. This has been the best experience of my life and I am so thankful, it really means the world.

Bronia Buchanan, agency director, comments, Tobias Turley is a rising star, talented, dedicated, hard-working, kind, compassionate and intelligent; it is an incredible achievement to win this role in Mamma Mia by public vote.

The much-loved new show was hosted by presenter and Radio DJ Zoe Ball over the last few months on ITV. The judging panel consisted of comedian and TV personality Alan Carr, singer songwriter Jessie Ware, WhatsOnStage and Olivier Award winner Amber Riley and Samantha Barks, star of Frozen.

Bronia Buchanan’s BBA Management, who represent Tobias Turley, provides complete personal management covering all aspects of a client’s career with support and guidance from the team of experienced agents. The agency operates a boutique list of exceptional actors and creative talent with their emphasis on understanding and promoting their specific talents and strengths. This personal and dedicated relationship sees the agency’s clients working in the most critically acclaimed and successful productions, commercials and television, as well as film.

Produced by Fremantle Thames, the search for two actors to play the roles of Sophie and Sky was filmed in the Greek islands, where the musical is set and culminated in a live grand finale, broadcast from a West End theatre.

Tobias Turley and Stevie Doc will star in the show from 29th January 2024.

Nottingham Theatre Royal – until Sunday 14 January 2024

Reviewed by Louise Ford

4****

What’s that you say, a new Dick in town?

The innuendos come thick and fast in the first act. Sadly Dick, we aren’t better than that!

This year’s panto is Dick Whittington written by Alan McHugh with additional material by Matt Slack, although the ad-libs and side comments are all from the cast. The loveable cockney chappie Alfie Moon takes a break from Eastenders to grace the Nottingham stage, although he is soon to be transported back to London in search of the streets paved with gold. Shane Ritchie takes on the central role as Dick Whittington with huge amounts of energy and fun. The accidents and mishaps are brilliantly scripted and have the audience laughing and worrying in equal measure. Keep away from that trap door!

There’s some good role reversals with Anne Smith playing Queen Rat, with her whip lash tail and horde of nasty rodents. She’s looking to take over the city and the world. The Spirit of Bow Bells is played by Dr Ranj all glitter and sparkle, watching over our hero and ensuring he doesn’t come to any real harm.

The love interest, Alice Fitzwarren (Emily Beth Harrington) is light and lovely ,just like a Disney princess, although she’s a dab hand with a sword if needed. Her father, I mean her mother, Sarah the Cook is played by Iain Stuart Robertson. She has an eye for a young man and an extravagant outfit.

Although his coat is a little tatty, Kitty Cat (Kenan-Lewis Smith) performs some amazing springs and bounces and has a great stage presence. His makeup is top notch.
The ensemble perform a range of excellent dances in some pretty tricky headgear.
The story whips along at quite a pace with all the requisite elements for a good panto. The tongue twister keeps both Dick and Sarah on their toes . A big shout out to Pauline from Papplewick. The twelve days of “what I found at the bottom of the sea”, has the audience ducking for cover! And the children up on stage is always good fun and could go wrong at any moment.

I won’t spoil the surprise but there are a couple of special effects which have a great impact of the audience. The first is a little frightening and had some of the younger audience in tears. The second had the audience in the stalls ducking out of the way.

All in all it’s big, bold and brash, and a great way to celebrate this festive time.

Darlington Hippodrome – until Sunday 31 December 2023

5*****

The “Fairest Panto in all the Land” has arrived at the Hippodrome in Darlington.  And there were no bad apples in this show.

Carrying on with the long tradition and pedigree of panto in Darlington, the latest offering is packed full of brilliant costumes, wonderful dancing and lots of silliness for both kids and adults alike. 

The Prince, Gareth Gates, was most charming, impressing with his muscles and his outstanding vocals. Snow White, Marina Lawrence-Mahrra, has a beautiful singing voice, beautiful and controlled, and it is a shame she doesn’t get more singing to do in this production.

Jenny Ryan’s Queen Dragonella was suitably evil, but it was disappointing that she only had one song, when we know she has a beautiful singing voice. However her character made us boo every time she entered the stage.

Comic relief comes in the form of Muddles, Josh Benson, who entertained us all with his constant energy, his clever juggling and his massive array of jokes. Benson was very much the star of the show. There was plenty of silliness and no small amount of double entendres.

Glamour from Mrs Nellie Nightnurse (Jamie Jones, who was woefully underused and could definitely do with more stage time) with some stunning and surreal costumes.  The “Magnificent Seven” (Jonny Weston, Eva-Theresa Chkarian, Will Keeler, James Lowrie, JB Maya, Logan McQuillan and Charlotte Northover) were normal sized actors shuffling on their knees which can’t be comfortable and may explain why their appearances were few and far between.

With a fine ensemble of dancers (India Chadwick, Robert Donnelly, Jay Jobarteh, Annis Rallis, Fenella Speed and Harley Stephen) this is full of all the traditional panto staples but also with some fabulous effects.  

As one would expect, the production values are very high, so it’s important to mention the fabulous technical crew because without them it would be very quiet and very dark on stage.  The Tech Crew rarely get thanked but technical theatre is as much an art form as the singing and dancing and the live band (Tim Hammond, Tim Farmer, Peter Brent and Bob Broad) were excellent too. Crossroads Pantomimes manage to fit so much into this show it’s a feat of theatrical magic itself – there are all the elements you could hope for in a panto and so much more. Guaranteed to leave you with a huge grin on your face.

THE WINNER TAKES IT ALL!

STEVIE DOC AND TOBIAS TURLEY CROWNED THE WINNERS OF ITV1’S MAMMA MIA! I HAVE A DREAM IN SPECTACULAR GRAND FINALE

DUO SECURE THE MONEY CAN’T BUY PRIZE – LEAD ROLES IN THE WEST END PRODUCTION OF MAMMA MIA!

Sunday 10^th December: After eight unmissable weeks of singing, dancing, and acting their way to a place in the final, Stevie Doc and Tobias Turley have tonight been crowned the winners of MAMMA MIA! I Have a Dream, securing them a money can’t buy prize – the lead roles of Sophie and Sky in the West End production of MAMMA MIA!

Filmed in the idyllic setting of Greece where the MAMMA MIA! story is set, viewers have been treated across the series to incredible performances from the talented cast made up of 14 aspiring musical theatre performers. Each week, the theatre star hopefuls were put through their paces with a series of workshops, where they were mentored by MAMMA MIA!’s choreographer Anthony Van Laast and musical director Martin Lowe before being whittled down to the final four by judges Alan Carr, Jessie Ware, Amber Riley and Samantha Barks, under the watchful eye of the creator and global producer of MAMMA MIA! Judy Craymer.

The two girls vying for the highly sought after role of Sophie were Stevie Doc, 22, a musical theatre teacher from Glasgow and Esme Bowdler, 23, a barista from Chester. Hoping to land the role of Sky was Owen Johnston, 25, a theatre usher from Belfast and Tobias Turley, 23, a singing waiter from Somerset.

But it was down to the great British public to make the difficult choice on deciding who of the four will take the prize tonight with host Zoe Ball revealing the worthy winners to the nation in the show stopping final live from the Novello Theatre, the West End home of MAMMA MIA!

Over the course of the 75-minute live TV event, viewers were treated to stunning performances from Greece, including a show stopping medley of MAMMA MIA! hits. It was then down to the finalists who were given another chance to impress the judges, and most importantly, the voting viewers at home, with the solo performance of their lives, performed live at the West End home of MAMMA MIA!, the Novello Theatre. The show fittingly culminated with a sensational group performance of ‘The Winner Takes It All’ before Zoe Ball revealed who the public had chosen to win the roles of Sophie and Sky.

On her win, Stevie, who performed a breath-taking version of ABBA’s classic ‘Thank You for the Music’ said: “I’m honestly lost for words. This is something I could never have imagined, and I am so grateful to have been given the opportunity to even be on the show, never mind win it! Thank you to everyone who has supported me and helped me to make this happen!”

After winning the public vote, an ecstatic Tobias, who performed ‘I’ve Been Waiting For You’ added: “I genuinely have no words, I’m speechless. I feel so grateful to everyone at home who voted for me, and to everyone who has worked on this show for always being so kind to me. This has been the best experience of my life and I am so thankful, it really means the world.”

After celebrating their momentous victory, the two will head straight into rehearsals with the MAMMA MIA! cast, before their debut West End performance in just seven weeks’ time, on Monday 29^th January 2024 in London’s Novello Theatre.

Creator and Global Producer of MAMMA MIA! Judy Craymer has closely followed the winners’ journeys from the very beginning. Commenting on her new cast members, Judy said: “It’s a joyous result and I’m delighted to welcome Stevie Doc and Tobias Turley to join the West End cast in this very specialyear celebrating MAMMA MIA!’s 25^th anniversary. All our contestants are so talented and worked so hard, they went through the most intensive musical theatre boot camp with such energy, flair and commitment. They were all such a joy to work with and are all winners in my eyes.”

Since premiering in London in 1999, the irresistible feelgood musical has captured the hearts of millions around the globe. The sunny, funny tale of a mother, a daughter and three possible dads on a Greek island idyll, all unfolding to the magic of ABBA’s timeless pop masterpieces, has now been seen live on stage by 65 million people across the globe. 

The success of MAMMA MIA! has spawned two record-breaking blockbuster films, MAMMA MIA! The Movie and MAMMA MIA! Here We Go Again, produced by Judy Craymer and starring a host of stars including Meryl Streep, Christine Baranski, Julie Walters, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgård, Amanda Seyfried, Dominic Cooper, Lily James and Cher. 

2024 will see the musical land its 25^th year on the West End, with Stevie Doc and Tobias Turley being part of the cast celebrating this incredible milestone.

Tickets for MAMMA MIA! starring Stevie Doc and Tobias Turley are on sale now at http://www.mamma-mia.com/. MAMMA MIA! I Have a Dream is available to stream on ITVX.

Forum Theatre, Malvern – 9th December 2023

Reviewed by Courie Amado Juneau

4****

Armonico Consort brought two versions of a Baroque continental Christmas to Malvern.

The first half was an Italianate Christmas celebration of diverse works by Claudio Monteverdi and Giovanni Gabrieli. Director (also conductor) Christopher Monks regaled us with a witty introduction regarding what to expect, including some interesting background about the choices of pieces that would make up tonight’s programme.

It was very interesting to hear the instrumental ensemble (the “Baroque Players”) with their wonderful sounding organ – an instrument that I always love to hear in any musical setting – and string quartet. I’m presuming they were using period instruments and bows with gut strings (or modern recreations of the same) since the sound was more mellow than their modern, brasher equivalents. The same mellow sound was produced by the 2 cornetts, 3 sackbuts and dulcian of The English Cornett & Sackbut Ensemble. A very exotic sound from the assembled orchestra.

The musical entertainment began with a solo voice, ushering in more singers and instruments before the full force of the assembled (largish) choir and orchestra took over. This type of Baroque music is rich in harmonic invention and multiple interweaving vocal lines of dazzling complexity. Baroque choral music is not my natural home and at times I did find the density a tad impenetrable. Many in the audience seemed much more au fait with this genre than I was and thoroughly appreciated the music produced; so it is obvious that the musicians had represented the music faithfully and with distinction. The second half was the Germanic Christmas setting, gathering together works by Michael Praetorius. I preferred this half of the concert to the first as it seemed simpler (less dense) – despite the fact that the last piece “In Dulci Jubilo” was in 21 parts! Beautiful and challenging in equal measure I felt.

Although I wasn’t convinced that we gained much by all the musicians moving around the stage and auditorium (often delivering their parts from among the crowd, behind our sitting position) it was interesting to hear what must be the first “surround sound” in history. I also found the text very difficult to follow, despite having a programme, due to the complexity of the music and the fact that I don’t speak Latin. I therefore found it impossible to know which bit of music was being performed at any given moment. This wouldn’t have been in issue in the music’s original context (church Christmas celebrations) but I did find that my attention was often diverted whilst I attempted to work out where we were or which composer I was currently listening to.

Despite these minor points, the musicianship was beyond question and it was most certainly a popular set of compositions (and composers) judging by the very appreciative reaction from the well packed auditorium. I’m looking forward to the Consort’s return in February for the world premiere of Scarlatti’s “Daniele” and a work I do know – Handel’s “Dixit Dominus”.

The Mill, Sonning – until 20th January 2024

Reviewed by Marcia Spiers

4****

Directed by Joe Pitcher

One cannot help being totally absorbed in the music of Cole Porter. The songs are just so brilliant and ingrained in my brain – I can never tire of them. High Society is indeed a very uplifting show, just the job for a dreary old December afternoon.

Set in 1958 it is a story about class and how individuals no matter their background put on a persona to the world not wishing to reveal who they truly are. Families covering up secrets and pretending that everything is all perfect in a less than perfect world. The focus being a society ball, a mixed bag of guests. Then add a far few drinks and light the touch paper.

Matt Blaker was an excellent choice for Dexter Haven paired alongside Victoria Serra as Tracy Lord (who had a lovely voice) the beautiful woman who just could not make up her mind what she wanted in life. Her perfect world is turned upside down when she discovers her father has been having an affair and when her mother played by Heather Jackson decides to forgive his transgressions, she is less than pleased. Then she finds out that the story will hit the papers and she must find a way of covering it up.

Laura Tyler (Liz Imbrie) and Matthew Jeans (Mike Connor) worked well together as the bogus reporters, with great chemistry and voices to match. Will Richardson gave an impressive performance as the predictable, safe George Kitteridge the polar opposite to the smooth and adventure seeking Dexter Haven.

There were notable performances from Kurt Kansley as the lovable fun Uncle Willie and from Katlo who played the feisty little sister Dinah Lord who liked to meddle in her sister’s love life and ensure that things work out to her satisfaction.

The singing was fabulous, the big numbers delivered with gusto and the solos poignant. All the dancing was excellent and how they all managed to move around what is quite a small area without crashing into each other or tripping over props I do not know. I loved the flamboyant, glamorous costumes and the wonderful attention to the hair styles of that time.

I thoroughly enjoyed this show and would recommend it if you need cheering up between now and the middle of January. Let’s face it this time of year we need all the help we can get!

Forum Theatre, Malvern – 8th December 2023

Reviewed by Courie Amado Juneau

5*****

I have had the enormous pleasure of seeing the English Symphony Orchestra before and on each occasion they have given us an evening of sparkling musical pleasure. Tonight would prove to be no exception.

They opened with Brahms much loved Double Concerto. With a tune to knock your socks off right out of the blocks, the ESO impressed immediately with strident strings, muscular tutti and a precision of timing that has yet again blown me away.

Maja Bogdanović opening cello salvo was a virtuosic display designed to dazzle. I particularly enjoyed the double stopping, the strummed chords and harmonics. A master of her instrument, she makes it sing, roar and weep. There’s something about the cellos low notes dug into with gusto that stir the soul and give praise to the musical Gods.

Tonight’s other soloist, violinist Daniel Rowland, was equally compelling, the perfect partner with Maja, I loved his full throttled florid runs – especially as he did it with such apparent effortlessness. I also enjoyed his rock star like stage presence (think Slash with a violin). Both master musicians had great physicality and their timing with each other was precision itself; to an almost superhuman extent. They sounded like one soloist with 4 hands and two brains! The orchestra had perfect balance, bringing out ever nuance in the scores. The strings were particularly brilliant in both execution and sound. The Brahms middle movement was a soulful display of passion and drama. And the last movement had moments which to me sounded like a Poirot TV score (rather modern). An amazing work played flawlessly and the perfect way to start a concert! Daniel and Maja gave us an unexpected additional gift: Pēteris Vasks “Castillo Interior”. Two outer chorale like movements of aching beauty sandwiched a frantic middle movement. A magical piece which I will seek out again – Daniel told me that they have a recording of the work on Spotify.

After the interval it was Sibelius 5th Symphony. This early 20th Century work, gave us a totally different soundworld with the orchestra’s phenomenal brass section expanded to great effect. As in the first half, the entire orchestra sounded fantastic and those impressively crisp endings were awe inspiring, showing the intimate connection between players and Kenneth Woods masterful, sensitive conducting. The entire piece was a masterclass in tension building and, most satisfyingly, releases of epic proportions. Mr Woods had given us an entertaining talk regarding the concept of the final piece: “Fermeture” (an overture to end rather than open a programme) by Composer-in-Association Steve Elcock. This fabulous World Premiere was like a film score you might hear over end credits; with (to my ears) elements of Star Wars’s Stormtroopers, love themes, humour and romance… It was a most welcome addition and a piece that deserves to be heard repeatedly.

As ever, the ESO gave us a programme to thrill and delight with world class playing to rival any orchestra anywhere. We are fortunate to have such an exceptional Worcestershire based orchestra and I urge everyone with even the slightest interest in superb music making to catch their next concert. Once again (and until the next time) – Bravissimo!

The Lowry, Salford – until 7th January 2024

Review by Rebecca Hampson

4****

Based on the award-winning novel by Kate Pankhurst this musical adaptation of ‘Fantastically Great Women Who Changed The World’ highlights the incredible women who have inspired the way women are able to live today.

The musical introduces us to key women in history such as Frida Kahlo, Rosa Parks, Amelia Earhart, Marie Curie, Emmeline Pankhurst and more through pop style hits and synchronised dance routines giving each woman a new modern take through costume.

I was particularly impressed by the staging of this production with set being incorporated as a method of storytelling and introducing us to each new character.

This musical is reminiscent of the recent hit ‘Six’ which saw its success through audience participation which this show relies heavily on. Through asking us to sing and clap along I witnessed and heard many young girls and boys fully immersed in the story.

The show teaches us the importance of highlighting female power and acknowledging the incredible women who have paved the way for the life we are able to enjoy today. We may still have a way to go but this musical provides hope for our future generation as they fight for our equality.

I would recommend this show for anyone with a young child who will benefit greatly from the history it teaches.

The Other Palace Studio – until 7 January 2024

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

4****

This version of the Cinderella story is a blast – camp, catty and a wonderful celebration of musical theatre. Having seen writers Jodie Prenger and Neil Hurst’s Socially Distant Ball a few years ago, I was excited to see this updated production – and it did not disappoint.

With Reuben Speed’s simple but dazzling costumes and set – wheelie toilets! – this show is all about the writing and the performances, and the cast play a belter. May Tether’s Cinderella (dressed in a trashy pastiche of Carrie Hope Fletcher’s ALW outfit) is a feisty heroine who can more than hold her own against her awful stepsisters, Fanny (Veronica Green) and Vajayjay (Imelda Warren-Green). This dreadful duo steals every scene, with Veronica Green the sharp and terrifying one and Warren-Green the clueless and cruel sister. They work brilliantly as a team, and their audience interaction is a big hit. Warren-Green is hilarious with her gormless expressions and gait like a Thunderbird with their strings cut. Keanna Bloomfield plays Buttons and the Prince with an arch charm and makes the most of every joke about theatrical budgets and doubling roles. Director Lizzy Connolly turns the constraints of the tiny stage into a running joke and keeps the pacy onslaught of jokes and set pieces ticking along enjoyably.

Prenger and Hurst pack the traditional story of poor Cinders going to the ball and finding her Prince Charming with enough theatrical references to delight the most avid musical theatre fan. There are random lyrics spoken as dialogue and comic versions of numbers from favourite musicals like Hamilton and Six. Warren-Green delivers the traditional patter song with befuddled panache, using the names of theatre shows instead of the usual sweet brands – simply brilliant. A fantastic visual joke featuring the act 2 opening of Jamie Lloyd’s Sunset Blvd. introduces a very random guest star, and Cinders’ increasingly disgruntled fairy godmother appears onscreen with a fabulous cameo from the uncredited original Vajayjay.

You’ll laugh, you’ll groan, you’ll check every crisp packet carefully. A Very Very bad Cinderella is a bijou and bawdy bundle of Christmas joy.

Hull New Theatre – until 9th December 2023

Reviewed by Cath Wright

5*****

The Centre for Contemporary Storytelling presented Turn & Face The Strange The Mick Ronson Story at the Hull New Theatre last night (sponsored by University Quarter and MRN Print). The show is written and produced by Garry Burnett and Rupert Creed and it is Gary and Rupert who are the narrators for the show. From the start it is quite clear that all in the show have an abiding love for Mick Ronson, the man, and for his music, and this results in the most fabulous show.

This is a carefully crafted and unusual show telling the story of Mick Ronson’s life, full of anecdotes from those who knew him, both as recorded soundbites and live in the theatre. Interspersed within the story is the music and oh my word can the Turn & Face The Strange band play, this was some of the very best live music I have heard in a very long time. Four large photos of Mick form a backdrop to the stage together with a screen on which photos and videos relevant to the point in Mick’s life appear. Mick also appears on screen in clips as he talks about various periods in his life, what becomes clear very quickly is that he was a very humble and self-effacing man.

The show takes us from Mick’s humble roots and show how his ethic for hard work was inherited from his Dad, with his Mum fostering his love of music, buying him his first piano. We move on to his involvement in local bands and his first attempt to break into music in London – he was back in Hull in six months and working as a gardener for Hull City Council! John Cambridge (last night’s drummer) then tells the story of how he introduced Mick to David Bowie, and the rest as they say is history.

Turn & Face The Strange delves into the musical influences of Mick and then looks at how these led to his later musical arrangements for David Bowie and others. It also shows clearly that this was a man who never forgot his roots or lost his generosity of spirit.

The band were superb, the sound produced simply sublime. Emily Hanover, Chris Heron, Rebecca Draper, and Catherine Ackroyd were the string quartet opening the show beautifully and providing wonderful backing throughout. Keith “Ched Cheesman (lead guitar), John Cambridge (drums), John Bentley (bass), Phil Keech (keyboards), Kristian Eastwood (lead vocals), Bobby Joyce (guitar and vocals) and Annabel Etheridge (vocals) were just fabulous, tight knit and clearly bouncing off one another and loving every minute of their performance. Keith “Ched” Cheesman played some of the most breath-taking solos on his guitar, just mind-blowing, add in his anecdotes (as he joined Mick Ronson in the local band The Rats back in 1968) and you realise what a privilege it was to see him on the stage. The band played 17 songs, including Jean Genie (Bowie), Jack and Dianne (John Mellencamp), Perfect Day (Reed) and Heroes (Bowie).

Mick Ronson died far too young at the age of 46, and although he was a “musician’s musician”, he is not as well-known as he should be and this show helps to shout his legacy to the roof tops. Mick Ronson is one of Hull’s heroes, a working-class lad who did well and mixed with other incredible musicians, however this is not just a story for Hull but one that any music lover would enjoy, three hours of stories, reminiscences, and the most incredible music. The programme states that this might be the show’s final run, if you get the chance to see it somewhere do not even hesitate just grab a ticket.