Podcasts about Novello Theatre

Kathleen MarshallKathleen began her Broadway career as an assistant to her brother Rob, the choreographer of Kiss of the Spider Woman, in 1993. The two also collaborated on She Loves Me, Damn Yankees , Victor/Victoria and Seussical. She was the artistic director for the Encores! series of staged musical revivals from 1996 through 2000. During that time, she choreographed The Boys from Syracuse, Li'l Abner and Call Me Madam and she directed and choreographed Babes in Arms and Wonderful Town.She also directed and choreographed the Broadway revival of Grease.  I was fortunate enough to catch the Encores! production of Wonderful Town when it transferred to Broadway.Kathleen was also the director and choreographer of the Broadway revival of Pajama Game which opened in February 2006 and which was the Broadway acting debut of Harry Connick Jr.  I'm happy to report I was there too!More pertinent, Kathleen directed and choreographed a Broadway revival of Cole Porter's Anything Goes in 2011, with Sutton Foster as Reno Sweeney.  The show ran at London's Barbican Centre in 2021 and was recorded for television (BBC) by Ross MacGibbon, later picked up by PBS in America.  Kathleen's production is as close to perfect as can be. In fact, she won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Theatre Choreographer. Stephen RidleyIn 2021 Steve joined Kathleen as music supervisor and music director of Anything Goes at the Barbican.  He was also music supervisor of Oklahoma! at Wyndham's Theatre.  Steve conducted the highly-acclaimed Broadway transfers of The King and I at The London Palladium and the Dominion Theatre and An American in Paris at the Dominion Theatre, and he was the music director of the Olivier Award winning revival of Ken Ludwig's Crazy for You at the Novello Theatre.  He later was music supervisor of Kiss me, Kate at the Barbican, now being shown on PBS throughout the U.S.Steve is a music director, conductor and pianist based in London. He was born in Middlesbrough and is a graduate of the Royal College of Music. I'm thrilled that he joined us for this exciting episode!

Tobias Turley is In The Frame!Last year Tobias won ITV's reality show Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream alongside Stevie Doc and went on to star as Sky in the West End production of Mamma Mia! (Novello Theatre). He recently completed his run as Sky and is busy performing in lots of concerts alongside co-hosting Scene Stealers Podcast with Henry Calvert. Tobias trained at Guildford School of Acting. His other theatre credits include Kurt Kelly and understudy JD in Heathers The Musical (The Other Palace), West Side Story (Ljubljana Festival), Giovanni Pernice: Made In Italy (UK Tour) and Sleeping Beauty (Mansfield).In this episode Tobias discusses reflections on his whirlwind year, how he's navigating life after Mamma Mia!, his path into theatre and lots more. Follow Tobias on Instagram: @tobias_turley This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins  @AndrewTomlins32  Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.  

Izi Maxwell recently took over as Sophie in the West End production of Mamma Mia!The show marks both Izi's official West End and leading lady debut. Mamma Mia! celebrated its 25th birthday in April, making it only the third musical to reach 25 in the history of the West End. It is now the third longest running West End musical of all-time. Having trained at Emil Dale Academy and Mountview, Izi made her professional debut in Six The Musical's UK and International tour. Izi was the alternate Boleyn and Howard and went on to perform as five of the queens. She temporarily took over as Boleyn full-time for a limited run during her time with the show and also performed with the West End company as an emergency cover at the Vaudeville Theatre.In this episode, Izi discusses why Sophie was her dream role, how she got her head around playing five queens in Six, her path into theatre and lots more. Mamma Mia! runs at the Novello Theatre. Visit www.mamma-mia.com for info and tickets. This podcast is hosted by Andrew Tomlins  @AndrewTomlins32  Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.  

Join hosts Bobby and Steffan for a magical new episode with the delightful Chloe-Jo Byrnes, who will soon be enchanting audiences as Fairy Daffodil in Dick Whittington in Newport!

Jamie Muscato is preparing to play three solo concerts at Cadogan Hall. Celebrating his career and favourite things, the first two shows sold out in minutes before a third was added. This weekend Jamie will star as Billy Bigelow in Rodgers & Hammerstein's Carousel in Concert at the Royal Festival Hall with a 30-piece orchestra.Some of Jamie's most recent theatre credits include starring as Christian in Moulin Rouge! (Piccadilly Theatre), Matty in 13 Going on 30 (workshop), Guy in Once In Concert (London Palladium), Enjolras in Les Misérables The Staged Concert (Sondheim Theatre) and Tony in West Side Story (Leicester Curve).Jamie originated the role of JD in Andy Fickman's UK premiere of Heathers at the Other Palace and Theatre Royal Haymarket. Some of Jamie's other theatre credits include: Story Edward in Big Fish (The Other Palace), Ben in Lazarus (King's Cross Theatre), George Jacob Holyoake in A Subject of Scandal and Concern (Finborough Theatre), Jake in Stay Awake Jake (The Vaults), Joe in Bend it Like Beckham (Phoenix Theatre), Anthony in Sweeney Todd (Welsh National Opera), Nathan in House of Mirrors and Hearts (Arcola Theatre), Eddie in Dogfight (Southwark Playhouse), The Light Princess (National Theatre), Rock of Ages (Shaftesbury Theatre), Love Story (Duchess Theatre) and Jean Prouvaire in Les Misérables (25th-anniversary tour). Jamie made his professional debut in the original UK cast of Spring Awakening at the Lyric Hammersmith and Novello Theatre. Jamie recently reunited with the company to perform a one-off reunion concert to mark the show's 15th anniversary at the Victoria Palace Theatre. Some of Jamie's screen credits include The Chemistry of Death, The Undeclared War, Pistol, Doctors Cilla and the Les Misérables film.Jamie plays Cadogan Hall on 21st and 22nd July 2024. Visit www.cadoganhall.com for info and tickets. Hosted by Andrew Tomlins  @AndrewTomlins32  Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.  STOPTIME: Live in the Moment.Ranked in the top 5% of podcasts globally and winner of the 2022 Communicator Award...Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

West End Frame Editor, Andrew Tomlins, is back for some bonus show talk!The shows covered in this episode include The Big Life (Stratford East), I Should Be So Lucky (New Wimbledon Theatre, UK Tour), Bronco Billy (Charing Cross Theatre), Redcliffe (MT Fest, Turbine Theatre), Frozen (Theatre Royal Drury Lane), Mamma Mia! (Novello Theatre) and Daniel Koek's West End Sessions (Brooks Mews Wine Bar). Andrew also discusses West End Frame's 12th birthday and the sad Broadway postponement of My Son'a A Queer (But What Can You Do).Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32  Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.   

Georgia Louise is playing Galadriel in the UK revival of The Lord of the Rings at the Watermill Theatre. This production marks the first time The Lord of the Rings has been staged since its West End premiere in 2007 at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Based upon the books by J.R.R. Tolkien, Paul Hart's reival is semi-immersive with the production set across both the Watermill auditorium and gardens.Georgia's credits include Lucy in 13 The Musical (Apollo Theatre), understudy Lauren in Kinky Boots (Adelphi Theatre), Sophie in Mamma Mia! (Novello Theatre), Natalya in Preludes (Southwark Playhouse) and Sandy in Grease (UK & Ireland Tour).Most recently, Georgia played various roles and understudied Jan Crouch & Jessica Hahn in the world premiere of Elton John and Jake Shears' musical Tammy Faye at the Almedia Theatre.Lord of the Rings runs at the Watermill Theatre until Sunday 15th October 2023. Visit www.watermill.org.uk for info and tickets. Hosted by Andrew Tomlins  @AndrewTomlins32  Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.  

Jennifer Caldwell (Anne Boleyn in Six / I Wish My Life Were Like A Musical) co-hosts The West End Frame Show!Andrew and Jennifer discuss The Wizard of Oz (London Palladium), Tina (Aldwych Theatre) and Mamma Mia! (Novello Theatre) as well as the latest news about the Wicked movies, the Les Misérables world arena tour, Sinatra The Musical and lots more. Jennifer is currently in rehearsals for I Wish My Life Were Like A Musical by Alexander S. Bermange. The show is returning to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this summer ahead of a London run at Wilton's in an expanded production which includes new songs.Jennifer's theatre credits include: American Idiot (UK & Ireland tour), Knights of the Rose (Arts Theatre), Million Dollar Quartet (UK & Ireland and Indian tours), understudy Princess Fiona in Shrek the Musical (UK & Ireland Tour) and understudy Sophie in Mamma Mia! (Prince of Wales / Novello Theatre). In 2019 Jennifer joined Six The Musical as the alternate Boleyn and Howard on tour across the UK and Ireland. She hit swingo – playing all Six Queens – and transferred to the West End production as an emergency cover for a limited run. In 2021 Jennifer took over as Anne Boleyn full-time on tour in Six and also took the show to South Korea.I Wish My Life Were Like A Musical runs at The Gilded Baloon at the Museum at this year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival 3rd – 27th August. The show then runs in London at Wilton's 29th August – 9th September.Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32  Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.   

Richard Carson (understudy Javert in Les Misérables) returns to co-host The West End Frame Show!Andrew & Richard discuss Mamma Mia! (Novello Theatre) and Maria Friedman & Friends: Legacy (Menier Chocolate Factory) as well as the latest news about the Olivier Award nominations, Newsies, Pamela Anderson and lots more.Richard is currently playing the Factory Foreman and Combeferre in the West End production of Les Misérables at the Sondheim Theatre. He's also the first cover for Javert and Fight Captain. Richard joined Les Mis in 2019 when the show re-opened at the Sondheim, and also appeared in the show's concert production during the pandemic. Just a few of Richard's other credits include: Sky Masterson in Guy and Dolls (The Mill at Sonning), Sky in Mamma Mia! (Novello), understudy Chris in Miss Saigon (Prince Edward), understudy Fiyero in Wicked (Original UK & Ireland Tour), Strephon in Sasha Regan's All-Male Iolanthe (UK Tour), Jason in Myth (Other Palace), Farmer in Oklahoma! (Royal Albert Hall) and Man 1 in Closer Than Ever (Pheasantry).Richard previously co-hosted the eighth episode of The West End Frame Show whilst he was playing Reuben and covering Pharaoh in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (London Palladium).Follow Richard on social media: @RichardCarson21 Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. 

This week we're joined by West End LEGEND, Mazz Murray. Mazz is currently starring as Donna in the West End production of Mamma Mia!, having previously played Tanya in the show. Mazz famously starred as Killer Queen in We Will Rock You at the Dominion Theatre for seven triumphant years. She made her theatre debut playing Patsy Cline in The Roy Orbison Story. Other credits include: Mama Morton in the recent production of Chicago (Phoenix Theatre) as well as A Girl Called Dusty, Rent, Smokey Joe's Café, Fame, Only the Lonely, Boogie Nights and Pippin. Most recently Mazz played Norma Desmond in a concert staging of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Don Black's musical Sunset Boulevard at the Alexandra Palace Theatre. After receiving tremendous acclaim, it was announced that Mazz would once again play the role for a second staging at the Royal Albert Hall. Mazz's portrayal of Norma was named West End Frame's top performance of 2021. You can see Mazz in Mamma Mia! at the Novello Theatre. Visit www.mamma-mia.com for info and tickets.Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.ukVisit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts. 

Rochelle Sherona (Joseph / Hackney Empire Panto) co-hosts The West End Frame Show!Andrew & Rochelle discuss Love Story (Cadogan Hall), The Drifters Girl (Garrick Theatre) and The Comedy Of Errors (Barbican Theatre) as well as the latest news about The Black British Theatre Awards, But I'm A Cheerleader and Dirty Dancing. They also discuss the passing of legendary composer/lyricist Stephen Sondheim who has died aged 91. Rochelle trained at Urdang where she starred as Deloris in Sister Act. She made her professional debut in the German production of Starlight Express as part of the 30th anniversary cast. Rochelle made her West End debut as understudy Ali in Mamma Mia! (Novello Theatre). Most recently she understudied Alexandra Burke and Linzi Hateley as The Narrator in the West End revival of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (London Palladium). Rochelle is currently starring as Jack Trot in Jack and the Beanstalk at the Hackney Empire! Jack and the Beanstalk runs at the Hackney Empire until Sunday 2nd January 2022. Visit www.hackneyempire.co.uk for info and tickets.Hosted by Andrew Tomlins @Andrew_Tomlins  Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit www.westendframe.co.uk to stay up-to-date with our podcasting adventures.  

Gareth is a Welsh composer, arranger, conductor and musical director. He has worked extensively in London's West End on musical productions and also conducted orchestras worldwide including the BBC Concert Orchestra, Welsh National Opera Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Pasdeloup orchestra, RPO Concert Orchestra, Queensland Symphony Orchestra, ENB Sinfonia, Orchestre de chambre de Paris and many others. After graduating from the Royal College of Music, London, he studied with Sir Peter Pears at Aldeburgh. As Musical Supervisor his theatre credits include:  Kiss Me Kate, Chichester Festival Theatre; Crazy For You, Open Air Theatre and the Novello Theatre; INTO THE WOODS, Regent's Park Open Air Theatre (captured by Digital Theatre); End of the Rainbow, Royal & Derngate, Trafalgar Studios; Strictly Gershwin, ENB, Albert Hall and the Coliseum; Sondheim At 80 Concerts – Merrily We Roll Along and Company at the Donmar Warehouse; The King and I, Royal Albert Hall; Wicked, Apollo Victoria; Acorn Antiques, Haymarket Theatre and UK Tour; Porgy & Bess, Savoy; Sinatra, London Palladium; Aladdin, The Old Vic; Children Will Listen, Theatre Royal, Drury Lane; Musicality, Channel 4; Anything Goes, RNT and Drury Lane; My One & Only, Piccadilly. As Musical Director his credits include: Kiss Me Kate, Victoria Palace; Merrily We Roll Along, Donmar; Chicago, Adelphi London, Madrid, Gottenburg, Moscow and Japan; Damn Yankees, Adelphi; Nine, Donmar; Camelot, Covent Garden; Company, Donmar; Kiss of the Spider Woman, Shaftesbury; Miss Saigon, Drury Lane; The Baker's Wife, Phoenix; Cats, New London; Closer Than Ever, Vaudeville; Kiss Me Kate, RSC; Cabaret, Aldwych; 42nd Street, Drury Lane.

This week Sally chats with Film, Tv and Theatre legend, Harriet Thorpe.Harriet is best known for her role as Carole in 'The Brittas Empire' and Fleur in 'Absolutely Fabulous' both for the BBC. Harriet's other credits include: 'Midsomer Murders' (ITV), 'Streetcar to Tennessee' (Young Vic), 'Brighton Rock' (Almeida Theatre), 'Cabaret' (Lyric Theatre, UK tour and Savoy Theatre), 'Crazy for You' (Regent’s Park and Novello Theatre), 'Great Britain' (National Theatre) and 'The Lady in the Van' (directed by Nick Hytner).Harriet shares the story of her career and rise to the top as well as discussing the women that inspired her and the women that continue to do so. You can find out more about Merium on her website cakeface-makeup.com or find her on Instagram @cakeface_makeupHead to Sallys website for all her Psychic services and to order your bottle of Darling Number 1 Sallymorgan.tvFollow Sally on Instagram @sallymorgantvThis is a Peroxide Media PodcastExecutive Producer and Audio Engineering : Martin JosephProducer : Fern WiltshearIf you have enjoyed this podcast then check out The Real Brunch from Peroxide Media See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

First Birthday Episode celebrating the return of London Theatre after the lockdown. Jesus Christ Superstar at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre with a commentary from my good friend and actress Kirsty Hoiles who was playing Tanya in Mamma Mia when theatres closed in March at The Novello Theatre, West End.

Rachel Stanley is a British actress and singer. She has had an amazing career in musical theatre playing Mum in Legally Blonde (Leicester Curve); lead vocalist in The Song Book of Judy Garland (UK Tour); Betty Haynes in White Christmas (Dominion 2014 and seasons in Edinburgh, Manchester, Plymouth & Southampton); Grace Farell in Annie (New Zealand Tour & UK Tour); Gill in Jackie the Musical (Gardyne Theatre, Dundee); Tess in Crazy for You (Regent's Park Open Air Theatre and Novello Theatre); Truly Scrumptious in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (UK Tour); Velma Kelly in Chicago (Adelphi Theatre & World Tour); Edna the Spectacle (Theatre Royal Haymarket); Erma in Anything Goes (National Theatre & Theatre Royal Drury Lane); Miss Dinsmore/Dora Baily in Singin' in the Rain (National Theatre); Chess (UK tour); Me and My Girl (UK tour); My Fair Lady (UK Tour); and 42nd Street (Dominion Theatre & UK Tour).She has recently finished playing Mrs Brice, in Funny Girl (Théâtre Marigny, Paris) and is about to play the part of Dorothy Brock in 42nd Street (Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris).Her career also includes theatre, concerts, video, workshops, film and TV work. For a complete resumé see https://www.spotlight.com/5164-9084-2838.

In this episode, we sit down with West End star Lucy May Barker. Lucy's currently playing the role of Sophie in the London production of Mamma Mia! at the Novello Theatre. During this episode of Post-Show Drinks, Lucy tells us about her obsession with ABBA, how injuries affect theatre performers and she reveals what she learnt from working with Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton. Theme music by Simon Oskarsson and Alex Cardall for ACT Music Ldn.

Charlie Pittman is currently in his final year at Arts Educational Schools London. He is also producing and directing the London transfer of EdFringe hit Berlin Girl. Andrew & Charlie discuss Mary Poppins (Prince Edward Theatre), Mamma Mia! (Novello Theatre) & Sierra Boggess (Cadogan Hall). There's lots of news about Hamilton & Louise Dearman PLUS find out what's going on over on Broadway.Charlie recently played Emmett in Legally Blonde at ArtsEd, and also appeared in Jerry Springer: The Opera & Freaky Friday. Berlin Girl premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival last summer. Following a sold out run, the show is transferring to London for a very limited run at the New Wimbledon Theatre Studio between Wednesday 22nd and Saturday 25th April 2020. Visit www.atgtickets.com for tickets.Hosted by Andrew Tomlins.Visit www.westendframe.co.uk to stay up-to-date with our podcasting adventures.Thanks for listening! 

Lucy is currently playing Sophie in the West End production of Mamma Mia! at the Novello Theatre, the same theatre where she made her West End debut in Spring Awakening in 2009.Lucy previously played Sophie in both the UK and International touring productions of Mamma Mia!. Just a few of her other theatre credits include Earthquakes in London (National Theatre), The Crucible (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Oklahoma! (UK Tour), Sweeney Todd (West End), and Thark (Park Theatre). Lucy recently sat down with West End Frame Editor, Andrew Tomlins, backstage at the Novello Theatre for a really chilled out, fun chat.Lucy discusses her childhood, her unique path into the Spring Awakening and her journey with Mamma Mia!.Mamma Mia! is currently booking at the Novello Theatre until 19th September 2020.Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts!

Episode 9. Mamma Mia at the Novello Theatre with a backstage interview with actress Kirsty Hoiles who plays Tanya. Henry Vl at Sam Wannamaker Playhouse at The Globe with a backstage interview with actor Jonnie Broadbent in the title role. Dear Evan Hansen at the Noel Coward Theatre.

Hello, hello and welcome to the award-nominated podcast. In this Episode, We pick our Am dram shows to go and see in the next fortnight, we hear how Tom learns to count, Broadway compared to the west end,Disney musicals and the Novello Theatre.As always we play a game and in this episode and it is a debut one-off game named 'Bag that tag' where the team have to guess the show from the tagline, come and play along and see how many you get right. We had our 'Album of the week' from Tom and he chose 'Trail to Oregon', we spin the wheel to find out who is up next between the girls and what the album is going to be. We have a community over on Facebook, so please come and join us for a chat. https://www.facebook.com/groups/148894559115729/  So tune in, Join in, have some fun and take a listen. Please rate and review us on itunes or our facebook page Yours From The 'It's all an act' Team (Jaz, Lucie, Tom and Anna) Intro and Outro Credit - www.Joepurdue.com  It's all an act Logo - Joe Foskett Am Dram Shows Jaz's Choice - https://www.noda.org.uk/whats-on/broadway-baby-2 Tom's Choice - https://peculiarproductions.co.uk/men-at-arms/ Anna's Choice - https://www.noda.org.uk/whats-on/surrey-showcase-1554057481 Lucie's Choice - https://www.noda.org.uk/whats-on/one-day-only  Articles Jaz's Articles - https://www.thestage.co.uk/news/2019/cameron-mackintosh-london-penthouse-novello-theatre/ Tom's Article - http://www.playbill.com/article/six-continues-international-reign-with-norwegian-cruise-line-engagement Anna's Article - http://www.playbill.com/article/which-disney-stage-musical-are-you Lucie's Article - https://www.onstageblog.com/editorals/2019/8/5/revealed-the-most-popular-musicals-of-all-time 

In this episode, Connor and Catherine sit down with Steph Parry. Steph made national headlines as the actress who ran down the road from Drury Lane Theatre to the Novello Theatre to play the role of Donna, mid-show, in Mamma Mia! Steph takes us through the whole story from taking the phone call in her dressing room at the Drury Lane Theatre while she was standing by on 42nd Street to taking her final bow as Donna in Mamma Mia! all in the same day. We also speak about Steph’s time in Billy Elliot and one musical she wishes would return to the West End. Theme music by Simon Oskarsson and Alex Cardall for ACT Music Ldn.

After writing to one of the UK’s top casting directors, Pippa Ailion, at 14-years-old, Lucy May Barker bagged the role of Ilsa in the original London production of Spring Awakening. The show opened at the Lyric Hammersmith before transferring to the Novello Theatre in the West End. Sadly, the show didn’t get the ticket sales it deserved and closed within a few months of transferring. Since then Lucy has built a career in theatre having appeared in plays at the National, the Chichester Festival Theatre production of Sweeney Todd, alongside Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton, and most recently in MAMMA MIA! Having spent three years playing Sophie in the UK and international touring production, Lucy is now doing it eight times a week at the Novello Theatre in the West End where the show is currently celebrating its 20th anniversary, making it one of the longest running productions in history. You can follow Lucy on Twitter and Instagram. If you enjoyed this episode then subscribe to make sure you never miss a new one. You can follow Backstage With... on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to find out which stage door we’re going through next.

In this week's episode, Nick and Jonathan discuss Crazy For You - currently wowing audiences at the Novello Theatre, after a sell out summer season at The Open Air Theatre in Regent's Park. We chat to the show's star Sean Palmer about the production and his role. Nick and Luisa also discuss Matilda... the best British musical ever?

This week Libby Purves is joined by Jean-Marie Akkerman, Sir Cameron Mackintosh, Katie Piper and Laura Lee. Jean-Marie Akkerman, a fourth generation circus performer, is founder of Cirque Nova, the only circus in the world working specifically with people who have physical, learning and mental health disabilities . Among is his liberating ideas has been to adapt trapeze swings to enable wheelchair-users to fly through the air upside down. Cirque Nova is one of the Comic Relief supported projects. Sir Cameron Mackintosh is the theatre producer who, over the last thirty years, has produced a string of hits - from Cats and Miss Saigon to Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables and My Fair Lady. Opening this month is his first new musical in ten years, 'Betty Blue Eyes', based on Alan Bennett and Malcolm Mowbray's comic film 'A Private Function'. 'Betty Blue Eyes' is at the Novello Theatre. Katie Piper was badly scared after a horrific acid attack destroyed her face two years ago. Since then she has shown extraordinary determination to overcome the physical and emotional damage wrought by the attack. A new four-part documentary for Channel 4, 'Katie: My Beautiful Friends', follows her over a year as she continues her recovery and sets up a charity to help others living with disfigurement. Laura Lee is the CEO of Maggie's Centres. Fifteen years ago she was an oncology nurse working in Edinburgh. One of her patients, Maggie Keswick Jencks had terminal cancer and through her long sessions of chemotherapy she and Laura began to discuss whether it was possible to build somewhere that could offer support to anyone affected by cancer. The result was Maggie's Centre, which Laura ran and they went on to build another fifteen centres. The centres were designed by top architects and they are currently feature in an exhibition at the V&A in London.