Abi as the unsinkable Molly Brown from May 27-June 20 has acquired some Sunday matinee performances and some more details

http://westend.broadwayworld.com/art...r_527_20090505


Leanne does seem to be leaving Les Mis. There's a few youtubes recording bits of her performances

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0B-O...aynext_from=PL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6vBc...e=channel_page

Aoife is reportedly getting her fourth Velma - Leigh Zimmerman replacing Rachel McDowell from June 1 arriving with Jerry Springer . It looks like fun the week starting July 12 as Aoife, Jerry and Velma all have that as their current end date if Aoife goes then.
jmor on the internetforum site found this picture of Aoife as Roxie http://www.paulvicente.com/user-images/1592/rrrrr.jpg Aoife now qualifies not only as sexy Roxie Maria but as exceedingly fit after all that dancing Maria.

There's an interview with Abi talking about her current show and career and with some news about Aoife

http://www.totallyjewish.com/enterta...ntent_id=11872

and there's one review of The Unsinkable Molly Brown at the Landor which tells more about it

http://www.officiallondontheatre.co....ew/item106002/

There's a new Roxie, Michelle from Destiny's Child, arriving for July 12 so Aoife seems to be turning in her gun and leaving Chicago. She's got a new blonde wig and is the funniest, sadest, murderess you could ever meet for another 6 weeks or so.

Aoife and Jessie's bits of the 2008 ALW birthday concert should be on RTE radio 1 Sky 0160 either this Wednesday 0400 or next Monday at 2100 depending which half of the concert they are in and assuming they were recorded with the rest - spotted by RogT in the Jessie thread.

http://www.rte.ie/radio/listing.html?channel=110&date=1

Went to see Abi Finley as Molly Brown. She acts it brilliantly - just morphs into Molly totally for two hours, living every emotion. There's some beautiful songs too and its full of energy. There's a great review for Abi at http://www.classicalsource.com/db_co...ew.php?id=7150
The man from The Stage didn't like the musical but Abi got some praise for singng in tune when the musicians were not.......( I thought they were ok - just a bit loud at times)
http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/re...le-molly-brown

Meanwhile, there's some pictures of Aoife and Jerry Springer on the Aoifeblogspot site

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c3n7k_S1KI...Chicago+15.jpg

Aoife got a "superb" review from Bloomberg reviewing Chicago with Jerry. Seems it works if you imagine Billy as Jerry - will find out soon as thats this week's treat.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?p...drk&refer=muse

The ALW 08 concert with Aoife and Jessie is now downloadable on the RTE site - 2 parts so far and at least one to come. Its included Aoife as Evita and singing from Sunset Boulevard so far.

http://www.rte.ie/radio1/inconcert/1098414.html

Leanne Dobinson left Les Miserables on 20/6. The cast got a standing ovation for the matinee and reportedly another for their last performance. I thought she was great as Cosette.

Some rather nice Leanne youtubes have turned up

In My Life/ A Heart Full Of Love


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KrDa...eature=related

and "one day more" with video including Leanne (from 30 secs in as Cosette in the black outfit)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IBHr...e=channel_page

With Abi finishing as Molly Brown on the 21st we now have two Marias on stage - Aoife has two weeks to go as Roxie and Laura seems to be touring in scoobydoo into the late autumn (though it doesn't actually show the cast under cast for obvious scooby reasons)

http://www.scooby-dooliveonstage.co.uk/tour

Aoife Mulholland finished her term in prison in Chicago on Saturday. The matinee performance was the funniest yet with some Aoife parting touches. Aoife, Jerry and Leigh were a great team - hopefully she will be back soon as I doubt they will find anyone funnier as Roxie. I think that was the longest term anyone has served as Roxie since Ruthie Henshall in 1998 which is good company to be with.

Aoife is no longer the murderess in prison for killing her lover, carrying a gun, wearing a black nightie and doing cartwheels........

But in December in case you missed it she's back as Brooke Wyndham in Legally Blonde .....in prison for murdering her husband - armed with a skipping rope, wearing a leotard or bikini top, and skipping.

http://aoifemulholland.blogspot.com/

http://www.legallyblondethemusical.c...FQcTzAod1Vcsbw

She has to do something like this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wi323x_fkws

Or this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vr6ODymB1XU

Its a good thing she's looking very very fit after Chicago............

Meanwhile the Chess in Concert DVD/CD was out in June with Aoife singing with Josh Groban and Idina Menzel .

Abi Finley is featured on the upcoming CD of Bluebird a new musical ...with Sarah Lark . There's only a few youtubes of Abi in Blondel and Betwixt so we get a chance to hear more of her at last. The cast also includes the Phantom of the Opera ........

http://www.dresscircle.co.uk/product.asp?StockID=35387

Helena Blackman is listed as taking part in a concert in London November 1 along with ....... Sarah Lark. (found by supergirlblibs on the Sarah Lark thread) To complete the set they have Daniel Boys from ADWD too.

http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newss...t-for-west-end

Connie is back on stage as Maria in the touring nunnery in Cardiff with the wonderful Margaret Preece.

http://thesoundofmusictour.com/

There's an interview with Connie

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/showbiz...1466-24226985/

Aoife in Chess has appeared on youtube

Where I wanna be with Josh Groban

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rm2H0...eature=related

Same - better sound, poorer picture.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czY_3...eature=related

Couple more at the Aoifeblogspot
http://aoifemulholland.blogspot.com/...-at-royal.html

Including the best youtube of Nobody's Side...with Idina Menzel acompanied by Aoife .....and a Velma or Christine or two......

The Justin Lee Collins series where he takes on various challenges looks to be starting on Thursday 13 th Sky One at 2100. It looks as if each of 6 challenges gets one show (not certain) and it looks as if the first challenge shown is wrestling. At some point the programme where he plays Amos in Chicago alongside Aoife will turn up - he says it was his favourite challenge.

Until then there's this from Chicago with Aoife which gives a feel but sounds as if it was recorded through a sock and needs the sound turned up full.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-af8...eature=related


And this one of Leanne in Les Mis with video as well as Leanne singing.........

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqGMl...e=channel_page

The Chicago challenge with Justin Lee Collins starring alongside Aoife should be on at last this week by the TV listings and trailer last week. Sky One 2100 Thursday - hopefully with Aoife singing to him from up a ladder.........

Meanwhile the talk on other boards of Siobhan Dillon taking over as Sally Bowles in the touring show of Cabaret seems correct.

Mr Kenwrights site has dates but a lot of the booking links go nowhere. The home page hasn't been updated from Sam from IDA getting the role but the booking page does say where the tour goes this Autumn.

http://www.kenwright.com/default.asp?contentID=874

Talk of Siobhan getting the role from September seems confirmed by

http://www.birmingham-rep.co.uk/news...n-hit-musical/

I can't see Siobhan as Sally she looks too clean cut. Mind you I never expected Sam to be so good. I might go and see it if it comes round my way again, it was a great production with the exception of Wayne Sleep who was average at best.

Thanks for keeping this thread up to date

I'm going to see Legally Blonde. Can't wait.

There's some piccies and some excellent reviews on the Siobanblogspot site

http://siobhandillon.blogspot.com/

She's looking very different and the reviewers like her acting so things look fine.

The Justin Lee Collins show on Chicago with Aoife features on Aoife's blogspot if anyone missed it. 4th picture down

http://aoifemulholland.blogspot.com/...-hdysaplm.html

and the folk at the internetforum have found Abi Finley is in a new musical from 29/9 - 17/10

Its called First Lady Suite and its about some of the prominent US first ladies

http://www.facebook.com/pages/First-..._edit_sections

(it has some pictures of the cast there too)

and its at the Union Theatre Southwark.

http://www.upandcoming.webeden.co.uk...ite/4534815897

http://www.uniontheatre.org/

i saw siobhan in cabaret last night and she was great. she plays a different more tougher sally than sam does i love both in the role for different reasons, my friend i went with though prefered siobhan last night to sam. would really recommend you see it!

They have a video of Siobhan as Sally up on the Cabaret site now with a snippet of song. Looks and sounds good to me.

http://www.kenwright.com/default.asp?contentID=1051

Meanwhile the Bluebird CD is out with some nice bits of Abi singing and lots of Sarah Lark. Abi is Jane and Sarah is Roberta.

http://www.dresscircle.co.uk/product.asp?StockID=35387

You will believe a Maria can fly

http://wooller.com/default.asp?id=30...11183&offset=8

Aoife as Brooke in Legally Blonde.

http://wooller.com/?page=11183&id=30043&offset=16

More on the Press launch at

http://aoifemulholland.blogspot.com/

and

http://www.whatsonstage.com/photos/t...d+Legally.html

Abi Finley has finished In First Lady Suite. There's an interview at

http://www.musicaltalk.co.uk/episodes_0154.html

Abi starts about above the second d in download if you want to save time and move the slider.

She's also singing on this youtube of Bluebird from about 4-08 - some nice pictures too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5P4qtQvMqXg

Aoife Mulholland has been added to the site video of Legally Blonde as she was getting married when they first filmed it - she now skips on and off - first sighting at 1-35 I think......

http://www.legallyblondethemusical.co.uk/

Helena Blackman is in Secret Garden at the W Yorkshire Playhouse as Lily/Rose?
28 November 2009 to 23 January 2010

http://www.wyp.org.uk/events/event_d...?event_ID=5488

The Michael Bruce showcase with Helena is this Sunday

http://www.nimaxtheatres.com/nimax/p...+Less+Ordinary

Connie seems to be extending in the SOM tour - possibly until May depending how you read the site.

http://www.thesoundofmusictour.com/

Helena started in the Secret Garden last week

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wyplayh...7622788183085/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wyplayh...7622788183085/

http://www.wypchristmas.co.uk/secretgarden/

Siobhan may be going back into Grease - leading as Sandy - according to word at the internetforum.

Aoife was on CIN with legally Blonde (yellow top, blue bottoms) They seem determined she won't be allowed to cover her midrift anywhere whilst she is Brooke. She's looking incredibly fit...and the dancing is impressive.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlUmI...rom=PL&index=6

Legally Blonde previews start this Saturday

Anyone know if Abi is doing anything this Xmas - havn't found anything yet?

Abi got a good review for First Lady Suite. About time someone gave her a West-End lead.
http://www.reviewsgate.com/index.php...ticle&sid=4771

Footloose with hindsight was rather important.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EutNFFcShlw

Bizarre for Maria- but Roxie and Brooke are in there ...

Just been to see Aoife in Legally Blonde. Shes amazing (literally in Whipped into Shape") She sings brilliantly as she skips and the audience whoops for her. Brooke is also a loud character and has some great comic moments so she's showing off her repertoire there too - from Maria to Brooke must cover most roles. Its still in preview but she's getting great fan reviews and the whingers were impressed

http://westendwhingers.wordpress.com...savoy-theatre/

And Siobhan's Dillon's takeover as Sandy in Grease seems confirmed from 25th Jan

http://www.whatsonstage.com/news/the...a%2C+Xmas.html

Looks like coming third or fourth can be a very good place to end up.

A bit odd - claims to be a video of the US Legally Blonde with the sound from the new London one at the Savoy. It sounds like Aoife and Peter Davidson . If anything Aoife is even more energetic and yes she is skipping and singing at once,

Skipping ropes ready. Brooke is waiting .........

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1nBJ_SdagY

My sister lives in New Zealand. She says they have been showing adverts on TV for the Maria and the Joseph shows both of which are coming soon. She don't remember them mentioning the Nancy show at all.

Seen it. Aoife Mulholland was excellent as were the rest of cast. Sheridan Smith - WOW!

Some peformers from these reality casting shows seem to be doing much better than the actual winners! I wonder what will happen to Jodie Prenger when she leaves Oliver? She seems to have lots of real charisma and personality, so she will proably do well.

As far as I can see, all three winners are doing well:-

Connie has had a successful run in the WE version of SOM, released two albums, appeared in various one-off concerts, appeared in a musical called They're Playing Our Song, appeared in a TV drama (Caught In A Trap) and is currently appearing in the SOM tour.

Lee has had a successful run in the WE version of Joseph, released two albums, performed two songs on the soundtrack of the film Three & Out, lent his vocals to songs for Children In Need and Help The Heroes, appeared in various one-off concerts (both during and after Joseph) and is currently appearing in the play Lord Arthur Savile's Crime (in which he plays the title role). He also managed to fit in an acting course at the Lee Strasberg institute in New York.

Jodie is currently appearing in Oliver! has presented Elaine Paige's show on Radio Two, appeared in various on-off concerts, appeared as a panelist on Loose Women and appears from time to time as a presenter of the National Lottery show.

It's a bit pointless (and silly) to get into a game of "A is more successful than B". It's insulting to the people involved to treat them as if they're still in some kind of competition, and it's impossible to compare their careers. For example, does a supporting role in a WE show trump a leading role in a tour? Or does a leading role in a London (but not WE) production trump being an understudy in a WE show? Then there's things like TV work (does a drama trump a regular slot on a show like Loose Women?) and recording (does a Number 1 on the classical chart trump a number 25 on the pop chart?).

Also, does taking time out to have a baby or write an album or get more training make a person less successful than someone who, during that same time period has been working (but who may, at some point in the future, take some time out to have a baby, write an album or whatever)?

I think the casting shows have produced lots of great talent, so let's celebrate that (and follow the careers of those who interest us) rather than trying to compare their levels of success.

BH!!!! Touchy or what? It was a mere comment. I didn't expect anyone to post their PhD on the topic!!!

I don't see it as touchy, Ewoodie -just replying to your comment. All 3 of the winners have done incredibly well and the other contestants too. There's room for them all in the industry.

IMHO - It was. Although I do appreciate some posters are very serious and very sensitive to some issues/comments.

Aoife Mulholland - Legally Blonde - Whipped into shape with the best sound so far
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9u0PC5wieT0

Whipped' starting a bit earlier with the next scene too with a bit less quality on the sound. Don't listen to the second one if you don't want to know Brooke's alibi.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ko-N...eature=related

The reception says it all.

Meanwhile Siobhan Dillon has started as Sandy in Grease (actually a bit early) and she's posted a picture of herself on the poster.........

http://www.mobypicture.com/user/siob...k/view/5912255