Helena's on her Christmas break in the 7 Brides tour. She's been for a cruise.....The tour continues Jan 13 in Bristol - then through to May. Her co star Sam Attwater is also doing Dancing On Ice from Jan 5 - no idea how he will combine both.
The cast has covered Roar with some shots of Helena. There's also 6 naked brothers in a lift in case anyone is of a nervous disposition...... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aukWad4kEBk
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Simona is rather good in A Perfect Murder. She plays the psychic East European prostitute, Kamila Walcak , who is Les Dennis's mistress, and dresses accordingly.
Not sure how long Simona is in this for as her agent's site says she was there till last saturday It looks like the show is having a break and returnng in the Autumn with Dawn Steele replacing Claire Goose (who really was excellent) an someone else replacing Les Dennis. . They are showing Simona on the autumn cast so she looks to be back in it then.. Its touring from 2 sept - 15 Nov with further dates to come - almost everywhere - so far including Canterbury, southend, Shrewsbury, Buxton, York, Eastborne , Aylesbury, Cardiff and Birmingam. http://www.theperfectmurder.co.uk/buy.html
Her agent's CV shows some of what Simona has been doing inluding 'Lend Me a Tenor' at the Vienna English Theatre, 'Carnival Messiah' at Harewood House Leeds and 'Seven Other Children' at New End Hampstead. And her cast listing tells more and has a picture. http://www.theperfectmurder.co.uk/cast.html
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Finally some Abi news.:):):)
Abbey is in The Jewish Legacy A Night At the Musicals. She's with 3 others including Emily Bull - who was Siobhan's understudy in Cabaret and a very good recent Cosette. This has songs from West Side Story, Funny Girl, Fiddler On The Roof, The Wizard Of Oz and South Pacific including My Funny Valentine, Over the Rainbow, and Tonight. Hopefully Abi gets to sing from Funny Girl at last. http://www.thejewishlegacy.co.uk/home.html
Its playing Hornchurch on 25 June and Leeds 30 june and 2 July http://www.thejewishlegacy.co.uk/tickets.html
There's a review of an earlier show http://whatspeenseen.co.uk/reviews/the-jewish-legacy-review/
The cast list has some details of what Abi has been doing. She's been involved in Showstoppers: The Improvised Musical - though check as she's, as far as i can see, not in the current cast of that? it also mentions her time in the European tour of Hair. http://www.thejewishlegacy.co.uk/cast.html
Abi is even more difficult to keep up to date with than Jessie. If anyone sees anything about her doing any other shows please post.
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Simona continues in The Perfect Murder which starts part two of its tour with a couple of new leads in september. Its itinery is here http://www.theperfectmurder.co.uk/buy.html
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Helena has finished 7 brides and is having a break.
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No word on Siobhan, yet .
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Siobhan did the last workshop for Bend it like Beckham - playing the Keira Knightley/Sam Barks role.
She's in An Evening with Stuart Brayson and Friends in Gateshead 3 Feb 15. http://sagegateshead.gr8.com/It includes songs from the new musical King Pit.
Helena has finished But First This . if you missed it , you missed, amongst other laughs, Helena in a yellow sowester, with a beard, as a fisherman , and doing a very high pitched, very fast, very Scottish Kirsty Young. Wish someone would let her loose in a comedy musical . Helena's been having a break since..
No word on Siobhan - but there's not many top female roles around anywhere at present. ::(
The Perfect Murder ran at least into November with Simona. The site says there will be later dates, but if there are its not been updated since November. http://www.theperfectmurder.co.uk/buy.html
Helena has started doing shows again - just not anywhere visible. She was involved in a season of the the Sound of Music in Cairo 25/2 - 3/3 and now seems to be involved in a repeat in Beirut .Looks like you have to go to the Middle East to see our star names - see Niamh's next news.
She's also doing a new musical in London - kingmaker - which is a political satire on the Blair years - St James's Theatre London , 31/3-1/4.
This is an odd show - its on for two days, and, by the time Helena announced it, on twitter, there was only standing room left for one show . No idea how that works financially.
Siobhan did her show in Gateshead- There's youtubes - but not with Siobhan on them. Otherwise no news - though she seems happy.
Simona was a guest star on an E4 comedy series Drifters in November according to the net, but otherwise no news.
Helena has played Maria before of course - at Kilworth house theatre, south Leicestershire in 2012. She going back there to do 4 concerts called the magic of the musicals 23rd 25th, 30th October and 1st November http://www.kilworthhousetheatre.co.uk/whats-on/magic-of-the-musicals/ They have two big summer musicals too - but haven't said who is in those.
Siobhan is also dealing with a, non vocal, medical issue, since May - which has meant she hasn't been on often yet as Ellen in Miss Saigon - reports are she is excellent in the role. Lots of love, best wishes, support, hugs, and hopes for as quick a recovery as possible are in order. Miss her lots. https://mobile.twitter.com/siobhandillonuk
I was watching some HDYSAPLM clips today on the tubular website, and came across this clip of Emilie Alford - she was the girl who dropped out at the last minute, giving Siobhan a second chance.
It got me wondering about what happened to her, so I googled her and found out that she's now known as Emilie Renard and is a professional opera singer.
I was watching some HDYSAPLM clips today on the tubular website, and came across this clip of Emilie Alford - she was the girl who dropped out at the last minute, giving Siobhan a second chance.
It got me wondering about what happened to her, so I googled her and found out that she's now known as Emilie Renard and is a professional opera singer.
Good find. Interesting to see how successful she's been, and doing what. There's links to some youtubes of her singing on her site including this one https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=10&v=c0pyTKNZ4sI
Siobhan continues having treatment for her medical issue . She’s now in the middle of a course of 23 sessions of radiotherapy. She’s now planning to get back to Miss Saigon at the end of October. The actress covering for her is there reportedly till 7 Nov, but it obviously depends on her treatment schedule. More internet best wishes and hugs are in order. https://mobile.twitter.com/siobhandillonuk
Leanne has also been having a heartbreaking time. She lost her baby son Harry this time last year. More internet love and hugs sent to her. She tells her story at https://www.justgiving.com/Leanne-Dobinson/?utm_id=20 - where’s she’s trying to raise some money to increase awareness of the issue, and needs some help .
Funnily enough I was only thinking of Leanne recently and wondering what had happened to her. Ditto Abi. Sorry to hear of Leanne's loss, but hope something positive can come of it. Good to hear that Abi has a new musical role.
Connie won a Welsh BAFTA award last week. She was amongst the team behind a documentary called Jamie Baulch - Looking For My Birth Mum. So well done her (and the others involved)! Interestingly, the award presenter was Lee Mead - so Joseph presented an award to Maria!:D
Incidentally, next year marks the 10th anniversary of HDYSAPLM (and the start of the TV Casting Show phenomena). I wonder if the BBC will do something to mark the occasion? Perhaps a documentary along the lines of the West End Story one they did 5 years ago? Or a TV show along the lines of When Joseph Met Maria (with Nancys and Dorothies also included, obviously!)? It would be nice to see them all on TV again and hear how (and what) they're doing.:)
Funnily enough I was only thinking of Leanne recently and wondering what had happened to her. Ditto Abi. Sorry to hear of Leanne's loss, but hope something positive can come of it. Good to hear that Abi has a new musical role.
Connie won a Welsh BAFTA award last week. She was amongst the team behind a documentary called Jamie Baulch - Looking For My Birth Mum. So well done her (and the others involved)! Interestingly, the award presenter was Lee Mead - so Joseph presented an award to Maria!:D
Incidentally, next year marks the 10th anniversary of HDYSAPLM (and the start of the TV Casting Show phenomena). I wonder if the BBC will do something to mark the occasion? Perhaps a documentary along the lines of the West End Story one they did 5 years ago? Or a TV show along the lines of When Joseph Met Maria (with Nancys and Dorothies also included, obviously!)? It would be nice to see them all on TV again and hear how (and what) they're doing.:)
Not sure how interested ALW would be. He has his new musical underway in the US . Although he might see a need to return to the theme, as he has lost impetus on his bid to create westend singing stars, the interest they created may have dropped off, and a lot of shows at the moment are going out reliant on somone from X factor or a soap to pull people in - regardless of whether they are much good.
The practical problem would be how could you do a show with so many people to cover . You could let Helena or Siobhan sing one of their best songs, but would then have enough current successful Nancy's to fill two shows. Two Nancys are in the states , and how do you show them doing what they do, when they do different things? They can't show what they can do if you make them just sing songs together, and it wouldn't be fair to pick one or two from each show to do a catchup on.
Siobhan Dillon is back at Miss Saigon and really excellent as Ellen.
There's no youtubes of her yet, , but she's on a comparison tube at 4-41 singing some of Maybe. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDTjj69bSy8.:)
Show closes 27 feb .By her twitter, Siobhan has had her holidays after Jan 26 and 27 and is due on till the close - a must see.
Siobhan is next on in another major role - Sunset Boulevard, as , Betty Shaefer, alongside Glenn Close and Michael Xavier. Thats at the English National Opera as their musical for this year - from April 1 to 7 May. :):)
There's some seats left - the bad news is , like for Katie Hall in Sweeney Todd last year ,the good ones are not cheap. Siobhan has said she's due on for all the shows.
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Leanne has posted links to herself singing some more new songs on smule.:):):)
Was going to do Sam and Jessie next , but we have two youtubes of the last night of Miss Saigon with Siobhan . Better show links now .......just in case they vanish . .
Siobhan has opened in Sunset Boulevard at the ENO. And she and it are getting great reviews. With pictures........
http://britishtheatre.com/review-sunset-boulevard-london-coliseum-5stars/ - Siobhan Dillion plays Betty Shaefer, aspiring screenwriter and challenger for Joe’s heart. Xavier and Dillion make a perfect pairing. Too Much In Love to care has never sounded better. Her portrayal of Betty is intelligent and a joy to listen to.
http://www.westendwilma.com/review-sunset-boulevard/ - Michael Xavier is the driving force in this show, hardly being off stage for a moment. He is beautifully paired up with Siobhan Dillon for several numbers and their voices blend together wonderfully creating an eargasm (new word I’ve learnt recently) along with the 48 piece orchestra, especially during ‘Too Much In Love To Care’. Siobhan is an incredible singer and actress and shines in this role
Siobhan is also playing Tess - in Tess of the Durbeyfields - an upcoming album of a new musical . Its not the same one that Jessica played Tess in. http://www.tessthemusical.com/news/new-musical-tess-unveils-leading-lady
She's got a very strong cast here too -with Tam Mutu and Simon Bailey.
She's also in Summer At the Musicals - a charity performance at the Phoenix Artist Club, London, on Sunday 28th August 2016 at 5pm
Phoenix Artist Club, London, on Sunday 28th August 2016 at 5pm https://twitter.com/summermusicals1
The big news :):):):) is that Siobhan Dillon has been confirmed as repeating her role in Sunset Boulevard, alongside Glenn Close, This time its playing on Broadway.
No promises but there's a possibility that Siobhan will turn up in the Sound Of Musicals With Neil Brand on BBC4 from 13 Jan 2017 . Possibly not in the first show, if its chronological. She has recorded something from Evita with him recently, by her twitter :):) http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/proginfo/2017/02/sounds-of-musicals-with-neil-brand
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Annoyingly the Helena Shout musical rehearsal youtubes seem to have been taken down , a few days before i posted links here to them.......
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Leanne hasn't posted on simule or twitter since February. Hope she's alright.
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Comments
There's an interview with Helena http://www.whatsonstage.com/manchester-theatre/news/09-2013/brief-encounter-with-seven-brides-for-seven-brothe_32084.html?cid=article-flyover with pictures.
and more good reviews
http://thomdibdin.co.uk/review-seven-brides-for-seven-brothers/
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Siobhan has now left Eastbourne ,heading, I think, to Blackpool next week.
We have youtubes of Siobhan singing Perfectly Marvelous http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkj4dohGHOI and Mein Herr http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rCET71TVEg - turn the sound up a bit.:):)
There's a highlights youtube with bits of Helena singing, and dancing..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=vWbruGBWwes&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DvWbruGBWwes%26feature%3Dyoutu.be&app=desktop
More good reviews too
http://www.everything-theatre.co.uk/2013/10/seven-brides-for-seven-brothers-new.html?utm_source=hootsuite&utm_campaign=hootsuite
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Siobhan continues in Cabaret.
It played Edinburgh to 5 star reviews and has now moved on from Dublin to Oxford
http://thomdibdin.co.uk/review-cabaret-2/
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And.........there's news of another Maria
Simona is going to be in The Perfect Murder.
http://www.theperfectmurder.co.uk/about.html
Touring the UK from Jan 11 next year. Visiting Bath, Brighton, Coventry, Dartford, Derby, Glasgow, Malvern, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Norwich, Richmond, Southampton, Truro,
Woking, Wycombe.
http://www.theperfectmurder.co.uk/cast.html If you click on Simona Armstrong you get a CV of what she has been doing recently.
http://www.uktw.co.uk/Tour/Play/The-Perfect-Murder/T0388456538/
Another great review for 7 brides and Helena
http://www.edinburghguide.com/reviews/musicals/sevenbridesforsevenbrothersedinburghplayhouse2013review-13950
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Siobhan's Cabaret tour has finished
There's an interview with Siobhan with some film where she talks about the show and playing Sally.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlzTw995qA4
Cabaret and Siobhan ended with more really good reviews
http://www.virtual-shropshire.co.uk/events/theatre-review-cabaret-at-wolverhampton-grand-theatre/
http://www.dailyinfo.co.uk/reviews/feature/8783/Cabaret
http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kentonline/whats_on/review-will-young-in-cabaret-8773/
This was the second outing for Cabaret with Will Young on a short tour - so there may just be apossibility of a third?
The cast has covered Roar with some shots of Helena. There's also 6 naked brothers in a lift in case anyone is of a nervous disposition......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aukWad4kEBk
Helena continues to get great reviews.
http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kentonline/whats_on/review-seven-brides-for-seven-13193/http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/whats-on/arts-culture-news/liverpool-empire-seven-brides-seven-6746363
And shes done some interviews
http://www.rte.ie/ten/features/music/2013/1212/492464-seven-brides-for-seven-brothers-helena-blackman/
http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/what-s-on/being-on-tv-was-such-a-blur-but-it-changed-my-life-1-5905622
Show goes on into May. Now arriving in Croydon
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Siobhan has been in LA. .
She's done a video interview
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lilZxkqawE
and an interview
http://www.whatsonstage.com/brighton-theatre/news/04-2014/brief-encounter-with-seven-brides-for-seven-brothe_32084.html
There's more good reviews too
http://www.thepublicreviews.com/seven-brides-for-seven-brothers-liverpool-empire/
http://nativemonster.com/film-and-theatre/theatre/review-seven-brides-for-seven-brothers-grand
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Siobhan is back from LA ,and on holiday in Milan.
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Simona is rather good in A Perfect Murder. She plays the psychic East European prostitute, Kamila Walcak , who is Les Dennis's mistress, and dresses accordingly.
There's a review with a photo of Simona at http://www.bedfordshire-news.co.uk/News/ReviewThe-Perfect-Murder-20140404175918.htm
Not sure how long Simona is in this for as her agent's site says she was there till last saturday It looks like the show is having a break and returnng in the Autumn with Dawn Steele replacing Claire Goose (who really was excellent) an someone else replacing Les Dennis. . They are showing Simona on the autumn cast so she looks to be back in it then.. Its touring from 2 sept - 15 Nov with further dates to come - almost everywhere - so far including Canterbury, southend, Shrewsbury, Buxton, York, Eastborne , Aylesbury, Cardiff and Birmingam.
http://www.theperfectmurder.co.uk/buy.html
Her agent's CV shows some of what Simona has been doing inluding 'Lend Me a Tenor' at the Vienna English Theatre, 'Carnival Messiah' at Harewood House Leeds and 'Seven Other Children' at New End Hampstead. And her cast listing tells more and has a picture.
http://www.theperfectmurder.co.uk/cast.html
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Abbey is in The Jewish Legacy A Night At the Musicals. She's with 3 others including Emily Bull - who was Siobhan's understudy in Cabaret and a very good recent Cosette. This has songs from West Side Story, Funny Girl, Fiddler On The Roof, The Wizard Of Oz and South Pacific including My Funny Valentine, Over the Rainbow, and Tonight. Hopefully Abi gets to sing from Funny Girl at last.
http://www.thejewishlegacy.co.uk/home.html
Its playing Hornchurch on 25 June and Leeds 30 june and 2 July
http://www.thejewishlegacy.co.uk/tickets.html
There's a review of an earlier show
http://whatspeenseen.co.uk/reviews/the-jewish-legacy-review/
The cast list has some details of what Abi has been doing. She's been involved in Showstoppers: The Improvised Musical - though check as she's, as far as i can see, not in the current cast of that? it also mentions her time in the European tour of Hair.
http://www.thejewishlegacy.co.uk/cast.html
Abi is even more difficult to keep up to date with than Jessie. If anyone sees anything about her doing any other shows please post.
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Simona continues in The Perfect Murder which starts part two of its tour with a couple of new leads in september. Its itinery is here
http://www.theperfectmurder.co.uk/buy.html
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Helena has finished 7 brides and is having a break.
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No word on Siobhan, yet .
Helena is back from her break and next appears in a new musical But First This at the Watermill Theatre Newbury 23/10-8/11/14.
https://www.watermill.org.uk/but_first_this_a_musical_homage_to_radio_4
There's a youtube
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfhfVF_OqSM The problem is the theatre is 3 miles from the nearest train station and the buses go near there on alternate days.........:o:confused:
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Siobhan did the last workshop for Bend it like Beckham - playing the Keira Knightley/Sam Barks role.
She's in An Evening with Stuart Brayson and Friends in Gateshead 3 Feb 15. http://sagegateshead.gr8.com/It includes songs from the new musical King Pit.
She's done the ALS ice water bucket challenge
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czbgUyNXysU
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Abi was very funny in the Jewish Legacy. This review gives some idea.http://www.jonathanbaz.com/2013/11/the-jewish-legacy.html No sightings since?
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Simona continues in the Perfect Murder with a new happy couple.
http://www.theperfectmurder.co.uk/
http://www.theperfectmurder.co.uk/buy.html Running into November with more dates to come.
I saw Simona in The Perfect Murder and agree she was rather good!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWhln8K7Dfo
And Helena Blackman -
A series of Helena's recordings with silva Records/City of Prague Orchestra/London Music works have appeared on youtube
There's the Epic:)
Love Never Dies
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7iDkyYVjCI
I Vow To thee My Country
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pCZMNu7dDc
There's Disney:)
Tale As Old As Time (From Beauty and the Beast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RA06QSOPp7E
I See The Light From Tangled
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SuKxg7A1eI
Reflection from Mulan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhM3Z3_6Zuo
A Whole New World From Aladdin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oss7lyZMPu8
Part of Your World From The Little Mermaid
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_R_Z2K-gSys
Ev'rybody Wants to Be a Cat From The Aristocats - with Helena as a french chat.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rA4rkyP1qo
And for something different
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fvfTbrn7oE
And, just wierd
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides - Mermaids _ Helana as a mermaid.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v12R3wNerUM
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They are available at amazon.... (and other good stores)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00P6Y77U6/ref=dm_ws_sp_ps_dphttp://www.amazon.com/Danger-Mouse/dp/B00DCGB706/ref=sr_1_35?ie=UTF8&qid=1419466227&sr=8-35&keywords=helena+blackman
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009D9MQZG/ref=sr_1_5_rd?ie=UTF8&child=B009D9MT58&qid=1419468095&sr=1-5</a>
http://www.amazon.com/I-Vow-Thee-My-Country/dp/B00DHQ67VK/ref=sr_1_36?ie=UTF8&qid=1419466187&sr=8-36&keywords=helena+blackman
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005A31FQA/ref=dm_ws_sp_ps_dp- thi s one has My heart Will Go On - by Helena on it. The youtube of that sadly is a dud.
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Helena has finished But First This . if you missed it , you missed, amongst other laughs, Helena in a yellow sowester, with a beard, as a fisherman , and doing a very high pitched, very fast, very Scottish Kirsty Young. Wish someone would let her loose in a comedy musical . Helena's been having a break since..
No word on Siobhan - but there's not many top female roles around anywhere at present. ::(
The Perfect Murder ran at least into November with Simona. The site says there will be later dates, but if there are its not been updated since November.
http://www.theperfectmurder.co.uk/buy.html
Helena has started doing shows again - just not anywhere visible. She was involved in a season of the the Sound of Music in Cairo 25/2 - 3/3 and now seems to be involved in a repeat in Beirut .Looks like you have to go to the Middle East to see our star names - see Niamh's next news.
She's also doing a new musical in London - kingmaker - which is a political satire on the Blair years - St James's Theatre London , 31/3-1/4.
http://www.stjamestheatre.co.uk/studio/kingmaker-2/
This is an odd show - its on for two days, and, by the time Helena announced it, on twitter, there was only standing room left for one show . No idea how that works financially.
Siobhan did her show in Gateshead- There's youtubes - but not with Siobhan on them. Otherwise no news - though she seems happy.
Simona was a guest star on an E4 comedy series Drifters in November according to the net, but otherwise no news.
https://twitter.com/MissSaigonUK/status/589021066808393728
http://www.miss-saigon.com/blog/news/2015/04/jon-jon-and-eva-to-extend-for-a-2nd-year-and-chris-peluso-siobhan-dillon-and-natalie-mendoza-to-join-cast/
Helena has been to Egypt with the Sound of Music where it was performed in a v large tent https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.839374562816581.1073741835.270264129727630&type=1 and has followed that up with another trip with the show to Beirut - where she's tweeted some pictures of herself playing Maria alongside Rebecca Caine as the Abbess. - https://twitter.com/helenablackman - 11/4 and 14/4 - this time it was played in a casino http://www.cdl.com.lb/
Helena has played Maria before of course - at Kilworth house theatre, south Leicestershire in 2012. She going back there to do 4 concerts called the magic of the musicals 23rd 25th, 30th October and 1st November http://www.kilworthhousetheatre.co.uk/whats-on/magic-of-the-musicals/ They have two big summer musicals too - but haven't said who is in those.
Its a programme about her battle to get her singing voice back called Connie Fisher- I'll Sing Once More
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b061f5z8
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02w1jb9
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02vx5w7
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Siobhan is also dealing with a, non vocal, medical issue, since May - which has meant she hasn't been on often yet as Ellen in Miss Saigon - reports are she is excellent in the role. Lots of love, best wishes, support, hugs, and hopes for as quick a recovery as possible are in order. Miss her lots.
https://mobile.twitter.com/siobhandillonuk
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Annoyingly, I missed Abi in something because I didn't see cast details of it. She's been in Flames of London in May
http://www.waterlooeast.co.uk/flames.html
There she picked up some excellent reviews
http://britishtheatreguide.info/reviews/flames-waterloo-east-11513
https://www.londontheatre1.com/news/107046/spellbinding-flames-at-waterloo-east-theatre/
http://oughttobeclowns.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/review-flames-waterloo-east.html
https://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/2015/flames/ - has a picture
The good news is that I have finally found Abi's twitter (how I didn't find it before i Have no idea) , so, if she says there whats she's doing, I won't hopefully miss more shows.
https://mobile.twitter.com/AbitofAbiness?max_id=594076252853641215
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Helena's been doing some concerts for charities https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sunday-At-The-Musicals/800582636691310, http://www.basingstokegazette.co.uk/leisure/music/13312732.display/ but there seem to be no youtubes of these.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXtSpx_cweM
It got me wondering about what happened to her, so I googled her and found out that she's now known as Emilie Renard and is a professional opera singer.
http://www.emilierenard.co.uk/#!about/c24vq
Good find. Interesting to see how successful she's been, and doing what. There's links to some youtubes of her singing on her site including this one
https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=10&v=c0pyTKNZ4sI
https://mobile.twitter.com/siobhandillonuk
The show runs till 27 Feb. http://www.miss-saigon.com/blog/news/2015/07/miss-saigon-announces-final-extension-at-the-prince-edward-theatre-booking-to-saturday-27-february-2016/
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Leanne has also been having a heartbreaking time. She lost her baby son Harry this time last year. More internet love and hugs sent to her. She tells her story at https://www.justgiving.com/Leanne-Dobinson/?utm_id=20 - where’s she’s trying to raise some money to increase awareness of the issue, and needs some help .
She’s currently back on twitter and seems to welcome more followers . She’s at https://mobile.twitter.com/LeanneDobinson2
Leanne has also put a set of recordings of her singing a lot of musical theatre and pop songs up at smule.com
Here’s the Leanne Dobinson versions of
Let it Go
http://www.smule.com/recording/idina-menzel-from-disneys-frozen-let-it-go/312716087_165574278
Make Me Feel Your love
http://www.smule.com/recording/caitlinspeace-make-you-feel-my-love/312716087_179797447
Someone like you
http://www.smule.com/recording/dorquiwis-someone-like-you/312716087_179792951
On My Own
https://mobile.twitter.com/LeanneDobinson2?max_id=641155412394438655
You’ll never walk alone
https://mobile.twitter.com/LeanneDobinson2?max_id=641155412394438655
Think of Me
http://www.smule.com/recording/ctm_julia-think-of-me-phantom-of-the-opera/312716087_165598355
She’s very good – its time someone put her on a stage again.
There’s a lot more which may appear here as this year’s Christmas selection.
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Helena has been on holiday, and you can see why she is still getting asked for ID in supermarkets.
https://instagram.com/p/7dHYB1EH9s/
She’s about to start her series of Kilworth House Concerts. 23rd, 25th, 30th October and 1st Nov These are listed as sold out.
http://www.kilworthhouse.co.uk/events-offers/magic-of-the-musicals/
She’s also been singing with the Hampshire Police choir
Hello Young Lovers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krnml8c8CGc
And , a top soprano, Summertime https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7SXJrosDF4
She’s also been singing at the national portrait gallery. https://mobile.twitter.com/npglondon/status/641990292212547584
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Abi is about to appear in a new musical, Leader of the Pack. , at Waterloo East Theatre – 7-31 Oct.
http://www.waterlooeast.co.uk/leader%20of%20the%20pack.html
https://mobile.twitter.com/AbitofAbiness?max_id=594076252853641215
I wish Siobhan a swift and full recovery.
Funnily enough I was only thinking of Leanne recently and wondering what had happened to her. Ditto Abi. Sorry to hear of Leanne's loss, but hope something positive can come of it. Good to hear that Abi has a new musical role.
Connie won a Welsh BAFTA award last week. She was amongst the team behind a documentary called Jamie Baulch - Looking For My Birth Mum. So well done her (and the others involved)!
Incidentally, next year marks the 10th anniversary of HDYSAPLM (and the start of the TV Casting Show phenomena). I wonder if the BBC will do something to mark the occasion? Perhaps a documentary along the lines of the West End Story one they did 5 years ago? Or a TV show along the lines of When Joseph Met Maria (with Nancys and Dorothies also included, obviously!)? It would be nice to see them all on TV again and hear how (and what) they're doing.:)
Not sure how interested ALW would be. He has his new musical underway in the US . Although he might see a need to return to the theme, as he has lost impetus on his bid to create westend singing stars, the interest they created may have dropped off, and a lot of shows at the moment are going out reliant on somone from X factor or a soap to pull people in - regardless of whether they are much good.
The practical problem would be how could you do a show with so many people to cover . You could let Helena or Siobhan sing one of their best songs, but would then have enough current successful Nancy's to fill two shows. Two Nancys are in the states , and how do you show them doing what they do, when they do different things? They can't show what they can do if you make them just sing songs together, and it wouldn't be fair to pick one or two from each show to do a catchup on.
The gremlins hit some links last time
This is Leanne singing
On My Own
http://www.smule.com/recording/les-miserables-on-my-own/312716087_167439165
You’ll never walk alone
http://www.smule.com/recording/jazzbonbon-youll-never-walk-alone/312716087_167428633
and an extra two
Somewhere
http://www.smule.com/recording/mario_cf-somewhere/287550886_165530581
Mad World
http://www.smule.com/recording/gary-jules-mad-world-tears-for-fears-cover/312716087_181379670
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Siobhan has finished her radiation therapy and is on schedule to get back to Miss Saigon 9 Nov.
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Helena has been doing her Kilworth House concerts..
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Abi is pretty sensational in Leader of The Pack - the story lets her show off her acting ,and she has some big songs to sing. You also get to see Abi play the piano, accordion and tambourine......Ends this Saturday.
Abi's been getting great reviews. Many have pictures.
http://musicaltheatrereview.com/leader-of-the-pack-the-ellie-greenwich-musical-waterloo-east-theatre/
https://www.londontheatre1.com/news/118996/leader-of-the-pack-the-ellie-greenwich-musical/
http://britishtheatre.com/review-leader-of-the-pack-waterloo-east-theatre-3stars/
https://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/2015/leader-of-the-pack-the-ellie-greenwich-musical-at-waterloo-east-theatre-likeable/
http://www.waterlooeast.co.uk/leader%20of%20the%20pack.html
There's no youtubes of her yet, , but she's on a comparison tube at 4-41 singing some of Maybe. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDTjj69bSy8.:)
Show closes 27 feb .By her twitter, Siobhan has had her holidays after Jan 26 and 27 and is due on till the close - a must see.
Siobhan has done an interview about her run in with breast cancer
http://www.londonweeklynews.co.uk/article.cfm?id=100402&headline=FEATURE:%20From%20a%20drama%20to%20a%20crisis%20and%20back.%20How%20a%20West%20End%20star%20took%20on%20her%20toughest%20role§ionIs=news&searchyear=current and has an important message.
Siobhan is next on in another major role - Sunset Boulevard, as , Betty Shaefer, alongside Glenn Close and Michael Xavier. Thats at the English National Opera as their musical for this year - from April 1 to 7 May.
https://eno.org/news/casting-for-sunset-boulevard-announced
There's some seats left - the bad news is , like for Katie Hall in Sweeney Todd last year ,the good ones are not cheap. Siobhan has said she's due on for all the shows.
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Leanne has posted links to herself singing some more new songs on smule.:):):)
My Immortal
http://www.smule.com/recording/aussiechick_watw-my-immortal-acoustic/533382274_254518577
_-papa-can-you-hear-me
http://www.smule.com/recording/_42rachie_-papa-can-you-hear-me-yentl/543659134_244583258
maybe-this-time
http://www.smule.com/recording/_fla_-maybe-this-time/543659134_243781445
i-dreamed-a-dream
http://www.smule.com/recording/les-miserables-i-dreamed-a-dream/543659134_243770809
Don't Cry For Me Argentina
http://www.smule.com/recording/ijwowvipbwpvp-dont-cry-for-me-argentina-english/543659134_243798779
You
http://www.smule.com/recording/ellell76-someone-like-you-acoustic/543659134_244601631
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow
http://www.smule.com/recording/mazzymazz-will-you-still-love-me-tomorrow/543659134_244596529
anyone-who-had-a-heart
http://www.smule.com/recording/m3in99-anyone-who-had-a-heart/543659134_244587565
Alive
http://www.smule.com/recording/dorkatheart-alive/543659134_255214336
there's other new songs there too...
She's also supporting https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/112512 calling for more ante natal scans.
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Simona Armstrong seems to be back in the 2016 return tour of the Perfect Murder - with the Moons from Eastenders.
http://www.theperfectmurder.co.uk/cast.html
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Helena seems to be turning into mystic meg on her twitter
https://twitter.com/helenablackman
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Miss Dillon being wonderful
Maybe
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAJPgpGdB_4
And i still believe with Eva Noblezada
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuhh9SI4N_0
http://britishtheatre.com/review-sunset-boulevard-london-coliseum-5stars/ - Siobhan Dillion plays Betty Shaefer, aspiring screenwriter and challenger for Joe’s heart. Xavier and Dillion make a perfect pairing. Too Much In Love to care has never sounded better. Her portrayal of Betty is intelligent and a joy to listen to.
https://blog.fromtheboxoffice.com/2016/04/03/sunset-boulevard-pre-review-norma-nudity-and-a-very-un-london-reaction/ - Siobhan Dillon has the voice of a lark and is a revelation as the innocent Betty Shaefer, turning what can be a cloying character into one of charm, wit and emotional intelligence. There is real chemistry between Dillon and Xavier and under their mastery, “Too Much in Love to Care” blossoms from a tuneful ballad to a belting showstopper.
http://londonweeklynews.co.uk/article.cfm?id=100826&headline=ENTERTAINMENT:%20Theatrical%20event%20of%20the%20century%3F%20It%27s%20a%20Close%20call:%20Sunset%20Boulevard%20*****§ionIs=News&searchyear=2016 - Michael Xavier is utterly absorbing as the tormented writer alongside the beautiful Siobhan Dillon as Betty Schaefer who’s vocals are simply gorgeous.
https://www.londontheatre1.com/news/134953/5-star-moving-unique-ingenious-production-sunset-boulevard/
http://www.westendwilma.com/review-sunset-boulevard/ - Michael Xavier is the driving force in this show, hardly being off stage for a moment. He is beautifully paired up with Siobhan Dillon for several numbers and their voices blend together wonderfully creating an eargasm (new word I’ve learnt recently) along with the 48 piece orchestra, especially during ‘Too Much In Love To Care’. Siobhan is an incredible singer and actress and shines in this role
http://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/reviews/sunset-boulevard-london-coliseum_40116.html?cid=rssfeed - Betty, played by bright, clear-as-a-bell by Siobhan Dillon
She's done some blogs on it.
http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/news/backstage-pass/features/article/item356620/exclusivesunsetboulevardrehearsaldiary/
http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/news/backstage-pass/features/article/item356922/exclusive-sunset-boulevard-rehearsal-diary-2/
There's a curtain call.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_RWIEWgdSM
There's also another Siobhan singing Maybe.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2d0WP3Uk_g
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Helena is singing next in Sunday at the Musicals at the St James Theatre - Bronte is there too. https://www.stjamestheatre.co.uk/studio/sunday-at-the-musicals/ and on 30 April in 2 Of a Kind at the Pheasantry http://www.pizzaexpresslive.com/popList.aspx?showId=655c6dcf-67a7-498a-b230-d2f06a165196&showDateId=9011
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Abi has been involved in BEAM 16 - showcasing new musicals http://www.terripaddock.com/british-musical-theatre-has-just-had-its-woodstock-moment-i-was-there/
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Leanne has gone quiet on twitter - hope she's OK. She's put up some more songs.
One Call Away
http://www.smule.com/recording/charlie-puth-one-call-away/401669803_282378725
All I've ever wanted
http://www.smule.com/recording/mariah-carey-all-ive-ever-wanted/543659134_268134402
writings on the wall
http://www.smule.com/recording/sam-smith-sam-smith-writings-on-the-wall/543659134_268113209
I Have nothing.
http://www.smule.com/recording/whitney-houston-i-have-nothing/543659134_268085717
Let it Go
http://www.smule.com/recording/idina-menzel-from-disneys-frozen-let-it-go/227457584_263264541
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https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ch9ozR8WEAAPMe0.jpg:large
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ch4XFzZXAAAqB4o.jpg
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She's involved in the Queen's 90th Birthday celebration this week/weekend
http://www.hmq90.co.uk/stars-announced-for-thursday-friday-and-saturday-celebrations/
http://www.itv.com/news/2016-05-09/the-queens-90th-birthday-celebration-what-you-need-to-know/
On itv 1 Sunday 2035.
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Helena is in Titanic at the Charing Cross Theatre, 28 may - 6 august
http://www.charingcrosstheatre.co.uk/show/26/Titanic+#.VzKDreRRaM0
https://www.instagram.com/p/BFPVc9fEH-L/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BFBPzPTEH6i/
She doesn't get to sing my heart must go on again.......
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And then she's in Shout at the Blackpool wintergardens 19 /10- 3/11 2016.
http://www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk/events_more.asp?events_id=532
Funny Girl - Greatest Star - with added career highlights pictures,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlRqM-GseKo
Funny Girl is going on Tour - Abi rightly still wants to play the role.........
There's also a Sway
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akxi5jgdrTI
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Siobhan Dillon is on BBC radio 2 Friday Night is Music Night singing the hits of Cy Coleman probably airing on July 15
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07jd0yb
She's with Michael xavier, Tam Mutu and Ria Jones
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CmuE9oVXYAEyocy.jpg
Siobhan is also playing Tess - in Tess of the Durbeyfields - an upcoming album of a new musical . Its not the same one that Jessica played Tess in.
http://www.tessthemusical.com/news/new-musical-tess-unveils-leading-lady
She's got a very strong cast here too -with Tam Mutu and Simon Bailey.
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Helena Blackman continues in Titanic which is getting rave reviews , and sounds a treat..
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ClSy4HIXIAAFVaD.jpg:large
its under Charing Cross station.
https://westendwhingers.wordpress.com/2016/06/10/review-titanic-charing-cross-theatre/
http://livetheatreuk.co.uk/2016/06/06/review-titanic-2/
http://www.thereviewshub.com/titanic-southwark-playhouse-london-2/
She's also in Summer At the Musicals - a charity performance at the Phoenix Artist Club, London, on Sunday 28th August 2016 at 5pm
Phoenix Artist Club, London, on Sunday 28th August 2016 at 5pm
https://twitter.com/summermusicals1
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Simona's Perfect Murder tour seems to have ended in April . Here's a great review for her.
http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/perfect-murder-cambridge-arts-theatre-review/story-28969472-detail/story.html
http://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/news/nytg16/sunsetboulevard558497.htm
Its on at the 1740 seat place Theatre - 2 Feb 2017 - 28 May 17. Which is twice the length of the London run.
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Helena Blackman has just finished her run in Shout at the Blackpool Winter Gardens. She got to create a very different character for her, play some comedy , sing some big numbers, and show off some very long dancing legs. its fun, with 5 great singers and lots of laughs.
A review has some pictures . Helena is blue girl. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CvioanPXgAAIYDf.jpg:large
http://www.northwestend.co.uk/index.php/professional-reviews/lancashire/1475-shout-opera-house-blackpool
http://shoutmusical.co.uk/cast-creatives/
There's some youtubes - here are 3 - the other 6 look like being xmas's post
Intro
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKizWJ44Osc
Helena leads don't sleep in the subway.....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTz4Z40XJis
Colours
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCqTPsoJ0As
Shout goes on tour next year - though its not clear who the cast then will be.
Helena is staying on in Blackpool for - Great Expectations the Musical Dec 10 - Jan 7.
http://www.smartglider.co.uk/movies/great-expectations-the-musical/#!
She's playing Estelle.
http://www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk/news/stage-and-screen-stars-cast-for-great-expectations-in-blackpool/attachment/helena-blackman-will-star-as-estelle-at-blackpool-opera-house/
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Abi seems to be returning for a second run of Leader of the Pack at the Waterloo East Theatre in 2017 - no details yet.
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Leanne hasn't been posting on twitter for a long time - unless she's changed her address again. Miss her.
There's a youtube where she talks about her singing instructor, and career, with a montage of past youtubes at the end.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFQi21BI-FU
And the Confrontation from Miss Saigon has appeared with Siobhan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfUPiS_4UIk
and there's another I Still Believe - put the sound level up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqEEohlX9IU
No promises but there's a possibility that Siobhan will turn up in the Sound Of Musicals With Neil Brand on BBC4 from 13 Jan 2017 . Possibly not in the first show, if its chronological. She has recorded something from Evita with him recently, by her twitter
http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/proginfo/2017/02/sounds-of-musicals-with-neil-brand
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Helena' Great Expectations seems to have come to nought because of limited advanced sales. Not surprising, as Shout was undersubscribed too, for the show or quality of its cast - Blackpool didn't look the best place to start a new musical
http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/whats-on/theatre-and-comedy/ticket-sales-did-not-live-up-to-great-expectations-1-8243234
Annoyingly the Helena Shout musical rehearsal youtubes seem to have been taken down , a few days before i posted links here to them.......
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Leanne hasn't posted on simule or twitter since February. Hope she's alright.
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