WICKED!

Hey guys, so sorry for delayed review. As Andy has said I was at Wicked last night as well as on Monday, for a friend's birthday. I did ask Rachel not to judge me for it!

I remember first seeing Wicked years ago, and falling in love with the show straight away. The witches are two of the most interesting and entertaining characters in the West End and to play one of them is just the ultimate achievement. So even before Monday night, Rachel was still a massive success. To come from losing the (small-ish haha) part of Nancy, to having a fantastic run as both Meat and Scaramouche in WWRY... and ending up as Elphaba in Wicked!

(Also, I should probably add right from the start that Rachel and Lee Mead (as Fiyero) has been my 'dream-casting' ever since she was in I'd Do Anything and he on Any Dream Will Do). And as such I've been counting down the days for months now. That was definitely the light at the end of my 'tunnel-of-deadlines'!!

So, by Monday, having broken up from uni and handed in lots of work, I was absolutely ecstatic to be heading to the Apollo.. for the first time in a while!

I met up with my friends and we all headed to Nandos together... (rather worryingly we saw Lewis Bradley just chilling out in there... about half an hour before he was due to open as Fiyero. We were all quite tempted to go and tell him to hurry up!). Just before 7 we headed to the show and took our (front row!!) seats.. slap bang in the middle as well. A perfect view!

Anyone who was there on Monday can testify that the audience were absolutely brilliant, and as soon as the show started everyone was clapping and cheering. Louise Dearman got a brilliant reception when she came in, floating down in the bubble. She sung her way through 'No One Mourns The Wicked' amazingly. Admittedly, having been such a huge Dianne Pilkington fan, I wasn't sure how anyone would be able to live up to that. But Louise did a really good job.

And then Rachel runs on stage, greeted by clapping and cheering. Straight away she commanded the stage. If she was nervous (which I guess you would be opening as Elphaba in the West End!) you really couldn't tell. She started acting out every single word (in a surprisingly convincing British accent!) and just looked so comfortable.

Rachel singing 'The Wizard and I' was something I'd really been looking forward to, just because that song has always been one of my favourites. And she didn't disappoint. Her voice is just absolutely stunning, and hearing her belt at the end of that song is incredible! It was wonderful.

I would single out every single moment of the performance on Monday, but we would be here all day! The whole of Act I was stunning. Rachel and Louise work so so so well together. Their chemistry is so believable and they both looked like they were having an absolutely fantastic time.

I always think of 'Defying Gravity' as, possibly, the most terrifying moment that anyone can ever experience. The notes at the end, the flying... eeek, terrifying! Yet Rachel performed it, almost effortlessly. I don't think I've ever been more impressed by that song (and that's saying something, as I've seen a fair few Elphies attempt it!). Before Monday, I would have said that nothing could have topped Kerry's last 'Defying Gravity'. But now, sorry Kerry, you've got a contender! It was absolutely stunning!!!

The next big WOW moment for me personally was 'No Good Deed'. As usual, she sounded amazing - but the thing that stood out for me was her acting. Anyone who saw her on 'I'd Do Anything' will know that she was, by far, the best actress. And the way she performed 'No Good Deed' was just heartbreaking - you really believed the anguish and pain in the lyrics. Wow, it was phenomenal!

I feel this would be an unfair review if I didn't mention the rest of the new Wicked London cast. Each and every member was totally brilliant and thoroughly deserving of the standing ovation they got at the end. Cassie Compton (Nessa), George Ure (Boq), Clive Carter (Wizard) and Lewis Bradley (Fiyero) were all fantastic. It was especially great to see George after he'd been bumped up to the role of Boq. We saw him afterwards and he was just thrilled!

So the show ended all too soon. The cast all got their standing ovation at the end of the show and Rachel's dad ran forward to wave and applaud his daughter who had just finished the performance of her life. It was lovely!!

I bumped into Rachel afterwards just as she was heading to the cast after party accompanied by her very proud family! She told me just how nervous she'd been but that she'd had the time of her life on the stage and just how long she'd wanted to play Elphaba. And then I told her not to judge us for coming back the very next day!!!

So Tuesday came around. After a (very) early start to queue for front row seats again, me, Juls, Laura and Emz spent the day in London... we ended up eating an absolutely massive pizza buffet before realising that, actually, we were supposed to be meeting friends for Juls' birthday meal in Wagamama's in less than 3 hours time. Oops!

Headed to Wagamama's in Victoria and Rachel and Lewis are at the next table. (I'm thinking one of these days I need to reassure Lewis that we're not actually following him around various restaurants in central London!).

I'm aware I've already rambled on for a very very very long time, so I'm going to try and keep it short and sweet - but I'll just say this: everything that was great on Monday night, was even better on Tuesday night. Already, the cast (including Rachel) seemed more relaxed and comfortable with each other. Rachel's 'big' songs ('The Wizard and I', 'Defying Gravity' and 'No Good Deed') were unbelievable! My words really can't do them justice.. So I'm not going to try! But everyone reading this will have heard Rachel's wonderful voice, and there is no better showcase for it than the songlist of Wicked.

I have to say as well that Louise Dearman really came into her own on Tuesday night. Having been a little bit disappointed by her on Monday night, I was totally blown away last night. She was absolutely hilarious!

After the show we wandered to the stage door because I suddenly realised I didn't have any photos to put at the top of this post! And had a nice chat with Rachel... about the show of course.. but also about how much we both miss Ricardo!

So that was it! The end of two fantastic days at the Apollo theatre in Victoria. Big thanks to the lovely friends I spent them with :)

And also, a big thanks and a well done to Rachel for a stunning debut as Elphaba! I loved every second of both performances, and will be back soon! (Don't worry though, by 'soon' I don't mean tonight...)

P.S Am looking forward to your review David... just heard on the news though that N.Ireland is experiencing snow storms so I hope you get home OK!

A Wicked Night !!

It’s difficult to know where to start but first off let me just say that Rachel should be very, very proud of herself after a tremendous debut performance as Elphaba.

I didn’t get to the theatre until about 7:15pm after missing my intended bus but I thought I’d beaten David to it as there was no sign of him when I arrived. However as the crowds in the foyer started to thin I spotted him waiting near the other entrance. He’d actually managed to sneak into the stalls without a ticket – naughty boy - but had come back out to let me know.

This was my 7th visit to the Appollo Victoria to see this incredible show but knowing Rachel was waiting back stage I felt a kind of nervous excitement I can only compare to watching my football team in the play off final. Luckily I managed to control things better than I did that day otherwise I’d have spent half the show on the toilet. I made do with a visit at the interval on this occasion. Sorry, that’s probably a little too much information.

Wicked lost a sensational performer on the Saturday when Dianne Pilkington made her final appearance as Glinda before leaving to join the cast of ’39 Steps’ but fortunately the show now has a new star and her name is Rachel Tucker. There was a roar from the crowd when she ran onto the stage for the first time in her school girl uniform, ponytail and glasses. I think she was born to play this part and in my opinion what followed just proved that to be true.

She did look a little green but I put that down to nerves lol.

I’ve seen 3 different Elphaba’s and Rachel’s singing was superb and easily on par with the others but like Dianne it’s her acting that sets her apart. She managed to add that Tucker magic to every scene; particularly ‘What is this Feeling?’ which thanks to her, has now become my favourite scene in the show. If she was nervous she certainly didn’t show it and clearly didn’t need to be. There can’t be a more demanding role in musical theatre but she belted out numbers like ‘The Wizard and I’, ‘Defying Gravity’ and ‘No Good Deed’ with consummate ease; breathtaking really.

It’s hard for me to describe just how fantastic she was, so all I’d suggest is that anyone who hasn’t already booked tickets to see the show, does so very soon. Trust me, you will not be disappointed.

I know this review is on the short side but I've only just returned from London and I’m only home for a few hours before heading off to the Lake District and Carlisle; which is why David didn't think I'd be able to post anything until later in the week. However I'm not now due back until Easter Monday and I decided with my memory it probably wouldn’t be a good idea to leave my write up until then. I thought a short review would be better than no review at all. Rosie was apparently going to the show on both the 29th and 30th so I’m sure she’ll give a more detailed account soon, so watch this space.

I want to take this opportunity to say how nice it was to see David and his family again. Who knows, next time we meet it could be on Broadway. It was also great to meet David's lovely friend Victoria – I’m praying I’ve got your name right, my memory really is awful – who clearly has fantastic taste as she is not only a massive fan of Rachel but also Dianne Pilkington and it was from her that I found out Dianne was starting in ’39 Steps’ at the end of April.

Lastly, as I wasn't able to go to the stage door, I hope Rachel gets chance to read the below message:

Congratulations Rachel on a faultless debut performance. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to get to see you after the show but I want you to know how truly amazing I thought you were. To take on a role like Elphaba and perform like that on your opening night is nothing short of remarkable. I didn’t think I could love ‘Wicked’ any more than I already did but thanks to you, I do, and I’m already counting the days until my next visit. Chow for now.

The Big Night!!!!

It's Rachel's big big night -- we want to wish her all the very best in what is undoubtedly the pinnacle of a fantastic career. She will have plenty of audience support tonight -- we're off to London in just a few hours!

As Andy and I won't be home until later in the week, the first night review will be in the capable hands of Rosie who has done us proud on several occasions.

Good luck Rachel!!!!

Over The Rainbow vs X-Factor

With Rachel set to debut as Elphaba TOMORROW NIGHT (!!!!), it's a good time to mention the new BBC 'Search for Dorothy' contest 'Over The Rainbow.'

Below I've featured an excellent article from Twitterglitter.com, rightly championing shows such as IDA, Maria & Joseph over money-making dross such as X-Factor. Not that Musical Theatre isn't money-making of course, but the respective results speak for themselves -- at least 8 of the 12 IDA finalists landed major roles and most are still big successes two years on. By contrast, almost a decade of X-Factor has produced barely a handful of big names and the only real winner has been Simon Cowell and his various hangers on. Sorry to be cynical, but the Musical Theatre shows have showcased and produced a lot of genuine talent, not least the subject of this blog, whilst X-Factor has produced a lot of tedious karaoke clones who are largely forgotten within weeks.

Sure X-Factor gets big ratings, but so did Big Brother at it's height -- quantity doesn't always mean quality.

Dorothy is shaping up to be another great series and if myself and Andy are anything to go by, shows such as IDA put bums on seats which would otherwise never have been there, whilst showcasing the joy of Musical Theatre to the nation.

Enough from me -- here's the article:

Over the Rainbow is a talent show worth taking seriously

Graham Norton and Andrew Lloyd Webber are looking for Dorothy in BBC1’s over the Rainbow.

When Jedward were dropped after one single, few people were surprised. Television talent shows are not, after all, expected to regularly churn out stars that can survive in the real world – for every Leona Lewis there is a corresponding Leon Jackson. And yet those keen to ensure the future of live theatre are rather less dismissive of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hunt for a new Dorothy, which begins on BBC1 tonight. In fact, over the Rainbow and its ilk may well be the best thing to have happened to UK theatre and live performance for some time.

Should you fancy a credible career in the performing arts, and have the talent to back it up, then battling to be Lloyd Webber’s Dorothy in his new production of The Wizard of Oz might be a pretty smart move. Connie Fisher, Lee Mead and Jodie Prenger have all gone on to lead WestEnd shows – but those who didn’t win the competition have also carved great careers for themselves. Fourth-placed Nancy Rachel Tucker is about to embark on the challenge of Elphaba in Wicked; fifth-placed Niamh Perry is creating the part of Fleck in Love never Dies. Of the Josephs, everyone seems to have forgotten that Daniel Boys first came to prominence through any Dream Will Do? – mainly because his work in Avenue Q over the past two years speaks for itself. Former Maria Aoife Mulholland, meanwhile, is now flashing the best abs in the business on a nightly basis at the Savoy Theatre as Brooke Wyndham in Legally Blonde.

And before the complaints that reality TV casting offers shortcuts into showbusiness, allowing untrained amateurs to leapfrog hardworking professionals, remember that many of the Lloydd-Webber alumni have had training or some kind of professional experience. Fisher had graduated from drama school; Mead had been part of the company of Phantom Of The Opera; Prenger had been working as a cabaret singer. Those who didn’t have training – Nancy runner-up Jessie Buckley notoriously bewailed her multiple rejections from drama school – clearly have talent that would lead to success anyway, regardless of whether or not they were on the telly.

In any case, whether or not you approve of the way in which these actors have been cast, it’s difficult to ignore the fact that UK theatre ticket sales are up – and a big weekend reality series must have played a part in that. (Let’s face it, we’ve all seen enough productions of The Sounds of Music, Joseph and Oliver! to never really need to see them again). And yet, we all have been – for which we all owe a debt of thanks to Andrew Lloyd Webber. No, really, we do.

24 Seconds of Elphaba

Short and sweet -- a wee hello from the new Elphaba.

Click on the link to watch:

ELPHABA

Official Elphaba Pictures !!

Luke who looks after marketing and promotions for WICKED was kind enough to send us these excellent shots of the new Elphaba:

Elphaba Screencaps

Thanks to Jen for these great screencaps:

Ozmopolitan Video of the New Cast

Watch this great new video courtesy of the Ozmopolitan News! Some great footage of the new Elphaba and Glinda, just to get you even more psyched for Monday!

Click on the link below to watch:

OZMOPOLITAN VIDEO

VIDEO - Wicked's New Elphaba on BBC Breakfast

Rachel will be on BBC Breakfast today!!!!

Rachel has just tweeted that she'll be on BBC Breakfast today (23rd). If we can't record it, the show will hopefully be available on Iplayer.

Rachel's tweet:

'Know its late but I'll b on BBC Breakfast tomorrow at about 8.40ish with my producer, chatting about the Oliviers and Wicked xr'


ANDY - Interview has been recorded and will be uploaded to the blog later on today.

Elphie and Glinda at the Olivier Awards

I reckon this picture deserves a post all of it's own! See below for all last night's details.

Olivier Awards Video Footage

Further to our post below on the Olivier Awards, you can click the following link for video highlights of the night. At 2:36 there is a little footage of Rachel and Louise during Michael's acceptance speech.

OLIVIER AWARDS VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

Thank you to Peter Renard for the link and also the photos in this post. I think it's fair to say that both Elphaba and Glinda look stunning.

Rachel at the Olivier Awards

Rachel and Louise attended the Laurence Olivier Awards at London's Grosvenor House last night. Here, along with executive producer Michael McCabe, they accept an award from Elaine Paige on behalf of 'Wicked', voted most popular show in the audience awards.

Oh and I'd just like to add -- seven days to go!!!!!



For full coverage of the Awards click here:

LAURENCE OLIVIER AWARDS

You can also listen to the BBC Radio 2 coverage of the event for the next 6 days via BBC Iplayer. Unfortunately this may not be possible if you live outside the UK.

Presented by Paul Gambaccini along with a certain Jodie Prenger, you can hear the programme by clicking the link below. Rachel reveals that it takes 30 minutes to put her Elphaba makeup on. I'm tempted to say that's not unusual for some people, but I've decided not to.

RADIO TWO COVERAGE

Sneak Preview of the new Elphaba

The first sighting of the new Elphaba is right here! Just click on the link below to watch George Ure's 'Georgecam' behind the scenes at 'Wicked.' Watch particularly from 1 minute 20.

RACHEL BECOMES ELPHABA

Also, congratulations to Jodie, who will be taking over the role of Lady of the Lake in the touring production of Spamalot. Jodie finishes as Nancy on 27th March.

And finally, a big thanks to Andy who has installed a nifty looking 'Elphaba Countdown' on the blog. Particularly liking the milliseconds aspect for those of us who find a whole second just too long.

IDA Updates -- Jodie

Jodie Prenger was of course the eventual IDA winner and immediately had that famous 'leaky' moment that I'm sure she wishes she'd kept quiet about.

Having temporarily joined the ensemble of Les Mis to give her experience on the West End stage, Jodie took over the role of Nancy in January 2009 and quickly proved herself equal to the task, both onstage and at the stage door where she delighted fans with her bubbly personality.

Jodie is due to end her Drury Lane run on 27th March, two days before Rachel debuts as Elphaba. Jodie's successor will be Kerry Ellis.

As well as her role in Oliver, Jodie has appeared several times on the TV panel show 'Loose Women', presented the National Lottery and stood in on Paul O'Grady's radio show. She also published her autobiography 'It's a Fine Life' in 2009.

IDA Updates -- Jessie

Jessie Buckley finished second in IDA and having taken part in the 'Phantom 2' Sydmonton workshops and performed a solo 'I Don't Know How To Love Him' at the ALW Hyde Park concert, she joined the cast of 'A Little Night Music', playing Anne Egerman.

The show was initially staged in Southwark's Menier Chocolate Factory, subsequently moving to the Garrick Theatre for a short West End run.

Also in 2009 Jessie appeared at a one-off event at the Apollo Theatre, celebrating the work of song-writer Michael Bruce, appeared at very short notice in a play entitled 'On Touch' in Trafalgar Studios and performed at a Christmas concert in Ireland with the Tipperary Millenium Orchestra. Her performances at the latter are available on Youtube and are well worth viewing.

In December she performed two jazz solos; 'Hit The Road Jack' and 'Stormy Weather' at a show with the Cantabile Quartet at the Prince of Wales Theatre. She was joined onstage by Daniel Boys.

I was also fortunate enough to see Jessie and Niamh perform 'Ave Maria' at Rachel's wedding last September.

This year Jessie has continued to pursue a jazz theme, performing sets at Knightsbridge. In February she performed at Manchester and Birmingham in 'Valentines At The Musicals' and has upcoming jazz dates at Knightsbridge, North London and Lowestoft in Suffolk. She is also scheduled to appear at the Royal Albert Hall at the 'Night Of 1000 Voices' in May.

IDA Updates -- Samantha

Samantha Barks, who finished third in IDA, accepted the part of Sally Bowles in Bill Kenwright's touring production of 'Cabaret', completing twelve months in the role.

She subsequently starred as Aladdin in Windsor's Theatre Royal from Dec 9th to Jan 10th 2010.

I asked her earlier today about her future plans and recieved this reply:

'Well I have just a few days ago been offered a Disney series called Groove High, playing the lead female Zoe, which I am very excited about and which I start filming for next month! So it will be half animated and half live action! So I am very excited as I have always wanted to be made into a Disney cartoon!!'

Sounds absolutely excellent!

We're Back! + Niamh in Love Never Dies

I know the blog has been quiet recently but with Rachel taking over the role of her life in barely three weeks, things are going to get a lot busier and we're already starting to gear up for the big night!

Andy and I will be there (of course!) on opening night (29th March) with my family and most if not all of Rachel's family, who will be having a totally unforgettable night.

Obviously rehearsals are well underway and there isn't likely to be much news for a while, so I thought it might be nice to catch up on how the other IDA contestants have been getting on in the two years (yes really!) since the show was on TV.

A good place to start is with Niamh who has her first night in 'Love Never Dies' tonight.

After finishing fifth in IDA, Niamh took part in the Sydmonton workshops for 'Phantom 2 -- Love Never Dies' alongside Rachel and several of the other IDA contestants. She also appeared at the ALW Hyde Park concert, the Belfast Proms and on a BBC Radio Christmas special in 2008, all with Rachel.

Last June she started a six month run as Mamma Mia's Sophie in the West End, and is now starting in 'Love Never Dies.'

Big congratulations to Niamh on her debut tonight.

Below is an in-depth interview from today's Belfast Telegraph:

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This evening Bangor’s Niamh Perry is on stage for the opening night of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new show. She tells Peter Robertson about love, life and the West End

Tuesday, 9 March 2010

In May 2008, Niamh Perry from Bangor was gutted to only take fifth place in the BBCTV audition series I’d Do Anything.


Jodie Prenger went on to win the part of Nancy in the London stage musical Oliver! which the 12 girls on the TV show had been desperately competing for.

Later this month on March 27, Jodie’s run in Oliver! comes to an end, but ask Niamh if she’d like to play Nancy now and she says: “It’s a brilliant role and Jodie was brilliant in it, but I’m not really interested.”

This is because Niamh is about to originate the key role of Fleck in a brand new show opening in London’s West End tonight — Andrew Lloyd Webber’s sequel to his classic Phantom Of The Opera, entitled Love Never Dies.

“Opening in Love Never Dies is something I will never forget. Along with making the final 12 for I’d Do Anything, this is one of my top achievements,” says Niamh.

“The fact that I get to originate a role in Andrew’s most recent creation is a major thing in my life. Since I was a child I’ve loved musical theatre, so this is a dream come true. I keep having to pinch myself.”

Love Never Dies was already a possibility for Niamh when she lost a sing-off to Belfast’s Rachel Tucker in Week 8 of I’d Do |Anything.

“When the TV series was going-on, I was told about Love Never Dies. At that stage I was in the ensemble, doing workshops with some of the other Nancy |contestants.

“When I was voted off I’d Do Anything, Andrew told me he’d see me play a lead role by the time I was 20. Then Andrew and the director saw me sing in cabaret at Andrew’s house in Hampshire.

“They must have seen a different side to me and realised they wanted me for this show. From then I began workshops as Fleck.”

In this show set on New York’s Coney Island, 10 years after the Phantom’s mysterious disappearance from the Paris Opera House, Fleck is one of the Phantom’s cronies — and a freaky character, which Niamh relishes.

“My make-up takes about half an hour, and I’ve a couple of quick costume changes, but it’s fun and I get to look like a completely |different person.”

At 19, Niamh is the youngest member of the cast. She’s also the only Northern Irish one, as she was when she played Sophie in the London production of Mamma Mia! from June to December 2009.

“There are a lot of talented Irish people in this industry; it just so happens that in the two West End shows I’ve done I’ve been the token Paddy!

“I like it. People are constantly talking to me in my accent, because they find it hilarious. The directors are all American and they can’t stop laughing when I’m speaking.

“I’m glad I haven’t lost my Irish accent because it’s part of where I’m from. Fleck is American, |Sophie in Mamma Mia! is English, and Nancy is a Cockney, but fortunately I’ve never had a problem doing different accents.

“No one else in the cast knew until two weeks ago that I’m 19. I didn’t think it was necessary to mention my age, but people thought I was in my mid-20s.

“I don’t know if that’s a good or bad thing! But there’s no way I could act like a 19-year old in this industry because you have to make big decisions and fend for yourself, and you’re constantly surrounded by people who are older.

“There are times when I wonder what it would be like to be a normal 19-year-old living a student life at uni, but what I’m doing now is what I’ve always wanted.”

Supporting Niamh from the audience at this evening’s opening night will be her mother, Zaron, and father, Liam, (who are both headteachers), her sister Ciara (who’s 22 and a student at university in Chester), and her boyfriend Luke Kempner (an actor currently touring in Les Miserables). “I can’t wait, but I haven’t even had time to buy a dress for the party afterwards and I’m panicking a bit about that,” admits Niamh.

Niamh hasn’t been home to Northern Ireland since Christmas and doesn’t expect to again until May.

“I miss Northern Ireland a lot, but the longer I’m away the more it means to me when I go back. All my life my parents have had the same house, and so many great memories are there.

“A couple of my friends from Northern Ireland are also in England now and we meet up quite a lot, but the Irish bars over here are usually fake so I only go to the real ones back home.”

Niamh shares a flat in Chiswick, West London, with Samantha Barks, who’s 19 and came third in I’d Do Anything, and Samantha’s Chihuahua puppy, Lily.

Niamh explains: “Samantha’s parents own the flat and it’s lovely — about to be fitted with a new kitchen.

“But, rather than pay rent to someone else, I’d like to have my own mortgage. Now I have a regular income, my main goal is to buy my own place and set myself up for the long-term.

“I’d like to stay in this part of West London — it’s nice, peaceful, safe and suburban, which reminds me of where I come from.”

Niamh met her man, Luke, in July 2008 when they both appeared at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

“As we’re so busy working in theatre, we often only see each other on Sundays when we pack in as much as we can.

“If you’re not with someone in the industry, sometimes they don’t understand your lifestyle.

“But then, when you are with someone in the industry, the danger is you only ever talk about work!”

And she exclaims: “I don’t know why anyone is interested in my love life. I’m definitely not a celebrity!

“But I wouldn’t be with someone for a year and a half if they weren’t my perfect type of person.

“You’ll always remember your first love whether it lasts forever or not. It’s difficult for us to settle down when we’re both working, but that’s something we’ll have to seriously discuss if we keep going the way we are.”

As for Niamh’s professional plans ? Her contract with Love Never Dies is for a year. In that time, she also hopes to complete her debut album (for which she’s written songs with Lloyd Webber’s son Nick) and have it released through a major label.

“That’s had to take a back-seat because of this show, but I’ve been in talks with Universal though nothing is signed,” she says.

“It may never happen, though I am really excited about it. People think I’ll only ever do musical theatre, yet I also want to branch out into different things like recording, performing concerts and straight acting. I wouldn’t want to be thought of as a one-trick pony.”

For a while now, all Niamh has been able to focus on is the new show.

She adds: “It’s been really long days and not being able to escape the Love Never Dies bubble, but the excitement will build on Tuesday when we realise this is the |moment we’ve all been waiting for.

“ Hopefully it’ll be as exciting as we’ve all anticipated.”

Love Never Dies, Adelphi Theatre, London, box office, tel: 0844 412 4651

New Wicked Cast Exclusive Video

Rehearsals are well and truly underway and here is some exclusive footage of the new Elphie drinking tea and practicing her posh English accent! Just three weeks to go....