10. Kelsey Grammer

After nearly two decades as crotchety psychiatrist Frasier Crane on ‘Cheers’ and the eponymous sitcom ‘Frasier’, Kelsey Grammer knew a few things about playing flawed characters. In this 2004 television musical, he plays Scrooge alongside a veritable ‘who’s who’ of TV stars including Seinfeld’s Jason Alexander as Marley, Ally McBeal’s Jane Krakowski as the Ghost of Christmas Past, and Jennifer Love Hewitt as Scrooge’s childhood sweetheart, Emily.

Seymour Hicks

9. Seymour Hicks

Before Tommy Steele became one of London’s longest-running Scrooges, Seymour Hicks beat him to the title by performing the role thousands of times, beginning on stage in 1901 and creating the first onscreen appearance of the role in the silent 1913 film Scrooge. He played the role yet again on film, this time in a talkie in 1935. In between he played the role more or less annually for thirty years on London stages.

8. Bill Murray

In the 1988 film ‘Scrooged’, Bill Murray plays a modern-day version of Ebenezer – a soulless TV executive who has put money above everything else. The three ghosts arrive in the form of a New York taxicab driver, a pixie fairy, and a monster with a television screen for a face to teach him the true meaning of Christmas.

7. George C. Scott

After famously turning down two Academy Award nominations and even the Oscar itself, George C. Scott had firmly established himself as Hollywood’s biggest curmudgeon when he took on the role of Scrooge in a made-for-television adaptation of ‘A Christmas Carol’ in 1984. It is generally considered to be one of the best screen adaptations of Dickens’ beloved novel.

6. Jim Carrey

One of the most recent takes on the classic role came from funnyman Jim Carrey, who also voiced the three ghosts in the 2009 animated film ‘A Christmas Carol’. It was directed by Robert Zemeckis who used his performance capture animation techniques to create the fantastic 3D effects.

5. Scrooge McDuck

After being created in 1947, Scrooge McDuck finally got to take on the role of his namesake in ‘Mickey’s Christmas Carol’ in 1983. With Mickey Mouse as Bob Cratchit, Goofy as Jacob Marley, and Jiminy Cricket as the Ghost of Christmas Past, this adaptation offers an all-star cast of an entirely different kind.

4. Albert Finney

The first actor to take on the role in Leslie Bricusse’s Scrooge was Albert Finney. Though more known for his dramatic work, he managed to sing and dance his way into a Golden Globe Award for his performance.

3. Tommy Steele

The Palladium’s most beloved star, Tommy Steele first played the role of Scrooge in 2003. In the past decade, he has performed the role in Bricusse’s version of ‘A Christmas Carol’ more times than any other actor in the world. His enthusiasm knows no bounds as he leads a full cast in this year’s holiday celebration.

2. Patrick Stewart

After playing the role several times on stage in London and on Broadway, Patrick Stewart immortalised his performance as Ebenezer Scrooge in the 1999 film adaptation of A Christmas Carol. This version also starred Richard E. Grant as Bob Cratchit, Joel Grey as the Ghost of Christmas Past, and Dominic West as Scrooge’s nephew Fred.

1. Michael Caine

Topping our list of famous Scrooges is Michael Caine, who played the role in the wonderful ‘Muppet Christmas Carol’. He manages to turn in a surprisingly moving performance even opposite Rizzo the Rat as Charles Dickens, Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy as the Cratchits, and Statler and Waldorf as Jacob and “Robert” Marley.

The show is a fitting tribute to A Chorus Line’s original composer, Marvin Hamlisch who sadly passed away in August 2012. Hamlisch was a great friend of the London Palladium theatre owner, Andrew Lloyd Webber, who has since paid tribute to his friend as well as expressing his enthusiasm for the revival.

Cast and Creatives

‘Eastenders’ star John Partridge takes on the role of tyrannical director Zach. Appearing as his on-off girlfriend, Cassie, who is auditioning for the show is Scarlett Strallen, who previously led the cast of Singin’ in the Rain at the Palace Theatre. After starring in Flashdance the musical, Victoria Hamilton-Barritt plays Diana, a sassy Puerto Rican dancer who sings the classic “What I Did for Love.” Leigh Zimmerman returns to the West End as Sheila, an ageing diva, after appearing as Velma Kelly in Chicago. They are joined by Lucy Adcock (Judy), Georgie Ashford (Trisha), Ed Currie (Bobby), Frances Dee (Kristine), Segun Fawole (Butch), Harry Francis (Mark), Simon Hardwick (Al), Rebecca Herszenhon (Val), James T Lane (Richie), Vicki Lee Taylor (Maggie), Daisy Maywood (Bebe), Alastair Postlethwaite (Larry), Andy Rees (Greg), Adam Salter (Mike), Alexzandra Sarmiento (Connie), Michael Steedon (Tom), Gary Watson (Don), Gary Wood (Paul), Rebecca Giocopazzi, Genevieve Nicole and Ashley Nottingham. Alice Jane Murray and Marc Leslie also join the company after being picked out of hundreds of hopefuls who attended the revival’s open auditions at the London Palladium.

An Interview With Baayork Lee

Cheap Theatre Tickets managed to sit down with famed choreographer Baayork Lee as the cast of A Chorus Line was finalised. In this exclusive interview, Baayork discusses the casting process, how the show came into being, and her excitement at returning to the London Palladium, where she made her West End debut.

Synopsis and Songs

The show opens on an empty stage at a Broadway theatre in 1975. As the lights come up, an audition in underway. We see the Director Zach and dancer Larry put a group of hopefuls through their paces, all hoping to be part of the chorus in the next Broadway hit. As dancers are cut, we are left with a line of 17. Instead of getting each individual to read lines, Zach decides to interview each member of the line, encouraging them to speak freely about their life as a dancer. As the group begin to loosen up, we hear a mix of songs and monologues from each character as the audition process progresses. One of Zach’s ex girlfriends Cassie is in the line and she begs him to put her back in the chorus, despite him saying she is too good. Through each interview, the audience learns exactly what it means to be a dancer, as the final 8 are selected. The structure of A Chorus Line was seen to be experimental at its first outing, as intead of the popular ‘book’ musicals of the day, the songs arrived naturally and organically. The score features a number of hit songs such as “I Can Do That”, “Dance: 10 Looks: 3″, “What I Did for Love” and the rousing “One”. A more detailed synopsis.

Show Length and Times

Performances of A Chorus Line run Monday – Saturday at 7.45pm and matinees (from February the 13^th) are on Wednesday and Saturday at 3pm. The show lasts 2 hours and runs without an interval. Please note that the show features some mild sexual references. Children under the age of 5 will not be admitted into the auditorium.

Official Tickets

Official tickets for A Chorus Line at the London Palladium can be found by using the search form to the left of the page. Simply select the month you wish to see the show and the amount of tickets you require for various seating and pricing options.

Scrooge tickets are available now!

THIS SHOW HAS NOW CLOSED. YOU CAN NO LONGER BUY TICKETS.

The musical interpretation of the Dickensian classic A Christmas Carol, ‘Scrooge’, opened at in October 2012 at the London Palladium and will run until January 12th 2013. This Christmas treat wowed London audiences and brought a real air of holiday magic to the West End.

‘Scrooge’ is written by award-winning composer Leslie Bricusse, who whimsically turned Dickens’ festive tale into an all singing and all dancing extravaganza! The musical follows the story of Ebenezer Scrooge who is visited by three ghosts on Christmas eve, showing him his past, present and future. Set in Victorian London this lively show featured a talented cast and ensemble, with musical numbers such as ‘Thank You Very Much’, ‘I Hate People’, ‘December 25th’ and ‘I’ll Begin Again’. The musical has played all over the world, and was originally a 1970 movie musical starring Albert Finney. The song ‘Thank You Very Much’ was nominated for an Academy Award.

Producer Bill Kenwright previously mounted this production at the London Palladium back in 2005 and the show has enjoyed multiple UK and North American tours. Actors such as Shane Ritchie have brought the role of Scrooge to life, but this time stage legend Tommy Steele reprised his role in the company for the 2012/13 outing. The 75-year-old actor has starred in musicals such as ‘Half A Sixpence’, ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ and ‘Some Like it Hot’ and is known as an entertainer all around the world. Having previously played the role on numerous occasions, Steele was a huge attraction to this Christmas production.

Full Scrooge Cast

The full cast of Scrooge at the London Palladium included:

BREAKING NEWS – Charlie and the Chocolate Factory will premiere at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane

Producers have confirmed the new musical will open at Drury Lane in summer 2013. Read more here.

With one Roald Dahl musical flourishing in the West End, producers are hoping that lightning will strike the same place twice as a musical version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is in the pipeline for early 2013. Rumours of the show have been circulating online for the past year, and much discussion has been had as to who is attached to the project. The show was originally thought to open in the 2012 season, but due to the Olympics and other factors, big shows have pushed back their opening dates until the new year. The transfer of Broadway hit The Book of Mormon has recently announced it will open in March 2013 following previews from 25th February. It is likely that Charlie and the Chocolate Factory will open in the spring, as the awards season begins in earnest.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory will be based on the 1964 children’s book by Roald Dahl, which has already inspired numerous adaptations, including the 1971 musical film starring Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka. The film relocated the book to America and was heavily criticised by Dahl for changes to the plot and the overall feel of the adaptation. He felt too much emphasis had been placed on the character of Wonka and ultimately disowned the film, banning production on the sequel, ‘Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator’. The songs written for the film were by musical theatre composers Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley, who have provided the score to musicals such as ‘Stop the World I Want to Get Off’ and ‘Doctor Doolittle’. Songs included: ‘I’ve Got a Golden Ticket’, ‘The Candyman Can’, ‘Pure Imagination’ and ‘The Oompa Loompa Song’ which became favourites with children all around the world. The show is currently licensed by Musical Theatre International, under the name ‘Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka’ and is often performed by amateur companies all over America.

The film was remade by Tim Burton in 2005 starring Johnny Depp in the role of Willy Wonka. It was in development since 1991, but faced restrictions from the Dahl estate over casting and creative team after Dahl was so disappointed with the original movie. The tone of the film was a lot darker than the original, with Tim Burton putting his own spin on the story creating a new way of looking at Wonka and the chocolate factory setting. The film divided opinion although it was a commercial success, grossing almost $500,000 worldwide. Danny Elfman provided the score to the new adaptation, although the songs were unforgettable, unlike the Bricusse and Newley originals.

It is thought the musical will be a new adaptation that is closer to the book and different to both film versions. A new score by Hairspray writers Marc Shaiman and Scott Whittman, who have recently been working on the NBC show Smash  will bring the show to life. Hollywood director Sam Mendes has been attached to the project since the beginning, and the schedule has allowed him to film the new Bond film ‘Skyfall’ and remain as director. His many successful musical offerings at the Donmar Warehouse have shown him to be one of the UK’s finest theatre directors and his vision of Dahl’s world would be exciting and invigorating. Multi award-winning choreographer Peter Darling is also said to be attached to the project, and this would be the second Dahl musical for him to work on in as many years, after his outstanding work on Matilda for the RSC. Designer Mark Thompson is said to have started work on the set designs which will be one of his biggest projects to date, although he has collected Olivier Awards for his designs for ‘The Comedy of Errors’ and ‘The Wind in the Willows’.

The story follows a young boy from a deprived background as he wins an exclusive ‘golden ticket’ to tour the factory of wacky chocolate maker Willy Wonka. Entering into this crazy world, young Charlie and four extremely spoilt children are shown the workings of the factory and get a behind the scenes look at a world of chocolate rivers, Oompa Loompas and angry squirrels.

Next up at the London Palladium is expected to be a short run of a Christmas musical, filling the gap before the long rumoured production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory takes over the theatre from March 2013. Productions of ‘Scrooge’ and ‘White Christmas’ have been rumoured to fill the gap, but no official announcement has been made.

This new production of The Wizard of Oz will live on around the world, and is thought to become the official licensed version. The show will open in Canada in December 2012 at Toronto’s Ed Mirvish Theatre following a similar televised search to find a Dorothy and Toto. Tickets are still available for performances in London up until September 2nd, and can be purchased at discount rates from the search bar to the side of the page.

Des O’Connor

Comedy veteran Des O’Connor will take over the role of The Wizard in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Wizard of Oz, it was announced today. 80-year-old O’Connor will replace Russell Grant who fulfilled the role for three months following Michael Crawford’s departure from the principal role.

He will play alongside Over the Rainbow’s Sophie Evans as Dorothy, starting from May 22nd. In response to the announcement, Evans said, “I am SO excited! He’s SUCH a gentleman. He’s really nice. I can’t wait. It’s going to change it up again. It keeps it exciting.”

O’Connor is set to be the oldest Wizard yet with Michael aged 70 and Russell aged 61. Evans added: “Age is a big thing. And I hear he has got a really lovely singing voice! I can’t wait to hear him sing ‘Wonders of the World.’” Evans said she is looking forward to playing alongside a new style of Wizard, saying Russell’s was playful and Michael’s was classic.

The announcement of O’Connor’ arrival has put to bed rumours that the show is due to close.

Having first appeared on television in 1979 talking about his favourite subject – astrology, Grant went on to become Britain’s beloved astrologer and appeared on numerous television shows offering his advice and knowledge in the field. He has since taken part in several shows including his own for Sky One in 2004, and appeared on reality TV shows Celebrity Fit Club and Kitchen Burnout. He recently appeared on Strictly, famously being catapulted out of a rocket during one routine, and simultaneously catapulting himself back into the hearts of the Nation. Now, he will star as a leading role on the famous West End stage of the Palladium.

Russell has said of his new role as the Wizard,

“I am thrilled to be back where I’m at my happiest – in showbiz! I want to thank the great British public for their kindness in supporting me in Strictly: without them, I wouldn’t be back in the West End again.”

Taking over from Michael Crawford who originated the role, Grant is set to play the Wizard for a limited run of 12 weeks. Joining him is Sophie Evans as Dorothy who replaces Danielle Hope. Evans was a runner-up in BBC’s Over the Rainbow which Hope won, narrowly missing out on the main role. Since the show opened at the London Palladium in March 2011 however, she has been understudying the character and playing Dorothy on certain dates. Now, she will play the part full-time.

Be sure to catch Russell in the role during his limited run!

What do you think of Russell Grant taking over from Michael Crawford? Do you think he will make a good Wizard or can you think of someone else who you think would be good in the role? Add your comments below!

Danielle Hope will be on holiday for the weeks commencing 30th October, 2nd to 6th November and 14th to 18th December 2011. She will also not perform on Tuesdays, with her understudy, Sophie Evans taking the lead on all of these dates.

Both Danielle Hope and Sophie Evans appeared on the prime-time BBC1 show Over The Rainbow, in which Andrew Lloyd Webber sought to find the perfect girl to play Dorothy in his then-upcoming show at the London Palladium of The Wizard of Oz. Danielle won the show securing her place as Dorothy, with Sophie Evans coming in second place.

The Wizard of Oz opened in March 2011 to great reviews and continues to play to packed-out audiences.

THIS SHOW HAS NOW CLOSED. YOU CAN NO LONGER BUY TICKETS

For over a year, the London Palladium was home to one of the most well-known and loved stories of all time, The Wizard of Oz. Originally a children’s novel written by L. Frank Baum in 1900 and later adapted into a musical version for the big screen by MGM in 1939, The Wizard of Oz tells the bewitching tale of a girl named Dorothy from Kansas, who, along with her pet dog Toto, finds herself in a distant and magical land after a powerful tornado strikes her family’s farm house and whips her away to Oz. Meeting friends along the way such as the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion, Dorothy journeys down the yellow brick road in search of the Wizard in the hope of finding her way back home to Kansas.

The new stage version of The Wizard of Oz, which played at the London Palladium, was adapted and developed from the classic 1939 film version starring Judy Garland, and  produced by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Bill Kenwright. Featuring all of the songs associated with the 1939 movie and loved by young and old alike such as Follow the Yellow Brick Road, We’re Off to See the Wizard and of course, Somewhere Over the Rainbow, The Wizard of Oz also included some surprises in the form of new songs written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. After opening in March 2011, the show was extremely popular due to its previous publicity on BBC1’s talent contest show, Over the Rainbow, in which Lloyd Webber set out to find himself the right Dorothy for the stage show. The production finally closed on 2 September 2012.

Cast Information

The cast for The Wizard of Oz included Michael Crawford and Des O’Connor as the Wizard. O’Connor is well-known as a TV personality and variety entertainer and has enjoyed a rich history of performing in musicals and plays. He recently enjoyed a West End stint in ‘Dreamboats and Petticoats’ at the Playhouse Theatre. The role of Dorothy was played by Danielle Hope and Sophie Evans, the winner and runner up of the BBC’s Over the Rainbow, respectively, both making their West End stage debuts as the girl from Kansas trying to find her way home. Other cast members included David Ganly as the Lion, Paul Keating as the Scarecrow and Edward Baker-Duly as the Tin Man.

Critics’ Reviews

“Technically, dramatically and emotionally, The Wizard of Oz glistens. I would go so far as to say it re-defines what a great West End show is. I am limited to giving it five stars today, but I would say it is off the scale – this is a 10-star production if ever there was one.”
Tim Walker, the Sunday Telegraph

“Danielle Hope, picked for the role of Dorothy by the public on BBC show Over the Rainbow, makes a winning impression. Her performance combines innocence with easy charm, and her voice soars.”
Henry Hitchings, the Evening Standard

“The star of the show is undoubtedly the set and costume designer, Robert Jones. The Kansas cyclone that whisks Dorothy into a dreamworld is evoked through vorticist projections (the work of Jon Driscoll) that betoken chaos in the cosmos. The Yellow Brick Road is on a tilted revolve from inside which poppyfields and labyrinthine forest emerge. The Emerald City is full of steeply inclined walls suggesting a drunkard’s vision of the Chrysler Building lobby. And the Wicked Witch of the West inhabits a rotating dungeon that might be a Piranesi nightmare.”
Michael Billington, the Guardian

 Videos

If you are curious to see what the show was like, then why not view one of the videos below? These videos have been chosen by us from around the web for you to watch and enjoy!

Hi-definition footage from the London production of The Wizard of Oz, featuring the original cast performing ‘Merry Old Land of Oz’:

One of the new songs in the musical, sung by the Wicked Witch who was played by Hannah Waddingham. This creepy new song was written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice for the London production:

Add Your Review!

Did you see The Wizard of Oz after it opened at the London Palldium in 2011? Were you impressed by the scenery and choreography or did the musical leave you wishing you could click your heels, go home and put on the DVD instead? Add your review of the show in the comments box below!